The Ultimate Guide to Getting a Gun in Dying Light: 1 Minute to Learn How to Find Firearms in Dying Light

Securing a gun in Dying Light can take your gameplay from cautious creeping to confident combat. Unlike many other survival games where firearms are handed out early, Dying Light starts you off with melee weapons. Firearms are much rarer and hold strategic weight, making your search for one especially important as the game progresses. This guide covers how and when you can obtain your first gun, the types available, ammunition sourcing, key locations, and survival strategies for using guns in Harran.

1. When Can You Get a Gun in Dying Light?

You won't come across guns during your first few hours in Harran. Firearms begin appearing after you complete the story mission "Pact with Rais," which is main quest number 10. After this, guns begin spawning more frequently, but remain relatively rare and valuable compared to melee weapons.

2. How to Get Your First Gun

- The earliest reliable way is through the main mission "Gunslinger" (given by Dawud in the Tower after "Pact with Rais"). He tasks you with finding a gun.

- Check police vans: Scattered around Harran, especially in Old Town and the Slums, police vans are locked containers that frequently hold firearms or ammo. Beware, as they're often surrounded by tough zombies.

- Drops from enemies: Human enemies, particularly Rais's Men, often carry pistols or military rifles. After defeating them, loot their bodies for weapons and bullets.

- Traders: Later in the game, especially after you’ve unlocked the Old Town region, some vendors will start selling guns and ammunition.

3. Types of Guns & Where to Find Them

- Pistol: Easiest to obtain, typically found in police vans and on enemy bodies.

- Shotgun: More powerful for close-range, sometimes found in locked police vans, safe houses, and later in game shops.

- Rifles (Military/Police): Usually carried by human enemies or found in rare drops.

- Submachine Guns: Appear further into the story in high-level areas.

4. Ammo and Upgrades

- Ammo is often limited and expensive.

- Stock up by looting police vans or purchasing from traders.

- Upgrade your firearms via blueprints and find attachments like silencers, which are crucial for avoiding hordes when shooting.

As a designer, I see a clear parallel between the resourcefulness required in acquiring guns in Dying Light and the careful selection of tools when tackling a new design project. Just as you need the right weapon to survive in-game, an effective room planner is essential for laying out your ideal space efficiently and strategically. The right tool—whether for dodging zombies or arranging furniture—makes all the difference.

Tips 1:

- Always be mindful that firing a gun creates noise that draws virals, so use it as a last resort.

- Upgrade your agility and survivor skills to improve your chances of escaping gunfights.

- Conserve ammunition for human enemies or special infected rather than regular zombies.

- Search police vans at night when streets are emptier but be cautious of Nightwalkers.

- Invest in blueprints that increase ammo production or gun performance for long-term survival.

FAQ

Q: Can you get a gun early in Dying Light?

A: Firearms usually appear after you complete the "Pact with Rais" mission. Before that, melee weapons are your main option.

Q: Where are the best places to find guns?

A: Police vans, enemy human corpses, and later-game vendors in Harran are your best bets for finding firearms and ammunition.

Q: Does using guns make the game easier?

A: Guns can help with tougher enemies, but the noise can summon deadly hordes, sometimes creating more problems than they solve.

Q: Can you buy guns from traders?

A: Yes, some traders start selling guns and ammo in the later sections of the game, mainly after unlocking Old Town.

Q: How do you upgrade guns in Dying Light?

A: Use blueprints and attachments like silencers, which can be found throughout the game, to customize and improve your firearms.