To get the Rebreather and Rope Gun early in Sons of the Forest, you should first head to the cave on the northern coastline to retrieve the Rebreather, then proceed to the cave that houses the Rope Gun. This sequence is crucial as the Rebreather unlocks flooded sections, and the Rope Gun enables traversal across shafts, both necessary for further progression, especially towards the Shovel.
Prioritizing the Rebreather
The Rebreather is arguably the most critical early-game tool in Sons of the Forest, as it allows you to breathe underwater for extended periods. This capability is essential for accessing many primary caves and navigating flooded tunnels that are otherwise impassable. Without the Rebreather, you’ll frequently encounter dead ends in caves, making your exploration inefficient. Its acquisition requires no other tools, making it an ideal first objective.
Once you have the Rebreather, the Rope Gun becomes the next logical step. The Rope Gun allows you to fire ziplines, which are necessary for descending shafts and crossing chasms within certain caves. Together, the Rebreather and Rope Gun are prerequisites for successfully completing the Shovel cave, which in turn unlocks the ability to dig up buried items and discover new areas. Attempting the Shovel cave without both of these tools will result in a wasted trip.
Finding the Rebreather Cave
The Rebreather is located in “Cave A,” situated along the northern coastline of the island. You can pinpoint its location by zooming in on your GPS map; it’s just inland from a hooked spit of shoreline. There’s a chance you might even spawn near this beach when starting a new game, giving you an immediate advantage.
As you approach the area, look for distinct markers:
- Skewered bodies: These are often found on the shoreline near the cave entrance.
- Yellow cans: An alcove leading to the cave entrance will have yellow cans outside it. If approaching from the water, look for yellow cans floating where the beach meets the ocean.
The cave entrance itself will be boarded up. You’ll need to equip your axe or any other weapon to chop through these boards and gain access. Once cleared, press ‘E’ to squeeze through and enter the cave.
Navigating the Rebreather Cave
Upon entering the Rebreather cave, it will be exceptionally dark. It’s highly recommended to have a light source ready. A crafted torch (Cloth + Stick) is effective, or if you’ve already found it, the Flashlight is even better. Your lighter (press ‘L’) can also provide some illumination.
Here’s a step-by-step guide through the cave:
- Initial Area: You’ll immediately see a flashing red light from a laptop. Interact with it to add the Entertainment Bunker location to your GPS. Nearby, you’ll find cases to loot, general resources like Flares and 9mm Ammo, and crucially, an Air Tank to the right of the laptop. This Air Tank is essential for the Rebreather.
- Continue Deeper: Head to the right side of this first section, where you’ll find two bodies and more 9mm Ammo. By the second body, collect “The Sunset Times” newspaper clipping.
- Linear Path: Follow the linear path until you reach a blue-lit section. Bats will fly out as you approach. Crouch to get under a low ceiling, passing by hanging skeletons.
- First Enemies & Fork: Continue along the linear path until you reach a room with a floating rubber ring and two enemies. You can choose to fight them or run past. Beyond them, the path splits.
- Stun Gun (Optional Detour): Taking the path to the right leads to the Stun Gun. This linear, narrow path will eventually open into a larger area with hanging skeletons and breakable boxes. You’ll encounter mutants, but can run past them. Follow the path, past crosses and stalagmites, until you hear a radio playing. The Stun Gun is found on a hanging body further along this path. While not strictly necessary for the Rebreather, it’s a useful early weapon.
- Rebreather Location: Return to the fork. This time, take the path to the left. This bone-strewn path leads to a shallow stretch of water. As the path opens up again, take another left and crawl through a cramped opening. You’ll reach the Rebreather, which is on the floor at the water’s edge, surrounded by useful resources.
- Exiting the Cave: With the Rebreather in hand, you have two options. You can retrace your steps or, more efficiently, distract the shark in the water below. Throw limbs to the left of the Rebreather location (as you face the water) to draw the shark away. Your escape route is to the right, almost directly opposite your entry point into this water section.
Securing the Rope Gun
After acquiring the Rebreather, the Rope Gun is your next priority. The Rope Gun allows you to create ziplines, which are indispensable for crossing large gaps and descending into deeper cave sections that are otherwise inaccessible. This tool is a critical component for progressing through several key caves, most notably the one containing the Shovel.
The Rope Gun is located in a different cave than the Rebreather. The specific location for the Rope Gun is not provided in the given sources, beyond stating it’s the next essential tool after the Rebreather and is required for the Shovel cave. Therefore, you will need to consult your GPS map for the cave marked with the Rope Gun icon or follow a guide specifically for its location once you’ve secured the Rebreather. It’s crucial to obtain this tool before attempting the Shovel cave, as the Shovel cave features both flooded sections (requiring the Rebreather) and shafts (requiring the Rope Gun).
FAQ
What is the best cave order for early game tools? The optimal order is Rebreather first, then the Rope Gun, and finally the Shovel. The Shovel cave requires both the Rebreather for flooded sections and the Rope Gun for shafts.
Where is the Rebreather located? The Rebreather is in “Cave A,” found on the northern coastline of the island, marked on your GPS. Look for skewered bodies on the beach and yellow cans near the entrance.
Do I need any tools to get the Rebreather? No, you do not need any other tools to reach or acquire the Rebreather. However, an axe is needed to break the boards blocking the cave entrance, and a light source is highly recommended for navigating the dark interior.
What should I grab inside the Rebreather cave besides the Rebreather? Make sure to pick up the Air Tank, which is found near a laptop at the cave’s entrance. You can also find the Stun Gun as an optional detour within the same cave.
Why is the Rope Gun important? The Rope Gun is essential for firing ziplines to cross chasms and descend shafts within caves, which are otherwise impassable. It’s a mandatory tool for reaching and completing the Shovel cave.