Sons of the Forest is Endnight Games' survival horror sequel set on a remote island where your helicopter crashes during a rescue mission. With your AI companion Kelvin and the potential ally Virginia, you must build shelter, find food, and survive against cannibals and mutants while uncovering the island's mysteries. The game features a fully simulated season system, advanced building mechanics, and 3D printer technology scattered across the island.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness — factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame.
Quick Rankings
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kelvin Commands | S | Treat Kelvin as a resource gathering bot — assign tasks before leaving base, collect results on return. | Notepad (always equipped), clear gathering orders |
| Virginia Companion | A | Be non-threatening to Virginia, arm her once befriended, let her fight alongside you. | Shotgun or Pistol for Virginia, GPS Tracker |
| Solo Survival | B | Fortify your base, venture out during daytime only, explore caves with full preparation. | Shotgun, Crossbow, full defensive base with traps |
| Defensive Builder | A | Build walls and traps until your base is a fortress, then explore from a safe home base. | Log walls, stick traps, bone traps, elevated structures |
| Cave Explorer | A | Prepare heavily, enter caves, collect key items, advance the story. | Flashlight, Rebreather, Rope Gun, full health supplies |
S-Tier: Kelvin Commands
Maximize Kelvin's usefulness by ordering him to gather resources constantly. He can chop trees, collect sticks, catch fish, and fill log holders. Setting him to gather while you explore or build doubles your productivity. Keep him away from combat — he can die permanently.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Shotgun | Found in a grave on the western beach (dig with Shovel). |
| Core Gear | Notepad (always equipped), clear gathering orders | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Keep Kelvin alive > efficient task assignment > base location with resources | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | companion AI | Kelvin is a deaf AI companion who follows orders via a notepad interface. |
How to Play Kelvin Commands
Treat Kelvin as a resource gathering bot — assign tasks before leaving base, collect results on return.
Maximize Kelvin's usefulness by ordering him to gather resources constantly. He can chop trees, collect sticks, catch fish, and fill log holders. Setting him to gather while you explore or build doubles your productivity. Keep him away from combat — he can die permanently.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Shotgun and companion AI creates a gameplay loop that outperforms other options. Core gear like Notepad (always equipped), clear gathering orders amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Clear stat priority (Keep Kelvin alive > efficient task assignment > base location with resources) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Virginia Companion
Virginia approaches your camp if you don't aim weapons at her. Over multiple visits, she gains trust and eventually equips weapons you leave on the ground near her. She's a powerful combat ally with the Shotgun or Pistol. GPS tracker lets you find her on the map.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Pistol | Found in a life raft near the coast. |
| Core Gear | Shotgun or Pistol for Virginia, GPS Tracker | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Patience (don't scare her) > weapon for her > GPS tracker | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | 3D printer crafting | 3D printers found in bunkers and caves print advanced items using Printer Resin. |
How to Play Virginia Companion
Be non-threatening to Virginia, arm her once befriended, let her fight alongside you.
Virginia approaches your camp if you don't aim weapons at her. Over multiple visits, she gains trust and eventually equips weapons you leave on the ground near her. She's a powerful combat ally with the Shotgun or Pistol. GPS tracker lets you find her on the map.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Pistol and 3D printer crafting creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Shotgun or Pistol for Virginia, GPS Tracker amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Clear stat priority (Patience (don't scare her) > weapon for her > GPS tracker) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
B-Tier: Solo Survival
Playing without companions (or after they die) is the true survival horror experience. Resource management becomes critical. Build defensively with spike traps and walls. Focus on the Shotgun and Crossbow for combat efficiency. Night becomes terrifying.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Chainsaw | Found in a cave — primarily a resource gathering tool that cuts trees instantly. |
| Core Gear | Shotgun, Crossbow, full defensive base with traps | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Food/water security > base defense > weapons > exploration | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | cave exploration | Caves contain key story items, the best weapons, and connect to the bunker network. |
How to Play Solo Survival
Fortify your base, venture out during daytime only, explore caves with full preparation.
Playing without companions (or after they die) is the true survival horror experience. Resource management becomes critical. Build defensively with spike traps and walls. Focus on the Shotgun and Crossbow for combat efficiency. Night becomes terrifying.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Chainsaw and cave exploration creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Shotgun, Crossbow, full defensive base with traps amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Clear stat priority (Food/water security > base defense > weapons > exploration) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Defensive Builder
Focus on building an impenetrable base with log walls, spike traps, and elevated platforms. Defensive builders can survive any cannibal raid. Combine with Kelvin's log gathering for efficient construction. The tree house design is nearly unraidable by AI.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Katana | Found deep in a cave that requires the Rebreather and Rope Gun to access. |
| Core Gear | Log walls, stick traps, bone traps, elevated structures | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Log supply > defensive structure design > trap placement | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | seasons | The game simulates spring, summer, fall, and winter. |
How to Play Defensive Builder
Build walls and traps until your base is a fortress, then explore from a safe home base.
Focus on building an impenetrable base with log walls, spike traps, and elevated platforms. Defensive builders can survive any cannibal raid. Combine with Kelvin's log gathering for efficient construction. The tree house design is nearly unraidable by AI.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Katana and seasons creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Log walls, stick traps, bone traps, elevated structures amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Clear stat priority (Log supply > defensive structure design > trap placement) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Cave Explorer
Prioritize cave exploration for story progression and best equipment. The Rebreather, Rope Gun, Shovel, and Katana are all found in caves. Cave runs require preparation — bring flashlight, meds, and food. Caves contain the game's most intense horror moments.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Crossbow | Found in a cave or crafted from materials. |
| Core Gear | Flashlight, Rebreather, Rope Gun, full health supplies | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Equipment from caves > combat readiness > supplies for long expeditions | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | shelter building | Building uses a hybrid system: a survival guide provides pre-designed structures, or you can freeform-build with logs, sticks, and tarps. |
How to Play Cave Explorer
Prepare heavily, enter caves, collect key items, advance the story.
Prioritize cave exploration for story progression and best equipment. The Rebreather, Rope Gun, Shovel, and Katana are all found in caves. Cave runs require preparation — bring flashlight, meds, and food. Caves contain the game's most intense horror moments.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Crossbow and shelter building creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Flashlight, Rebreather, Rope Gun, full health supplies amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Clear stat priority (Equipment from caves > combat readiness > supplies for long expeditions) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Virginia Companion — the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Kelvin Commands once you understand core mechanics and have access to Shotgun
- Keep a Solo Survival setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Cave Explorer for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first — it gives the biggest power spike
- Kelvin can chop trees and fish for you endlessly. Set him to tasks before exploring — you'll return to a pile of logs and fish.
- Build near a stream for infinite water. Streams provide drinking water and are plentiful across the island.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
See our tier list for current meta rankings, or the beginner's guide if you're just getting started.
