Discussion: Realistic Zombie Survival Weaponry

[Guest]

So I was having a nice chat with a couple of the Vestige members and I was gaining all sort of confusion for me only wielding a pistol. 

I always reply with the same sentence, "It's to promote RP and stay away from PVP"

As a number of people know, I'm a heavy RPer, shit PVPer, Crap shot and horrible ping.

Now I've been thinking, after around 9 months of RP, where I ran around with heavy weaponry and slowly reducing myself into a lightweight, the idea of realistic weapons used in a Zombie Apocaplyse came to mind.

Now in a zombie movie, ex. Walking Dead.

You see survivors who wield pistols only due to the fact it is lightweight and easy to conceal, that brings a question to my mind.

"Why do general survivors go around with SVDs and M4s"

A pistol in real life, is the ideal self defense weapon, it is also the ideal weapon for concealment and ammunition. In real life, nobody is going to bring around an AR15 for "Self Defense", everyone carries pistols(1911, M9, Glock). That is what is primarily used in real life, 

Even in a home invasion, most of the guns used are not automatics, firearm experts such as IraqVeteran8888 have claimed that the top 5 best home invasion weapons include a 2 pistols(Glock 19 and Tarus Judge), others include 2 shotguns as well as a kriss vector(which personally seems like overkill)

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Same with here, IraqVeteran determined that the 2 most useful weapons in a zombie Apocalypse, is indeed a pistol. There is an exception to the rule which is the AK74 which is at the bottom of the list. The rest are shotguns, pistols and a hunting rifle(which even in a situation where you are surrounded may not be useful)

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With that said, in DayZRP for realistic RPers such as myself, I often find it unusual that men and women would go around in an apocalypse , armed to the teeth as if they expect to find trouble every single day. Now wilderness survival for most people consist of Rifles(R770, Winchesters) and shotguns(R870, general 12 gauge) are the choice of most hikers, nobody travels into a forest with an AR15 cause it doesnt make sense.

I get that using automatics and high powered rifles are fun and all, but in a real apocalypse wouldnt people be more focused on survival? 

Instead I see everyone in DayZRP, armed to the teeth for example this image I gained last night from my stream:

Everyone who is not a hostage have some kind of high powered rifle or an automatic, all which wouldnt be a logical choice during a zombie outbreak. Makes sense if people aim to fight each other, then they'll be out using heavy weaponry, but I cant imagine people going around day in and day out with an AK slung over their shoulders, it just seems a bit difficult to swallow. I can imagine a few people going around during a zombie outbreak using AKs and M4s but that's usually people with military experience, not to mention in real life, firing guns on automatic is incredibly inaccurate unless you're a professional shooter like Jerry Miculek. 

An ideal self defense weapon would be pistol, an ideal self defense weapon during a situation would be a pistol for the simple fact that if you can quickdraw it fast enough you can take down 2 or 3 people within a few seconds, which is used in famous shooting technique called the Bill Drill,

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In other words, it would be more realistic if people in game uses a pistols and shotguns for "self defense" instead of high powered weaponry like SVDs, or automatics such as the AK74.

IDK, to me it just seem a little implausible that everyone I meet on the servers seem to have a type of automatics for "self defense", seeing how most people who uses firearms like myself IRL would agree that pistols and shotguns are the ideal self defense weaponry. 

I made my point so I want to hear what the community has to say to this, I know that a lot of people would jump to the defense of the automatics and military guns and I know that everyone has the right to use whatever gun they want. But I still want to hear what the community thinks

Discuss. 

BTW, yes I am a firearm activist and enthusiast IRL.

[Surviving Man]

An AK is easy to use, really durable and has a 30+ round magazinr tho.

[Fate]

You might've shown me a different perspective of the survivalist approach. It's always instinct on my part to have a rifle of some kind. Fact is, I used to be that guy who literally had 6-8 firearms on me at all times loaded. Consisted of mostly handguns, yes, but I'd basically keep an AKM, AKS-74u, MP5K, CR-75, M1911, P1 Pistol(If I am lucky), Sawn-off shotgun, Sawn-off Mosin, and a flare gun. Supply running was, well to say the least, difficult. Now that I look back on it though, I found out it was for novelty's sake. But now I think I'll try and pistol-only it. My character at the moment is injured enough, it would do her some good to unload some weight.

Thanks for this. I think with fewer guns on me, the less likely I'll try to get up in someone's face thus more positive RP.

(On a side note, I believe if you had only a pistol, people would be less likely to rob you seeing as you don't have a mall-ninja'd AK or M4. Pro tip: Make yourself to be smaller than your worth.)

[Wolfe]

Well, unfortunately you're talking about a video game in which many players would not know the first thing about survival if something like an "outbreak" started. Also, not to mention that DayZ is a PVP game where many started on the public servers doing PVP so it's a natural reaction for some people to want to be geared to the teeth regardless of how "realistic" that would be in reality. Although it would be nice to see more non-military characters gearing more to a realistic survival role, it's not going to happen just based off of the fact that those without gear tend to be preyed on by the "bandits" more often then not. Yeah they may make it out of the situation without losing anything unlike someone who was fully kitted; but it also brings up the question of, if you had an assault rifle, would someone had messed with you in the first place or just kept their distance?

Overall, I see your point, but at the end of the day you either; 1. Don't travel alone. 2. Have enough firepower to protect yourself if something goes south. or 3. You get real good at talking your way out of things.

[Guest]

Well, unfortunately you're talking about a video game in which many players would not know the first thing about survival if something like an "outbreak" started. Also, not to mention that DayZ is a PVP game where many started on the public servers doing PVP so it's a natural reaction for some people to want to be geared to the teeth regardless of how "realistic" that would be in reality. Although it would be nice to see more non-military characters gearing more to a realistic survival role, it's not going to happen just based off of the fact that those without gear tend to be preyed on by the "bandits" more often then not. Yeah they may make it out of the situation without losing anything unlike someone who was fully kitted; but it also brings up the question of, if you had an assault rifle, would someone had messed with you in the first place or just kept their distance?

Overall, I see your point, but at the end of the day you either; 1. Don't travel alone. 2. Have enough firepower to protect yourself if something goes south. or 3. You get real good at talking your way out of things.

funny enough, I play as a lightweight, barely anything on me. usually a black jacket, jeans, Boonie hat, the occasional mask and a 1911. I get initiated less than my friends with M4s and SVDs. People do have the mindset that a man without anything wouldn't be worth their time. Which cancels out a lot of the time, when bandits surround me but realize that I wasn't a good enough prey. after all who wants to spend the next 30 mins rping with a hostage that literally got nothing to lose and have as much gear as a fresh spawn in Cherno. of course getting good at talking your way out of situations is what I usually do. if the bandits want gear they wouldn't prey on me, which is what most bandits are nowadays.

the occasional time I get initiated on, is when I know it's going to be pure rp. which is why I try to maintain a good IC relation with every bandit group, the idea at the end of the day is rp.

I do get your point though, it is still a valid point that this is a general PVP game but RP is about RP>Gear.

but thats just my 2 cents

[Wolfe]

funny enough, I play as a lightweight, barely anything on me. usually a black jacket, jeans, Boonie hat, the occasional mask and a 1911. I get initiated less than my friends with M4s and SVDs. People do have the mindset that a man without anything wouldn't be worth their time. Which cancels out a lot of the time, when bandits surround me but realize that I wasn't a good enough prey. after all who wants to spend the next 30 mins rping with a hostage that literally got nothing to lose and have as much gear as a fresh spawn in Cherno. of course getting good at talking your way out of situations is what I usually do. if the bandits want gear they wouldn't prey on me, which is what most bandits are nowadays.

the occasional time I get initiated on, is when I know it's going to be pure rp. which is why I try to maintain a good IC relation with every bandit group, the idea at the end of the day is rp.

I do get your point though, it is still a valid point that this is a general PVP game but RP is about RP>Gear.

but thats just my 2 cents

Yeah, I guess it's just situational, as is everything in RP. If you have a cautious play style then yes, you'll be initiated on far less then someone with a highly desired weapon who openly runs up to every group they run across. That's kind of common sense.

[Guest]

Yeah when we Irish run in numbers and our firepower is a plus to others we tend to be avoided, so in reality I would want to be that situation.

Fear me, avoid me, if you don't you're going to eat lead.

[Hollows]

I carry a M4 because we kind of got it off of someone's body. But I kind of have to pack a heavy weapon because to survive as a Regulator means you need the firepower to back yourself up, as there aren't any other Hero aligned groups I can think of aside from us. Literally, and I mean literally every single bandit or bandit group is out to attack us for whatever reason or the other. That is why we use these weapons.

Before the Regulators, I used a double barreled shotgun for hunting and defense, and I used a P1 Pistol for the Infected on characters before Tate. I can see where you're coming from, but some people just need to pack heat to keep the people hunting them at bay.

[Guest]

Yeah when we Irish run in numbers and our firepower is a plus to others we tend to be avoided, so in reality I would want to be that situation.

Fear me, avoid me, if you don't you're going to eat lead.

I get why people would run from the Irish, I typically choose to run from you guys when I see the Irish. however that can be considered avoiding RP, which I believe me and a few friends were reported by Frank about it. Avoiding the Irish is sometimes not plausible especially when you guys chase people across the map.

then again... it kinda open the option of someone getting reported for avoiding rp. In that situation, whatever happens the person that was chased, loses.

[Thumper]

My Irish character started out using nothing but pump shotguns and bolt action rifles. Every once in a while he woul use an AK, and even to this day I tend to carry only bolt action rifles or a SKS. He does not like automatic weapons. 

The reason? Realistically,  anyone and everyone can operate a bolt action or pump action, even lever action. Its more likely he would have used those in his old life, and I am comfortable placing my skills with them against the automatic lovers.  I have never carried an AuG ot M4 long with him, and never will. Simply more realistic for me, and I am better with them than the majority or players with automatics, so...

[Ronan]

I think a good idea could be that most people aren't experienced in preparing for the zombie apocalypse so the general idea is that, bigger is better and that's why most people will arm themselves to the teeth. The reason my character has mainly used an AKM is because it's one of two of the only weapons he knows how to shoot. He was taught to use this gun in RP which is how I justify it.

[dom]

When you enjoying the dank loots

[Stagsview]

Very much like the OP. I refuse to use anything else besides pistols with my main character. I don't even use a big backpack, always use a small corrier one and a pistol holster.

Great fun, makes it a challenge to surive in the wasteland, and even more so when zombies are around and limited ammo.

[Alex]

Well, unfortunately you're talking about a video game in which many players would not know the first thing about survival if something like an "outbreak" started. Also, not to mention that DayZ is a PVP game where many started on the public servers doing PVP so it's a natural reaction for some people to want to be geared to the teeth regardless of how "realistic" that would be in reality. Although it would be nice to see more non-military characters gearing more to a realistic survival role, it's not going to happen just based off of the fact that those without gear tend to be preyed on by the "bandits" more often then not. Yeah they may make it out of the situation without losing anything unlike someone who was fully kitted; but it also brings up the question of, if you had an assault rifle, would someone had messed with you in the first place or just kept their distance?

Overall, I see your point, but at the end of the day you either; 1. Don't travel alone. 2. Have enough firepower to protect yourself if something goes south. or 3. You get real good at talking your way out of things.

See, the thing is that it's not. It's a survival multiplayer game and I think Kenny's points are valid because this is infact a survival game. Yes sure there is PvP involved, but theres PvP in minecraft, and thats a survival game too. No matter how people are on public servers, this is still a survival game and it's sure as hell not a PvP game on DayZRP.

On the note of characters looking for survival realistic, unless you're at a military installation on Public, most people have civvy stuff, but it would be nice if military was harder to find and there was more civvy clothing so that you wouldnt be able to find military so easily. I also think anything other than shotguns, hunting rifles or pistol firearms should be harder to find.

[Chris]

Well, unfortunately you're talking about a video game in which many players would not know the first thing about survival if something like an "outbreak" started. Also, not to mention that DayZ is a PVP game where many started on the public servers doing PVP so it's a natural reaction for some people to want to be geared to the teeth regardless of how "realistic" that would be in reality. Although it would be nice to see more non-military characters gearing more to a realistic survival role, it's not going to happen just based off of the fact that those without gear tend to be preyed on by the "bandits" more often then not. Yeah they may make it out of the situation without losing anything unlike someone who was fully kitted; but it also brings up the question of, if you had an assault rifle, would someone had messed with you in the first place or just kept their distance?

Overall, I see your point, but at the end of the day you either; 1. Don't travel alone. 2. Have enough firepower to protect yourself if something goes south. or 3. You get real good at talking your way out of things.

See, the thing is that it's not. It's a survival multiplayer game and I think Kenny's points are valid because this is infact a survival game. Yes sure there is PvP involved, but theres PvP in minecraft, and thats a survival game too. No matter how people are on public servers, this is still a survival game and it's sure as hell not a PvP game on DayZRP.

On the note of characters looking for survival realistic, unless you're at a military installation on Public, most people have civvy stuff, but it would be nice if military was harder to find and there was more civvy clothing so that you wouldnt be able to find military so easily. I also think anything other than shotguns, hunting rifles or pistol firearms should be harder to find.

They may want it to be a survival game, but until threats are introduced or loot drops changed, it isn't much of a survival game; it's too easy to live.    

Wish it was, though.  #Cut4Zombies #GoingOnMonthsNow

*Edit*: I agree on the second part, military hardware should be extremely rare.

[Dew]

See, the thing is that it's not. It's a survival multiplayer game and I think Kenny's points are valid because this is infact a survival game. Yes sure there is PvP involved, but theres PvP in minecraft, and thats a survival game too. No matter how people are on public servers, this is still a survival game and it's sure as hell not a PvP game on DayZRP.

On the note of characters looking for survival realistic, unless you're at a military installation on Public, most people have civvy stuff, but it would be nice if military was harder to find and there was more civvy clothing so that you wouldnt be able to find military so easily. I also think anything other than shotguns, hunting rifles or pistol firearms should be harder to find.

I agree that Dayz has survival aspects to it, but it also is revolved around PVP. If the game was mainly survival, the game would have sticks and stones to craft bows and spears. The game wouldn't have guns like M4's, Ak's, and Sniper rifles. There are  ghillies in the game to camouflage in with your surroundings so people can't spot you as easy. You think they made ghillies so zombies can't spot you? Yea okay. If the game revolved around the player surviving they would have added a lot more things to craft, and not more high military grade rifles like they are now.

[Snafu]

I have to argue that with the OP I believe it's more centered around home-defense/CQC, so the obvious choice would be something small, mobile and can pack a punch in a small area. The majority of Chernarus is either small towns/villages surrounded by extensive fields/forests so it kind of makes more sense to use longer ranged weaponry as it just suits the environment the person is in.

[Eagle]

Use what you can use,all i can say.

[Foxi]

I guess it depends on the zombies, if they are the kind that are rotting and such I would want a sporter .22 for sure. One or two hits to the head and your done. Quiet, no recoil, easy to find ammo.

[CaptainKayser]

Are they still planning on applying the weight system where you can be encumbered if you carry too much? Because if that rolls around then I think a lot of people who disagree with OP's post will change their minds. I'd love for all the people who go around double carrying an svd and an m4 with their super spy swat team army training to be forced to walk across the map.

[Prince]

When I hear realistic and zombie in the same sentence. 

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[Cleric Underwood]

I agree that Dayz has survival aspects to it, but it also is revolved around PVP. If the game was mainly survival, the game would have sticks and stones to craft bows and spears.

Er, do you mean bows and spears only? Because the game does have sticks and stones to craft those items.

[Dew]

I agree that Dayz has survival aspects to it, but it also is revolved around PVP. If the game was mainly survival, the game would have sticks and stones to craft bows and spears.

Er, do you mean bows and spears only? Because the game does have sticks and stones to craft those items.

ye, only stuff like bows, spears, etc.

[Noah98]

I agree with you on many of the things mentioned in this post, Kenny!!!

As an avid shooter, I've shot many handguns, semi-automatic rifles, shotguns and bolt-action rifles. I own a .30-06 hunting rifle and i've even had the pleasure of shooting automatic guns.

Automatic guns are hard as hell to control. If I was going to carry any long gun with me during an apocalypse, it would be my 6 1/2 lb .30-06 hunting rifle for two reasons- it's accurate and powerful. Along with that, i'd carry a Glock 19 with me for if things get nasty.

The truth is, most people carry big military weapons because they look cool and they're good to show off with. In a roleplay server, an SVD will do absolutely nothing for you since you generally won't be able to engage people at long range anyways because you can't initiate from 400m away. M4's and AK's are there because they are customizable and can fit on your character's back. If DayZ players had to carry the weight their character lugged around every day while playing, I guarantee we'd see more handguns and knives being used.

[Guest]

I agree that Dayz has survival aspects to it, but it also is revolved around PVP. If the game was mainly survival, the game would have sticks and stones to craft bows and spears.

Er, do you mean bows and spears only? Because the game does have sticks and stones to craft those items.

ye, only stuff like bows, spears, etc.

well, that would beat the purpose to dayz, it'll be a crafting game which some people do rp out. where they only use certain weaponry, like I explained, this game does have the PVP aspect.

however it does not seem plausible to see everyone carrying an AK or a group with super soldierish equipment, instantly when you meet some one who is double carrying m4s, it does seem a bit odd that someone would do such a thing. I get that some people want to make a stash, but to have so many guys decked out in gear and still call themselves a survivor?

most people tend to say "nah I don't play the super soldier" or "nah my character doesn't have any military background" yet they run around with AKs, M4s and SVDs. It does seem possible that within the few months in Chernarus you have become a complete Rick Grimes badass but the chances of many people doing so is slim IRL, it seems like everyone wants to use their pub skills in rp instead of explore multiple options it has to offer.

After all there is only so many soldiers in Chernarus, survivors should be able to get their hands of automatics and high caliber but the fact is, there is not enough of this "automatics" to go around. Chernarus had a small Pop which means a small military, even with NATO forces coming in. the amount of high end weaponry should be kept to the minimum, most weapons would be destroyed during the war or during the first few months of the outbreak, ammunition for those guns should be in rarity.

Eventually, people would be forced to resort to more "conventional" weaponry; such as bows, pistols where ammunition is somewhat in abundance in some instances, instead of spraying and praying, each shot would mean something.

As of the moment, yes my points do and would generate some confusion as well as it make it seem like I'm against PVP, which I know most of the Vestige thinks I am. But at the end of the day, I understand that PVP is part of the game and I'm ok with it.

the one thing I'm not ok with, is the fact that EVERYONE has a high end weapon, in my travels I met around 30-40+ people in the last week?

around 85% of them have automatics or high end weapons such as SVD, AKs, M4s and whatnot.

The whole idea of this is discussion is to see what the community thinks about the amount of military weapons floating around in everyone's hands. with only a certain of us, running around with weaponry a survivor who is trying to survive would.