Sons of the Forest features nine marked caves on the GPS and one unmarked cave, totaling ten distinct subterranean locations, each offering critical progression items, weapons, or armor. Key rewards include the Rebreather from Cave A, the Rope Gun from Cave B, and the Shovel from Cave C, all essential for accessing deeper game content.
Cave Overview and Progression
Caves are pivotal to progression in Sons of the Forest, providing access to vital tools, unique outfits, powerful weapons, and significant lore elements that advance the game’s narrative. While there are a total of ten caves, nine are explicitly marked on your GPS, with one additional unmarked “Hell Cave.” These underground systems often require specific equipment to navigate fully, making a strategic approach to their exploration crucial. For instance, the Rebreather is necessary for flooded sections, and the Rope Gun enables traversal across zipline gaps.
Opening a cave has significant implications for surface gameplay as well. Once an entrance is breached, mutants can begin spawning on the surface, with increased frequency near cave entrances as days progress. Building close to these areas becomes increasingly hazardous, as at least two mutants naturally respawn daily after enemies are cleared. Furthermore, the opening of at least one cave triggers “creepy takeovers” of cannibal villages, indicating a shift in the game’s difficulty and enemy presence.
Detailed Cave Breakdown: Entrances and Key Rewards
Each cave in Sons of the Forest serves a distinct purpose, often gating access to essential tools or story elements. Understanding their locations and the rewards they offer is key to efficient progression.
| Cave | Location | Required Tools | Key Loot | Hostiles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cave A (Rebreather) | Northeastern shoreline | None | Rebreather, Stun Gun, Leather Jacket, Artifact Piece | Puffies, Fingers, Babies, Shark |
| Cave B (Rope Gun) | Western forest slope, near crash site | None | Rope Gun, Cross, Artifact Piece | Puffies, Babies, Fingers, Twins, Sluggy |
| Cave C (Shovel) | Confluence of two rivers | Rebreather, Rope Gun | Shovel, Slingshot, Wetsuit, Flashlight Attachment | Puffies, Babies, Fingers, Twins, Legsy, Sluggy |
| Cave D (Ancient Armor) | Rocky wall, large central lake | Rebreather | Ancient Armor, Rifle (upper part), Artifact Pieces | Puffies, Blue Puffies, Babies, Twins, Demons |
| Cave E (Hell Cave) | Luxury Bunker, behind bathtub | Golden Armor/Story Trigger | Golden Cube, Story Items | Demons, Giant Demon |
| Cave F (Pickaxe) | Northern cliffs | Rope Gun/Climbing Gear | Pickaxe, Item Plating schematic, Rope supplies, Meds, Ammo, Artifact Piece | Cliff-dwelling mutants |
| Cave G (Artifact) | Northeast island, fishing village | Axe (for planks) | Grind Trap blueprint, Random loot, Collectibles, Artifact Piece | Light mutant encounters |
| Hell Cave (Unmarked) | Through Luxury Bunker | None (accessed via bunker) | N/A (story progression) | Demons, Giant Demon |
Cave A (Rebreather Cave) is found on the northeastern coastline. It’s an early-game objective, requiring no special tools for initial entry. Its primary rewards are the Rebreather, crucial for underwater exploration, and a Stun Gun. Be wary of sharks in its flooded sections.
Cave B (Rope Gun Cave) is situated on a western forest slope, close to the initial crash site. Like Cave A, it can be entered without prior tools. The main reward is the Rope Gun, which is indispensable for traversing zipline gaps and accessing later areas, including the Shovel Cave.
Cave C (Shovel Cave) is located where two rivers converge, beneath mountain slopes. This cave requires both the Rebreather (from Cave A) and the Rope Gun (from Cave B) to navigate fully. It yields the Shovel, an essential tool for digging up bunker hatches, along with a Wetsuit and a Flashlight Attachment. This is noted as one of the game’s longest and most dangerous caves, featuring flooded corridors and challenging enemy encounters.
Cave D (Ancient Armor Cave) is tucked away along a rocky wall near the island’s large central lake. The Rebreather is necessary for complete exploration. It contains pieces of the Ancient Armor and the upper body section of the Rifle. Note that the Rifle’s upper part is only accessible from Grotto D, a large lake grotto on the island’s other side.
Cave E (Hell Cave) is an end-game cave, found beneath the Luxury Bunker, specifically behind a bathtub within the Puffton quarters. Access typically requires the Golden Armor or a specific story trigger. It houses the Golden Cube and other story items, serving as the arena for the Demon boss. This cave features lava tunnels and multiple waves of mutants, with no turning back once inside.
Cave F (Pickaxe Cave) is within the northern cliffs. It may require the Rope Gun or other climbing gear to navigate its sections. Key loot includes the Pickaxe, a schematic for Item Plating, rope supplies, medical items, and ammunition.
Cave G (Artifact Cave) is on the northeast side of the island, near an abandoned fishing village. Its entrance is concealed within a decayed wooden hut with a half-triangle roof, sealed by breakable wooden planks. After breaking the planks, you descend a rope into an underground chamber. This cave provides the blueprint for the Grind Trap, along with hidden caches and other collectibles.
The Hell Cave is an unmarked location, distinct from Cave E, and is accessed through the Luxury Bunker. It was added in Early Access release and features encounters with 14-21 Demons and a Giant Demon. This cave is crucial for story progression and contains the demon boss.
Strategic Exploration and Cave Hazards
A recommended exploration path for smooth progression is to first tackle Cave A for the Rebreather, then Cave B for the Rope Gun, and finally Cave C for the Shovel. This sequence ensures you acquire the necessary tools to unlock subsequent areas and critical story elements. For instance, the Rebreather allows access to flooded sections, while the Rope Gun enables zipline traversal over impassable gaps. The Shovel is then vital for digging up bunker hatches, which in turn lead to further story progression and the Hell Cave.
Caves are not without their dangers. Hostile mutants are prevalent, and specific creatures like the “Sluggy” in Cave B can block passages, requiring strategic combat, such as using Molotovs. Cave C, in particular, is known for its length and difficulty, featuring flooded corridors and challenging Legsy ambushes. Sharks are present in the water sections of Cave A, and demons, including a Giant Demon, are encountered in the Hell Cave. It’s advisable to maximize your armor and supplies before entering these more dangerous caves. Additionally, building near cave entrances becomes increasingly risky as the game progresses due to elevated mutant spawn rates.
FAQ
How many caves are there in Sons of the Forest? There are a total of ten caves; nine are marked on the GPS, and one (the Hell Cave) is unmarked but accessible through the Luxury Bunker.
Which cave should I explore first? A common and effective route is to visit Cave A (Rebreather Cave) first, then Cave B (Rope Gun Cave), and finally Cave C (Shovel Cave) to acquire essential progression tools.
What is the most important item to get from a cave? The Shovel, obtained from Cave C, is arguably the most critical item as it unlocks access to bunker hatches, which are vital for story progression.
Are there any caves that don’t require tools to enter? Yes, both Cave A (Rebreather Cave) and Cave B (Rope Gun Cave) can be initially entered without any specific tools.
Does opening caves affect surface gameplay? Yes, once a cave is opened, mutants can begin spawning on the surface, with increased frequency near cave entrances. This also triggers creepy takeovers of cannibal villages.