The answer first
Stay in the Meadows. Pick up wood, stone, mushrooms, raspberries, and any flint you find beside water. Craft a hammer, stone axe, and club; build a small shelter with a roof; place a covered workbench, bed, and campfire; then make sure the smoke has a way out. Eat more than one type of food and sleep through the first night.
Your first ten minutes
- Read the starting stones and mark the area mentally. You will return here later, so do not wander blindly across half the world.
- Collect loose branches and stones. Punching tiny trees also gives early wood without requiring an axe.
- Pick up every safe food you see. Raspberries and mushrooms increase your health and stamina once eaten. Different foods stack; duplicates do not.
- Craft a stone axe, hammer, and club. The axe speeds up wood gathering, the hammer opens building, and the club is a reliable first weapon.
- Stay near the Meadows. The darker forest is deliberately more dangerous. Mark interesting borders on the map and come back prepared.
Build a tiny shelter—not your forever home
Choose fairly level ground near trees, food, and water, but not so close to the shoreline that every wave reaches the floor. A small rectangle is enough for the first night.
- Place the workbench and cover it with a roof so it becomes usable.
- Put the bed under a roof and close enough to the fire for comfort.
- Place the campfire on bare ground or stone, not a wooden floor.
- Leave a high opening or chimney path for smoke. Smoke buildup causes damage.
- Sit near shelter and fire long enough to gain the Rested effect. It greatly improves health and stamina recovery.
Before it gets dark
Three early mistakes to avoid
Running everywhere
Sprinting drains the stamina you need to block, dodge, swim, and escape. Walk until you actually need speed.
Thinking food heals you like a potion
Food primarily raises your maximum health and stamina, then supports regeneration. Eat before the fight—not after your health bar is already tiny.
Throwing away broken tools
Basic tool repair is free at a usable workbench. Look for the repair button instead of crafting another axe every time durability reaches zero.
Do I need to fight the first boss immediately?
No. Build a dependable shelter, improve your food, make a bow, practice blocking and dodging, and explore the Meadows first. The game is not timing you.
Why can’t I sleep in the bed?
The bed needs shelter and a nearby fire. If the game still complains, check that the roof actually covers the bed, the fire is lit, and enemies are not too close.
Why am I taking damage inside my own house?
Look at the ceiling. If smoke is gathering indoors, create a chimney or high vent while keeping enough roof over the fire to protect it from rain.