Sons of the Forest is the successor to the popular survival title The Forest and once again drops you into a wild island world full of mutants, puzzles and scarce resources. Even over a year after release, many are starting the game for the first time – or returning after Early Access and need to refresh the basics. To stop you failing straight away to hunger, cold or enemies, here’s a compact, hands-on beginner’s guide.
Sons of the Forest settings: Choose difficulty and custom options wisely
Before you begin, take a look at the main menu. You can choose preset difficulties from “Easy” to “Hard”, or use **Peaceful** mode for relaxed **base building**. Under **“Custom”** you can fine-tune settings – such as **loot amounts**, **day and season length**, or whether **player-built structures** can be damaged. Tip: For your first hours, moderate enemy strength, longer days and normal loot are ideal.Understand spawn points: Use forest, mountain and beach correctly
Your crash site is random – each has pros and cons:- Forest: Near rivers, with fresh water, fish and plenty of game – very beginner-friendly.
- Mountain: Beautiful but harsh. First, head downstream to find resources.
- Beach: Loot in boats and crates. Relocate inland later.
If a spawn doesn’t suit you, restart. In the suitcases at the crash site you’ll find food, drink and basic gear – take everything.
Companions Kelvin and Virginia: Make the most of your AI helpers
Shortly after the crash, you’ll meet **Kelvin**. Through the **notepad menu** you can instruct him to **gather resources**, **make a fire**, **build a shelter** or follow you. Keep an eye on him: Kelvin can **die** – and you’ll lose a huge help. Later you’ll encounter **Virginia**. Don’t attack her – she’s shy but friendly and will gradually become a powerful ally.Pro tips:
- Have Kelvin farm sticks and stones while you explore.
- Build him a safe base (not directly on hostile paths or near villages).
- Kelvin is invaluable in solo runs – make active use of him.
Inventory, crafting and shortcuts: Master the basics
Open your inventory with **I**. In the **emergency pack** you’ll find a **small axe**, **lighter**, **GPS tracker** and a **survival guide** – open it straight away. Use:
- **Quick access 1–9**: Assign frequently used items to the number keys.
- **Backpack quick slot (hold I)**: Equip your favourite tools faster.
- **Crafting on the tarp**: Place items in the centre and combine them via the **cog icon**.A spear is great to start with: 2x sticks + 1x duct tape + knife. Ideal for hunting and extra reach against attackers. Also keep the GPS tracker handy to mark key spots and find bunkers/caves.
Shelter & base building: How to build properly and safely
Open the guide with **B**. There are two build modes:
- **Blueprint system** (as in the first game): Choose a recipe, place the silhouette, add resources.
- **Free placement system**: Place materials directly in the world – very flexible.Switch between views with X. To begin, 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 right on the main paths used by cannibals.
- Set up storage early (sticks, stones, logs) so Kelvin can stack efficiently.
- Mind the seasons: In winter water freezes and animals are scarcer – stock up in advance.
Food, water and hunting: Survive quickly and efficiently
Your HUD in the bottom right shows **hunger** and **thirst**. Here’s how to stay supplied:- Drinking: From rivers and streams. Never seawater! Later, build containers or use collection systems.
- Berries: Handy, but some are poisonous. Learn the safe varieties before you snack in bulk.
- Hunting & fishing: Use the spear to catch fish in rivers; small animals (rabbits, birds) provide early meat.
- Cooking & drying: Cook meat on a fire; avoid raw or spoiled meat. Keep snacks as an emergency reserve.
Extra tip: Always carry some cooked meat and energy bars and save regularly, especially before caves and fights.
Conclusion: Start your adventure safely with this guide
Even now, Sons of the Forest is a top survival game and improves on 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 first hours with confidence. If you want to jump in with friends, you can rent a server here: Rent a Sons of the Forest server now – gathering, building and exploring is even more fun together.
