There are plenty of post-apocalyptic games out there to play. But, none do it in the way thatDayZhas approached the subject. Yes, there arethe classic zombiesthat roam the map, but even worse are the enemy players who want to kill you and take your loot for themselves.
True enough, the lands of DayZ are not for the weak of heart. There are plenty of threats to face, and the best way to stay alive is to have a weapon that can defend you from whatever is thrown at you. Here are the weapons you should definitely be on the lookout for.
Updated on July 08, 2025, by Jon Eakin:DayZ releases updates at a steady pace and has done so for years now, meaning new and old players alike continually try their hand atsurviving the zombie apocalypse. With that in mind, we’ve updated this article with more information for each entry, as well as several new ones to verify you’re always as well-armed as you may be.
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2 kg
Rarity
Extremely Rare
Although the M4-A1 is exclusive to being found in a Contaminated Zone, somewhere you won’t want to venture unless you’re already well-prepared and equipped, the M4-A1 assault rifle is a worthy prize if you’re brave enough.
It has both semi-auto and full-auto firing modes, with a particularly high rate of fire. This makes it perfect for close-range encounters but with the versatility to still be useful at longer ranges.
10x3
4 kg
The VSD is considered a weapon for the end game of DayZ, as much as a survival game has such a thing. This long-range rifle is perfect for those impeccable marksman shots so many wish they could pull off consistently.
It might be difficult to find, but it’s well worth it. Not only is it exceptional in its own right, but it’s also one of the very few rifles in the game that can sport both a night vision optic and a normalized suppressor.
9x3
3 kg
Uncommon
Commonly referred to as the “sawn-off” or “double-barrel,” the BK-43 is a 12-gauge shotgun found around the map.
It is one of the more commonly found weapons on this list, and its damage output is quite remarkable. If you plan to stay in urban areas or want to stick to close-quarters fighting, it should be kept in your inventory. It suffers at ranged engagements and only has two shots before you have to reload, but it is a treat to blast someone at close range.
Very Rare
A fairly well-rounded assault rifle, the KA-101 is a good work-horse weapon if you want to be prepared for almost anything.
At its base, it is a weapon that can be used for almost anything. It has a fair rate of fire and accuracy for a weapon of its type. Combined with a solid ammo type and good damage, you can mod it to be anything from a spray-and-pray machine gun to a more marksman rifle setup.
A rare gun, to say the least, the LAR is a battle rifle with incredible versatility, even without any attachments.
While it does have a full-auto option, the accuracy and damage of this weapon mean you won’t need to empty your mag very often, if at all. That’s even when your target is wearing armor. With mods, this weapon is devastating. If you can find it, that is.
6x3
Another assault rifle that should not be left lying if you come across it. The LE-MAS is a bullpup assault rifle with more than its fair share of pros.
True, this weapon has a solid fire rate, damage output, and accuracy that makes it worthwhile already, but the thing that makes it stand out is its optional fire modes. There’s full-auto and single fire, but the burst option is perfect for taking out tougher targets without wasting ammo or trying to spam the trigger.
Sometimes the classic weapons are classic for a reason; that is just so with the Tundra. This bolt-action hunting rifle may be rare, but it is worth keeping your eyes peeled for it.
It may not shine in the way of ammo capacity or rate of fire, but the damage this thing does and the accuracy with which it does so is spectacular. With a scope and even a silencer, this weapon is devastating at long range. Your enemies won’t know what hit them.
5x3
Rare
If your strategy for DayZ is more spray-and-pray, then this is probably more your speed. This submachine gun isn’t often found, but when it is, you’ll love it.
It’s chambered in 9mm, which makes ammo a bit easier to come across, which is handy because you’ll probably be using a handful of it at a time. There is a single and burst-fire option, but the weapon excels at full-auto close-quarters fights. If you want to turnzombies and survivorsinto Swiss cheese, then this is the gun for you.
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Handguns may not be your first priority when looking at how to defend yourself in DayZ, but the right one can make all the difference without taking up too much of your inventory.
The Revolver is the right one. This six-shot revolver is chambered in .357, which means it will do devastating amounts of damage for a pistol. Its drawbacks are a low reload speed and the sound it makes. One shot, and everyone will know where you are. Thankfully, you can get another six shots ready in pretty rapid succession with a speed loader.
Another AK-themed weapon, the KA-M is an assault rifle that isn’t easy to find, but it is a treat if you do come across it.
This weapon improves upon the KA-101 but loses some of the versatility as it does so. It excels at close range, where its rate of fire and damage makes short work of enemies. But it can be modded to be a pretty solid mid-range rifle with a scope and switching to single fire. It does fall a little short in prolonged or long-range engagements, though.
