How to Find Shovel in Sons of the Forest: Your Ultimate…

Lost in the dense, unforgiving wilderness of Sons of the Forest and wondering where to dig up that essential shovel? You’re not alone. This vital tool is often the key to unlocking hidden caches, crucial story progression, and essential resources that can mean the difference between survival and a gruesome demise.

Finding the shovel isn’t as straightforward as picking up a twig; it requires a bit of exploration and knowledge of the island’s secrets. We’ll guide you through the exact locations and steps you need to take to get your hands on this indispensable item. Prepare to unearth some answers!

The Quest for the Shovel in Sons of the Forest

The shovel in Sons of the Forest is more than just a digging implement; it’s a gateway. It’s used to unearth buried caches containing valuable loot, including weapons, ammo, medkits, and even key story items. Without it, you’ll be missing out on a significant portion of what the island has to offer, potentially leaving you underprepared for the challenges ahead.

There are two primary locations where you can reliably find a shovel. Both require a bit of bravery and careful navigation, as they are situated within dangerous cave systems. Let’s break down how to reach each one.

Location 1: The Abandoned Bunker

This is arguably the most accessible shovel location, though ‘accessible’ is a relative term in Sons of the Forest. The shovel here is crucial for early-game progression and is often the first one players seek out. It’s found within a complex cave system that also houses other important items.

Getting to the Abandoned Bunker Entrance:

The entrance to this bunker is located on the western side of the island, specifically in the northern portion of the western coastline. Look for a rocky outcrop and a small, almost hidden cave entrance. The easiest way to pinpoint it is to head towards the coast, roughly northwest of the starting crash site, and scan the cliff faces for a dark opening.

Coordinates for the Bunker Entrance (approximate):

Once you find the cave entrance, prepare for a descent. The initial part of the cave is relatively straightforward, but it quickly opens up into a more complex network.

Navigating the Abandoned Bunker Cave:

This cave is a multi-level structure. You’ll need to be prepared for some combat, as it’s often populated by cannibals and mutants. Bringing a decent weapon, plenty of light sources (like your flashlight or torch), and some healing items is highly recommended before you venture in.

As you progress through the cave, you’ll eventually come across a locked door that requires a keycard. This keycard is also found within this same cave system, making it a vital early exploration objective. You’ll need to find the keycard to proceed further and eventually locate the shovel.

Keycard Location within the Bunker: The keycard is typically found in a small room or office area within the bunker complex. It might be on a desk or a shelf. Keep your eyes peeled for any interactive objects. (See Also: how to shovel without hurting your back)

Once you have the keycard, you can unlock the aforementioned door. This door leads to the section of the bunker where the shovel is located. It will be resting on the ground, often near some supplies or a body.

Tips for the Abandoned Bunker:

• Light is Key: The cave is dark. Ensure your flashlight has batteries or your torch is well-maintained.
• Save Often: If you’re playing on a difficulty that allows saving, utilize it before entering dangerous areas.
• Listen Carefully: Audio cues can alert you to nearby enemies.
• Patience: The bunker can be a maze. Take your time and explore thoroughly.

What Else Can You Find Here?

The abandoned bunker is a treasure trove. Besides the shovel and keycard, you can often find:

• Pills: Essential for healing.
• Medkits: More potent healing items.
• Food and Drinks: To manage your hunger and thirst.
• Ammo: For your firearms.
• Story Items: Clues that advance the narrative.

Location 2: The Coastal Cave (near the Plane Crash)

This is another significant location where a shovel can be found. It’s often discovered a bit later in the game, but it’s equally important. This cave system is known for its challenging terrain and the presence of more dangerous enemies.

Getting to the Coastal Cave Entrance:

This cave entrance is situated on the southern coast of the island. It’s nestled within a rocky cove, making it somewhat obscured from a distance. You’ll want to head towards the southeastern part of the map.

Coordinates for the Coastal Cave Entrance (approximate):

The entrance might be partially submerged at high tide, so timing your arrival could be beneficial. It’s a relatively narrow opening that leads downwards.

Navigating the Coastal Cave:

This cave system is known for being a bit more treacherous than the abandoned bunker. Expect tighter passages, more water features, and a higher concentration of hostile inhabitants. You’ll likely encounter a variety of mutants and cannibals here.

The path through this cave can be confusing. It’s a good idea to use your GPS tracker to mark your entrance and exit points, or to leave a trail of items if you’re prone to getting lost. You’ll need to navigate through flooded sections, climb over rocks, and squeeze through narrow gaps.

The shovel in this cave is typically found deeper within the system. It’s often located in an area that requires you to overcome some environmental obstacles or a significant enemy encounter. Keep pushing forward, and don’t be discouraged by the difficulty. (See Also: how to get shovel knight spirit)

Key Items to Bring:

• Rebreather: Essential for prolonged underwater exploration if you encounter flooded sections.
• Rope Gun: May be required to traverse certain vertical sections.
• Plenty of Light Sources: The darkness here is absolute.
• High-Tier Weapons: You’ll face tougher enemies.
• Max Stamina Food: For climbing and swimming.

What Else Can You Find Here?

This cave system is also rich with resources and story elements:

• Rare Minerals: Useful for crafting and upgrades.
• Advanced Gear: Sometimes you can find components for better equipment.
• More Medkits and Pills: Always in demand.
• Story Clues: Further the narrative of your survival.

The Importance of the Shovel for Dig Sites

Once you have your shovel, its primary purpose becomes clear: dig sites. These are marked locations on your GPS that indicate buried caches. The shovel allows you to interact with these dig sites and unearth their contents.

How to Use the Shovel at Dig Sites:

1. Locate a Dig Site: These appear as brown, disturbed earth on your GPS map. They are often marked with small flags or markers in the game world.
2. Equip the Shovel: Select the shovel from your inventory.
3. Interact with the Dig Site: Approach the marked area and you’ll see an interaction prompt.
4. Dig: Hold down the interaction button to start digging. The animation will show your character using the shovel.
5. Collect Loot: Once the digging is complete, the buried cache will be revealed, and you can collect the valuable items within.

Types of Dig Sites and Their Loot:

• Small Dig Sites: Typically contain basic supplies like pills, food, and ammo.
• Medium Dig Sites: Offer a better chance of finding medkits, rarer ammo types, or crafting materials.
• Large Dig Sites: These are the most rewarding, often yielding powerful weapons, unique gear, or crucial story progression items.

Why You Should Prioritize Digging:

• Resource Acquisition: Dig sites are a consistent and reliable source of essential supplies, especially in the early to mid-game.
• Weapon Upgrades: You can find powerful firearms and attachments that significantly boost your combat effectiveness.
• Story Progression: Some of the most important narrative items and clues are found buried.
• Survival Advantage: Having better gear and more supplies directly translates to a higher chance of survival against the island’s threats.

Alternative Methods (less Reliable)

While the two cave locations are the most dependable ways to get a shovel, there’s a slight chance you might find one in other, less predictable places. These are not guaranteed and should not be relied upon as primary methods:

• Random Loot Spawns: Very rarely, a shovel might appear as random loot in abandoned camps, outposts, or on the bodies of certain enemies. However, this is extremely uncommon.
• Trading (if applicable): In future updates or if mods are involved, trading with NPCs might become an option, but as of current gameplay, this is not a viable method for obtaining a shovel.

Therefore, focusing on the cave systems is your best bet for acquiring this indispensable tool.

Encountering Enemies While Searching

It’s impossible to talk about finding the shovel without addressing the dangers. Both the Abandoned Bunker and the Coastal Cave are heavily guarded. You’ll face a variety of threats, from standard cannibals to more terrifying mutants.

Common Enemies and How to Deal with Them:

• Cannibals: These are your most frequent adversaries. They come in different types (e.g., regular, armored, spear-wielding).
• Strategy: Use melee weapons for close combat, firearms for ranged engagements. Aim for headshots. Blocking and dodging are crucial. They often travel in groups, so be prepared for ambushes.
• Mutants: These are larger, more powerful, and often more grotesque creatures.
• Strategy: These require more firepower and strategic positioning. Explosives like grenades or molotovs can be very effective. Focus on weak points if they have them. Retreat and regroup if overwhelmed.
• Specialized Enemies: Depending on the cave, you might encounter unique, tougher variants.
• Strategy: Observe their attack patterns. Use the environment to your advantage (e.g., narrow passages to funnel them, or open areas to kite them). Save your best ammo and resources for these encounters.

General Combat Tips for Caves: (See Also: how do you spell shovel)

• Use Your Environment: Caves often have tight corridors, blind corners, and elevated positions. Use these to your tactical advantage.
• Conserve Ammo: While important, don’t waste precious bullets on every single enemy if you can use melee effectively.
• Heal Promptly: Don’t let your health bar dip too low. Use medkits or pills as soon as you take significant damage.
• Listen for Cues: The sound design in Sons of the Forest is excellent. Footsteps, growls, and dialogue can warn you of approaching danger.
• Have an Escape Route: Always think about how you’ll retreat if a fight goes south.

The Shovel’s Role in Story Progression

Beyond just loot, the shovel is directly tied to the narrative of Sons of the Forest. Certain buried caches contain items that are essential for understanding the overarching mystery of the island and progressing the main story quests. For instance, you might unearth logs, data pads, or other artifacts that shed light on the events that transpired before your arrival or reveal the true nature of the island’s inhabitants.

Without the shovel, you’ll hit a narrative wall. You simply won’t be able to access the information or items needed to move forward. This makes finding it an early-game priority for any player serious about completing the story.

Maintaining Your Shovel

Unlike some tools that degrade significantly with use, the shovel in Sons of the Forest is quite durable. It doesn’t have a traditional durability bar that depletes with each dig. However, like all items, it can be lost if you die and fail to retrieve your inventory.

The primary concern with the shovel isn’t its condition, but its possession. Ensure you keep it safe in your inventory. If you find a second shovel, consider keeping it as a backup or dropping it in a safe, marked location near your base.

What If I Can’t Find the Shovel?

If you’ve explored the cave systems and are still struggling to locate the shovel, consider the following:

• Check Your Map Thoroughly: Ensure you’re looking at the correct areas. Sometimes the cave entrances can be a bit tricky to spot.
• Watch Walkthrough Videos: If you’re truly stuck, a visual guide can be incredibly helpful. Search for specific gameplay videos that show the exact paths through the caves.
• Consult Online Maps: Several fan-made interactive maps for Sons of the Forest exist that pinpoint the locations of key items, including shovels.
• Restart if Necessary (as a last resort): If you’re on your first playthrough and feel like you’ve missed it entirely or encountered a bug, a fresh start might be the only option, though this is generally not recommended unless all else fails.

Remember, patience and thorough exploration are key. The island is designed to be challenging, and sometimes finding essential items requires perseverance.

Conclusion

Finding the shovel in Sons of the Forest is a crucial step for any survivor. While it requires venturing into dangerous cave systems like the Abandoned Bunker or the Coastal Cave, the rewards – access to vital loot, story progression, and essential upgrades – are well worth the risk. Equip yourself, stay vigilant, and prepare to unearth the secrets the island holds.

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