The Modern Axe in Sons of the Forest is located at a campsite on the western side of the map. You will find it in the middle black tent, next to a deceased camper who is slumped against the tent.
Finding the Modern Axe
The Modern Axe is a highly recommended early-game item in Sons of the Forest due to its versatility as both a weapon and a tool. It can be acquired as early as Day 0, requiring only travel to its location without any prerequisite items or keycards. To find it, head towards the western part of the island. Look for a campsite featuring three black tents. As you approach, you’ll notice a soldier holding a bright red flare, signaling for help, which makes the camp easier to spot. The soldier will die as you get closer. Enter the middle black tent, and you will find the Modern Axe embedded in the body of an unlucky camper. Next to the body, you’ll also discover a note titled “New Arrivals.” This location is southwest of Maintenance A.
Modern Axe vs. Other Axes
Sons of the Forest features three main axes: the Tactical Axe, the Modern Axe, and the Firefighter Axe. Each serves different purposes, though the Modern Axe offers a strong balance for early to mid-game progression.
| Axe | Primary Use | Damage Output | Block Capability | Woodcutting | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tactical Axe | Basic Utility | Low | Low | Basic | Starting equipment (in plastic bag) |
| Modern Axe | Woodcutting/Combat | Medium | Medium | High | Western campsite, early game |
| Firefighter Axe | Combat | High | High | Medium | Maintenance A bunker (requires Shovel) |
The Tactical Axe is your starting equipment and provides basic functionality for initial resource gathering and defense. The Modern Axe significantly outperforms the Tactical Axe in both melee damage and woodcutting efficiency, making it an excellent upgrade for extensive building projects and more challenging combat encounters. While the Firefighter Axe boasts the highest damage and block capability, it requires the Shovel to access its location in the Maintenance A bunker, making it a later-game acquisition. The Modern Axe strikes a balance, providing strong all-around performance without requiring additional progression items.
Modern Axe: Combat and Utility
The Modern Axe excels in both combat and resource gathering. As a melee weapon, it delivers substantial damage with its heavy attack, capable of staggering enemies and severing limbs from smaller cannibals and mutants. It has a medium attack distance and medium blocking capability, offering a balanced defensive and offensive profile. This makes it a vital companion when facing hostile targets, especially before acquiring more specialized combat tools.
For utility, the Modern Axe is highly efficient at chopping trees, making it indispensable for collecting logs for base construction. Its superior cutting capability compared to the Tactical Axe means you can fell trees and process logs much faster. It can also be used to split logs, remove sections during construction, sharpen logs for defensive structures, and break wooden barricades or other destructible wooden obstacles. The axe does not require ammunition, fuel, or any other consumable resource, making it a reliable and cost-effective tool.
Upgrading the Modern Axe
The Modern Axe can be further enhanced through the game’s upgrade system. Specifically, it is compatible with Solafite Plating. To apply this upgrade, you will need six pieces of Solafite and a Weapon Plater. Once plated, the axe will gain a distinct Solafite appearance and, more importantly, receive a significant increase in its melee damage. Solafite-plated weapons typically deal approximately 30% more damage than their unplated counterparts, further boosting the Modern Axe’s effectiveness in combat. This upgrade helps maintain its viability even as you encounter tougher enemies in later stages of the game.
FAQ
Is the Modern Axe good for chopping trees? Yes, the Modern Axe is highly efficient for chopping trees and is considered one of the best axes for woodcutting, significantly outperforming the Tactical Axe.
Does the Modern Axe require any special items to get? No, the Modern Axe has no requirements other than traveling to its location. You do not need keycards, shovels, or other progression items to obtain it.
Where exactly is the Modern Axe located on the map? The Modern Axe is found at a campsite on the western side of the map, specifically in the middle of three black tents. It’s southwest of Maintenance A.
Can the Modern Axe be upgraded? Yes, the Modern Axe can be upgraded with Solafite Plating using six pieces of Solafite and a Weapon Plater, which increases its melee damage by approximately 30%.
Is the Modern Axe better than the Firefighter Axe? The Modern Axe is generally better for woodcutting and offers a good balance for early-game combat. The Firefighter Axe deals more raw melee damage and has stronger blocking, making it superior for combat, but it requires the Shovel to access.