Installation is much improved client side, with Arma 3's own in built launcher, I use Steam Workshop to load mods where available and Armaholic.com for most everything else, Arma launcher will now track manually added mods in whatever folder you tell it to. There is a server browser in the launcher which when selecting a server to play will prompt you to load mods required or handle it, (nearly), all for you.
Epoch has an edited range of Arma 3 vehicles and three self made, (Mosquito, jetski, electric motorcycle). With additional mods like CUP all Arma 2 vehicles, weapons and terrains can be added to Epoch to expand that variety.
Whilst Arma 3 Epoch does not have zombies, it has sappers, cultists, militia and phantoms, all providing various challenges to the clone player. It is still required to eat and drink and in fact there are a multitude of health considerations to keep in order and survive.
If you require zombies they are now officially supported by Epoch via an external mod called Ryan's Zombies and Demons.
I think you will find most servers have some form of ai mission system running.
As to hosting and installation, i'll leave that answer to others.
havock reacted to TheStainlessSteelRat in Returning player. This as good as arma 2 epoch was ?