Sons of the Forest is the sequel to the popular survival title The Forest and once again drops you into a wild island full of mutants, mysteries, and scarce resources. Even more than a year after release, many players are starting for the first time — or returning after Early Access and need a refresher on the basics. To keep you from failing right away due to hunger, cold, or enemies, here’s a compact, practical beginner’s guide.
Sons of the Forest settings: Choose difficulty and custom options optimally

Understand spawn points: Make the most of forest, mountain, and beach

- Forest: Near rivers with fresh water, fish, and plenty of wildlife — very beginner-friendly.
- Mountain: Beautiful but harsh. First, head downstream to find resources.
- Beach: Loot in boats and crates. Later, move your base inland.
If you don’t like a spawn, restart. At the crash site, you’ll find food, drinks, and basic gear in the suitcases — take everything.
Companions Kelvin and Virginia: Use your AI helpers effectively

Pro tips:
- Have Kelvin farm sticks and stones while you explore.
- Build him a safe base (not directly on cannibal patrol routes or near villages).
- Kelvin is invaluable in solo runs — use him actively.
Inventory, crafting, and shortcuts: Master the fundamentals

A spear is perfect early on: 2x stick + 1x duct tape + knife. Great for hunting and reach against attackers. Also keep the GPS tracker handy to mark important locations and find bunkers/caves.
Shelter & base building: How to build safely and smart

Switch views with X. To start, a simple tarp + stick tent is enough for saving and sleeping. You’ll often find a tarp at the crash site; get sticks by chopping small bushes with the axe.
Safe building tips:
- Build near a river (water source), but not directly on main patrol routes.
- Place storage early (sticks, stones, logs) so Kelvin can stack efficiently.
- Keep seasons in mind: In winter, water freezes and animals are scarcer — stock up ahead of time.
Food, water, and hunting: Survive quickly and efficiently

- Drinking: From rivers and streams. Never seawater! Later, build containers or use collection systems.
- Berries: Convenient, but some are poisonous. Learn the safe varieties before snacking in bulk.
- Hunting & fishing: Use the spear to catch fish in rivers; small animals (rabbits, birds) provide early meat.
- Cooking & drying: Grill meat over a fire; avoid raw or spoiled meat. Snacks are for emergencies.
Bonus tip: Always keep some cooked meat and energy bars in your inventory, and save often — especially before caves and fights.
Conclusion: Start your adventure safely with this guide
Sons of the Forest remains a top-tier survival game and outshines its predecessor in many areas. With the right settings, a smart starting location, solid resource management, and help from Kelvin and Virginia, you’ll master the opening hours with confidence. Want to jump in with friends? You can rent a server here: Rent a Sons of the Forest server now — collecting, building, and exploring is even more fun together.
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