To find and tame Virginia in Sons of the Forest, you do not actively “find” her; she will find you. The process of taming her involves patience and non-aggressive behavior, allowing her to approach you over several in-game days without being scared away.
Finding Virginia
Virginia is an AI companion who will typically appear near your location without you needing to search for her. In many player experiences, she first manifests on the first night after you’ve settled down to rest. She approaches slowly and is highly skittish, characterized by her three arms and three legs, and wearing a white leotard. Her initial appearances are often fleeting; she will run away if you approach her or have a weapon drawn.
It is not necessary to build an elaborate base for Virginia to appear. Even a simple shelter can trigger her initial visits. She is known to wander around the island, and her visits to your base or current location will become more frequent over time if you follow the correct approach. She is the daughter of the missing billionaire Edward Puffton, and while initially a normal 20-year-old, her time on the island has resulted in physical mutations.
Befriending Virginia
Befriending Virginia requires a slow and patient approach, akin to taming a feral animal. The most crucial rule is to avoid any aggressive actions when she is nearby. Do not chase her if she runs away, and always put away any weapons you are holding. Her timid nature means that sudden movements or the presence of weapons will cause her to flee, making her less likely to return quickly.
Over several in-game days, if you consistently ignore her and avoid scaring her, she will gradually build trust. She may still run away for a few in-game days even if you ignore her, but this is part of the process. Eventually, she will begin to offer you gifts, such as seeds (e.g., Aloe Seeds), which is a clear indication that you are gaining her trust. Once she starts bringing gifts, her visits will become more regular, and she will eventually allow you to interact with her. A definitive sign that you have successfully “tamed” her is when she starts sitting by your campfire, similar to Kelvin, or follows you around and appears at random times without running away. She may also offer blueberries as a gift once tamed.
Here’s a summary of actions to take and avoid:
| Action | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Put away weapons | Increases trust, encourages her to stay. |
| Ignore her | Builds trust, she will eventually approach and offer gifts. |
| Kill enemies | If she points to an enemy, killing it can increase her sentiment faster. |
| Chase her | Scares her away, reduces frequency of visits. |
| Hold weapon | Scares her away, makes her anxious. |
Virginia as a Companion
Once Virginia is befriended, she becomes a valuable AI companion. Unlike Kelvin, who performs tasks on command, Virginia operates more on her own volition. Her unique abilities make her an excellent combat asset. You can give her weapons, such as a pistol or a shotgun, which she will then use to defend your base against cannibals and mutants. This is a significant advantage, as Kelvin cannot be armed.
Equipping Virginia with a GPS tracker is highly recommended once you can interact with her. This allows you to monitor her location on the map at all times, which is useful given her tendency to wander. Initially, even with a weapon, her timid nature might make her hesitant to engage in combat. However, after participating in a few battles, she will become more confident and actively contribute to defending your camp, turning her into an invaluable offensive and defensive ally. Her presence can greatly enhance your survival capabilities on the island.
FAQ
Does Virginia always appear? Yes, Virginia will appear regardless of whether you build a base or not. She usually appears on the first night.
What happens if I accidentally scare Virginia away? She will run away, but she will likely return after some time if you continue to avoid aggressive actions.
Can Virginia die? The sources do not confirm whether Virginia can permanently die or if she respawns.
What gifts does Virginia bring? Initially, she may bring seeds like Aloe Seeds. Once fully tamed, she might also offer food items such as blueberries.
Can I give Virginia commands like Kelvin? No, Virginia operates on her own volition and cannot be given direct commands in the same way Kelvin can.
How do I know when Virginia is fully tamed? She will start sitting by your campfire, follow you around, and appear without running away. She will also begin to offer you gifts.