Sons Of The Forest: Best Early Weapons And How To Get Them

Your initial weapon choices in Sons of the Forest create the foundation for your entire survival experience on the mysterious island. Selecting the right armaments early can mean the difference between thriving and constantly respawning, as these tools serve dual purposes for both defense against mutants and efficient resource collection.

While the game’s narrative eventually unlocks additional firearms through exploration, this approach proves inefficient for players seeking immediate survival advantages. Instead, targeting specific early-game weapons that don’t require advanced tools like the shovel or rebreather provides a significant head start. Proper early armament allows you to handle the island’s threats confidently while accelerating your resource accumulation.

Many newcomers underestimate how weapon selection impacts their entire gameplay loop. A strategic approach to armament acquisition during the initial hours dramatically reduces frustration and increases survival longevity against the island’s increasingly aggressive inhabitants.

The Modern Axe stands as your first major upgrade from the basic Tactical Axe provided at game start. This superior tool delivers enhanced damage output and faster swing speed, creating an exceptional balanced melee weapon that simultaneously excels at forestry tasks. You gain both a reliable combat implement and an efficient timber-harvesting instrument in one acquisition.

Locating this valuable implement requires journeying to an abandoned campsite positioned in the northwestern sector of the map, adjacent to the snowy mountain ranges. As you approach the destination, a distinctive purple waypoint materializes to guide your final approach. Within the camp perimeter, search for the deceased hiker’s remains where the Modern Axe awaits collection.

The location of the Modern Axe’s campsite location. | Image credit: MapGenie.io

Many players mistakenly prioritize pure combat weapons early, but the Modern Axe’s dual functionality makes it uniquely valuable. Its tree-felling efficiency directly translates to faster base construction and resource stockpiling, creating a snowball effect on your progression speed.

As a staple survival game instrument, the basic bow and arrow configuration may not represent the ultimate ranged weapon available, but its resource-efficient construction makes it indispensable early. The minimal material requirements—sticks, rope, and duct tape—are all accessible from your initial spawn, requiring no special tools or progression.

Once assembled, fashion arrows by combining sticks with feathers and stones, resources abundantly available throughout starting zones. This ranged option primarily functions as a hunting tool but proves capable of eliminating mutants at close quarters and dispatching arboreal threats lurking in canopy positions.

The Craftable Bow should constitute your primary ranged solution during early stages. Its economical construction demands minimal investment, and the recoverable ammunition mechanic ensures sustainable operation without rapid depletion concerns. For continued advancement, we strongly advise transitioning to either the Crossbow or Compound Bow as you develop your arsenal. Regrettably, both superior options mandate shovel acquisition first, positioning them as mid-game armaments.

Fabrication occurs directly through your inventory interface by merging sticks, rope, and duct tape to construct the bow then combining sticks, feathers, and stones to produce arrow bundles. After creation, equip both components in your inventory slots to commence ranged engagements.

Strategic archery tips: aim for headshots on humanoid mutants for maximum effect, use fire arrows against groups, and always retrieve arrows from corpses when safe. Many players waste resources by not recovering ammunition, significantly hindering their sustainability.

Understanding the weapon tier system prevents wasted effort on prematurely pursued armaments. The Crossbow and Compound Bow, while superior to the basic bow, require obtaining the shovel first—a tool that itself demands substantial progression. This creates a natural weapon evolution path that aligns with your character’s development.

Common progression mistakes include: attempting to acquire end-game weapons too early, neglecting tool prerequisites, and underestimating the Modern Axe’s long-term utility. Avoid these pitfalls by following the acquisition sequence outlined in this guide.

The pistol is found in a boat off the coast of the island. | Image credit: MapGenie.io

The dig site that contains the shotgun is at this location. | Image credit: MapGenie.io

Time investment estimates: Modern Axe acquisition requires approximately 10-15 minutes from spawn, while bow crafting takes mere moments once materials are gathered. Plan your routes efficiently to minimize exposure during these early expeditions.

For comprehensive survival strategies beyond weapon selection, consult our Complete Guide to master all aspects of island existence. Understanding Weapons Unlock pathways and optimal Class Guide selections will further enhance your tactical capabilities.

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