To find the best items and progress the story, you’ll need to brave the caves in Sons of the Forest. Just like in its predecessor, nasty mutants lurk here in particular, but you’ll also gradually learn what’s really going on with the island. Plus, you’ll pick up some of the strongest gear for your progression, making many things much easier. In this guide, we’ll show you the best order to tackle the caves and which items you’ll get there – including practical tips.
Preparing for Caves in Sons of the Forest: Weapons, Gear & Light
You shouldn’t enter caves unprepared, especially if you have enemies enabled. Use our guide to the combat system to get familiar with the basics ( (Sons of the Forest Combat Guide: Best Weapons, Tactics & Survival Tips) ). Beyond those tips, some other items are essential that you won’t find in caves but on the surface. You should definitely grab some of them beforehand!
For combat:
- Pistol: To better defend yourself against mutants, you’ll want a stronger weapon. The pistol is easy to get – it’s on a lifeboat in the bay on the west side of the island. Watch out for sharks in the water.
- Modern Axe: Not far from the flashlight you’ll find a former camp with a better axe. Strong in close quarters inside tight caves and useful for everyday survival.
- Bow and arrows: Craft a bow (1x rope, 2x sticks, 1x duct tape). Arrows: feathers + sticks + stones or print them with the 3D printer. The best bow comes later – until then, the crafted one is fine.
For light:
- Flashlight: Follow the GPS signal to a colleague hanging from a cliff. Cut him down and grab the light. You’ll find batteries all over the world.
- Flares: Perfect when you need quick visibility. There are some right next to the colleague with the pistol on the lifeboat.
- Torch: If you run out of battery power, a simple torch (stick + cloth) provides steady light.
Survival and comfort items (recommended):
- Medicine and food (canned goods, MREs) for longer runs.
- Armor (e.g., Bone or Creepy Armor) to take less damage.
- Tarp and a stick to save in front of cave entrances.
- Bombs/Molotovs to clear blockades or groups of mutants.
Tip: Always save before entering a cave and go in with full resources (health, stamina, batteries).
Cave Order in Sons of the Forest: How to Unlock Key Items
Once you’re well equipped, you can get going. To progress quickly, tackle the caves in a sensible order, as many sections build on each other. Later caves require items from earlier ones. Here’s the recommended early-game route.
1. Find the Rebreather (cave on the north beach)
Many caves are flooded – without a Rebreather you won’t get far. Head to the north of the island to the bay on the beach. If you’re lucky, you even crashed there and are already on site. Otherwise, open your GPS and head north to the coast.
Search the cave thoroughly. You’ll find ammo, flares, air tanks (for diving) and story clues. At a fork, note:
- Right: Taser (stun gun), a blueprint for a Cross, as well as a rare artifact for the later story.
- Left: This path leads to the Rebreather. You’ll equip it automatically when entering the water. Caution: A shark can spawn here – keep moving and swim out of the cave quickly.
2. Secure the Rope Gun/Zipline Gun (forest cave near the crash site)
With the Rebreather, head next to a cave not far from the forest crash site. In front of the entrance you’ll see a skull pile – stuck in it is another electric weapon. Take it! (It’s the Stun Baton.)
You’ll need to clear the entrance and break wooden planks. Along the way, pick up watches, cloth, and canned food. Eventually you’ll reach three paths in a large, open chamber:
- Right: Artifact (dive, fight, then grab the loot)
- Middle: A short section ending with a Cross
- Left: Back toward the exit – this is where you’ll find the Rope Gun (aka Zipline Gun). Have a bomb ready to blast a blocked passage.
With the Rope Gun, you’ll cross large chasms and reach new areas – a must-have for progression.
3. Get the Shovel (cave with Wetsuit & Pistol Flashlight)
This cave requires the Rebreather and Rope Gun, and it’s not far from the previous one. In front of the entrance stand three impaled men – the middle one carries a Slingshot.
The cave is fairly linear. Grab everything you find, including canisters (air tanks). Key loot:
- Wetsuit (better swimming in cold water)
- Additional flashlight for the pistol (mount the flashlight on the barrel)
- Shovel at the end, overlooking a strange underground structure
For the way back: You’ll need to clear the exit again with explosives. Use bombs or C4 to remove blockades.
Conclusion: Clear the Caves Faster with the Right Order
To progress in Sons of the Forest and uncover the island’s secrets, you need the right items – and you’ll find them mainly in caves full of mutants and hazards. With the correct order (Rebreather → Rope Gun → Shovel) you secure crucial gear early and noticeably speed up your progress. Want to explore the caves together? Rent a Sons of the Forest server. That way you get stable performance, better odds against mutants, and you’ll advance faster as a team.
