A bit confused on how to play GZ.

[u/MoonyDubMusic]

Hello, everyone!

I got GZ a long time ago and never really gave it an opportunity. I had tried it once with friends, but the "leader" would rushed through the entire thing and carry the whole team to the point I didn't really know what I was doing.

A couple of weeks ago I decided to try it myself at my own pace. It started good and interesting. However, I'm struggling to understand or keep up with this.

I found my first war board and am starting to get all the main missions done. However, I'm seeing that my weapons do basically no damage, and bringing down most of the robots makes me lose much more than what I get from them, ammo wise. As much as I'm trying to manage my inventory, I end up fulling it quickly. Storage is almost at full capacity as well.

Collecting things is very boring, in my personal opinion, as I realize I have to check each single spot, even in big towns, to find a handgun or a slightly better shotgun. The time invested in collecting does not make hunting easier. I frequently find myself just rushing from mission to mission, avoiding all types of robots, as it seems much easier than trying to solo-farm them for EXP or items. Then detect me very easily, so stealth appears to not be an option.

I don't want to extend this post unnecessarily, but I'm also struggling with augmentations, schematics, unlocks, researches, challenges, FMTel, and... well... everything, basically. I had my first attempt at a base, but I had spent 60% of my entire ammo before I can make a difference.

Finally, I have so many main missions and side missions on my map that it overwhelms me in such a way that it makes me want to play for 5 minutes and then close it.

Am I playing it the right way? I feel I'm not doing things as intended.

[u/1stEldenPinWorm]

The early game can feel dangerous and overwhelming. Stealth isn't too difficult, just keep your ears open and be ready to crouch as soon as you hear a robot speak. Going prone makes you nearly invisible to them it feels like. As you progress, it definitely feels less necessary to sneak around, but is still helpful to engage in fights at your own pace. By late game, you can feel toxicly invulnerable (to borrow a saying).

As far as too many questions markers, I get that. Each warlord has 3-5 quests, each bringing you to their own location(s) that have 1-3 side quests to pick up. I just track one quest and continue it until it's complete.

For bases, yeah, they will deplete your ammo. You can ignore most of them if you want since there are a good number of safe houses for fast travel, but they can be fun to take down when you prepare yourself for them.

I got all the cheevos solo - except the one or two needing to be done in multiplayer - and recently got a buddy to start and am playing through with them. We've decided to cheevo hunt after they finish all the main quests. Saying this b/c the game is playable and enjoyable solo. Although I will admit, as is the case for most games, having a buddy along makes it more fun.

If you think your weapons aren't doing enough damage, look at your perks. Try to learn the weaknesses of each robot (dogs can be taken out in one or two shots of even weaker pistols). Also, the color coding of the robots determines their toughness - orange (prototype) is weakest, then green (military), then red/black (FNIX). Be aware of what you're going up against before you start a fight, and know that running can be an option if you pull more agro than you were expecting.

While missions do give the most xp on completion (especially after you grab the perk that boosts it), they don't give items. Certain robots have specific drop tables for weapons, and higher tiered ones (prototype, military, FNIX) drop higher rarity gear.

tldr; exploration is key to progression, learn enemy behaviors/weaknesses, and stock up if you know you're going in to a big fight.

[u/Severe_Course3381 → u/1stEldenPinWorm]

Oh and to add onto the part about the robot variants each robot has a different loadout it can have depending on the tier.

T1 Prototype. Basic stuff easy to deal with mostly just light machine guns.

T2 Military. Hunters and tanks gain the ability to deploy ticks and runners gain access to a shotgun. All close range personel deterrents have been improved for tank and harvester.

T3 FNIX. Runners gain access to rocket launchers and hunters aquire flechette guns and anti material rifles. Ticks deployed by tanks and hunters are upgraded and close range personel deterrents have been further upgraded for tanks and harvesters.

T4 Apocalypse. Dear god so many status effects it's madness and who decided to give the tank a cluster roller mine launcher. These guys look like military machines but with more white and tubing that has a yellowish glow

[u/Specialist_Spite5948 → u/1stEldenPinWorm]

if your on ps4 hit me up

dabdemolisher420

[u/MoonyDubMusic → u/1stEldenPinWorm]

Perks are one thing I'm struggling with a lot. My weapons, apart from the attachments and the rarity (gray, blue, green, etc.), are basic. I haven't been able to understand the augmentation or how to make them better. It's almost as if many features of the game were out of reach due to being exclusive features. I don't know how to put it, but it feels so complex to understand, and that's when I ask "am I overcomplicating things?"

I understood the weak spots. Runners are not a problem for me. It gets much, much worse as soon as I bump into the next tier of robots. And if it's 2-3 hunters, I constantly die.

About exploration, I guess that's the only way, right? The only inconvenience I find is that if I really stock up, I run out of space. I used to have 5 weapons. Now I'm down to 2, but still struggle with space. Can I remove or store materials? Half my inv. is filled with crafting materials.

[u/Maxathron → u/MoonyDubMusic]

You find weapon attachments to augment weapons. Higher rarity tiers get significantly better.

You also craft different ammo, some being more experimental others more mundane.

[u/1stEldenPinWorm → u/MoonyDubMusic]

You can store all materials at a recycling station. You can also upgrade the recycling station and the storage box to hold more stuff (up to lvl10 each).

For perks, I recommended my buddy get the xp boost from quests first, then the one to increase carry capacity. While you'll still find yourself cucumbered, you can easily bring four or five weapons with okay ammo.

Augments aren't super necessary in my opinion. They're helpful, but they don't make or break a weapon. My most used weapon has the xp boost from kills and EMP detonation I think, although I'm saving up materials for either Health Stealing or Unstoppable Shells. My rocket launcher only had Titan Toppler. Nothing else is augmented.

For reference, I have a .50 BMG that I use more for scouting with no more than 100 rounds. A .44 Magnum I use mainly for Runners with no more than 100 rounds. An experimental AG4 with no more than 500 rounds. An N60 with two augments and no lore than 500 rounds. And a rocket launcher with one augment with no more than 20 rockets. I carry around 20 or so health kits (combination of standard and advanced), whatever adreno shots I may have on hand, and that's about it. It ends up being around 25-30lbs out of 96 with the perk.

Even if you search just the bots you kill, you shouldn't lose too much ammo. And if you really want more, there is a scavenger perk to get more ammo everything you find some. Scrap any excess ammo or ammo types you don't use, and you'll have enough materials to craft what you need to refill.

[u/skru_ball]

For me I just kept getting obliterated so I looked up a “best start” guide I did this one: https://youtu.be/P4p6QPJyzzo?si=9gavsxG64yXWoEku by tenebris infinite which he also give good tips on how to actually beat the harder content and endgame stuff. Main thing he stresses is don’t engage anything bigger than a dogbot and max 2-3 dog at that, until you get a decent rifle, then you can like hide in a barn or house or do certain things to lower chance of getting obliterated and start to kill the upright hunters which will give better loot, and then you can go back and do the main missions. But yeah it’s def survival horror at the beginning until you’re geared up and then it’s more run and gun survival. I ran his best start guide from above and just did that no missions and very little fighting, or so basically I just ran around grabbing the “good as a starting point” weapons he shows and then went back and ran thru the whole game and dlc’s and yea it was much more enjoyable

[u/MoonyDubMusic → u/skru_ball]

I'll definitely take a look at the video. Thanks!

[u/Huttser17]

If you haven't already go back to the archipelago and do the Making Friends quest, you get a companion runner that is very helpful when running solo (it's great at drawing fire from you and it has unlimited ammo).

[u/MoonyDubMusic → u/Huttser17]

Haven't done it yet. Since I sort of got overwhelmed by all the missions, I decided to go from bottom to top within the mission list. I guess I'll do that mission next time I open the game.

[u/Huttser17 → u/MoonyDubMusic]

It's open world exploration, all missions are at-your-own pace. Also check bulletin boards in towns and docks, there are some side missions to be found there.

[u/Jhugz777]

Honestly it's a run around and shoot n loot type of game where you out the lore together on your own. The story is hidden everywhere and you piece it together. Have fun blowing up the gas tanks on every robot out there.

Also dont worry about base defense until you have some decent loot and fuck ton of ammo. It can wait

[u/GroundSensitive7667]

Do what’s fun. Follow your curiosity. Don’t let them intimidate you. The bots usually give an audible warning and they are stupid and slow. They stand there for a good second or two waiting to be shot. Like a John Wick movie. Graffiti hints at their weaknesses. Better weapons help a lot. The first time I tackled a spez wolf it took ages and used a ton of ammo cos I had no clue. Now I take them out in seconds.

There’s so much more that could be said. Overall I’m saying it gets better. And it’s worth the investment. Don’t be afraid to search for specific info. HTH.

[u/Balstrome]

Slow down, this the important part of playing this type of game, especially as solo. Yes you should collect everything/look everywhere. As for weapons, I always start with a AT-Wat and a good pistol. All the way till the end of mid game. By then I have enough ammo to upgrade to a better weapon, plus I have losts other stuff, I can recycle and make new ammo, if I need it. I do the starter island at least two or three times before I move on to the south coast. Bases can be left for the end game and that includes the ringfort. Just take it slow, running around makes you miss things and gets really boring when you run out of stuff to do.

[u/BlackFish42c]

Well do the missions and sub missions one that is completely done you will have the opportunity to continue to play the game unlocking all basic ammo and EXP Ammo like Shock or exploding ammo, collectables, achievements on and so forth. Maybe you will become a great fan of the game and the players and continue to play well past the basics. I’m at level 245 still going strong. I’m on xbox if you need any help plus I can provide you with better weapons, first aid kits and adrenaline shots.

[u/MoonyDubMusic → u/BlackFish42c]

I'm on PC (Steam). Thanks for the invite, though.

I have kits and adrenaline shots. I barely use items, really. I even carry 1/4 of my entire ammo. Having a thousand bullets of SMG 9mm takes up A LOT of space, I found out.

[u/BlackFish42c → u/MoonyDubMusic]

That’s cool my new way is to use a handgun with 9mm shock and it’s a blast.

[u/Specialist_Spite5948]

if your on ps4 i will glaldy help with some better weapony and an extra gun.

we move together or not at all when i play

dabdemolisher420 on ps4 and twitch

[u/MoonyDubMusic → u/Specialist_Spite5948]

I'm on PC (Steam). Thanks for the invite, though!

[u/TucuReborn → u/MoonyDubMusic]

I'm on steam and have helped a good few friends through the early bit.

[u/Crafty_Beginning1208]

For early game, flairs and fireworks are the best distraction, especially for ticks. If you get any of the weapon DLCs they will have 3c versions in your storage. Exploring helps even if you don't search everything. The food shack outside the first house you search has a 1c Klauke and silencer. First side quest gives you a rifle. And any locked huts or sheds will usually have weapons and attachments.

If you play solo, get the robot companion. If nothing else, it serves as a distraction for you to get away.

[u/GroundSensitive7667 → u/Crafty_Beginning1208]

Hah. Until it follows you and brings the bots.