Main hideouts and safe zones | Enemies Dying Light Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
In both two main locations of the game very important role serve survivors quarters. This is for example the Tower, in which civilians leaded by Brecken have their hideout (you start the game there), or Rais's Garrison. The most important function of those buildings is that they offer a safe haven. When you're inside, you don't have to worry that you will be attacked by zombies or unfriendly living people. But it is not their only functionality, there you can also:
- Start optional tasks (look around for markers on the mini-map, like white exclamation marks)
- Meet with merchants and quartermasters (they have been described below)
- Find secrets and other valuable items
- Stock items not needed at the moment (a good idea if your inventory is full and you don't want to sell your weapons)
- Use the bed (more in the next chapter of this guide)
It is recommended to regularly revisit hideouts. Thanks to that you will be able to rest, replenish your supplies and unlock yourself some optional challenges.
Caution - some rooms in survivors quarter are unavailable at the beginning. But don't lose your hope if your survivor sense shows you that there are valuable items on the other side. You can unlock access to those rooms while progressing in the game (for example, by completing a mission).
Merchants can be mostly found in survivor quarters described above, but you can find them as well in selected safe zones and while exploring the game world (look for dollar icon on the map). After interacting with a merchant you can start buying or sell unneeded items.
You should mostly buy unique blueprints from the merchants, their importance has been described in the Crafting chapter, especially since most of them aren't very expensive. You can look for some unique weapons as well, but do it only after spending few hours with the game and becoming significantly richer. You shouldn't buy common items (lock picks, health packs or firecrackers), for you can easily find them in the game or craft them yourself. As for the selling of your own goods, get rid mostly of cigarettes, coffee and purses, since they don't have any other use. You can also sell unneeded weapons which you have gathered too many. Definitely do not sell weapon upgrades and items useful in crafting.
Caution - It is a good idea to wait with your first serious purchases until you unlock at least one ability that lowers merchants prices. Items that take place in your inventory can be stored in player locker and get you can get rid of them after you secure yourself better prices at the shop.
Regularly visit not only the merchants, but quartermasters residing in the main shelters as well. Those meetings are very paying, since every day quartermaster can give you a set of FREE items. Usually he gives you 1-2 weapons and few one-time use items (like firecrackers or lock picks). It is a very valuable help, for otherwise you would have to spend money or supplies on getting those same items.
Main quarters of the survivors are not the only places in the game world where you can feel safe. In each of two main parts of the Harran there are potential safe zones marked on the map with a red house icon. You can pick the challenge and try to take control of those safe zones. After succeeding, it will gain some of the characteristics of main hideout (possibility to use the bed, locker, in some cases meetings with other survivors). Safe zones can be also used when you want to quickly run away from enemies (it might be too far to the main hideout). It is especially important during the night, when you can shorter the potential chase of the infected.
Routine of work when taking control of new safe zones is always similar and looks like that:
1) Remove all enemies that reside in the uncontrolled zone - If they are common zombies then you can beat them in direct combat. If you have to deal with elite types of infected, then try to lure them away from the zone, this will allow you to save some supplies and not risk your life. You can, for example, show yourself to infected and count on it that they will run behind you or you can use firecrackers.
2) Close all entrances to the zone - Mostly the gates, that should be moved or lowered. It is important not to do it too fast and first focus on securing the area (or lurking the zombies away). You must know that securing a passage can sometimes take few seconds, so be sure you won't be attacked while at it.
3) Find one or more switches and reestablish the electricity - It's the easiest step. You shouldn't have trouble with localizing the lever.
Caution - some safe zones are located inside buildings. If you have trouble with getting to them, search for a hatch on the roof or an open window through which you can jump inside.