Summary
AsDeadsideplayers dive into thisfast-paced open-world survival shooterfor the first time, things can be a little overwhelming. Knowing what to do, where to go, and when to move can be a tall order when starting up the game initially. As such, it’s not uncommon for newer players to find themselves a bit lost in the fog of battle.
Thankfully, there are a few useful tricks that can help new players boost their skills and even give them an edge over some of the other players. For newcomers looking to dive in, here are some of the besttips forDeadsideto keep in mind.
Updated on Jul 15, 2025, by Benjamin Joe:Playing Deadside is easy, but playing well is hard. Thankfully, there isno end of tips that players can utilize while playing the game. While this article already contained most of the core tips needed to help beginners increase their survival odds, there were a few things that it didn’t cover. As such, moretips for Deadsidehave been added to ensure that gamers are able to make the most of their in-game experience.
12Spend Time Learning Keybinds
A Crucial Part Of Getting Started
Like with all video games, players need to learn what each key/button does.Deadsidehas lots of different keybinds that players will need to learn if they wish to eventually master the game. This is especially true for those playing on PC.
It’s worth taking some time early on to learn all there is to know. One of the main things that’s worth getting familiar with quickly is the quick slot menu, as being able to quickly swap between items can be helpful in dicey and potentially deadly situations.
11Grab As Much Clothing As Possible
Clothes Can Be Broken Down Into Their Core Components
Clothes play a vital role inDeadside;they provide the player with some form of protection. Not only that, butmany apparel items have storage slots, allowing players to carry more items around with them.
Early on, it’s best to keep an eye out for clothing items with four storage slots. Once the player has enough clothing to wear, they should continue picking up more clothing to break down for rags. Rags are used tomake things like storage bagsand certain medical items, which can be incredibly handy to have access to.
10Craft Sleeping Bags
Select A Preferred Respawn Location
By default, upon death, the player will respawn in the starter zone. To prevent this from happening,players can craft and place sleeping bags. These sleeping bags act as respawn points, allowing the player to spawn at a location of their choosing. Crafting a sleeping bag costs 10 rags, and they can be obtained by breaking down any unwanted items of clothing.Deadsideplayers should choose their respawn location carefully, though, as selecting the wrong area to respawn could have some negative repercussions.
Sleeping bags are also great when completing difficult missions. Prior to setting off on a risky mission, it’s always worth looking for a place nearby to set down a sleeping bag. This just offers the player a little extra help should they die while attempting to complete a tricky mission, as they’ll be able to spawn close by if things go wrong.
9Getting A Weapon
You’ll Need A Weapon As Soon As Possible
For the most part, weapons are relatively easy to find inDeadside, and it’s pretty common to findweapons such as pistolsinside random buildings. While these can be relatively useful when used against AI, players will quickly need to find more powerful weapons in order to start taking on other players.
Thankfully, most players who spawn fresh near a starter location won’t have enough firepower to cause much damage, so players will most likely be able to avoid confronting other players during the early stages of their playthrough.
8Start With Easy Missions
Don’t Dive In The Deep End
Newer players should always start out by completing the easiest missions available.Mission difficulty can be seen on the map icons; the more stripes, the harder the mission will be, with stars being the most difficult missions available. Easy missions typically consist of the player having to face off againsta handful of easy-to-beat NPCs.
These missions are perfect for getting some relatively decent loot while also getting a better feel of how the game works. They are also good for those who play alone, offering a means for gamers to stock up on vital supplies without dying repeatedly.
7Getting Scrap Metal
A Pretty Abundant Resource
Finding scrap metal inDeadsideis surprisingly easy.There are lots of scrap metal piles that players can loot, and they can be found all over the place. However, the best place to look is along roads. Players can find scrap metal next to broken-down vehicles, and they can also get scrap metal by looting containers and downed enemies.
While scrap metal is pretty easy to find, players will go through it very quickly. As such, one must be sure to grab as much as possible, as the stuff is pretty invaluable, especially during the late stages of the game.
6Using Scrap Metal
A Useful Resource
Deadsideplayers will need as much scrap metal as they can get their hands on. This useful resource can be turned over to the safe zone trader, allowing players to boost their reputation level.
The higher a player’s reputation level is, the better quality items they’ll be able to purchase from the trader. Scrap metal is also important because it is used for late-game base building. Players can use scrap metal to build sturdy structures and houses out of sheet metal.
5Collect Cigarettes And Watches For Extra Reputation
Gain Access To Better Loot Faster
While players can hand in scrap metal to earn trader reputation, that’s not the only way to boost it.Players can also find cigarettes and watches in loot containers and in various other areas. These can be handed in for some extra reputation. As mentioned in the previous entry, reputation level is tied to item quality in the shop.
While farming cigarettes and watches for reputation isn’t particularly lucrative, if the player finds some while they are out exploring, it’s definitely worth picking them up for some bonus reputation.
4Don’t Prioritize Building A Base
Base Building Is Somewhat Optional
Base building is a lot of fun inDeadside.That said, it’s not as important as it is in some other games, like7 Days to DieandThe Forest. Players can survive just fine without having to construct a base. While bases do offer the player the ability to store more items than they can carry, and they are fun to build,beginners shouldn’t rush to build a base.
Instead, it’s best to wait until the player has enough resources and has started getting the hang of how things inDeadsidework. Once the player has learned the basics, then they might want to consider taking a look at base building.
3Select A Sensible Place To Build A Base
Minimize The Risk Of Being Attacked
InDeadside,there’s always a risk of being raided by others. However, building in smart locations can help to reduce the odds of this happening. Areas that have some natural cover can be very beneficial, as they help to mask the player’s base and make it more difficult to see.When possible, it’s best to attempt to build relatively close to a water source and some loot zones. This just reduces the time required to travel to and from locationswhen hunting for resources.
As for the base itself, it’s best to start small and gradually expand. With a little trickery, it’s even possible to place workbenches inside walls, reducing the amount of space needed to build a fully functional base. Over time, expanding a base can be a good idea, but early on, the smaller the base, the better.
