Editing Mod:Survival Tactics (section)

== When you spot another player ==

Interactions with other players provide the fundamental conflict and challenge of DayZ. Human nature has rarely been so on display in a game.  Assuming you aren't looking for trouble, the following ideas may be helpful:

* Make sure you are in direct communication mode, preferably with a microphone.  This allows you to speak directly to nearby players by speaking into your mic while pressing the VOIP key (default: left Caps Lock), and is important because even otherwise friendly players may assume you are hostile if you do not respond to them.  ''Note: be careful never to VOIP while in global or side channels!''

* If you have not yet been spotted, you have the choice of making contact or not. What you decide to do depends on your mood, risk-aversion, and style of play. Be aware that players are unpredictable and making contact can be extremely risky. However it can also be extremely rewarding, so don't be too afraid to experiment. [E.g.
A)I played with someone for 2 months and  he'd been in my base lots but when I had a VSD and an LAR he betrayed me, blocked me then dismantled my base.
B) I start talking to someone in game, I play with em for an hour, I learn stuff, get food, get given a gun then one day he overnight-amazon'd me $50 worth of oatmeal, cereal and ramen noodles. Never met this guy, barely talked and he helped me in real life!]

* If you have been spotted, your choices are more limited.  You can VOIP "FRIENDLY!" at them and hope they reciprocate, or you can retreat. Lowering your weapon (and not pointing it at them) is one way to show your good intentions.  Some players also salute. Whatever you decide to do, be alert and prepared for possible trouble.

* If you receive no response, or are being shot at, you have even fewer options. Depending on your gear and temperament you may decide to either preemptively attack, defend, or retreat.  Note that the DayZ community does not consider killing in self-defense to be murder or banditry, even though it will show up as a murder in your debug stats.

* Many players simply stick with the rule "Trust no one, except your close friends." Because often times you will be killed even after you shout friendly, mostly due to the fact that the other player knows you can easily kill them when their back is turned.

* When working with another trusted friend or in a group, making contact with an unknown player is still risky. The trick is to send only one group member to make contact and the rest of the team to watch what happens from hiding. If things turn sour, the worst case scenario is that you loose one team member before getting revenge on the unsuspecting murderer. Simply split the loot from the two dead players between your team, and work out a meeting point for your dead team-mate as soon as they re spawn.

However, if you are looking to be a bandit, just shoot them. Don't even fake it, just shoot them, because if they have friends nearby, they will come and get you.