The Forest is an open-world survival horror game where you crash-land on a peninsula populated by cannibalistic mutants and must survive while searching for your kidnapped son. The game's AI system makes it genuinely terrifying — cannibals observe you from the treeline, send scouts to test your defenses, and escalate their aggression based on your behavior. Building a fort, exploring cave systems for story progression, and managing the escalating cannibal threat creates a survival horror experience unlike anything else. The full story unfolds through cave exploration leading to an underground research facility. Co-op multiplayer (up to 8 players) makes the horror more manageable while adding hilarious building projects.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Axe | S | Combat Fighter, Builder | The best overall weapon balancing damage, speed, and utility (tree chopping). |
| Katana | A | Cave Explorer, Combat Fighter | The fastest melee weapon with the widest swing arc for hitting multiple enemies. |
| Flintlock Pistol | A | Emergency use all builds | A single-shot pistol found in a cave. |
| Crafted Bow | B | Stealth Player, hunting | The primary ranged weapon, crafted from a stick, cloth, and rope. |
| Chainsaw | B | Builder (logging), Combat (risky) | Found in Cave 3, the chainsaw deals rapid melee damage and doubles as the fastest tree-cutting tool. |
S-Tier: Modern Axe
The best overall weapon balancing damage, speed, and utility (tree chopping). Found in a cave (Cave 2) near a dead explorer. Significantly outperforms the starting plane axe. Can be upgraded with teeth and feathers for additional damage and speed.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Combat Fighter, Builder |
| Key Mechanic | cannibals AI behavior |
| Recommended Build | Builder |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Modern Axe: Pairs naturally with Builder thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Katana
The fastest melee weapon with the widest swing arc for hitting multiple enemies. Found in Cave 1 (Dead Cave). Lower damage per hit than the Modern Axe but the attack speed makes it superior for fighting groups. The go-to weapon for cave exploration.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Cave Explorer, Combat Fighter |
| Key Mechanic | base building |
| Recommended Build | Cave Explorer |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Katana: Pairs naturally with Cave Explorer thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Flintlock Pistol
A single-shot pistol found in a cave. One-shot kills regular cannibals but requires reloading after each shot (slow). Most useful as an emergency weapon against mutants. Ammunition is extremely limited.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Emergency use all builds |
| Key Mechanic | cave exploration |
| Recommended Build | Combat Fighter |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Flintlock Pistol: Pairs naturally with Combat Fighter thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Crafted Bow
The primary ranged weapon, crafted from a stick, cloth, and rope. Fire arrows (cloth + booze + arrow) and bone arrows (bones + arrow) add elemental damage. Essential for hunting animals for food and skins.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Stealth Player, hunting |
| Key Mechanic | crafting system |
| Recommended Build | Stealth Player |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Crafted Bow: Pairs naturally with Stealth Player thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Chainsaw
Found in Cave 3, the chainsaw deals rapid melee damage and doubles as the fastest tree-cutting tool. Burns fuel (found in caves and cannibal camps). Extremely noisy — using it attracts every cannibal in the area.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Builder (logging), Combat (risky) |
| Key Mechanic | story progression |
| Recommended Build | Co-op Team |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Chainsaw: Pairs naturally with Co-op Team thanks to stat scaling synergies.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Fertile Lands
- Katana → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Flintlock Pistol → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Modern Axe → 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.
- Build your first base near water for drinking access and near the coast for escape routes. The Fertile Lands in the southeast is the safest starting location.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More The Forest Guides
- The Forest The Forest Overview
- The Forest Best Builds
- The Forest Tier List
- The Forest Walkthrough
- The Forest Beginner's Guide
- The Forest Tips & Tricks
- The Forest Combat Guide
- The Forest Boss Guide
- The Forest Maps & Locations
- The Forest Crafting Guide
- The Forest Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy 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
