Finding essential tools in Sons of the Forest is key to surviving and progressing through the game's story. Among these items, the shovel stands out as a critical tool required to uncover hidden bunker entrances, dig up graves, and locate keycards. However, retrieving it involves navigating a dangerous cave network filled with formidable mutants.
Prerequisites Before Heading to the Shovel Cave
Before you attempt to acquire the shovel, you must first locate two other essential items on the island. These items are the Rope Gun and the Rebreather, both of which are required to traverse the hazards inside the cave. Without these tools, reaching the end of the cavern system is completely impossible.
It is also highly recommended that you prepare adequate weapons, explosives, and armor before venturing inside. The shovel cave contains high concentrations of aggressive mutants and cannibals that will attack on sight. Bringing plenty of food, water, and light sources like torches or flares will greatly improve your chances of survival.
Locating the Shovel Cave Entrance
The entrance to the shovel cave is situated near the center of the island, just west of the snowy mountain range. You can easily identify the correct location by looking for three deceased workers impaled on wooden stakes near a stream. A barricaded cave opening sits directly behind them, which you can break open using a melee weapon.
Before stepping inside, consider placing a temporary shelter or tent outside to save your game progress. Having a nearby respawn point ensures you will not lose valuable time if you fall to the dangerous creatures lurking inside. Once ready, enter the cavern and prepare to use your equipment.
Navigating Through the Cavern Hazards
Upon entering the cave, attach your Rope Gun to the line hanging across the cavern gap to zipline to the opposite side. Soon after, you will reach a deep pool of water where you must equip your Rebreather to dive through an underwater tunnel. Follow the aquatic path until you surface in a new section filled with patrolling mutants.
Continue down the main tunnel path, sliding down a water slope into another large subterranean room. Move through the narrow passages, using stealth or combat tactics to clear out or bypass the surrounding enemies. You will eventually encounter a second submerged section that requires another swim with your Rebreather.
Claiming the Shovel and Exiting Safely
After emerging from the second underwater section, proceed forward through the final cavern chamber. In the center of this brightly lit area, you will find the shovel held in the lap of a deceased worker corpse. Collect the shovel from the body to add it permanently to your inventory.
To exit the cave, backtrack through the tunnels toward the water slide area where a wall will collapse. A massive mutant will break through the rock face, unblocking a path leading back toward the surface. Use explosives to eliminate the creature quickly, then follow the newly opened tunnel to safely escape the cave system.
