HvZ Pro Tips, Strategy and Tactics - 1. Human Vigilance
(At some point I am going to clean up and edit all my HvZ tactical notes into a short/condensed HvZ Human Field Manual - for now I am just starting out with small sections and tips in moments of spare time)
The single most important thing you can do in HvZ is to stay alert when you are in a danger zone or any part of the designated playable area.
Zombies don’t need to be alert like humans do; they have stun timers. This is The Zombie Apocalypse, Life or Death, One and Done – as a human once you are tagged you are out for the duration, stuck being a Zed. This cannot be stressed enough. For players who have invested a lot of time and preparation into their gear and loadout, a tag early in the game can be heart breaking. Don’t let this be you - or your squadmates.
Vigilance outside of missions is critically important. If you live on campus, travel in squads or groups to your classes - help protect and escort other human players. If you live off campus, vary the route you take to get on campus and try to arrive slightly earlier or later than you normally would – or ask a squad of on-campus human players to meet and escort you. It’s a pain in the butt that pays off big. Coordinate this early, setting up dedicated wingman/buddy systems and security escort groups within certain areas, buildings or quads. Humans with free time should form security squads to help escort and protect other human players rather than hiding in their dorms. (“we have groups escorting humans to X Hall twice a day, Z Hall, etc”)
Stopping to chat with friends or getting lost in conversation or in thinking about things outside the game can get you killed quickly. You (and your wingman/squad/security escort) should have a clear idea of where you are going each time you step out into a danger zone, and focus almost completely on reaching your destination, keeping yourself others alive while doing so. If you have no time to train for anything else, at a minimum work on keeping your attention focused while playing the game.
Avoid crowded or cramped areas – don’t risk moving through large groups or crowds where you can easily be ambushed. Don’t travel down narrow pathways or between buildings with blind corners, etc. Always think ahead so you can take a safer route. Constantly scan your surroundings – and periodically check your six (look behind you). Avoid trees and shrubbery or any objects (statues, signs, etc) that could allow a zombie ambush. When you walk around corners, take the corner wide – far enough so that a zombie can’t take you by surprise. Be wary opening doors – try to fling doors open and jump back (when safe and appropriate to do so) so that you can scan the immediate area and avoid ambush. Move from side to side (pie the door) so that you can see outside the door in all directions before moving through.
IMPORTANT: If the zombies are experienced and organized they will target, isolate and go after your key human players; focusing on leadership and experienced, heavily armed players, outside of missions. If this happens early, without leadership, experience and firepower, quite simply you’re f*cked. With this in mind, vigilance cannot be stressed enough. If you can’t protect everyone focus on FTL (Fireteam and Squad Leaders) and experienced, well armed players. The key “mission personnel” the people with several blasters and spare clips over the people with one Maverick and 8 darts. (no offense intended to the more lightly armed players; it’s about maximizing combat efficiency and squad survival)
In summary vigilance is the single most important skill and trait a human player can possess. It isn’t just about staying alert as an individual – it’s working with other humans to create a cohesive group that supports and protects one another at all times.
Watch those corners, check your six – and stay human out there.
romaincrisis
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titsay
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