What is the Fastest Travel in Sons of the Forest?
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The fastest way to traverse the treacherous, cannibal-infested island in Sons of the Forest is undoubtedly the Hang Glider. This relatively new addition, introduced in an early update, has revolutionized movement across the game world. While other methods such as sprinting, ziplines, and sledding are useful, the hang glider allows players to cover significant distances quickly, effectively turning the game into a speedier, more explorative experience. Its ability to soar over obstacles, navigate cliffs, and bypass dangerous areas makes it the top choice for rapid travel.
Hang Glider: The King of Speed
The hang glider in Sons of the Forest is not merely a means of transportation; it’s a game-changer. Here’s why it claims the top spot:
- Speed and Distance: The hang glider allows you to travel at a much higher speed than sprinting or sledding. You can quickly cover large distances on the map, reaching your destination in a fraction of the time.
- Terrain Independence: Unlike ground-based travel methods, the hang glider is not hindered by the rugged terrain. You can easily glide over mountains, forests, and canyons, bypassing obstacles that would otherwise require time-consuming detours.
- Exploration: The elevated perspective provided by the hang glider makes it excellent for scouting. You can easily survey the surrounding area, identify points of interest, and plan your route.
- Accessibility: While it’s a powerful tool, the hang glider is not overly difficult to acquire. Once you find it, it’s relatively easy to use.
- Efficiency: Compared to the other methods, it provides the most efficient method of traveling great distances.
While other forms of movement have their place, the hang glider’s blend of speed, flexibility, and utility makes it the clear winner for fastest traversal.
Other Methods of Transportation in Sons of the Forest
Sprinting
Sprinting, activated by holding the left shift key while using the directional keys (W, A, S, D), is your basic method of fast movement on foot. It’s helpful for short distances but cannot compete with the speed and versatility of the hang glider. It’s also limited by your stamina.
Ziplines
Ziplines are another useful method of travel, particularly across areas with considerable verticality. Using the Rope Gun, you can create ziplines between two points. While quicker than walking, they are restricted to certain locations and cannot match the range and flexibility of the hang glider. Moreover, ziplines have a maximum length of ~150 meters, making them unsuitable for long-distance travel.
Sled
The Sled is primarily designed for descending slopes safely. It’s a fun and effective way to move quickly downhill, bypassing the dangers of falling damage. However, it’s completely dependent on terrain, offering little benefit on flat ground or uphill, and can be considered chaotic with its speed controls.
Golf Carts
While not as readily accessible as other methods, Golf Carts are drivable vehicles scattered around the island. They can be a viable option for travel, especially on relatively flat areas and roads, but their limited availability and terrain restrictions make them less reliable for rapid, map-wide transportation.
Other Related Information
World Record Speedrun
Remarkably, the game has been completed in under eight minutes. The current world record for completing Sons of the Forest is a staggering seven minutes and 38 seconds. This highlights how speedrunners have mastered the game mechanics, including strategic use of fast travel, glitches, and sequence breaking to achieve such feats.
Important Companions
Virginia, the three-legged and three-armed mutant, is a valuable companion. She can fight alongside you and help gather resources, but she doesn’t directly aid in faster travel. Similarly, Kelvin is another helpful NPC but does not impact travel speeds directly.
Endings and Story
Sons of the Forest has multiple endings, two normal ones and a secret ending, with each being determined by choices made towards the finale. Reaching the end-game does not alter fast travel methods, however.
Other Key Items
The Cross can be used to sometimes scare mutants and burn demons, but it doesn’t play a role in the speed or efficiency of player movement. The Firefighter Axe and Tactical Axe are the best for damage and speed, respectively, but they are only combat related. Creepy Armor, provides protection and does not affect movement. The red arm icon indicates strength progression, not travel speed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you fly in Sons of the Forest?
Technically, no, you cannot “fly” in the traditional sense. However, the hang glider allows you to soar through the air, effectively acting as a means of flight.
2. How do you get the hang glider in Sons of the Forest?
The hang glider’s location varies; look for it around specific points of interest, usually high up. It is not craftable, you must locate one on the map.
3. Is sprinting the fastest way to move on foot in Sons of the Forest?
Yes, sprinting is the fastest way to move on foot, but it’s significantly slower than using the hang glider and limited by stamina.
4. Are ziplines a good way to travel in Sons of the Forest?
Ziplines are effective for traversing vertical distances but are limited by their length and location and cannot compete with the hang glider’s range.
5. Is the sled good for fast travel?
The sled is good for descending slopes quickly and safely. It is useful for downhill travel but not general transportation.
6. Are there any drivable vehicles in Sons of the Forest?
Yes, there are Golf Carts that you can drive. However, they are not as efficient or accessible as the hang glider for fast travel across the map.
7. How far can you make a zipline in Sons of the Forest?
Ziplines have a maximum length of about 150 meters. Anything longer will break the rope.
8. What is the world record for beating Sons of the Forest?
The current world record for completing Sons of the Forest is 7 minutes and 38 seconds.
9. What does the three-legged lady (Virginia) do in Sons of the Forest?
Virginia is a companion who can fight alongside you and assist in gathering resources. She doesn’t directly impact travel speed.
10. What does the cross do in Sons of the Forest?
The Cross is a weapon that can sometimes scare mutants and burn demons, not a method of transport.
11. Is Sons of the Forest endless?
No, Sons of the Forest has an ending despite being an open-world survival game.
12. How many endings does Sons of the Forest have?
There are three endings in total: two standard endings and one secret ending.
13. How do you get the secret ending in Sons of the Forest?
To get the secret ending, you must keep both Virginia and Kelvin alive during the game.
14. What does creepy armor do in Sons of the Forest?
Creepy Armor is a protective layer made of mutant skin that shields your health bar from damage. It does not affect movement.
15. What is the red arm icon in Sons of the Forest?
The red arm icon shows how close you are to reaching the next strength level. It is related to your strength, not your speed.
In conclusion, while various modes of transportation exist in Sons of the Forest, the Hang Glider stands out as the undisputed king of speed, offering unrivaled freedom and efficiency for traversing the perilous island. Mastering its use will significantly improve your gameplay and exploration experience.