Zones and Loot
Although Deer Isle can be played without needing to know anything about the underlying ‘lore’ experience, the lore-related sections are where some of the best loot is to be found.
Non-Lore Areas + Loot
Deer Isle currently has 18 ‘tiers’. These aren’t like the 4 tiers on Chernarus, with loot getting progressively better – these tiers are more like ‘zones’. Check out the zone map for more info.
Tier 2 and 3 are where you’ll most likely spawn, and you can then progress to other areas with specific biomes and geography, each with their own unique loot profile. See below for more detailed info, or just go out and FOIG (Find Out In Game)
Deer Isle's Zones
Barringer, Crotch and Cranberry Islands
Barringer Island is a bit of a wasteland, with Barringer Crater (Tier 16) at its centre.
Although it has a few civilian farms and settlements along the coast, its main feature is Camp Snake at the southernmost end (and of course Barringer Crater). LOTS of bears, so beware.
Generally mid-tier loot, because of its proximity to fresh spawn areas.. but it does offer some rare items that make it worth the trip.
The ‘Freshy Islands’
This area is the most common place for freshies to spawn in.
Although mostly civilian, there are a couple of military facilities for getting that early-game weapons and armour.
You’ll probably find yourself coming back later for building and raiding mats.
‘Starter’ Zone
This area is your safest bet for a first destination.
You’ll be able to kit out in relative safety, probably heading first to the port city of Stonington, a rich mix of differing types of loot and also the place for a good chance of securing early-game transport.
Paris Island
Paris Island, far to the west of Stonington, is where you might get your first taste of better loot and guns. It’s primarily a miltary base, with a few hidden gems for the inquisitive.
LOOT: NVG’s have been spotted here, along with tactical helmets and plate carrier zombies. Also a chance at some mid-tier automatic rifles.
Old Town, The Swamp and The Altar
Main features are Old Town, the Swamp and RCFI military base. A wrecked railway bridge at the north can get you across to Tier 6, and your Deer Isle lore journey also starts in this zone. Checkpoint Charly gets you to Tier 6..
LOOT: Old Town for some good non-shooty stuff although it does have some of that; lots of industrial. RCFI military base.
Portland, Waldoboro and the Racetrack
These areas are great for looting industrial supplies.
Portland in particular is a great loot run as well as providing ample places for out-of-the-way bases.
The Racetrack boasts a few good vehicle spawns, industrial loot and a police station, with apartments for a sneaky base or two.
Waldoboro is a major city with a good mix of Industrial and Town loot, as well as lots of greenhouses for canabis seed packs.
KMUC
Slumbering under Mount Katahdin is the KMUC military installation, accessible only from the peak. Access is by using the purple keycard, which can be found on the toxic-zoned Oil Rigs. Be warned though – when you use the card it will be 5 minutes before the vault opens, and sirens blare from speakers all over Deer Isle letting everyone know what’s a-foot..
LOOT: KMUC is your first taste of the good stuff. It’s quite extensive and has some rare items sprinkled around. You’ll leave there probably triple-carrying with stuff falling out of your over-full bags.
Rural Communities and Rotten Island
A cold swim north of the freshy islands gets you to the rural communities just south of Waldoboro. Lots of cows, barns and cement factories as well as Eastbrook. Travel east to get to Rotten Island, a sparsely-settled area that is the land-bound gateway to Barringer Island.
LOOT: You’ll find some of the vanilla DayZ Eastern-Bloc weapons here – AK101’s, 74SU’s etc, in the hands of private collectors (ie houses) Rotten Island also has Camp Tiger military base.
Toxic Oil Rigs
Get some NBC gear together and hit any of these 3 gas-choked oil rigs. Although you’re mostly there for the KMUC security card, there’s also some pretty good loot lying around.
A good looting spot for NBC gear is the Power Plant (zone 12)
LOOT: Purple security cards for accessing KMUC. Some fine Japanese swords have also found their way there.
The Temple
The first distination in your Deer Isle Lore journey. See Deer Isle Lore section for details.
The Power Plant
Located in the ‘choke point’ between the south and the northern parts of the main map areas, this zone has some cool places to explore, and lots of NBC gear.
LOOT: Higher-tier stuff than surrounding areas, this is a good place to get the NBC gear you’ll need for any toxic zones (eg Oil Rigs)
Devil’s Eye
Just east of the airfield and surrounded by a few sneaky military zombies (and other creatures), the brave and agile can Parkour down this funnel to access some suprisingly good early-game loot at the bottom.
LOOT: NVG’s can spawn here as well as a few items normally only found further out in the map.
Area 42
Accessed by land via Tier 6 through East Harbour, this might be your first taste of higher-tier loot that does not require any other items for access.
LOOT: Getting serious here. You’ll see LAR’s, NVG’s, better AR’s and better armour.
The Arctic Crypt
See Deer Isle Lore.
LOOT: Rare, high-tier items, plus lore progression assets.
The Archipelago
The land less-travelled, boat or swim to the north-west corner of the map and the islands in between. A warmer region, you’ll find yourself sweating in your winter gear. Easy access to the Oil Rigs from here.
LOOT: A few choice items not found elsewhere (hello Ruck Bags!) as well as peace and quiet.
Barringer Crater
Fight your way past hordes of NBC Zombies for some potentially good gear at the top of the tower.
This area is set to be featured more heavily in upcoming versions of Deer Isle.
Alcatraz Island
Those who brave the swim (or find a boat) will find some pretty good stuff packed in to a tight area. Beware, others will probably have the same idea..
LOOT: Some of the best for an area that can be accessed directly.
The Carrier
See more in the Deer Isle Lore section