How to Befriend Virginia in Sons of the Forest: A Comprehensive Guide

Getting Virginia to approach you in Sons of the Forest is less about a specific action and more about creating a safe and welcoming environment for her. It’s about earning her trust, not forcing her hand. Here’s the fundamental approach: she will slowly approach you if she isn’t driven off. This means holstering your weapons, avoiding sudden movements, and allowing her to observe you without feeling threatened. Essentially, you need to act like a non-threat and let her decide the pace of your interactions. The process is a patient one, often spanning multiple in-game days, but the rewards—a powerful ally and a truly unique companion—are well worth the effort. This article will delve deeper into the nuances of befriending Virginia and address some frequently asked questions to ensure you can make the most of her presence in your game.

Understanding Virginia’s Behavior

Before we get into specific steps, it’s crucial to understand Virginia’s behavior. She’s not just another AI companion; she’s a complex character with her own set of fears and preferences. Initially, she’s wary and will bolt at the slightest hint of danger. She is a three-legged, three-armed lady who has clearly been through a lot on the island. Her erratic movements and initial skittishness are not signs of her wanting to be hostile or difficult. The key to winning her trust lies in non-confrontation.

Essential First Steps: Creating a Safe Space

Here’s what you need to do to get Virginia to approach:

• Holster Your Weapons: The first and most crucial step is to press “G” to holster any items in your hands, especially weapons. She sees weapons as an immediate threat and will run away instantly if you approach with one drawn. This is the most significant factor in determining her approach or retreat.
• Maintain Calm Behavior: Avoid sudden movements or chasing her. Let her observe you. Continue with any tasks you are working on like building or gathering resources without focusing directly on her. This will help her understand that you are not a threat.
• Respect Her Space: Don’t approach her too closely at first. Let her come to you. If she gets too close to you or begins dancing at first you can try backing away a bit without causing her to flee.
• Light Fires: Virginia seems drawn to fire. Light any fires that are close to your base. This will encourage her to stick around and observe you.
• Be Patient: Befriending Virginia is not an instant process; it’s a gradual one. She’ll visit, observe, and leave several times before she becomes comfortable. It may take multiple in-game days. Do not expect her to become friendly overnight.

Building Trust and Strengthening Your Bond

Once Virginia has started to approach, your focus shifts from simple avoidance to cultivating a stronger bond. This involves more active but still gentle engagement.

Ways to Nurture Your Relationship

• Allow Her to Observe You: As she spends more time around you, she’ll start to get more comfortable. Continue focusing on your own tasks, allowing her to watch you. Don’t stare directly at her.
• Avoid Hurting Her: If you accidentally hit her, she will become afraid of you and retreat and may take longer to approach you again. She is also susceptible to damage from other enemies so protect her.
• Watch Her Dance: One sign that Virginia is starting to trust you is when she starts dancing in your presence. This is a good indication you are gaining her trust. It’s important to observe but not engage too directly with her during these moments.
• Give Her Gifts: As your bond strengthens, you can start to give her gifts. The best early gift to give her is clothing, such as an outfit to wear. Giving her a GPS tracker and weapons later on helps to strengthen your bond and is practical for your survival.
• Revive Her If She’s Downed: Virginia can get injured by cannibals or mutants. If you can revive her when she is downed, this will further build her trust.
• Be patient with her: When Virginia first gets comfortable enough to offer you items she will likely become scared and run away. Be patient and allow her to approach again.

Virginia’s Role as a Companion

Once you’ve successfully befriended Virginia, she becomes a valuable companion. She is not a passive follower; she has her own unique abilities.

How Virginia Helps

• Combat Support: She can effectively use weapons such as the shotgun and pistol, which she can dual-wield with no ammo required. This makes her a significant asset in battles against cannibals and mutants.
• Spotting Enemies: Virginia is good at spotting nearby enemies, giving you an early warning and time to prepare.
• Identifying Points of Interest: She can lead you to points of interest, such as resources or key locations within the game.
• Gathering Resources: She can offer you items she finds, adding another source of supplies in your playthrough.
• Essential for Secret Ending: To achieve the game’s secret ending, Virginia must be with you when you go to the facility with the Gold Arm Door

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

It’s just as important to know what not to do as it is to know what to do. Avoid these common mistakes when trying to get Virginia to approach you:

• Aggression: Attacking her or approaching her aggressively will make her fearful and cause her to run off.
• Weapons Drawn: Never approach with weapons in hand. Always stow them when she’s around.
• Direct Staring: Avoid prolonged, direct eye contact. She seems to find this unsettling.
• Forcing Interaction: Don’t try to force her to approach or interact with you. Patience is key.
• Killing Her: Killing Virginia is permanent for that playthrough and she will not respawn and therefore should be avoided at all costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where does Virginia initially spawn?

Virginia can be found near the helicopter crash site early in the game. She can also appear in the Riverlands area of the map where you can pick up the Stun Baton.

2. Does Virginia need to be fed or given water?

No, you do not need to feed Virginia or provide her with water. She manages her own needs.

3. Can I track Virginia’s location?

Yes, you can track Virginia with a GPS locator. You’ll need to equip it on her inventory screen. Make sure that you’re on the right page of her inventory to track her.

4. Does Virginia follow you into caves?

Yes, Virginia will follow you around the island, including caves. This can be especially useful when exploring and gathering resources like the shovel needed to progress in the game.

5. What happens if I hurt Virginia?

If you attack Virginia, she’ll become fearful and will not help or stay around. However, she cannot be killed off screen by other players or enemies.

6. Can Virginia be killed permanently?

Yes, if Virginia is not aided in time after being downed, she will die permanently and not respawn in that game save, unless you use the save file trick.

7. Can I revive Virginia if she dies?

You can revive Virginia by adjusting your save file on PC. This is a finicky process, so back up your files before making any changes or test it on a dud save file.

8. Why does Virginia run away from me sometimes?

Unless her relationship level with you is high enough, she will still get scared and run away when you try to give her items, if you have a weapon equipped or approach her too fast.

9. How long does it take to befriend Virginia?

It’s a slow process. She’ll return several times (across three in-game days in my experience) as she slowly gets comfortable around you.

10. Is Virginia useful as a companion?

Yes, Virginia is a highly effective companion, capable of fighting cannibals, spotting enemies, and identifying points of interest. She is very useful to have by your side.

11. Can Virginia use all weapons?

Virginia can use specific weapons, such as the shotgun and the pistol, which she can dual wield. She does not require ammunition.

12. Does Virginia need ammunition for her weapons?

No, Virginia does not require ammunition to use her weapons. She has unlimited ammunition.

13. Can Virginia wear different outfits?

Yes, Virginia can wear outfits that you can provide her with. It can be a nice way to further build trust and customize her appearance.

14. Do you need Virginia to complete the game?

While not essential for the main ending, Virginia is crucial for unlocking the secret ending. You need both Virginia and Kelvin with you when you approach the facility with the Gold Arm Door.

15. Can Virginia be given a GPS locator?

Yes, you can give her a GPS locator to track her around the island. She needs to have it equipped in her inventory on the correct page for the tracking system to work.

By following these guidelines and FAQs, you’ll be well-equipped to earn Virginia’s trust and make her a loyal companion in your Sons of the Forest adventures. Remember, patience and non-aggression are key to forging this unique bond. Enjoy exploring the island with your new ally by your side!