Even though Enshrouded is still in Early Access, it already has a lot to offer. Not only is it one of the best survival titles in recent years, it also blends plenty of RPG elements into its gameplay. That can make it hard to grasp all the nuances, as not everything is explained up front—or you only learn about it much later. To make your start smoother and help you get the most out of the game, here are some tips and tricks you’ll want to know early.
Enshrouded chest respawns: Farm loot efficiently
In dungeons and ruins, you’ll find plenty of chests packed with strong gear and weapons. But did you know you can open them more than once? The system was tweaked in Update 7, but you can still farm rare items with this method.
Chests reset after 30 minutes of in-game time and when you’re at least 562 meters away from the chest. There also must be no Flame Altar nearby. Previously, you could just log out and back in, but that’s been changed. Still, if you’re in the area, this is an easy way to farm loot.
Enshrouded food: Meals drive your buffs
Unlike many other survival games, Enshrouded doesn’t have a hunger system. Instead, food acts as a boost to your abilities, giving you much more flexibility. There are countless ingredients, recipes, and ways to fill your belly and benefit from powerful buffs. From more Stamina and Health to more Strength or Shroud Resistance, there’s a lot you can consume. You can have 3 buffs active at once, with more slots unlockable later.
Skill tree in Enshrouded: Guidance, not class locks
The abilities you unlock with your skill points are visually grouped into classes and subcategories. That provides a useful guide for different builds, but it’s not mandatory. You won’t be locked out of one branch for choosing another.
Enshrouded encourages you to mix abilities across sections to craft your own playstyle. Early on, it’s especially helpful to try different branches and unlock some exceptional skills like Double Jump, Updraft, or Blink.
Flame Altars as fast travel: Teleport across the map
Flame Altars are among the most important tools on your journey through Embervale. They not only claim areas for building, they also unlock other features. One of them is fast travel, letting you teleport across the entire map. They cost just five stones, making them even more convenient. Place as many altars as you can to mark interesting locations.
Quests and NPCs: How to unlock upgrades
Unlike many games in the genre, Enshrouded offers a clear path you can follow. You’ll receive quests right from the start. Sure, you can go full sandbox and explore on your own, but you won’t get far that way.
Many upgrades, tools, and mechanics are tied to NPCs you need to rescue, including characters like the Farmer, Blacksmith, and Alchemist. Without them at your base, you’ll miss essential features, so it’s best to prioritize your quest log.
Gathering in Enshrouded: Unlock new recipes
Enshrouded lets you unlock new recipes by picking up items. Especially in new regions, don’t ignore everything—keep an eye out for fresh resources. You’ll gain new crafting recipes for building materials, food, and more. Sometimes you’ll need to process materials further to unlock additional recipes. We recommend crafting every available item at least once to discover new possibilities.
Solve puzzles: Take paths off the beaten track
Because Enshrouded blends RPG and survival systems, you have many more options. When you get stuck, try thinking creatively. This is especially true in ruins and dungeons, where the obvious solution isn’t always required.
Instead, climb ledges and edges to bypass puzzles. You can also mine materials, since almost everything in Enshrouded is destructible. Your glider also helps you find alternate or secret entrances—or bail out of tight spots.
Crafting efficiently: Use cheaper production methods
Some recipes can be crafted in different ways. The requirements aren’t always the same—take lockpicks as an example. You can craft them yourself from two Metal Scraps, but buying them from the Blacksmith only costs one Metal Scrap. That’s half the resources saved. Keep an eye out for better options to prepare efficiently and conserve materials.
Combat in Enshrouded: Learn patterns and parry
Enshrouded isn’t extremely difficult, but the challenge ramps up noticeably as you progress. Later on, some enemies can really stonewall you. Take it slow and steady at first and learn how your enemies behave. Every foe has distinct attack patterns, which create cooldowns and windows to parry or counter.
Climbing and terrain: No mountain too high
Building on the previous tips, you can use the terrain to your advantage not just in dungeons, but everywhere. Since the world is destructible, don’t hold back when you’re stuck. This works especially well on mountains and cliffs that seem insurmountable. Often, continuous jumping (with enough Stamina) is enough to scale even steep slopes.
Alternatively, you can carve steps into the mountain and work your way up gradually. They’ll refill later, but as temporary stairways they can get you to places with better loot or rare items.
Enshrouded conclusion: Tackle Embervale with a plan—and friends
Because Enshrouded uniquely combines survival and RPG elements, many mechanics reward a shift in mindset. You can do far more than in classic survival games, but it’s also important to follow the quests to unlock key systems. The game strikes a great balance between both, and later you can choose the path that suits you best.
Jump right in with your friends and rent one of our Enshrouded servers for the adventure. With these tips and tricks, your start should be a breeze. Keep your eyes open and think a little outside the box to reach your goals.
