First contact | PVP, interacting with other players DayZ - ArmA 2 mod Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
PVP (player versus player) is a very controversial topic in DayZ. Some say that all survivors should work together, while the others that the game would quickly become boring without PVP. The truth, as usual, lies somewhere in the middle and everyone have to find their own place on the moral seesaw. The below chapter includes a few basic hints which will help you in "contentious" situations. Of course no amount of text will replace the experience and each player has to go through a school of life in DayZ.
First contact
During the initial contact with an unknown player, the microphone plays an invaluable role. The voice chat built into the ArmA 2 engine works great and will often let you avoid unnecessary fights with other players. The famous "friendly?" said fast enough can lower the pressure of meeting face to face. You should however remember one basic rule: don't trust anyone. Some may try to trick you with sweet talk and put a bullet between your eyes in the least predictable moment. If you are the first to spot an enemy players, speak or write to him to lower [2x Ctrl] or drop his weapon, or else you will kill him. Bluff if you must and you might just be able to save your life and time spent on collecting equipment. Don't ever let another player aim at you as shown in the above screenshot if he has declared himself a friend. If the player doesn't react to your messages at all, shoot first.
If you happen to fight (and with some luck, win), wait a bit before you rush to search the body. Gunshots might attract other players or Zeds to your position. It's also possible that your victim had companions with whom he's talking via Skype or other voice chat software. If you're not certain of your situation, it's best to leave the area and wait hidden somewhere where you will be able to see the corpse.
If the situation is under control or you will just want to get the equipment at all cost, quickly take whatever you want and hide the corpse by using a proper option from the menu. It will not only let you erase any traces of a fight, but will also make it impossible for the killed player to retrieve his equipment. Of course, if you happen to kill someone "by mistake" or just feel remorse, leave the corpse where it is and go away. It will let you victim retrieve his items, but remember to do it only if you're sure that he won't become a hunter afterwards.
The corpses of other players are accompanied by a very distinguish sound of swarm of flies. This sound should most of all raise your alertness, as the presence of a corpse might also mean that the killer is nearby. This sound however also gives you a hope of getting some free equipment. If you want to learn who the corpse belongs to, use the Study Body option form the menu. You can then compare the name with the list of players on the server ([P]) to make sure whether that player is still online or has logged off.
As for the list of players, you should check it regularly to find out if your victim/killer is still on the server or if a larger number of players from the same clan have appeared. Numerous players with the same clan tag might mean trouble, as organized groups are far more dangerous than single bandits. Of course each rule has exceptions. More and more groups (rather not clans but movements) who hunt down bandits and help other players are appearing. Movements known as MEDICS, REGULATORS or COALITION are widely known movements which work for order in Chernarus. In order to be up to date with the topic, you should often visit the DayZ forum.