Can Cannibals Open Doors in Sons of the Forest? Unveiling the AI’s Secrets

Yes, cannibals in Sons of the Forest CAN open doors, but with caveats and varying degrees of success depending on the type of door, the cannibal variant, and the circumstances. This feature adds a significant layer of tension and realism to the survival horror experience, forcing players to rethink their base defenses and strategies.

Understanding Cannibal Door Behavior

The intelligent AI driving the cannibals in Sons of the Forest makes them far more than simple, mindless hordes. They exhibit complex behaviors, including the ability to assess situations, coordinate attacks, and, crucially, interact with the environment. Door manipulation is a key aspect of this environmental interaction.

Types of Doors and Cannibal Interaction

• Basic Doors: These are generally the most vulnerable. Smaller cannibals (e.g., skinny cannibals) can often push or shoulder these doors open. Larger, more aggressive cannibals (e.g., heavy cannibals) are more likely to smash them down entirely.
• Reinforced Doors: Doors fortified with extra logs or metal plating present a tougher challenge. While the smaller cannibals will struggle, the larger variants will attempt to break them down over time, repeatedly bashing against them. Heavy cannibals are persistent, and even reinforced doors will eventually succumb to their relentless assault.
• Locked Doors: Locked doors are more complex. While cannibals can open them, it’s typically not a direct, “lock-picking” action. Instead, they will focus on destroying the door and its frame until the locking mechanism fails. Some players report that specific AI scripts can allow cannibals to occasionally bypass a lock under rare circumstances, perhaps exploiting a glitch.
• Player-Built Doors: The integrity of player-built doors is highly dependent on the materials used and the construction quality. Doors hastily constructed from weaker materials will crumble quickly under sustained attack. Using stronger materials and reinforcing structures is crucial for long-term defense.

Cannibal AI and Door Strategies

The cannibals’ behavior regarding doors isn’t simply random bashing. Their AI seems to incorporate the following elements:

• Assessment: Cannibals will often assess a door before attempting to breach it. They might circle it, test its strength, or call for reinforcements if they deem it too strong for a solo attack.
• Coordination: Groups of cannibals may coordinate their attacks, with some focusing on the door while others attempt to distract or flank the player.
• Persistence: Even if a door seems impenetrable at first, cannibals rarely give up easily. They will return repeatedly, especially at night or during periods of increased aggression, chipping away at the defenses until a breach is achieved.
• Contextual Awareness: The presence of the player behind the door, the noise level, and the time of day all influence the cannibals’ behavior. A heavily fortified base with minimal activity might deter them, while a noisy, brightly lit base will likely attract their attention and aggressive intent.

Implications for Base Building

The cannibals’ door-opening ability fundamentally changes the strategy of base building in Sons of the Forest. The “castle defense” approach of simply building walls and expecting to be safe no longer works. Players must:

• Prioritize strong materials: Invest in gathering and processing stronger materials like stone and metal to create more durable doors and walls.
• Reinforce structures: Double up on logs, add metal plating, and strategically place defensive structures to slow down and weaken attackers.
• Create chokepoints: Design your base with narrow passages and kill zones to funnel enemies into predictable paths, making them easier to defend against.
• Implement alarms: Use traps, noise makers, or even strategically placed fires to alert you to approaching enemies and give you time to prepare.
• Maintain a defensive perimeter: Don’t rely solely on your base for defense. Regularly patrol the surrounding area to eliminate potential threats before they reach your walls.
• Embrace mobility: Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense. Don’t be afraid to leave your base and engage the cannibals in open combat, especially if you are outnumbered or outgunned.

The Psychological Impact of Cannibal Door Behavior

Beyond the strategic implications, the fact that cannibals can open doors creates a palpable sense of dread and vulnerability. The sound of a door creaking open, followed by the guttural howls of incoming enemies, is guaranteed to send shivers down your spine. This constant threat forces players to remain vigilant and fosters a deeper connection to the game world. It’s a masterclass in survival horror game design.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do all cannibals try to open doors? No, but the more aggressive and physically imposing cannibal variants are far more likely to attempt it. Skinny cannibals often prioritize flanking or distraction, while larger cannibals focus on direct attacks, including door breaching.
2. Can cannibals open metal doors? They can’t open them in the traditional sense. Instead, they can damage the door and the door frame to the point where the door is rendered useless and easily pushes open.
3. How long does it take for cannibals to break down a door? This depends on the door’s strength, the number of cannibals attacking, and the type of cannibals involved. A basic door might fall in minutes, while a reinforced door could withstand an assault for several in-game hours.
4. Can cannibals open doors with locks? Yes. They cannot pick the lock, but they will destroy the door and the door frame which will render the door useless.
5. Are there any doors cannibals can’t open? Extremely heavily fortified doors, especially those incorporating multiple layers of defense and traps, can be very difficult for cannibals to breach. However, no door is truly impenetrable given enough time and resources.
6. Does the difficulty setting affect the cannibals’ door-opening behavior? Yes, higher difficulty settings generally increase the cannibals’ aggression, persistence, and overall damage output, making them more effective at breaching doors.
7. Can I repair doors that cannibals have damaged? Yes, you can use your axe or repair tool to repair damaged doors. Regular maintenance is essential to prevent breaches.
8. Do cannibals prioritize doors over other entry points? Cannibals will often target the most obvious and direct path to the player. Doors are a common target, but they will also attempt to exploit weaknesses in walls, ceilings, or floors.
9. Do cannibals open doors during the day? They are more likely to attack at night, however they can attack at any time.
10. Can Virginia (the three-legged mutant) open doors? Virginia does not attack doors. She is more likely to run away.
11. Can Kelvin open doors? Kelvin is your friendly AI companion who is unable to attack doors. He can perform different tasks for the player such as collecting logs, gathering resources, and building structures.
12. Are there any mods that change the cannibals’ door-opening behavior? Yes, numerous mods are available that alter various aspects of the game, including cannibal AI. Some mods might make them more or less aggressive towards doors.
13. Does building on stilts prevent cannibals from attacking my doors? Building on stilts can make it more difficult for cannibals to reach your base, but clever cannibals can sometimes find ways to climb or jump up. It’s not a foolproof solution.
14. Can traps placed in front of doors deter cannibals? Yes, traps can be very effective at deterring or weakening cannibals before they reach your doors. Experiment with different trap types to find the most effective configurations.
15. Are there any resources on learning more about game design? Yes! The Games Learning Society, accessible at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, provides valuable insights into game design principles and educational applications of games.