So, you’ve just plunged into the chaotic, zombie-infested world of Dying Light 2, where parkour is your best friend and the infected are your worst nightmare. You’re scrambling across rooftops, bashing zombies left and right, and, let’s be honest, probably tripping over a few of your own feet. If you’re anything like me, you’ve already fallen to your doom at least once while trying to make an epic jump. But don’t worry, we’ve all been there!
If you want to survive, thrive, and dominate in Dying Light 2, leveling up quickly, securing the best gear, and getting a handle on the game’s core mechanics is essential. In this guide, I’ll give you some of the best tips to level up fast, find the most badass armor and weapons, and become a force to be reckoned with in Villedor.
1. Leveling Up Fast: How to Boost Your Parkour and Combat Skills
Leveling up in Dying Light 2 revolves around two main categories: Parkour and Combat. Both are equally important, and you’ll need to balance your efforts between them if you want to become a true zombie-slaying machine.
Focus on Parkour Challenges Early On
Parkour isn’t just for showing off your ninja moves, it’s one of the fastest ways to level up in the game. The more you leap, climb, and swing across rooftops, the more experience you’ll earn. A good tip is to actively seek out Parkour Challenges scattered across the city. These time trials push you to complete courses in record time, rewarding you with big chunks of experience points (XP).
Try to complete these challenges as soon as you find them, especially in the early game when leveling up your agility is crucial. Keep practicing and soon you’ll be moving across the city like Spider-Man on a Red Bull binge. (And hey, maybe you’ll stop missing those critical jumps too.)
Take Down Nightmares and Infected During the Night
The best XP in Dying Light 2 comes after the sun goes down, because, of course, it does. Venturing out at night is a serious risk, but it’s also where the rewards are richest. Killing Volatiles and other special infected during the night will net you much more Combat XP than daytime fights. Plus, you’ll also earn a ton of extra Parkour XP simply for surviving in the dark.
One handy trick is to find a safe house near a Dark Hollow or Forsaken Store, go looting at night, and then make a mad dash back to the safe zone. You’ll rake in XP without having to take on hordes of enemies, and you’ll feel like a total badass every time you narrowly escape the clutches of the infected.
Chase the Howlers for a Challenge
You know those Howlers that love to scream and alert every zombie in the area when they spot you? Yeah, they’re annoying. But guess what? They’re also your ticket to leveling up. Let them see you (sounds counterintuitive, I know) and lead them on a merry chase. The ensuing chaos will summon a horde, and while this sounds terrifying, it’s actually an opportunity to rack up Combat XP quickly.
Get your best weapons ready, stay on the move, and take down as many infected as you can. As long as you don’t get overwhelmed, you’ll earn tons of XP, and maybe even discover you have a knack for surviving zombie apocalypses.
2. Finding the Best Armor: Look Good, Survive Longer
In Dying Light 2, armor isn’t just about looking cool, it also boosts your stats and makes you tougher. There are different armor sets tailored for specific playstyles, like combat, parkour, or health, so finding the right one for your build is key.
Loot Dark Hollows and Forsaken Stores
The best place to find high-tier armor is in Dark Hollows and Forsaken Stores. These locations are packed with loot, but they’re also crawling with infected. Your best bet is to hit them up at night when most zombies are roaming the streets instead of guarding the loot inside. Just remember: bring plenty of lockpicks, as many of the best chests are locked tight.
While looting these locations, keep an eye out for armor pieces with high durability and the right perks for your play style. Some armor focuses on parkour, giving you bonuses for movement speed and stamina regeneration, while others boost combat stats, making your melee attacks more lethal. Finding a balanced set of gear early on will help you survive the toughest fights.
Focus on Vendors for Mid-Game Gear
As you progress through the game, don’t forget to visit the vendors in the different districts. They refresh their stock regularly and often have decent mid-game armor for sale. If RNG isn’t your friend when it comes to loot, vendors are a reliable way to round out your gear and ensure you’re not running around in tattered rags.
Pro tip: save up your Old World money for when vendors stock rare or unique items. Trust me, you don’t want to blow all your cash on cheap loot when you could save it for the good stuff.
Keep an Eye on Quest Rewards
Many of the best armor pieces come as rewards from side quests and story missions, so don’t skip them. Some of the most valuable armor sets are tied to faction quests, so whether you side with the Peacekeepers or the Survivors, make sure to complete their missions. You never know when you’ll get rewarded with a sweet helmet or a jacket that boosts your stamina to superhero levels.
3. Where to Find the Best Weapons
Weapons in Dying Light 2 are the bread and butter of your survival toolkit. Whether you’re hacking away with a machete or cracking skulls with a hammer, having the right weapon can make all the difference.
Explore GRE Anomalies for Military-Grade Weapons
GRE Anomalies are some of the most challenging zones in the game, filled with dangerous enemies but also top-tier rewards. If you’re after the best weapons, you’ll want to explore these areas thoroughly. They’re marked on your map, but be warned – they’re tough to clear. You’ll often face elite infected in these zones, so come prepared with medkits, powerful gear, and maybe a buddy if you’re playing co-op.
Clearing these anomalies can reward you with military-grade weapons, some of the most powerful tools in the game. From machetes that slice through zombies like butter to hammers that can send a group of infected flying, GRE anomalies are the place to go when you need to beef up your arsenal.
Don’t Forget Airdrops
Airdrops are another great source of high-level weapons and gear. These caches of supplies are scattered across the map and contain some of the best loot in the game. The catch? Many of them are in hard-to-reach places, like on top of tall buildings or in dangerous areas filled with infected.
Climbing to these airdrops is a mini-challenge in itself, but the rewards are worth it. Once you unlock your paraglider (a game-changing tool, by the way), getting to these locations becomes much easier. Make sure to prioritize these drops whenever you spot one on the map, they often contain powerful weapons that will keep you alive through the game’s toughest challenges.
Craft Mods and Upgrade Your Gear
A solid weapon is great, but a fully modded weapon? Now we’re talking. Crafting mods for your weapons is essential if you want to maximize their effectiveness. You can add mods that deal elemental damage, such as fire or electricity, or increase durability so your favorite weapon doesn’t break after a few swings.
Look for blueprints in the world and from vendors. Some of the most fun weapons in the game come from combining mods with powerful base weapons. Who doesn’t want a flaming machete that can also electrocute enemies? (Exactly.)
4. New Player Tips: Surviving Your First Few Days in Villedor
Whether you’re new to the world of Dying Light or just need a refresher, there are a few things every newbie should know. Let’s dive into some survival tips that will keep you from becoming zombie chow.
Master the Art of Running Away
Not every fight is worth your life. Early on, you’ll run into enemies that are way above your pay grade, and the best thing you can do is run. Use your parkour skills to escape sticky situations. The rooftops are your safe haven, stick to them, and you’ll avoid a lot of trouble. Plus, running and dodging is a great way to level up your parkour skill tree.
Nighttime Is Scary, but Necessary
Venturing out at night is intimidating, but if you avoid it altogether, you’re missing out on a ton of XP and rare loot. You don’t have to go head-to-head with Volatiles right away (unless you’re feeling especially brave), but sneaking around at night, looting, and completing night-specific missions will give you a major edge in both parkour and combat experience.
Start small and gradually get comfortable with nighttime forays, you’ll be a master of the dark in no time.
Invest in Your Stamina and Health
At the start of the game, you’ll be tempted to pump all your points into one stat, either health or stamina. My advice? Balance the two. Stamina is critical for parkour and combat, especially when you’re swinging heavy weapons or making long climbs.
But health is equally important to survive those tougher fights. Aim for a balance between the two stats so you’re never caught short on stamina during a fight or too squishy to take a hit.
Final Thoughts: Slaying the Streets of Villedor
Dying Light 2 is an open-world playground of parkour, combat, and intense survival. Whether you’re looking to level up quickly, find the best armor, or get your hands on the sharpest (or bluntest) weapons, following these tips will give you the edge you need. The city of Villedor is filled with opportunities to grow stronger, if you’re brave enough to take the risk.
Just remember: keep running, keep looting, and when in doubt, climb something tall. It’s not just about surviving, it’s about thriving. And who knows, maybe after mastering these tips, you’ll be the one chasing down Howlers for fun.
