You start with an Axe and a Build Tool, and nothing else. Here is how to turn that into a base, a gun and a fighting chance.
Starting a world
From the main menu choose PLAY → NEW, give the world a name and a seed, then hit DEPLOY. You fly in over the valley and land at the drop point. Shortly after landing, your handler calls you over ShieldComm. Press V to answer.
To play with friends, see Co-op Multiplayer.
Your first steps
- Gather wood. Hit trees with your Axe to collect Wood.
- Build a Crafting Table (25 Wood) with the Build Tool. It's your workshop.
- Craft a Pickaxe (15 Wood), then mine rocks for Silicate.
- Craft a Bow (15 Wood + 10 Silicate) and some arrows. It's quiet and cheap.
- Hunt deer for Hide, then build a Bed and claim it with E. From then on you respawn at your base.
- Scout small sites for Loot, especially Weapon Parts, which you need to craft firearms.
Survival tips
- Crouch near danger. Crouching makes you quieter and harder to see. In tall grass you're invisible while crouched. See Detection & Visibility.
- Watch the two meters. The HUD shows how loud you are and how far away you can be seen. See HUD.
- Gunfire carries. An unsuppressed shot can be heard 60–80 m away. Use the Bow or melee when you can.
- Ping before you move. Press T to tag an enemy so you can keep track of it. See Stealth Tools.
- Night is your friend. Darkness cuts how far guards can see you, and Night Vision Goggles let you see when they can't.
- Leave the wolves alone. Wolves hunt in packs and are hard to shake off.