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| + | The sky above you is able to be utilized for the purpose of determining direction. It won't tell you where you are on the map, but it can at least help get you to where you're going. |
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| − | There are several methods that you can use to determine direction and to maintain course of travel, without the use of navigational aids, including the sun, moon, stars and wind, These methods, however, will give you only a general direction, but, with use the terrain they will help you navigate without a compass. |
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| − | * Sun |
+ | * '''Sun''' -- One of the most obvious ways of determining direction is observing the sun's relationship to the earth. "The sun always rises in the east and sets in the west" is mostly true, but only an approximation because the sun's daily course across the sky is going to vary throughout the calendar year. When using this method, you'll of course need to know whether it is morning or afternoon; this can be determined by watching as the sun either rises or falls in the sky. |
| − | * Stars |
+ | * '''Stars''' -- At night, it can be hard to orientate, which makes it more difficult to know which direction you're walking. Finding the ''North Star'' is the most obvious and reliable way to find your direction of travel in the dark. While the night sky will rotate and move as you travel Chernarus, the ''North Star'' will always point north and finding it will give you a solid reference point when you don't have a compass. |
| − | : It's best to start |
+ | : It's best to start by finding the ''Ursa Major'', one of the brightest constellations. When you find it, draw a line between the two stars at the front of the constellation. Follow it and you will find the ''Polar Star'', which also marks the start of the ''Ursa Minor's'' "handle". It's a very big and very bright star, so finding it shouldn't be too hard if the sky isn't filled with clouds. Face the ''Polar Star'' and you will be facing north. |
| − | * |
+ | * '''Moon''' -- During the waxing and waning crescents of the moon's phases, it can be used to determine a rough approximation of which direction points south. To do so, first locate the moon and draw an imaginary line connecting the two points of the crescent on the concave side. Then extend this imaginary line down to the horizon. Where this line intersects the horizon is roughly south. |
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| − | * Clouds: In Dayz the Wind always blows from the west to the east, opposite of the sun/moon cycle, so use the movements of the clouds to find East and West. |
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Revision as of 14:04, 14 April 2017
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{{Images needed and end with }}.Note: this page covers the Standalone version of DayZ; for information on the Mod, see Mod:Navigating.
Navigating is the always-important skill of being able to traverse the world you live in without getting hopelessly lost. Knowing where you are now, and how to get where you want to go, is key to surviving in an unfamiliar area. Chernarus is vast, and it's easy to lose track of your location in the wilderness, away from towns. There are multiple ways of finding your position or direction, which can aid you in finding a way to your destination safely. Although some may be easier than others, mastering all of them means that you'll never truly be lost in the wild no matter how far off the path you stray.
There are several devices which can be used to determine your position and/or direction, making the task of navigation much less difficult.
- Binoculars -- Useful for scouting the area around you far better than what is possible with the naked eye. Using binoculars may enable you to spot a landmark you may have otherwise missed.
- Compass -- Perhaps the most important tool of all, because even if you start out knowing where you are, going the wrong direction won't do you any good.
- Map -- The map makes it easier to establish your position relative to other known places.
- Rangefinder -- Not immediately thought of as a navigation tool, this item can help in determining the distance between yourself and another nearby location or object.
Using the Sky
The sky above you is able to be utilized for the purpose of determining direction. It won't tell you where you are on the map, but it can at least help get you to where you're going.
- Sun -- One of the most obvious ways of determining direction is observing the sun's relationship to the earth. "The sun always rises in the east and sets in the west" is mostly true, but only an approximation because the sun's daily course across the sky is going to vary throughout the calendar year. When using this method, you'll of course need to know whether it is morning or afternoon; this can be determined by watching as the sun either rises or falls in the sky.
- Stars -- At night, it can be hard to orientate, which makes it more difficult to know which direction you're walking. Finding the North Star is the most obvious and reliable way to find your direction of travel in the dark. While the night sky will rotate and move as you travel Chernarus, the North Star will always point north and finding it will give you a solid reference point when you don't have a compass.
- It's best to start by finding the Ursa Major, one of the brightest constellations. When you find it, draw a line between the two stars at the front of the constellation. Follow it and you will find the Polar Star, which also marks the start of the Ursa Minor's "handle". It's a very big and very bright star, so finding it shouldn't be too hard if the sky isn't filled with clouds. Face the Polar Star and you will be facing north.
- Moon -- During the waxing and waning crescents of the moon's phases, it can be used to determine a rough approximation of which direction points south. To do so, first locate the moon and draw an imaginary line connecting the two points of the crescent on the concave side. Then extend this imaginary line down to the horizon. Where this line intersects the horizon is roughly south.
Using the Terrain
If you are in the countryside, in the middle of nowhere, look for signs of civilization such as Road, Railroad, Power lines following them will always lead you to towns. Most towns are on the coast or on low level ground. If you really need to find a town, use a high vantage point, like a hill, to scan for buildings. Don't expect to find a metropolis at the top of a mountain.
Look for notable\familiar landmarks. You can find many such Key Locations, such as crashed helicopters, fire station, an airstrip etc to help tell friends where you are.
- Road Signs: Across Chernarus there are many road signs marking Towns and Cities boundaries and giving road directions to the next town, which are really useful when you have a map. If you are unsure where you are, simply match the road sign name up with where it lies on the map. Once you've determined what town you are in, you have a starting point to navigate elsewhere.
- Note: Road sign are all written in Cyrillic, which often makes it a bit tricky to figure out which town these signs are actually pointing to. See Towns and Cities page for full listing of all settlements.
- Railroad - If you follow the railroads you will surely find a train station -- often with the name of the town -- and the town itself. It can also provide point of reference to the coast.
- Power Lines are a way to navigate the countryside of Chernarus. The network consists of a Power Plant, sub-stations, and high voltage transmission lines (the really tall ones) which go across nearly the entirety of Chernarus. Following power lines is a sure way to eventually find a town if you are lost. If you can't find these, scan surrounding hill tops for cuts in the trees, as paths are cut through trees for power lines.
Using the Coast
The simplest method that can be used if you're near the shore and aware of your general location. Since Chernarus connects with the sea in the south and east. If you're at the south coast, turn your back to the sea and north will be in front of you. On the east coast you will find north by having the sea to your right.
Additionally as fresh spawn, if you can see the sea, you can easily use the coastal Railroad tracks to find your general location. Once at the shoreline, turn around so the water is at your back and run in-land.
- If you find the train tracks before the road, you are on the southern coast of Chernarus, between Kamenka and Elektrozavodsk.
- If you find the train tracks after the road: you are on the eastern coast of Chernarus, between Elektrozavodsk and Berezino.