Starting Sons of the Forest for the first time can be confusing.

You crash onto a mysterious island with limited supplies, strange enemies surrounding you, underground caves waiting to be explored, and very little information about what you are actually supposed to do.

Unlike traditional survival games, Sons of the Forest doesn’t constantly tell you what objective to complete next. You are expected to explore, experiment, build, collect resources, and gradually uncover the story.

That freedom is one of the best things about the game, but it can also make the first few hours overwhelming.

If you’re starting your first playthrough, this guide will show you what to do first, how to establish a safe base, how to use Kelvin, how to manage resources, when to explore caves, how to deal with cannibals and mutants, and how to prepare for the rest of your adventure.

1. Don’t Rush Away From the Crash Site

After the opening sequence, you’ll find yourself somewhere on the island.

Your first instinct might be to immediately run toward the nearest objective.

Don’t.

Take some time to examine your surroundings.

The crash area can provide useful resources, equipment, and supplies that will help you survive the opening section.

Search the area carefully and collect everything useful you can find.

Look for:

• Food
• Drinks
• Medicine
• Batteries
• Ammunition
• Tools
• Crafting materials
• Containers
• Equipment

Your inventory is limited, but you should still collect useful supplies whenever possible.

You don’t need to memorize every item yet.

The important thing is to establish a small collection of resources before moving deeper into the island.

2. Learn How the Inventory Works

Sons of the Forest has a different inventory system from many traditional survival games.

Instead of simply opening a grid and moving items around, you interact with your inventory and crafting system in a more immersive way.

Take a few minutes to understand where your important items are.

You’ll frequently need access to:

• Weapons
• Food
• Medicine
• Tools
• Armor
• Crafting materials
• Utility items

Learning where your equipment is early will make combat much easier.

You don’t want to be searching through your inventory while an enemy is attacking you.

3. Find a Good Place for Your First Base

One of the most important decisions you’ll make during the early game is where to build.

You don’t need to construct a massive fortress immediately.

Your first base should simply be:

• Relatively safe
• Close to water
• Near trees
• Large enough for storage
• Convenient for exploration
• Easy to defend

A location near a freshwater source is particularly useful because water is an important part of survival.

You also want plenty of trees nearby because building consumes a large amount of wood.

Don’t Build Too Far From Everything

A beautiful location isn’t necessarily a practical location.

If your base is extremely far from resources, caves, and useful areas, you’ll spend a lot of time walking back and forth.

Your first base should prioritize convenience over appearance.

You can always build an impressive permanent base later.

4. Build a Small Shelter First

Don’t spend your first hours building a gigantic mansion.

Start small.

A basic shelter gives you a safe place to organize resources, rest, craft, and prepare for exploration.

You can gradually expand it into a larger base.

A good early structure might include:

• A small cabin or shelter
• Storage
• Fire
• Drying racks
• Basic defensive structures
• A place to organize equipment

Once you’ve survived the opening days, you can start building something much more ambitious.

5. Learn the Building System

Sons of the Forest has a flexible building system, and learning it early will save you a lot of frustration.

You don’t need to memorize every construction option.

Start by learning how to:

• Place logs
• Cut logs
• Build walls
• Create floors
• Construct roofs
• Place defensive structures
• Create storage
• Build fires
• Modify structures

Experiment with small structures.

Your first shelter is basically a tutorial.

Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect.

You’ll become much faster at building as you play.

6. Collect Wood Constantly

Wood is one of the most important resources in Sons of the Forest.

You’ll use it for:

• Shelters
• Walls
• Platforms
• Defensive structures
• Fires
• Storage
• Traps
• Bridges
• Other constructions

Whenever you’re returning to your base, consider bringing back additional logs.

You don’t need to cut down an entire forest at once.

A steady supply of wood is much easier to manage.

7. Use Kelvin

One of the most useful companions you’ll encounter early in the game is Kelvin.

Don’t ignore him.

Kelvin can help with several repetitive tasks, making the early game considerably easier.

Depending on the available commands, you can ask him to help gather resources and perform other useful tasks.

For example, you can use him to help collect:

• Logs
• Sticks
• Rocks
• Other basic resources

This can save you a huge amount of time.

Let Kelvin Handle Repetitive Tasks

One of the best ways to use Kelvin is to give him simple jobs while you focus on exploration.

For example:

Kelvin gathers logs → you explore a nearby area.

When you return, you may have a pile of resources waiting for you.

That makes your base-building process much faster.

8. Don’t Treat Kelvin Like a Disposable Tool

Kelvin is more than a resource-gathering mechanic.

He’s part of the game’s experience.

Be careful when enemies are nearby and avoid putting him in unnecessary danger.

Keeping him safe can make your playthrough much more enjoyable.

9. Find a Reliable Source of Food

Food becomes important quickly.

You can find food throughout the island, but relying entirely on random supplies isn’t ideal.

Learn which resources are safe to eat and start establishing a consistent source of food.

Depending on your progression, you can use:

• Foraged food
• Animals
• Fish
• Collected supplies
• Other food sources

Don’t consume everything immediately.

Keep some supplies stored at your base for emergencies.

10. Build a Fire

A fire is extremely useful during the early game.

It can provide warmth and help with cooking.

Build one near your shelter, but don’t place it somewhere that makes your base difficult to navigate.

You should also be careful when using fire around wooden structures.

A simple cooking area near your shelter is enough at the beginning.

11. Collect Sticks, Rocks, and Other Basic Materials

Not every useful resource is difficult to find.

Sticks and rocks are scattered throughout the environment and are used for many basic crafting and construction tasks.

Make a habit of picking them up while exploring.

Other useful early resources include:

• Leaves
• Feathers
• Bones
• Cloth
• Rope
• Duct tape
• Batteries
• Medicine
• Ammunition

You don’t need to collect everything you see forever.

But during your first few days, gathering a variety of materials is a good way to learn what the game uses them for.

12. Make a Basic Weapon

You don’t want to explore the island completely unarmed.

Create or equip a reliable early weapon as soon as possible.

You can eventually obtain a variety of weapons, including:

• Axes
• Spears
• Bows
• Pistols
• Shotguns
• Other specialized weapons

However, you shouldn’t assume that a firearm is always the best option.

Ammunition is limited, especially early in the game.

Use firearms strategically.

For ordinary encounters, melee weapons and crafted weapons can often be more practical.

13. Learn the Combat System

Combat in Sons of the Forest can be dangerous because enemies can surround you.

Don’t simply stand still and attack repeatedly.

Pay attention to:

• Enemy movement
• Attack animations
• Your stamina
• Blocking
• Dodging
• Positioning
• Terrain

If multiple enemies approach, try to avoid getting surrounded.

Move toward open space when possible.

Fighting with your back against a cliff or structure can make escaping much harder.

14. Don’t Fight Every Enemy You See

This is one of the most important beginner tips.

You don’t have to kill everything.

Sometimes the best decision is to move away.

Especially during the early game, some encounters can be much more dangerous than your equipment suggests.

If you’re carrying valuable supplies and encounter a large group, retreating can be smarter than fighting.

Survival is more important than proving that you can defeat every enemy.

15. Understand the Cannibals

Cannibals are a major threat on the island.

They aren’t all equally dangerous, and their behavior can vary.

Early encounters may involve enemies observing you from a distance before becoming aggressive.

This can create an interesting dynamic.

You don’t always have to immediately attack.

Sometimes avoiding unnecessary conflict can help you establish your base before dealing with stronger enemies.

As your presence on the island increases, however, encounters can become more frequent.

That’s why defensive preparation becomes increasingly important.

16. Build Defensive Structures

Once you have a stable base, start thinking about defense.

You can use structures such as:

• Defensive walls
• Spiked defenses
• Gates
• Traps
• Elevated positions

You don’t need to surround your entire base immediately.

Start with the most vulnerable areas.

A simple defensive perimeter can give you much more security than an open campsite.

17. Don’t Stay at the Same Base Forever

Your first base doesn’t have to become your permanent home.

Eventually, you may want:

• A larger main base
• Smaller camps
• Hunting areas
• Resource storage
• Defensive outposts
• Bridges
• Specialized structures

Building smaller temporary shelters during exploration can be very useful.

This is especially helpful when you’re traveling far from your main base.

18. Explore the Map Gradually

Sons of the Forest gives you a large island to explore.

Don’t try to visit everything immediately.

Instead, explore in stages.

Start with nearby areas.

Then gradually move farther away.

This gives you time to:

• Improve your equipment
• Learn enemy behavior
• Discover resources
• Find useful weapons
• Locate important objectives
• Build confidence

The island becomes much easier to navigate once you start learning its geography.

19. Pay Attention to Your GPS

Your GPS is one of your most useful tools.

Use it to understand your surroundings and track important locations.

You can use it to identify:

• Points of interest
• Important locations
• Your position
• Exploration routes
• Other characters

Don’t simply follow the map blindly.

Use it to plan where you want to go and how you’ll return to your base.

20. Mark Important Locations Mentally

You’ll eventually discover locations that you don’t want to forget.

For example:

• Caves
• Bunkers
• Weapon locations
• Resource-rich areas
• Interesting structures
• Important story locations

Keep track of these locations using your map and your own notes if necessary.

Returning later with better equipment can make previously impossible areas much easier.

21. Don’t Enter Every Cave Immediately

Caves are one of the most exciting parts of Sons of the Forest.

They’re also dangerous.

You should explore them gradually.

Before entering a cave, make sure you have:

• A good weapon
• Healing items
• Food
• Light
• Enough equipment
• Some armor if available

Some caves contain enemies and obstacles that can overwhelm an unprepared player.

If you enter one and realize you’re not ready, there’s nothing wrong with leaving.

Return later.

22. Caves Can Contain Extremely Valuable Equipment

Even though caves are dangerous, they’re worth exploring.

They can contain:

• Weapons
• Tools
• Important equipment
• Ammunition
• Story-related discoveries
• Valuable resources

This creates an important risk-versus-reward loop.

The more dangerous areas you explore, the more powerful your character can become.

But you don’t have to do everything in one expedition.

23. Get Better Equipment Before Going Deeper

If you’re struggling with enemies, don’t assume you simply need better combat skills.

Sometimes you need better equipment.

Explore the surface.

Search points of interest.

Look for weapons and useful items.

Improve your armor.

Stock up on healing items.

Then return to the difficult area.

Progression is an important part of Sons of the Forest.

24. Learn About Armor

Armor can significantly improve your ability to survive dangerous encounters.

As you progress, you’ll have access to different types of armor.

Don’t save every piece forever.

Use appropriate armor when you’re entering areas where combat is likely.

At the same time, don’t waste valuable materials unnecessarily.

Learn how each armor type works and use your resources intelligently.

25. Meet Virginia

Another important character you’ll eventually encounter is Virginia.

Unlike Kelvin, Virginia has her own behavior and can become an important companion during your playthrough.

Your interactions with her can develop over time.

Don’t assume that every character needs to be immediately commanded or controlled.

Pay attention to how she behaves and give her time to become familiar with you.

26. Keep Your Base Organized

As you progress, you’ll collect an enormous amount of equipment.

Create dedicated storage areas for different categories.

For example:

Food Storage

Keep food and cooking resources together.

Medical Storage

Keep medicines and healing items in one location.

Combat Storage

Store ammunition, weapons, and other combat supplies.

Building Storage

Keep rope, sticks, logs, rocks, and construction materials organized.

This makes preparing for expeditions much faster.

27. Prepare Before Every Expedition

Before leaving your base, check your equipment.

A simple preparation routine can prevent a lot of problems.

Make sure you have:

• A weapon
• Food
• Water
• Healing items
• Armor if needed
• Ammunition when appropriate
• Light
• Useful tools
• Enough inventory space

The farther you travel, the more important this becomes.

28. Don’t Waste Ammunition

Ammunition is valuable.

It can be tempting to use a firearm against every enemy you see.

Don’t.

Save ammunition for situations where it provides a real advantage.

For weaker enemies, melee weapons or other equipment may be more efficient.

When you’re entering a dangerous cave or important combat area, having ammunition available can make a huge difference.

29. Learn to Retreat

Running away is not failure.

If you’re injured, low on supplies, surrounded by enemies, or carrying valuable equipment, retreat.

Create distance.

Find a safe position.

Return to your base if necessary.

You can always come back later.

This mindset is particularly important in survival games.

30. Don’t Ignore the Story

While Sons of the Forest can be played as a survival sandbox, the story is an important part of the experience.

As you explore, you’ll find clues, locations, characters, and events that gradually explain what happened on the island.

Don’t rush through everything simply because you’re trying to become stronger.

Take some time to explore.

Read what you find.

Pay attention to the environment.

The island itself contains many clues.

31. Don’t Try to Complete the Story Immediately

The story can take you into increasingly dangerous areas.

You don’t need to follow the main objectives from beginning to end as quickly as possible.

A better approach for a first playthrough is:

Explore → Upgrade → Prepare → Progress → Explore Again

This makes the experience much more manageable.

32. Build a Small Base Before Serious Exploration

Before you start traveling across the island, try to establish a reliable home.

Your early base should have:

• Shelter
• Fire
• Storage
• Food
• Basic defenses
• Crafting space
• Nearby resources

Once these are established, you have somewhere safe to return to.

That changes the entire experience.

33. Use Kelvin to Save Time

Once you understand Kelvin’s commands, use him intelligently.

Instead of spending your entire day collecting logs, have him help with resource gathering while you explore.

This effectively lets you work on two objectives at once.

For example:

You: explore a nearby cave or point of interest.

Kelvin: gathers resources around the base.

When you return, your building project can continue without requiring you to personally collect every resource.

34. Don’t Build Your Final Base Too Early

This is another common beginner mistake.

You might spend hours creating a massive fortress and then realize you want to move somewhere else.

Don’t worry about making your first base perfect.

Think of it as a temporary headquarters.

Once you understand the map better, you can choose the location of your permanent base.

35. What Should You Do During Your First Few Days?

If you want a simple progression plan, follow this order:

Day One

• Search the crash area.
• Collect useful supplies.
• Learn your inventory.
• Find water.
• Gather basic resources.
• Build a small shelter.
• Create a fire.
• Find food.
• Start collecting wood.

Day Two

• Expand your shelter.
• Organize storage.
• Explore nearby areas.
• Collect crafting materials.
• Search for useful equipment.
• Learn how Kelvin works.
• Begin establishing defenses.

Day Three and Beyond

• Explore farther.
• Search caves when prepared.
• Look for weapons and important equipment.
• Improve your armor.
• Establish additional camps if necessary.
• Explore story locations.
• Prepare for increasingly dangerous enemies.

You don’t have to follow this schedule exactly.

The goal is simply to give you a sensible progression path.

36. Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Building Too Much Too Soon

Your first shelter doesn’t need to be enormous.

Exploring Without Supplies

Always prepare before traveling far.

Fighting Everything

Avoid unnecessary combat.

Wasting Ammunition

Save firearms and ammunition for situations where they matter.

Ignoring Kelvin

His assistance can save a huge amount of time.

Entering Dangerous Caves Unprepared

Bring proper equipment before exploring underground.

Forgetting Food and Water

A long expedition without supplies can quickly become a problem.

Ignoring the Map

Your GPS can help you plan routes and remember important locations.

Staying at the Same Base Forever

Temporary camps can make long-distance exploration much easier.

Rushing the Story

There is no reason to experience everything as quickly as possible.

37. The Best Beginner Mindset

The most important thing to understand about Sons of the Forest is that the game doesn’t expect you to know everything immediately.

You’re supposed to discover things.

You will probably build something badly.

You will probably get lost.

You will probably enter a cave that you weren’t ready for.

You will probably waste resources.

That’s part of the experience.

Instead of trying to play perfectly, focus on learning.

Every expedition should teach you something.

Every dangerous encounter should show you what you need to improve.

Every new location should make the island feel a little less mysterious.

38. Your First Major Goal

If you’re completely new to Sons of the Forest, don’t make defeating the strongest enemies or completing the entire story your immediate objective.

Your first major goal should be much simpler:

Become self-sufficient.

That means having:

• A reliable base
• A steady food supply
• Useful equipment
• Storage
• Basic defenses
• Knowledge of nearby areas
• A way to gather resources efficiently
• Enough confidence to explore farther

Once you’ve achieved that, the rest of the game becomes much easier.

First-Day Checklist

Before considering your first day successful, try to accomplish as many of these as possible:

Survival

• Find a reliable water source.
• Collect food.
• Gather basic materials.
• Build a fire.
• Establish a shelter.

Base

• Choose a practical location.
• Build basic storage.
• Start collecting wood.
• Add basic defenses.

Equipment

• Equip a reliable weapon.
• Gather medical supplies.
• Collect useful tools.
• Keep some food and supplies for emergencies.

Exploration

• Learn your surroundings.
• Use the GPS.
• Explore nearby points of interest.
• Avoid dangerous caves until you’re prepared.

Companions

• Learn how to use Kelvin.
• Give him useful tasks.
• Treat companions as valuable parts of your survival strategy.

If you’ve done most of this, you’re ready to start exploring the island more seriously.

Final Thoughts

Sons of the Forest can feel intimidating during the first few hours, but the game becomes much easier once you stop trying to understand everything at once.

Your first priority should be survival.

Build a small base.

Find food and water.

Collect resources.

Learn how the building system works.

Use Kelvin to reduce repetitive work.

Explore nearby areas.

Then gradually improve your weapons, armor, and equipment.

Don’t rush into every cave.

Don’t waste ammunition.

Don’t fight every enemy.

And most importantly, don’t be afraid to turn around when you’re not prepared.

The island is enormous, and there’s plenty of time to explore it.

The best way to start Sons of the Forest isn’t by rushing toward the end of the game.

It’s by building a strong foundation and letting your adventure develop naturally.

Once you have a safe base, reliable resources, good equipment, and a basic understanding of the island, you’re ready for the much more dangerous—and much more interesting—parts of Sons of the Forest.