Finding the ideal base location early in Sons of the Forest is crucial for establishing a secure foothold against the island’s threats. Your initial days are spent gathering resources and establishing a safe zone before more dangerous mutants begin to appear. A well-chosen location provides necessary sustenance, defensibility, and access to important items.
Key Factors for Early Game Bases
When selecting a site for your first permanent residence, several elements should be prioritized to ensure early game success:
- Food and Water: Proximity to reliable sources of food (deer, rabbits, mushrooms, fish) and fresh water (streams, lakes) is paramount. Staying hydrated and fed is a constant challenge.
- Safety from Enemies: While cannibals are everywhere, some areas have fewer camps or natural barriers. Bodies of water can offer protection, as enemies cannot swim. However, be mindful that Kelvin also cannot swim, which impacts resource transport if your base is isolated by water.
- Resource Availability: Easy access to trees for logs is essential for building. Consider clearings surrounded by trees for a balance of visibility and material access.
- Terrain: Flat areas simplify construction and reduce potential ambush points. Avoid the central, snowy regions of the map, which are colder and more dangerous early on.
- Proximity to Caves: Caves contain valuable tools, weapons, and resources, as well as access to underground bunkers. Building near them can make exploration more efficient.
Recommended Early Game Locations
Based on these factors, several areas stand out for early game base construction:
- Northern Beach: If you spawn on the northern beach, this area is an excellent choice. The eastern end features an Abandoned Camp with resources, and a cave to the west contains a Keycard, Rebreather (needed for the shovel), Stun Gun, and an Artifact Piece. The closest enemy camps are in the jungle, making it relatively safe. Beaches also offer open areas.
- Golf Course: Located in the northeastern region, the golf course provides a vast grassland. Building around the small pond here ensures a water source. Near Maintenance Bunker C, you can find a revolver. This area has few nearby cannibal camps, enhancing early game safety.
- Western Edge of the Map (Near River Spawn): Northwest of the river spawn point, an open area with three graves is suitable for a base. Its proximity to the beach offers safety from cannibals, and there are plenty of trees for logs. You can also find abandoned camps nearby for initial resources.
While water-surrounded locations offer defense, remember that these can freeze in winter. For early game, prioritize areas that are easily accessible for Kelvin and allow for straightforward resource gathering.
General Early Game Base Building Tips
Beyond location, consider these tips for your early game base:
- Start Simple: Don’t aim for a massive fortress immediately. A sturdy, permanent structure with wooden walls is better than a tarp tent as dangers escalate.
- Utilize Kelvin: Kelvin is invaluable for heavy lifting. Direct him to gather logs and other resources to speed up construction.
- Rope Gun for Logistics: If building in a tricky area or needing to transport logs over distances, acquire a Sons of the Forest rope gun and plenty of zipline rope. This tool can significantly aid in moving materials.
- Observe Enemy Patterns: Pay attention to where cannibals patrol. While you can’t entirely avoid them, choosing a location further from active cannibal camps and dense forestry can reduce initial encounters.
FAQ
Why is an early game base location so important? An optimal early game base location provides easy access to essential resources like food and water, offers natural defenses against enemies, and positions you strategically for exploring caves and finding critical items, which are all vital for initial survival and progression.
Can I build in the snowy mountain regions early in the game? It is not recommended to build in the snowy central area of the map during the early game. These regions are always covered in snow, making survival harder due to colder temperatures and a higher density of cannibals. It’s best to move to warmer, greener areas first.
Do bodies of water offer complete protection from enemies? Bodies of water can provide excellent defense as cannibals and mutants cannot swim. However, this also means your companion Kelvin cannot cross water to reach your base if it’s completely surrounded, which can complicate resource delivery.
What resources should I prioritize when choosing an early base location? Prioritize areas with abundant food sources (deer, rabbits, mushrooms, fish), fresh water (streams, lakes), and trees for building materials. Proximity to caves for tools and weapons is also a significant advantage.