The harsh post-apocalyptic survival gameDayZoriginally started as a modforArma 2but swiftly rose to new heights and now has a flourishing modding community of its own. From simple but essential quality-of-life tweaks and visual enrichments to expansive game-changing content additions, many mods are available to breathe new life into the game.
RELATED:Games With The Best Mods Available, Ranked
It can be overwhelming to sift through the vast list of mods to discover the ones that suit a specific play style, so this list will highlight the top mods that players and server owners alike must attempt to enhance and expand theirDayZexperience.
10DayZ-Dog
DayZ-Dog is a wonderful addition to the brutalDayZworld, allowing players to own and care for dogs. When selecting their new furry friend, players can choose from a variety of dog breeds. The dogs can follow their owner, attack nearby zombies, obey commands, and help with hunting. Aside from being heartwarming, these dogs add depth and new stakes to DayZ gameplay as players must protect their pets to keep them alive.
Created by HennySea,DayZ-Dogwas initially an offline project but soon evolved into an online experience with a dedicated team behind it. The mod is ideal for solo players looking for companionship on their journey through Chernarus' harsh world.
9Code Lock
TheCode Lock modby Room Service is one of the most minor but essential tweaks to vanilla DayZ base-building. This mod adds a code lock that frees players from relying solely on the base game’s tedious combination locks, providing convenience and an added layer of protection for their precious loot and gear.
The code lock’s ease of access is game-changing, but it doesn’t stray too far from the realm of the game’s lore, maintaining players' immersion in thepost-apocalyptic wasteland, signature ofDayZ. For this reason, it’s perfect for players and server owners aiming for an enhanced vanilla experience.
8RedFalcon Flight System - Heliz
RedFalcon’sFlight System - Heliz modinjects game-changing aerial mobility into the unforgiving land of Chernarus with an assortment of functional helicopters. This mod expands the horizons ofDayZ, adding ways to rapidly traverse the map and enjoy the thrill oflearning how to fly.
The helicopters add exciting possibilities for strategy and drastically diversify potentially stale gameplay, making this mod perfect for players and server owners looking to add new challenges and excitement to theDayZexperience.
7MMG Base Storage
For players who enjoy thebase-building elementsof DayZ,MMG Base Storageby Mighty Moitzbert will significantly enhance this aspect of gameplay. It adds lockers, gun racks, and crates, among other items, which smoothly integrate into the rustic aesthetic ofDayZ. The storage capability of these items is dramatically improved; for example, the base game’s crate provides only 50 slots, whereas an MMG supply crate holds 300 slots and has in-built slots for building supplies.
RELATED:Horror Games That Twist The Zombie Mythos
Each item has custom animations, detailed sounds, and display options for gear, adding to their seamless integration into theDayZworld. This mod complements vanilla-style gameplay well, expanding much-needed storage space without losing theconnection to realismintegral toDayZ.
6NatureOverhaul
Despite being a post-apocalyptic survival game known for itsmassive and realistic world,DayZ’smap doesn’t conform to the traditional aesthetic of a post-catastrophe landscape, as seen in the abandoned streets and crumbling skyscrapers ofThe Last of Us. TheNatureOverhaul modaddresses this; created by the modder Kaffeina, it offers a version of Chernarus ravaged by nature and a dystopian decay.
This mod is ideal for players looking to be further immersed in the societal breakdown ofDayZas they scavenge the overgrown environment to survive.
5zSpawnSelection
DayZhas a particularlyharsh permadeath mechanicwherein players respawn in a random location by the coast any time they die. While this system creates meaningful gameplay, death inDayZcan be somewhat unavoidable and unpredictable; therefore, it can get frustrating for players who are repeatedly forced to start all over again.
ThezSpawnSelectionmod by Pattow changes this dynamic by allowing players to choose their respawn location, similar to the sleeping bag mechanic that makesRust soreplayable.This mod is excellent for players looking for a faster-paced version ofDayZ.
4BaseBuildingPlus
BaseBuildingPlus is a game-changing base-building mod that significantly broadens building possibilities and perfects existing mechanics. Developed by a group of exceptionally skilled modders,BaseBuildingPlusadds diverse new building elements and customization, allowing players to build the compound of their dreams.
RELATED:DayZ: Best Loot Locations
With this mod, players are no longer limited to the improvised fence kits and watchtowers of the base game; instead, they can build complex and creative bases using a much-needed new UI and building parts, such as stairs, doors, and roofs, that go well beyond the limits of the vanilla game.
3TraderPlus
TraderPlus is a dynamic mod that introduces a trading system into the game where players can buy, sell, and trade items, short-cutting the monotonous scavenging cycles ofDayZand adding a fun social interaction element to the game.
Safe trading zones within the mod prevent players from taking damage, allowing for peaceful cooperation and transactions. Created by the user Dmitri, theTraderPlusmodalso develops a fully-fledged banking system, adding currency and an economy toDayZand further expanding gameplay.
2Namalsk
Namalsk Island is a snow-covered community-created map that promises to refreshDayZgameplay. The icy climate of the map adds exciting aspects to the difficulty of survival inDayZ, with frostbite, snow storms, frozen food, and frozen water all posing new threats to players.
Sumrak, alongside a talented team of modders, crafted two compelling Namalsk mods:Namalsk Islandfor map-related content andNamalsk Survivalfor gameplay adjustments. Together, they offer abandoned Cold War military sites, new cosmetic items, and an interactive environment with immersive events like blizzards and EVR storms, solidifying them as must-have mods for any player.
1DayZ-Expansion
DayZ-Expansion is one of the most popular mods for a reason. Built by a massive team of modders, it vastly improves and expands DayZ, introducing new and exciting content such as vehicles, custom airdrops, and missions. It also gives Chernarus a massive visual overhaul to make it feel as apocalyptic as possible.
With options for unlimited stamina, a reworked UI, a kill feed, and an in-built spawn selection system, theDayZ-Expansion modcombines many essential mods into a single expansion that promises to revitalize the decade-old game; as such, it is an ideal mod choice for bothbeginnerDayZplayersand veterans alike.
DayZis currently available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
