These are the best weapons you should be using in Sons of the Forest

Want to outfit yourself with the best weapons in Sons of the Forest? While it doesn't have the arsenal of the likes of Call of Duty or Halo, there are still plenty to track down and some are much better than others.

The best weapons in the game aren't necessarily the hardest to find either, meaning you can get your hands on some of these very early on.

Best weapons and their locations

Below is a list of the strongest weapons in Sons of the Forest, along with directions on how to get them. Each of these weapons has its own strengths and weaknesses; some are ranged weapons while others are melee, some are fast while others do more damage per hit, and so on.

Grab as many different weapons from this list as you can and you'll be well-armed and prepared for anything.

Modern axe

The modern axe should be a priority find as soon as you start playing Sons of the Forest, as it's excellent as a melee weapon and as a tool for felling trees.

To find it, follow the river south from the starting beach until you reach a pond, then follow the trail southwest until you reach a camp. You will find the modern axe still attached to some unfortunate soul's chest.

Pistol

A firearm is naturally something to desire when you're stuck on an island full of mutants and cannibals, and luckily there is one you can get very easily. The pistol is as it sounds: a handgun that fires 9mm rounds. While ammunition is scarce and guns are loud, there's little that compares in terms of stopping power. The pistol is one of the more adaptable firearms, as you can find attachments to customise it with.

To get the pistol, head to the bay on the west side of the island, further north than south. If you look out into the water, you'll see an orange life raft with a tent floating just offshore. Swim out to it and you'll find the pistol sitting on a book. Be wary of sharks, however, as they can appear in the water here.

Shotgun

For something a bit stronger, the shotgun is a great tool for making your enemies go away. Getting the shotgun requires the shovel, which in turn requires the rope gun, the rebreather, and some air tanks to get to. Click those links if you haven't acquired these pieces of gear yet, as they're vital for your progress.

With shovel in hand, head to the northwest of the map, west of the starting beach and north of where the pistol was found. You'll hear a beeping sound when you get close - follow it to find the grave of a soldier. Dig it up and open the coffin to find the shotgun inside. You need it more than he does.

Revolver

For a step up in ballistic power from the pistol, the revolver packs a hell of a punch. Like the shotgun, this weapon requires a shovel to access its location, as it's found in an underground maintenance bunker.

Head to the northeast of the island and on your map you'll see one of the pulsating green circles. Head to that location and you'll find survey equipment around a patch of dirt, near some golf carts. Dig at the spot and you'll uncover a hatch. Head down the ladder and down the hallway, then into the first room on the right to find the revolver beside its previous owner.

Compound bow

Arguably the best weapon in Sons of the Forest is the compound bow. It's fast, quiet, and powerful. This is the ultimate hunting tool, and an excellent way to fend off encroaching monsters. You'll need the shovel again for this one, and your hiking boots as the location is much further away.

Head to the southwest of the island, to yet another golf course. On your map, you should see a green circle roughly halfway between the western shore and the southern end of the mountains. Head to this spot and you'll be able to dig up another maintenance hatch. The location is at a cannibal camp, so be sure to bring weapons and be ready for a fight. They might not attack you, but you should be prepared nonetheless.

Yet again we're heading down the ladder, along the hallway, and into the first room on the right. Head through to the back of this living space to find the bathroom, where the compound bow will be waiting beside the bathtub and a corpse.

That's it for our rundown of the best weapons and how to get them. For more, head to our Sons of the Forest homepage where we have guides on how to make a gate, how to get clean water, where to get rope, difficulty levels, and the endings explained.