A Must Read From An HvZ Leader.

Without further adue, I turn my blog over to the champ, lovely lady, little fighter and good friend Ferris McIntyre, who will be fighting with me at Camarillo HvZ this Saturday and 9 am and the 21st at 9 am @ Mission Verde Park (also known as Mission Oaks Park), see you there!

4 Leadership and Just Survival Tips for Summer HVZ

1 Stay mobile
     Above all I try to stay mobile during a game. If you don't keep moving zombies are more likely to find you or discover a weak point in your defense. While staying in motion, a player is more likely to find other players, and create a harder target for zombies. Also more often than not, darts and other random supplies can be found on the ground.
      The only requirements for this tip is to be physically fit and prepared for a long HVZ game. Although it is also a good idea to travel light during the game so you can keep up your stamina. For someone as slow a runner as I am, I know to train yourself beforehand and to stay focused on your breathing while running are some of the best ways to prepare for that aspect of the game.
     Another aspect to keep in mind is that you are only as fast as your team. If someone goes ahead, they are more likely to get separated and numbers really save the humans in the end. Teams that stay together in a formation know their weak points, and have all the jobs covered by someone. It is the job of the team leader to make sure their team has the right amount of distance for the right situation. Even though it is not some set amount because the game is always changing, but more on that later.

2 Stay alert and Focused
     Throughout the game, there may be points of boredom or at least a pause from the action. Do not let this fool you. I repeat. DO NOT LET THIS FOOL YOU. On multiple occasions I have let my guard down while just walking around only to be caught with my gun dropped and no socks in sight. If this does ever happen to you, my best advise is to run like hell and warn your buddies (who were smartly farther back) so they can cover you. Staying alert while focused on your goal will make you the unofficial "team leader" most of the time, simply because you are calling out ideas to people who need some direction or warning others of things they haven't seen that could be helpful. Calls like this earn you attention, and hopefully it is positive for your side. Whether they are good ideas or not makes your unassigned "team leader" chances or breaks them. I know I ran my team into trouble on more than one occasion and am sorry for that, even if we made it out mostly alive. There is no perfect way to play the game but by staying focused on your goal, and finding the smartest way to stay alive, you will be a much tougher player.

3 Be Versatile
     The hardest part of HVZ is the constant change. There are surprises, there are accidents, there are major screw ups, and yes there are random malfunctions that could get you killed. The back up plans fail, and you must adapt to survive; thinking quick on your feet is a must. Leaders have to think even faster because orders must be called out in time to save their squad. There are no preparations, just a gut feeling you have with a small prayer for good luck followed by a war cry. Besides the make or break calls, team leaders have to know their players, and be open to new ones. Most HVZ squads mix up into random groups and some players run around the whole day bouncing from group to group. But I find if you are leading, (and are not getting everyone killed) people will follow.
     Another good way to stay on your toes is to listen to their ideas. In a moment of down time try to get as many ideas from your teammates as possible, so you can help each other. The more minds working for the same thing the better.

4 Go for it.
     Last but most certainly not least, remember, you are there to enjoy a game. This game is only slightly more elaborate than playground tag. Don't jump too deep into it so you get mad at every mistake. Laugh it off, keep a good attitude and others will do the same around you. So, when you have a tough play at the end of the day, one of those suicide missions, smile and rally the team of the final survivors, then just go for it. Play the last mission you play simply because you love the game, win or lose.  If you don't mind what side you are on then you can have more fun and take more risks. This makes for a more exciting game and some great memories. I know every year a friend of mine always makes a huge death scene when he dies. Charging twenty zombies at once and taking out as many as he can so his team might have a better shot of making it. Other people make mad dashes around the horde for a distraction and somehow make it out alive. It's the crazy stunts like this that are the most memorable and the best part of the game.
   

     So to wrap it up, keep running, play smart, do what you think is right, and most importantly; if you die, come back with a vengeance! Good luck to all who play the summer 2013 camarillo game!

Thank you Ferris,

--Cartaya