You’re wandering through the brush, starving, and a cannibal with way too many limbs is screaming in the distance. We’ve all been there. But honestly, the real frustration in Sons of the Forest isn't the monsters—it's trying to find that one specific scrap of paper that lets you build a trap that actually works. Finding sons of the forest blueprint locations is basically a scavenger hunt through a nightmare, and if you don't know exactly where to look, you're just gonna end up running in circles until a mutant decides you look like lunch.
Blueprints aren't just "nice to have" items anymore. Since the full 1.0 release and subsequent patches, Endnight Games has tucked these things into some of the most obscure corners of the map. Some are sitting on a dusty shelf in a bunker you've walked past ten times. Others are shoved into the back of a cave system that requires a rebreather and a lot of patience.
Why Most People Miss the Best Blueprints
The game doesn't hold your hand. At all. You get a GPS tracker, sure, but it doesn't just ping "Cool Trap Blueprint Here!" most of the time. A lot of players focus purely on the purple and green markers, but the real endgame base-building stuff is often found at unmarked points of interest.
I’m talking about things like the Pickaxe or the Gore Chair. You might think you've cleared a cave because you found the "main" item, but the developers love hiding blueprints behind breakable wooden walls or underwater tunnels that look like dead ends. If you aren't checking every corner with a flashlight, you're missing out on the stuff that makes your base more than just a box of logs.
The Problem With Caves
Caves are terrifying. Let’s be real. But they are the primary source for the high-tier blueprints. The Knight V or the Hang Glider are great for travel, but if you want to defend your home, you need the Grind Trap or the Spear Thrower Trap.
Most of these are located in the "Luxury Bunker" or the "Residential Bunker," but the naming conventions in this game can get confusing. You have to remember that the island is massive. You'll spend thirty minutes trekking across a mountain range just to find out you forgot the maintenance keycard needed to open the door where the blueprint lives. It’s annoying, but that’s the survival loop.
✨ Don't miss: Why the Clash of Clans Archer Queen is Still the Most Important Hero in the Game
Essential Sons of the Forest Blueprint Locations You Need Early
If you're just starting out, or if you've recently restarted a save, there are a few blueprints you should prioritize before the raids get too heavy.
The Clockwork Bomb and The Teleporter
Okay, "teleporter" is a bit of a stretch—it’s the Artifact. But the blueprints that interact with the Artifact are scattered. One of the most important early-to-mid-game finds is located in the Cave D (the one near the lake with the small boats). You'll find the Gore Chair blueprint there. Is it practical? Not really. Does it look cool? Absolutely.
The Glider Launcher
This is a game-changer. Seriously. Before this was added, if you wanted to use the hang glider, you had to jump off a cliff and hope for the best. Now, with the Glider Launcher blueprint, you can blast yourself into the air from your own backyard.
- Location: You’ll find this one in a cave near the snowy mountain peaks, specifically the one tucked away near a small pond. It requires the shovel.
- Difficulty: Medium. The cave isn't huge, but the mutants inside are fast.
The Spear Thrower Trap
This is found in the Maintenance B bunker. You'll need the shovel to dig your way in. Once you're down there, look for the room with the 3D printer. Most people grab the printed items and leave, but the blueprint is sitting right there on a desk. It's easy to miss because it blends into the clutter.
Advanced Defense: The Grind Trap and Beyond
Once you've got a solid wall up, you’re going to realize that basic spikes don't do much against a Brute or a John 2.0. You need the Grind Trap. This thing is a literal meat grinder.
🔗 Read more: Hogwarts Legacy PS5: Why the Magic Still Holds Up in 2026
Finding the Grind Trap
This one is located in the Entertainment Bunker. You know, the one with the gym and the nightclub? It’s arguably one of the most dangerous spots because of the high concentration of "Puffies." You’ll find the blueprint in the seating area near the back of the club. It looks like a discarded piece of paper on a table.
I’ve seen so many people sprint through this area because they’re being chased, completely ignoring the fact that the key to their future base defense is sitting right next to a pile of rotten snacks. Stop. Breathe. Kill the mutants. Take the paper.
The Bone Chair and Bone Chandelier
If you're going for that "insane forest hermit" aesthetic, you need these. They are located in the Caves near the beach on the north side of the island. These aren't hidden behind keycards, which is nice. You just need a torch and the courage to fight off a few finger-monsters.
The Artifact: The Ultimate Blueprint
We can't talk about sons of the forest blueprint locations without mentioning the Artifact pieces. This isn't just one blueprint; it's a multi-part quest that spans the entire island. Each piece you find unlocks a new "mode" for the Artifact.
- The Gold Plating Blueprint: This allows you to turn your structures into gold-colored, reinforced versions. It's found in the Luxury Bunker after you've dealt with the boss fight.
- The Attraction/Repulsion Blueprints: These are found in the final cave systems. They allow you to either lure mutants into your traps or keep them away from your walls entirely.
It’s worth noting that the Artifact is basically "magic" compared to the rest of the game's grounded survival mechanics. Some players hate it. I think it's hilarious to watch a cannibal get ping-ponged around by a repulsion field.
💡 You might also like: Little Big Planet Still Feels Like a Fever Dream 18 Years Later
Hidden Details Most Guides Get Wrong
A lot of maps you find online are outdated. Since the 1.0 release, some items were moved. For instance, the Pickaxe—which you need to mine Solafite—is in a cave that many players mistake for a simple resource hole. It’s actually quite deep and requires the rebreather.
Also, the Leg Lamp? Yeah, that’s real. It’s a reference to A Christmas Story, and it’s hidden in a bunker. It serves zero tactical purpose, but it makes your base feel like home. Finding these "easter egg" blueprints is half the fun.
Surviving the Hunt: Practical Advice
Don't go blueprint hunting at night. Just don't. The lighting in this game is fantastic, which means it’s pitch black in the woods. You will get jumped.
Pack the right gear:
- Flashlight Attachments: Better than the lighter.
- Energy Drinks: You’re going to be doing a lot of sprinting.
- Explosive Arrows: Great for clearing clusters of enemies in tight cave corridors.
When you arrive at a potential location, look for "man-made" markers. Crates, abandoned campsites, and orange flares are usually signs that a blueprint is nearby. Endnight is pretty good about environmental storytelling; if a spot looks like someone died there, they probably died protecting something cool.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Journey
If you're ready to start your collection, here is exactly how you should spend your next hour in the game:
- Secure the Shovel: You can't get to the best bunkers without it. It’s in the cave near the center of the map where three bodies are propped up out front. You'll need the rebreather and the rope gun first.
- Hit Maintenance B: This is your first stop for the Spear Thrower. It's a relatively easy bunker once you're inside.
- Head to the Entertainment Bunker: Use the Keycard you found in Maintenance A or B to get in. Grab the Grind Trap.
- Mark Your Map: Use the GPS locators (the little purple icons) to mark caves you’ve already cleared. There is nothing worse than trekking across the island only to realize you already looted that cave three days ago.
- Build the Glider Launcher: Once you have this, the rest of the blueprint hunting becomes 10x faster because you can literally fly across the map.
The island is a big, miserable place, but it’s a lot more manageable when you have a base full of automated traps and gold-plated walls. Happy hunting. Try not to get eaten.