Do You Need the Rope Gun to Get the Shovel in Sons of the Forest?
The short answer is: officially, yes, you need the Rope Gun to get the Shovel in Sons of the Forest. The game’s design and progression heavily imply that the Zipline Rope Gun is an essential pre-requisite for accessing the cave where the Shovel is located. However, the intricacies of Sons of the Forest allow for some exploration outside the box, and recent discoveries have revealed a way to obtain the shovel without the rope gun, but let’s dive into both sides of this debate.
The Traditional Route: Why the Rope Gun Is Crucial
Initially, the game leads players down a path where the Rope Gun and the Rebreather are treated as mandatory tools before attempting to reach the Shovel. The logic is as follows:
- Cave Traversal: The Shovel is deep within a challenging cave system. To navigate this cave, especially past specific deep drops and large chasms, you would need the rope gun to traverse some areas.
- Ziplines: The game intends for you to use existing ziplines and create new ones to navigate the deeper sections of the cave, a task that is impossible without the Rope Gun.
- Progression: The acquisition of the Rope Gun unlocks significant map traversal capabilities, making it a critical piece in your progression and is intended as a mid game item. This helps the player gain a sense of progression while playing.
Therefore, based on the game’s structure, the Rope Gun is vital for getting to the Shovel. Most players follow this route, as it aligns with the game’s designed learning curve.
The Unconventional Route: Shovel Without the Rope Gun
However, recent discoveries by the community have uncovered a glitch and a way to access the Shovel cave without needing the Rope Gun. It usually involves:
- Grenades or Time Bombs: Players are able to use Grenades or Time Bombs to exploit the game’s physics and push themselves to a part of the cave that is normally only accessible by a zipline.
- Precise Movements and Exploitation: These methods require precise movements and can be tricky, often requiring multiple attempts. However, they prove that it is not impossible to reach the Shovel cave without the intended method of progression.
It’s worth noting that exploiting the game in this manner might be patched out by future updates. However, for now, the choice is in your hands.
Which Route Should You Take?
While there’s an exploit that lets you skip getting the Rope Gun, it’s not recommended for new players. This unconventional method is generally seen as an exploit, and might be subject to future patches that prevent this from happening.
If you are a newer player, taking the intended path is the best approach because:
- It’s Less Frustrating: Exploiting glitches can be tricky and time-consuming. The intended path is more reliable.
- It’s Better for Learning: Getting the Rope Gun introduces you to critical mechanics and tools that will prove valuable later in the game.
- Avoidance of Potential Issues: Jumping into locations not intended can cause game breaking bugs that will require restarts.
Ultimately, while technically you can get the Shovel without the Rope Gun using exploits, the game design strongly emphasizes and intends that you should obtain the Rope Gun first. For a seamless and intended experience, you should always try getting the rope gun and exploring other caves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the Shovel, the Rope Gun, and how they all tie in together in Sons of the Forest:
1. Where is the Shovel located?
The Shovel is located in a cave on the western side of the map, not far from the edge of the snowy mountain. The cave entrance is identifiable by the three bodies mounted on spikes outside.
2. What other items do I need to get the Shovel?
Aside from the Rope Gun (or the glitch), you absolutely must have the Rebreather to navigate the underwater sections of the Shovel cave. Grenades or Time Bombs can help as a way to exploit the game, but isn’t needed if you have the rope gun.
3. Is the Rope Gun hard to find?
The Rope Gun is located in a dangerous cave on the western side of the island, south of the lake with five rivers. Expect numerous enemies on the way to it if you’re not playing in Peaceful Mode.
4. Is it possible to get the Shovel without the Rebreather?
No, the Rebreather is absolutely essential to get the shovel. It is needed to access an area of the cave that is filled with water. There is no glitch or way to obtain the shovel without the Rebreather.
5. Why is the Shovel important in Sons of the Forest?
The Shovel is crucial for accessing further areas of the map, digging up buried items, and progressing in the storyline.
6. What does the Rope Gun do?
The Rope Gun lets you create ziplines to travel across gaps or elevations, as well as ride existing ziplines.
7. Can I create ziplines anywhere with the Rope Gun?
You can only create ziplines between specific points in the game, indicated by a glowing white outline when you are in range to create the zipline.
8. Is the pistol a good alternative to the bow early game?
The pistol is likely the first firearm you’ll find. Although basic, it is stronger than the bow at range, making it a good alternative early game weapon.
9. How do I get the first gun in Sons of the Forest?
The first gun is the pistol and it can be found near the northwestern beach a little way offshore. It is marked on the map with a GPS locator.
10. What are the purple markers on the map?
The purple markers in Sons of the Forest indicate the locations of Team B and the first story quest.
11. What happens if I miss the helicopter at the end of the game?
If you choose not to board the helicopter, you’ll stay on the island and receive the “Fight Demons” achievement, which is considered the ‘bad ending.’
12. What is the easiest way to use a grenade to get to the Shovel without the Rope Gun?
There are several different ways to try to exploit the game and use a grenade to access the Shovel cave, using a grenade or Time Bomb to propel your character to the location where a zipline would normally be needed. It is best to research which method is best and works for you.
13. Is the stun gun worth using?
The Stun Gun can temporarily stun enemies, providing you with a window to attack, reposition, or flee. It is worth using but there are also more powerful weapons in the game.
14. What is the best armor in Sons of the Forest?
The Tech Armor offers the best protection against cannibals, while Leaf Armor is best for stealth. However, Tech Armor costs Printer Resin to make and Leaf Armor doesn’t offer the best protection.
15. Can Kelvin be revived if he dies?
Officially, there is no way to revive Kelvin in the game. If he dies he is dead. However, there is a way to dig into the save files to bring him back but that is more of an exploit.
In conclusion, while a glitch may provide an alternative, the intended path in Sons of the Forest requires the Rope Gun to acquire the Shovel and will continue to be needed to progress through the game.