If you’re reading this guide, you should already have a patch of the island you can call your home. You should have a Bed, a Campfire, a Small Chest, and Straw Walls surrounding it all. If not, then go read out getting started guide, which will give you the essentials on how to survive the first few daunting nights of The Survivalists! If yes, then your next step on your mission to survive is to explore the island and see what wonders await you!
Exploring the island
Maybe supplies are starting to grow slim, as you’ve already thoroughly picked the starting area clean of anything important. Or perhaps your skin is prickling with the sense of adventure, like a Treasure Hunter, what hidden secrets and delectables can be found on this deserted island?
However, if you are a brave but sensible adventurer, a weapon is surely needed for protection, as we have no idea of the danger that lurks on this unknown piece of waterlocked land.
The easiest weapon you can craft early on is the Wooden Club, which requires a Palm Leaf, Rope, and 2 pieces of Timber. Open up your crafting menu, and select the Wooden Club when you have the required materials. Neat, you now have a weapon!
Remember, before you set off, bring some food with you; you have no idea how long you’ll get the exploring itch for! On PC, you can Sprint by pressing the Shift Key or the Right Mouse Button; however, this uses up Stamina. Like your Health Meter, you also have a Stamina Meter, and running slowly decreases it. It also decreases when doing certain activities, but it always recharges on its own. If it ever goes empty, all that happens is you stand still for a few seconds. However, those few seconds are crucial when exploring unexplored territory, so always keep on eye on the Stamina Bar!
Monkeys
When exploring, you’ll eventually come across a monkey trapped in a cage! To save them, equip your Hand Axe, and start whacking the cage until it breaks. For more information on Monkeys and what they do, head on over to our Monkey guide!
Berries and hunting
One of the firsts things you’ll see will be berry bushes. Just give these bushes a whack with your Hand Axe, and they’ll drop a few berries, alongside a handy piece of Timber. You’ll also come across berries near the base of trees that don’t require you even to use your Hand Axe!
Wild animals will be running amok all over the place, as they have been able to live in peace until you came along… Some animals that you’ll see are rabbits, boars, and gazelles, and by hunting them, you’ll receive Meat and Fur. Each animal takes a different tactic to hunt.
For example, rabbits are very timid creatures and startle easily; getting close isn’t going to work; you need a weapon with reach, such as a Bow and Arrow. Gazelles, on the other hand, will charge at you if you get too close, so your Wooden Club will suffice if you can dodge the initial charge.
With more materials at your disposal, such as Meat, the more recipes will open up at your Campfire.
The short version is that you have to build a Crafting Bench and more blueprints start to unlock once certain items have been created. For more information on how blueprints work in The Survivalists, we’ve got you covered.
