You’re trekking through the snowy peaks or maybe just trying to scavenge some canned food near a cannibal camp when you see them. Not the regular mutants. Not the "Finger" guys or the twins. I'm talking about the creepy, burnt-looking things that crawl in the late-game bunkers. The demons. They are fast. They are aggressive. And honestly, they're a massive pain if you're just swinging a modern axe and hoping for the best. This is exactly where the Sons of the Forest cross comes into play, and if you haven't found it yet, you're basically playing the endgame on hard mode for no reason.
Most players overlook it. It looks like a decorative piece of junk. It doesn't have a sharp edge, you can't chop down a tree with it, and it won't help you build a defensive wall. But in the weird, occult-laden logic of Endnight Games' sequel, this bit of wood is arguably the most powerful defensive tool in your inventory.
It’s not just a prop. It’s a literal holy weapon.
Where the Hell Do You Find the Cross?
Finding the Sons of the Forest cross isn't exactly intuitive unless you're the type of player who licks every corner of every cave. You’ll find it in the Bunker Residential area. This is the same spot where you grab the Action Camera and the Guest Keycard. It's tucked away in a room that looks like it belonged to someone who was either very devout or very terrified of what was happening on the island.
It’s sitting on a table. Grab it.
There's actually a second cross in the game, located in the final "Hell Cave" (the Magma Cavern), but you really want the first one before you get that deep into the story. Waiting until the final boss run to get your first cross is like trying to learn how to swim while you’re being tossed off a boat. Don't do that to yourself.
✨ Don't miss: Sex Fallout New Vegas: Why Obsidian’s Writing Still Outshines Modern RPGs
How the Sons of the Forest Cross Actually Functions
Here is the thing: the cross does absolutely nothing to a standard cannibal. If you pull it out while a puffy is charging you, you’re just going to get tackled. It’s useless against the surface-level enemies.
But against demons? It’s a flamethrower.
When you equip the Sons of the Forest cross and "attack" with it (using the Left Mouse Button or Trigger), your character holds it up. If a demon is in range, it will start to smoke. Then it will spark. Then, usually within a second or two, the demon bursts into flames. It’s a stun-lock mechanic that deals massive damage over time.
The Nuance of Demon Crowds
If you’re facing a single demon, you’ve already won. The cross keeps them at bay. They recoil. They hiss. They burn. However, the game gets tricky when it throws three or four at you in those narrow golden hallways. You have to actively aim the cross. It’s not a passive "aura" that protects you from all sides. You need to point the literal face of the cross at the specific enemy you want to ignite.
I’ve seen people complain that the cross "stopped working," but usually, they’re just getting flanked. If a demon hits you from the side, the animation breaks. You have to be precise. It’s a dance. You back up, you hold the wood high, you watch them crisp up, and you move to the next target.
🔗 Read more: Why the Disney Infinity Star Wars Starter Pack Still Matters for Collectors in 2026
Why the Cross Matters for the Story
We need to talk about why this thing exists in a survival game about mutants and billionaire hideouts. Sons of the Forest leans much harder into the "theological horror" than the first game did. The Forest was mostly about biology gone wrong—mutations caused by an ancient artifact.
The sequel introduces the concept of "demons" specifically. These aren't just high-tier mutants. They are distinct entities that inhabit the areas near the Golden Armor and the Magma. The fact that a traditional religious symbol causes them to spontaneously combust suggests that the "aliens" or "interdimensional beings" in this game have a specific weakness to whatever energy the cross represents.
Or maybe it’s just that the developers thought it looked cool.
Either way, it works. It’s one of the few items in the game that feels truly supernatural in a world filled with high-tech GPS trackers and 3D printers.
Practical Tactics for Using the Cross Effectively
Don't just walk around with it out. It slows you down.
💡 You might also like: Grand Theft Auto Games Timeline: Why the Chronology is a Beautiful Mess
- Use your shotgun or katana for the "Puffies" and regular mutants. Save the cross for the spindly, burnt demons.
- If you are being swarmed, pull out the cross to create space. The fire damage will cause the demons to retreat for a few seconds, giving you time to reload your slug shots or heal up.
- Combine it with the Golden Armor. The armor reduces the physical damage you take from these entities, but the cross prevents the damage from happening in the first place.
The Sons of the Forest cross is essentially your "get out of jail free" card for the final twenty minutes of the game. Without it, the Magma Cavern is a nightmare of kiting and wasted ammo. With it, you’re basically a medieval exorcist in a tactical vest.
Common Misconceptions About the Cross
Some players think you need "faith" stats or something similar. No. This isn't an RPG. You don't need to find a Bible or pray at an altar. You just need the item in your hand.
Another big mistake? Thinking it works on the final boss. Look, without spoiling the ending for the three people who haven't finished it yet: the cross is for the grunts. The big bads have a bit more resistance to being poked with a stick, even if it is a holy one. You’ll still want your heavy ordnance for the actual boss fights. Use the cross to clear the path to the boss, then switch to the heavy hitters.
Honestly, the Sons of the Forest cross represents a shift in how Endnight wants you to think about the island. It’s not just a forest anymore. It’s something much older and much more "biblical."
Your Immediate To-Do List
If you're currently stuck in a bunker or planning your next expedition, here is exactly how you should handle the cross situation:
- Check your inventory. If you've been to the Residential Bunker but don't see the cross, go back. It's easy to miss on a desk in the living quarters.
- Don't scrap it. You can't really "lose" it, but don't ignore it in your hotkey setup. If you're on PC, bind it to a number key near your primary weapon.
- Test the range. Find a lone demon in the lower caves and see how far away you can be while still triggering the burn effect. It’s further than you think.
- Watch the floor. Demons love to crawl on the ceiling and drop down. The cross won't help if they land on your head, so keep your eyes moving.
The island is a weird place. Between the mutants, the billionaires, and the dimensional shifts, a wooden cross is actually the most logical thing to carry. It saves ammo, it looks intimidating, and it’s the only thing that makes those late-game caves feel remotely manageable. Go find it, hold it high, and watch the demons burn.