Sons of the Forest features a total of nine marked caves on the GPS, along with an unmarked Hell Cave, each offering unique layouts, essential tools, weapons, outfits, and critical story progression items. To successfully navigate these subterranean environments, players will need to acquire specific gear like the Rebreather and Rope Gun, as many deeper sections and subsequent caves are inaccessible without them.
Overview of Sons of the Forest Caves
Caves are primary points of interest in Sons of the Forest, crucial for acquiring vital tools, armor, and advancing the game’s narrative. There are nine caves explicitly marked on the GPS, plus the Hell Cave which remains unmarked. Once a cave entrance is opened, typically by destroying planks, mutants can begin to spawn on the surface in the vicinity, with respawn rates of at least two mutants per day after enemies are killed. Building near cave entrances becomes increasingly hazardous as the game progresses due to higher mutant concentrations. Creepy takeovers of cannibal villages also commence after at least one cave has been opened. Understanding the distinct characteristics of each cave, including its required tools and potential hazards, is key to successful exploration and progression.
Detailed Cave Breakdown: Locations and Loot
Each cave in Sons of the Forest presents unique challenges and rewards. Progression often depends on acquiring specific items from earlier caves to access later ones. Below is a comprehensive overview of each cave, detailing its location, necessary access tools, notable loot, and anticipated enemies.
| Cave | Other Names | Location | Access Requirements | Key Loot | Hostiles | Layout/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cave A | Rebreather Cave | Northeastern shoreline, near beach | None for initial entry | Rebreather, Stun Gun, Artifact Piece C, Leather Jacket | 7-10 Puffies, 2-6 Fingers, 3-5 Babies, 0-2 Shark | Fork-like cave; one end has Stun Gun, other has Rebreather with water exit. Throw severed limbs to distract shark. |
| Cave B | Rope Gun Cave | Western forest slope, near initial crash site | None for initial entry | Rope Gun, Cross, Artifact Piece C | 10-16 Puffies, 19-25 Babies, 4-8 Fingers, 2-5 Twins, 1 Sluggy | Entrance immediately uphill from forest crash site. Sluggy blocks deeper passages. |
| Cave C | Shovel Cave | Confluence of two rivers, beneath mountain slopes | Rebreather, Rope Gun | Shovel, Slingshot, Wetsuit, Flashlight Attachment | 20-29 Puffies, 25-31 Babies, 7-12 Fingers, 5-6 Twins, 2 Legsy, 1 Sluggy | Entrance has untraversable stalagmites with zipline. Requires Rope Gun to cross. Flooded sections require Rebreather. Significantly more difficult, includes Legsy ambush. |
| Cave D | Ancient Armor Cave | Rocky wall near island’s large central lake | Rebreather for full access | Ancient Armor, Rifle, Artifact Pieces | Puffies, Blue Puffies, Babies, Twins, Demons | Entrance cut into rock face, dead cultists nearby. Flooded section requires Rebreather. Rifle is in an upper part accessible from Grotto D. |
| Cave F | Pickaxe Cave | Northern cliffs | Rope Gun or climbing gear may be needed | Pickaxe, Item Plating schematic, rope supplies, medical items, ammunition, Artifact Piece | Cliff-dwelling mutants | Involves vertical shafts. Added in Patch 12. |
| Cave G | Artifact Cave | Northeast side of island, near abandoned fishing village | Axe to break planks, then rope descent | Grind Trap blueprint, Artifact Piece, hidden caches, random loot crates | Light mutant encounters | Entrance concealed in decayed wooden hut with half-triangle roof, overgrown and plank-sealed. Flooded tunnels and waterfalls lead to secret alcove. |
| Hell Cave | Final Cave | Beneath Luxury Bunker, behind bathtub in Puffton quarters | Golden Armor or specific story trigger | Golden Cube, story items | 14-21 Demons, Giant Demon | Unmarked on map. Access through Luxury Bunker. End-game cave, arena for Demon boss. Lava tunnels, multiple mutant waves. |
The “Rebreather Cave” (Cave A) is a critical early objective, providing the Rebreather necessary for underwater exploration and accessing flooded sections in other caves. Its fork-like layout leads to either the Stun Gun or the Rebreather itself, with a dangerous shark guarding the latter. The “Rope Gun Cave” (Cave B) is another early-game priority, as the Rope Gun is essential for traversing zipline gaps, particularly in the “Shovel Cave” (Cave C). Cave C is notably more challenging, requiring both the Rebreather and Rope Gun to navigate its flooded corridors and ziplines, and it contains the indispensable Shovel for uncovering bunker hatches. The “Ancient Armor Cave” (Cave D) offers significant mid-to-late-game loot, including parts of the Ancient Armor and the Rifle, though the Rifle requires access from a separate grotto. The “Pickaxe Cave” (Cave F) and “Artifact Cave” (Cave G) provide useful resources and blueprints, with Cave G being particularly notable for the Grind Trap blueprint. Finally, the “Hell Cave” is the game’s final dungeon, accessed through the Luxury Bunker, and hosts the ultimate boss encounter.
Recommended Exploration Path
A strategic approach to cave exploration is crucial in Sons of the Forest, as tools acquired in earlier caves are often prerequisites for progressing through later ones. Following a logical sequence can prevent frustrating dead ends and ensure a smoother experience.
- Cave A (Rebreather Cave): This should be your first priority. It requires no special tools for initial entry and provides the Rebreather, which is vital for all subsequent underwater sections in other caves.
- Cave B (Rope Gun Cave): After securing the Rebreather, head to Cave B. This cave also requires no prior tools for entry and yields the Rope Gun, an essential item for traversing zipline gaps found throughout the island and within other caves.
- Cave C (Shovel Cave): With both the Rebreather and Rope Gun in hand, you are now equipped to tackle Cave C. This cave is significantly more challenging but rewards you with the Shovel, an indispensable tool for digging up bunker hatches and progressing the story. It is highly recommended to save before entering this cave due to its length and danger.
- Cave D (Ancient Armor Cave): With the Rebreather, you can fully explore Cave D to acquire pieces of the Ancient Armor and the Rifle. Remember that the Rifle requires access from Grotto D.
- Cave F (Pickaxe Cave): This cave, added in Patch 12, can be explored for the Pickaxe and other resources once you have the Rope Gun for vertical traversal.
- Cave G (Artifact Cave): This cave provides the Grind Trap blueprint and other collectibles. It can be accessed once you have an axe to break the entrance planks.
- Hell Cave (Final Cave): This is the end-game cave, typically accessed after acquiring the Golden Armor or triggering specific story events. Ensure you are fully prepared with maximum armor and supplies before entering, as it leads to one of the game’s endings.
This progression ensures you acquire the necessary gear in a timely manner, unlocking access to new areas and essential items without unnecessary backtracking.
FAQ
How many caves are there in Sons of the Forest? There are a total of nine caves marked on the GPS, plus one unmarked cave known as the Hell Cave, making for ten distinct cave systems.
What happens after I open a cave entrance? Once you open a cave entrance, mutants can begin spawning on the surface near that cave. The quantity of mutants increases over time, making areas around cave entrances very dangerous as days progress. Creepy takeovers of cannibal villages also start after at least one cave is opened.
What are the most important early-game tools to find in caves? The Rebreather from Cave A and the Rope Gun from Cave B are the most crucial early-game tools, as they are required to access deeper sections and entirely new caves, including the Shovel Cave.
Which cave is the most dangerous? The Shovel Cave (Cave C) is noted as significantly more difficult than prior caves, featuring flooded sections, numerous mutants, and a challenging Legsy ambush. The Hell Cave is also extremely dangerous, containing Demons and a Giant Demon boss.
Do I need the Rebreather for all caves? No, but the Rebreather is necessary for fully exploring Cave A, Cave C, and Cave D, as these contain flooded sections that require underwater traversal.
Where is the Hell Cave located, and what is its purpose? The Hell Cave is located beneath the Luxury Bunker, specifically behind a bathtub within the Puffton quarters. It is an end-game cave that leads to one of the game’s endings, containing the Golden Cube and serving as the arena for the Demon boss. It is unmarked on the GPS.