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.
Your choice of equipment defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | S | Solo Survival, Virginia companion weapon | Found in a grave on the western beach (dig with Shovel). |
| Pistol | A | General purpose, Virginia companion backup | Found in a life raft near the coast. |
| Chainsaw | A | Defensive Builder — resource gathering | Found in a cave — primarily a resource gathering tool that cuts trees instantly. |
| Katana | B | Cave Explorer, melee combat | Found deep in a cave that requires the Rebreather and Rope Gun to access. |
| Crossbow | B | Stealth gameplay, ammo conservation | Found in a cave or crafted from materials. |
S-Tier: Shotgun
Found in a grave on the western beach (dig with Shovel). Devastating at close range against cannibals and mutants. Limited ammo — found in crates and on bodies. The best weapon for cave encounters where enemies are close.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Solo Survival, Virginia companion weapon |
| Key Mechanic | companion AI |
| Recommended Build | Kelvin Commands |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Shotgun: Pairs naturally with Kelvin Commands thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Pistol
Found in a life raft near the coast. Reliable mid-range weapon with good ammo availability. The silenced variant (Pistol Rail attachment) reduces cannibal alert. Give the extra to Virginia for a ranged combat ally.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | General purpose, Virginia companion backup |
| Key Mechanic | 3D printer crafting |
| Recommended Build | Virginia Companion |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Pistol: Pairs naturally with Virginia Companion thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Chainsaw
Found in a cave — primarily a resource gathering tool that cuts trees instantly. Also usable as a devastating melee weapon. Requires fuel. The fastest tree-cutting tool, making base building dramatically faster.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Defensive Builder — resource gathering |
| Key Mechanic | cave exploration |
| Recommended Build | Solo Survival |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Chainsaw: Pairs naturally with Solo Survival thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Katana
Found deep in a cave that requires the Rebreather and Rope Gun to access. The best melee weapon with fast attack speed and high damage. Lightweight and durable. The reward for successful cave exploration.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Cave Explorer, melee combat |
| Key Mechanic | seasons |
| Recommended Build | Defensive Builder |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Katana: Pairs naturally with Defensive Builder thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Crossbow
Found in a cave or crafted from materials. Silent ranged weapon with retrievable bolts. Perfect for stealth gameplay and picking off cannibals without alerting the camp. Lower DPS than the shotgun but infinite ammo if you retrieve bolts.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Stealth gameplay, ammo conservation |
| Key Mechanic | shelter building |
| Recommended Build | Cave Explorer |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Crossbow: Pairs naturally with Cave Explorer thanks to stat scaling synergies.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Beach Camp
- Pistol → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Chainsaw → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Shotgun → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Equipment Tips
- Always upgrade your primary equipment before diversifying — one strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- 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.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Sons of the Forest Guides
- Sons of the Forest Sons of the Forest Overview
- Sons of the Forest Best Builds
- Sons of the Forest Tier List
- Sons of the Forest Walkthrough
- Sons of the Forest Beginner's Guide
- Sons of the Forest Tips & Tricks
- Sons of the Forest Combat Guide
- Sons of the Forest Boss Guide
- Sons of the Forest Maps & Locations
- Sons of the Forest Crafting Guide
- Sons of the Forest Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Sons of the Forest, check out these related guides:
- Palworld Weapons Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
- Rust Weapons Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
- ARK: Survival Evolved Weapons Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
