Just like in the first game, The Forest, you’ll encounter all kinds of strange enemies in Sons of the Forest. Some will attack you in your base, while others lie in wait in caves. There are not only far more variations now, but also stronger enemies that you’ll only beat with tactical gameplay. If you plan to explore every cave and bunker, it’s crucial to defend yourself against these monsters. We’ll look at every enemy you can face, where you’ll meet them, and the best ways to deal with them.
In this guide you’ll learn locations, weaknesses, and the best weapons for each enemy type.
Cannibals in Sons of the Forest: Locations, Behavior & Counters
The enemies you’ll run into most often are the island’s cannibals, who will discover and harass you after a few days. As in The Forest, the island wasn’t uninhabited—it’s home to a native tribe… and you’re the intruder!
These locals are human and easy to distinguish from the island’s other monsters. They have a classic tribal look, wear tattered clothing, and are painted white. Their attacks are primitive, usually using sticks or crude clubs.
Cannibals can attack you in your base, out on the island, or in their camps scattered around the map. Some of them can climb trees, so stay alert! The more you kill, the more aggressive future raids become.
- Women: You’ll likely encounter female cannibals first. They don’t attack, but watch you. You can shoo them with your axe or just leave them be.
- Men: Males are more aggressive and will engage on sight. Use a bow to pick them off before they reach you.
Besides regular tribesmen, there are special variants that show up occasionally and use different weapons. Some carry a spear, throw Molotov cocktails, or get extremely aggressive with a knife. It’s safest to engage from range or use the stun baton to incapacitate them.
- Big Cannibal (Titans): Think sumo wrestlers—despite their size, they’re agile and use leaping attacks. Hit them with the modern axe while they’re down.
- Muddy Cannibals: These hide under leaves or in the mud. They run on all fours and are very quick, and can even climb trees! They’re quite frail though—usually a few axe swings are enough.
- Large Cannibals / Leaders: Be careful with these big tribesmen. They’re slower but hit much harder. Some wear a golden mask, marking them as leaders. Your best tactic is a headshot with a bow, then follow up with the modern axe while they’re on the ground.
Tips against cannibals:
- Fire arrows and Molotovs cause panic and damage over time (DoT).
- Masks (later in the game) can briefly pacify some cannibals.
- Build defensive structures (fences, spikes) and traps to secure camps and your base.
Animals and Sharks: Dangers in Water and Caves
The fauna can also threaten you in Sons of the Forest. While most animals, like deer or moose, avoid you, water is a real hazard. You’ll encounter sharks that will go straight for you—and you’ll be dead before you know it!
Hostile sea creatures appear in caves with diving sections or open coastal waters. Use your pistol to take them out from a distance and swim safely. With diving gear and glow sticks/torches, you’ll keep your bearings in dark sections.
Mutants in Sons of the Forest: Types, Weaknesses & Best Weapons
Now for the worst and strongest enemies in Sons of the Forest, which you’ll primarily find in caves and bunkers. As you progress the story (especially after the ending), more of them will also spawn on the surface and even attack your base.
We’re talking about mutants, which you may remember from The Forest—bizarre creatures that were likely once human but are now just masses of flesh. They come in many variants with different attack patterns. Many can’t see, but hear extremely well.
- Mutant Baby: You’ll probably meet these first; they’re common in caves. Small and leaping attacks. Swat them with melee or use a big explosion to kill several at once.
- Puffy: Also common, especially in bunkers. They’re blind, but not to be underestimated. Bow and arrows work well, and a katana is great thanks to its speed. Blue or spotted Puffies are tougher—shotguns help here.
- Fingers: A mutated Puffy with an open chest and face. Its legs are vulnerable. Use your bow to shoot the legs and topple it, then finish with the modern axe.
- Twins: Two fused mutants that can move along cave ceilings. Use ranged attacks or heavy jump attacks from above. Parries often break their combo.
- Sluggy: One of the few that won’t actively attack you. It blocks cave passages and can be killed with explosions (e.g., time bombs).
- Caterpillar: Also known as “Worm” or “John 2.0.” Very agile and fast, so hard to hit. Best approach: Stun Gun, then katana to follow up quickly.
More mutants appear later as you progress or finish the story. They’re usually found on the surface and can also attack your base. If you played the first game, some will look familiar!
- Legsy: Attacks with its legs and is surprisingly fast. We recommend ranged attacks—fire arrows are a great choice!
- Armsy: Where there’s Legsy, there’s Armsy. This mutant appears only after the story and is known from the first game. Your best options are explosions or the shotgun.
- Creepy Virginia: Another returning mutant from The Forest. With many legs, she’s spider-like—fast and flexible in combat. The compound bow is your best weapon; melee is much riskier.
- Holey: A big mass of flesh that dishes out heavy attacks. It rams you and uses body slams to wreck your base. Bait an attack and hit it with your axe while it’s down. Explosives are always effective.
- Demons: Thin, nimble mutants reminiscent of skinwalkers. Annoying and dangerous, but you can repel them with a cross—and even burn them.
Preparation for Combat: Armor, Weapons, Traps & Tactics
- Armor: Wear armor whenever possible. Bone and Creepy armor boost survivability; Tech armor is strongest but expensive.
- Weapon choice: Shotgun for tough targets up close, pistol/bow for safe range, katana and modern axe for fast melee hits, Stun Gun for control.
- Utilities: Molotovs, time bombs, explosive arrows, and torches/glow sticks make cave fights easier. Pack meds and energy bars.
- Traps & base building: Secure your base with fences, spikes, and traps. Keep entrances clear and use the environment (choke points, high ground).
- Combat tactics: Headshots with bows/firearms, kite instead of face-tanking, parry/block with melee weapons, and keep noise down to avoid alerting blind mutants.
Conclusion: Beat Every Enemy and Survive Longer
As in The Forest, Sons of the Forest is full of enemies that make survival on the island tougher. While cannibals usually attack you in your base or out on the island, you’ll face grotesque mutants in caves and bunkers. The longer you play, the more aggressive and relentless the island’s enemies become.
Play together with friends on one of our Sons of the Forest servers, and increase your chances of victory. You can support each other in combat and survive longer!
