What Happens if Kelvin Dies in Sons of the Forest? A Comprehensive Guide
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In Sons of the Forest, Kelvin is more than just an NPC; he’s a crucial companion who significantly impacts your gameplay experience. He’s your loyal, albeit silent, helper, and losing him can be a major setback. So, what exactly happens if Kelvin dies in Sons of the Forest? Simply put, if Kelvin dies, he does not respawn naturally. He’s gone for good, unless you resort to some specific actions, which we’ll discuss. This permanent loss can dramatically alter your survival strategy, making resource gathering and base building considerably more challenging. Let’s delve deeper into the ramifications of Kelvin’s demise and what options you have to mitigate this loss.
The Immediate Impact of Kelvin’s Death
When Kelvin dies, whether at the hands of cannibals, mutants, or even you, the immediate impact is quite significant. First and foremost, you’ll lose his invaluable assistance. Kelvin is incredibly useful for various tasks, particularly gathering resources like logs, rocks, and fish. He’s also a decent helper for base building. His ability to quickly fulfill these needs frees you to focus on other critical tasks such as exploration, combat, and resource management.
Beyond the practical loss of his labor, there’s also a palpable sense of loss from a player’s perspective. Many players form a bond with Kelvin due to his unwavering loyalty and helpful nature. His inability to speak or hear only seems to enhance his endearing qualities. Therefore, his death can be quite upsetting for players who’ve come to depend on and appreciate him.
How Kelvin Can Die
Kelvin is vulnerable to several threats in the game. Here are the primary ways he can meet his end:
- Cannibal Attacks: Cannibals are relentless and will attack Kelvin just as readily as they attack you. If he gets overwhelmed by a group, he’s likely to fall.
- Mutant Encounters: The mutated creatures in the game are even more formidable than the cannibals, posing a significant danger to Kelvin. He is definitely no match for them.
- Player Actions: Unfortunately, it is possible to accidentally or intentionally kill Kelvin. Friendly fire does indeed exist!
Why Kelvin Doesn’t Respawn (Normally)
The developers designed the game in a way where a companion’s death has consequences. Kelvin’s permanent death, unless actively remedied, adds a layer of realism and reinforces the importance of protecting your allies in the brutal world of Sons of the Forest. The absence of respawn reinforces the game’s survival aspects and increases the challenges presented to the player.
The Solution: Resurrecting Kelvin
While Kelvin’s death is permanent under normal gameplay conditions, there is a way to bring him back using file manipulation. Here’s how you can resurrect Kelvin in Sons of the Forest:
- Locate Your Saved Game File: You need to find the specific file for the save where Kelvin died. The game saves are located on your local computer, and the exact path will depend on your system.
- Open the Save File: Use a text editor such as Notepad to open the save file. The files are JSON format and can be easily edited by anyone familiar with basic JSON.
- Find Kelvin’s Health Parameter: Look for the line that specifies Kelvin’s health; it will likely appear as
"Health":0. - Change the Health Value: Modify the 0 to 100 to restore his health back to full. The line should now read as
"Health":100. - Save the Modified File: Make sure to save your edited file with the new change.
- Load the Saved Game: Start the game and load the modified save file. You should find Kelvin alive again.
This workaround allows you to circumvent the permanent death mechanic and allows you to continue your survival journey with your silent friend. Be warned that some players consider this method to be cheating, and it does detract from the intended level of difficulty.
The Ethics of Reviving Kelvin
Whether or not you choose to revive Kelvin is a matter of personal preference. Some players prefer to honor the game’s design and play through with the consequences of their actions. Others might see Kelvin as too valuable an asset to lose, especially if his death was accidental or due to a glitch. Ultimately, you should make the choice that brings you the most enjoyment.
Related FAQs:
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions related to Kelvin in Sons of the Forest, to further address all the different details around your in-game buddy:
1. Can Kelvin be killed by traps?
Yes, Kelvin can trigger some traps, particularly Deadfall Traps. However, Spike Walls won’t damage him. Be cautious when placing traps near where Kelvin operates.
2. Does Kelvin get hurt by cannibals?
Yes, cannibals will attack Kelvin, and he can be killed if he takes too much damage. He is vulnerable to their attacks just like you are.
3. Can Kelvin cross the rope bridge?
No, Kelvin cannot cross the rope bridge. He is unable to use the physics of a rope bridge and will get stuck.
4. Can Kelvin gather food besides fish?
No, Kelvin can only gather logs, rocks, sticks, and fish. He does not collect berries or hunt animals.
5. How do I tell Kelvin to fish?
Simply approach Kelvin near water and select the option to tell him to “Get fish and drop here” or “Bring to me”. This option will only appear when you’re near a suitable body of water with fish.
6. Can I disable Kelvin in the game?
There is no way to disable Kelvin’s spawn. If you don’t want him around, you can kill him or direct him to a far-away shelter where he can remain until you need him.
7. Can I order Kelvin to cut specific trees?
While you can’t directly select specific trees, you can tell him to clear a general area. He’ll automatically target nearby trees for logging.
8. Can Kelvin follow me into caves?
No, Kelvin will not follow you into caves. He will stay outside, keeping safe from the hazards of the dark depths.
9. Can I have more than one Kelvin?
Yes, through the usage of console commands, you can spawn more than one Kelvin. Type in the word “add character robby” to spawn another Kelvin.
10. Is it possible to get rid of Kelvin’s corpse?
Yes, you can glitch his corpse through the map by placing logs on him. You can also build him a small log burial site.
11. Why is Kelvin deaf and mute?
Kelvin’s condition is a result of brain damage sustained during the helicopter crash, which makes him deaf and unable to speak. He relies on communication via the player’s notepad.
12. Will Kelvin trigger all traps in the game?
Kelvin is known to trigger Deadfall Traps, but he is safe from Spike Walls. Always plan out trap layouts carefully when working with Kelvin.
13. Does Kelvin set off traps?
Yes, both Kelvin and Virginia can trigger traps. Avoid putting traps near any areas you regularly send them.
14. Can Kelvin get hurt by Virginia?
No, Virginia cannot hurt Kelvin. Only the player, traps, enemies and the world around him are capable of harming Kelvin.
15. What happens if Kelvin dies in the end?
If Kelvin dies during the story mode, you’ll be unable to bring him with you when leaving the island unless he’s revived using save file manipulation. You can leave him behind or leave with a live Kelvin, it is up to you.
Conclusion
Losing Kelvin in Sons of the Forest is undoubtedly a significant loss. He’s not just a simple NPC; he’s a valuable ally that can substantially ease your survival experience. Understanding the implications of his death and the ways to either avoid it or circumvent it is vital for any player looking to maximize their chances of survival in this harsh environment. Ultimately, the choice on how to play is your own, but it is always beneficial to know all available options.