Intro[]
Sons of the Forest has a partially diegetic custom building system, which allows players to make custom structures without the use of a blueprint menu like the one present in the first game. Players can now place individual logs of varying lengths (Whole, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4) together in various ways, allowing for the creation of complex structures. The game still contains the blueprint building system for certain structures, and the player can switch between both systems when holding their guidebook. These two methods of building can be used in tandem, with certain completed blueprint structures (like the lean-to) allowing for expansion using the custom building system.
Log Placement[]
When holding a log and looking at the ground, the player will have the option of placing a log either horizontally or vertically. These options can be toggled between by right-clicking. Once a log has been placed on the ground, it allows for more logs to be attached in various positions and directions to form full structures.
Vertical Placement[]
To place a log into the ground vertically, look at the ground while holding a log of any length. After toggling between placement modes using right mouse click until a white dashed circle appears on the ground, they can left-click to plant the log vertically at the desired position.
If the player is placing a log within short range of a previously planted vertical log, a dashed line will appear that connects the two. This indicates that the placed logs will be the correct distance apart to facilitate the construction of foundations, walls, or supports.
Horizontal Placement[]
To place a log horizontally, look at the ground while holding a log of any length. After toggling between placement modes using right mouse click until a white dashed rectangle appears, they can left-click to place the log horizontally at the desired location.
Logs can be placed directly on the ground, or placed onto the edges of custom foundations/floors to create flat walls if the ground is uneven.
Diagonal Placement[]
Logs can be attached to other logs at 45 degree angles. This can be done by holding a log and viewing the top or bottom of a planted vertical log. A dashed diagonal arrow will appear, and the player can left-click to lean their held log diagonally against the vertical log.
Diagonally placed logs can then be propped up on the other end to create walls, foundations, or supports. They can also be left diagonal in order to facilitate the construction of ramps and stairs.
Attaching to Other Logs[]
Logs can be attached to other logs in several ways to create complex custom structures. Full logs can be attached to other full logs at 45 and 90 degree angles in order to build frames for structures.
If the player approaches a placed log while holding a log, dashed arrows will appear that indicate the various orientations in which their log can be placed. The player can then left-click to plant their log in the desired position.
Cutting Logs[]
In the sequel, players can now place individual logs of varying lengths (Whole, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4), and logs split in half down the middle. Logs of these types can be created by performing specific actions on a placed log, while the player is wielding any type of axe.
Logs of Varying Lengths[]
Logs can be cut widthwise by a portion of quarters. This allows for four distinct lengths of logs: 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and full-length. Players can cut logs that are planted vertically (provided they are not currently supporting anything) or by approaching a log laying on the ground, although cutting logs on the ground is inconsistent in the current version of the game. By moving along the length of the log, the player will see dashed red lines to indicate the cut location. They can left-click, and then left-click again to confirm the cut (or choose to cancel the action).
Occasionally the game will cut a log automatically when the player is building. This can occur often when building on a slope, where varying lengths of logs must be used in order to keep a foundation level.
Logs Split in Half[]
Logs can be split lengthwise to garner a two halves with flat faces. Similarly to width-wise cuts, players can approach a log laying down from either end until they see a red dashed line, and left-click to split the log down the middle. The game will also split logs automatically when the player interacts with certain prompts while holding full logs (like creating a door, laying planks on a floor or ramp, etc).
Split logs cannot be placed vertically, but are instead used in conjunction with other custom structures to create floors, ramps, stairs, doors, and more.
Walls[]
Walls can be created by stacking full logs on top of one another, either directly on the ground or at the edge of a foundation/support. Players must approach the desired location while holding full-length logs, at which point a dashed white rectangle will appear indicating that logs can be placed. Walls in Sons of the Forest are 6 logs tall, instead of 5 log walls from the previous title. Walls do not require vertical supports on either side. Cannibals and certain mutants can scale these walls, so players should be careful when using them for defense.
Defensive Wall[]
If logs are placed vertically next to each other, the player can sharpen the tops of the logs in order to create defensive walls. This is achieved by aiming at the top of a vertical log with any axe equipped and interacting with the red-dashed cutting prompt that resembles a sharpened point.
Defensive walls have the added advantage of preventing enemies from being able to climb over them. The Guide Book details the ability to create a functional gate using a section of the defensive wall, similar to "The Forest".
Foundations[]
Foundations are a base layer that players can expand and build on top of. Although using 1/4 length logs can be helpful to ensure a structure is level, foundations can be created with any length of logs. Players can use logs of differing lengths to elevate a structure off the ground, or to keep a structure level when building on a slope.
foundations can be used as floors, but can also be stacked in order to create a multiple-story structure or a flat roof. Floors and roofs will block rain/snow provided that at least 3 split logs are used. This will keep areas directly below the foundation/roof from receiving rain or snow during storms or season changes.
During the winter, lakes and ponds will freeze and foundations can be placed on them. It is unclear if this is an intended gameplay feature, but it allows players to build bridges and structures on bodies of water that typically would not allow for any construction during other seasons in the game.
Floor[]
Place 4 logs in a square, then fill the square with 5 split logs
Roof[]
At the corner of two walls, make a beam on one side and use another log to attach to the other wall. Then fill in like a floor
Ramps And Stairs[]
Ramps[]
Ramps can be used to access higher elevations, or as slanted roofs. To create them, players must place logs diagonally (and parallel) against two vertical logs. They can then split logs manually to be placed or approach the desired ramp location with full-length logs, at which point they can be split automatically with the prompt that appears.
Ramps can be built at a 45-degree angle, but can also be constructed at a shorter angle if the vertical supports are not full-length logs.
A ramp requires 8 split logs total, or 4 full-length logs in order to be completed. Although they can be climbed similar to stairs, players that stand on 45-degree angle ramps will slowly slide down the ramp until they reach the bottom.
Stairs[]
Stairs are used for similar purposes to ramps, but have a different appearance. Stairs are constructed using the same method as ramps, but toggling from perpendicular placement to flat placement when placing split logs. This can be done by right-clicking the mouse when the prompt to place split logs has appeared.
Interestingly, stairs are still entirely functional even if split logs are not placed in each step- players can choose to skip every other step and the stairs will still work as expected. The same behavior works with ramps.
Single Step[]
Just add a split log to the end of a floor or foundation to create a small step-in to your house.
Struts[]
Struts act as supports, allowing the player to remove logs that would otherwise be required to support structures on top of them. They can be created and utilized in the following manner:
- Cut a log into two halves.
- While holding one of the halves, approach the corner of a log laying on top of two vertical logs.
- A prompt will appear, which will place a strut in the corner.
- Approach the other corner in the same manner and construct the corresponding strut.
- Once struts have been placed on both sides, any logs in-between can now be removed (provided they are not acting as the sole support of some other aspect of the structure).
Keep in mind that any part of a structure that was previously held up by support logs before their removal will now be immutable unless those support logs are replaced (although they are not immune to the destruction caused by cannibals, mutants, explosives, or falling trees). This can be particularly challenging when creating more elaborate structures, as the order in which the logs must be placed and removed must be carefully observed.
Struts are incredibly useful in constructing larger buildings while minimizing visible supports required to keep them standing, or to make the interiors of buildings more easily navigable. They can also be used purely aesthetically and can be easily removed. Provided is an example of struts being used in a custom a-frame cabin design.
Basic Beams[]
Place a log vertically, then a diagonal log leaning on the first one, and finally place one more vertical log underneath the diagonal. One of the vertical logs can be cut to make a diagonal beam.
Doors and Windows[]
Once a wall has been constructed, players can cut out sections from the middle of the wall in order to create doors and windows. Doors require at least 2 logs to construct, as they are built with 3 split planks. Windows do not require any additional logs.
As of the first update to the game, doors can now be locked by simply looking at them whilst holding a stick and placing it on the door. This has to be done from the flat side of the door, not the trunk textured one. To lock a door from the inside that is on certain prefab structures, one may need to retrieve the planks used in the door and instead place the door from the inside again, this will make the flat side face inwards and enable a lock to be placed there - such is the case with the "Log Cabin" and "Treehouse 2" structures.
Cannibals can jump through a window that is 3 logs tall to enter a base, so players should exercise caution when creating windows on the ground floor of a structure.
Ropes[]
Ropes can be attached to the top of a wall or beam.
A bridge can be made between two walls by tying two ropes between them and placing split logs in between
Other[]
Firewood[]
Split a log in half lengthwise to make a split log, then cut into smaller pieces.
Combining Custom Structures[]
The player can combine these various custom log structures to create complex buildings and fortifications. The custom building system in Sons of the Forest is far more versatile and nuanced than the blueprint system from The Forest.
Provided is a labelled example of how these elements can be combined in practice.
Stick Structures[]
Similarly to logs, sticks can be directly placed by the player to form various custom structures.
Tent[]
Tarp and 1 or 2 sticks.
Fire[]
2 sticks and the lighter. It can be reinforced with rocks.
Standing Fire[]
The standing fire is similar to the skull lamp, but provides warmth to the player. It is created by placing a stick into the ground, wrapping the tip with cloth, followed by adding another stick to complete the structure. It can also be reinforced by adding three large rocks to the base. The standing fire does not last forever, and will go out after a short period of time.
Skull Lamp[]
The standing lamp is a light source. It is constructed by placing a stick into the ground, then wrapping the tip with cloth and placing a skull on top of it. Similar to the stick spike, it can be reinforced by adding three large rocks to the base.
Head Effigy[]
The head effigy can be created by placing a stick into the ground vertically, and then topping it with a dismembered head. As of the current update, it does not elicit any reactions from cannibals. It can also be reinforced by adding three large rocks to the base.
Stick Spike[]
The stick spike is a defensive trap that can be used against cannibals. It can be constructed by placing a stick into the ground then using an axe to sharpen the tip. It can also be reinforced by adding 3 large rocks to the base to increase it's durability.
Stick Fence[]
Fences can be constructed by placing a sticks vertically into the ground in proximity to each other. A prompt will appear if they are the correct distance from one another, similar to the prompt that appears when placing logs for a foundation.
Sticks fences are fragile and can be easily destroyed by cannibals or mutants.
Marker[]
The marker can be used by the player to mark a location, which they can then find using their handheld GPS. By placing a stick into the ground and then adorning it with a GPS locator, the location will be marked on the player's map.
It can also be reinforced by adding three large rocks.
Custom[]
Custom effigies can be created using severed body parts of cannibals. Effigies are built starting from a stick planted into the ground by placing another stick, a leg or an arm on top of it; this will become the effigy's foundation. From there, players may freely add as many body parts (this includes heads, legs and arms) as they desire onto the effigy. Additional sticks can be placed horizontally onto the foundation to create "branches" for more limbs. When disassembled, the last limb placed will be removed first and so on.
Limbs placed on effigies will always appear as male limbs with clear, white skin, regardless of the cannibal's appearance or gender. Placing cooked, dried or rotten limbs on an effigy will reset them to a freshly-severed state, even after disassembling them.
Effigies will induce fear to cannibals, the more body parts, the more effect it will have. However this will not entirely prevent cannibals from approaching or attacking. They may approach it with caution, run away or outright ignore it, due to their AI being designed to remain fairly unpredictable.