You're probably tired of poking cannibals with a sharpened stick. It’s a classic problem in Endnight's sequel. You spend hours running around the woods, getting chased by multi-limbed mutants, and all you have to show for it is a tactical axe that feels a bit sluggish when things get hectic. That's why everyone wants the Sons of the Forest katana location. It is, hands down, the fastest melee weapon in the game. It doesn't just look cool. It shreds.
But here is the thing: you can't just walk over and pick it up.
If you try to rush the bunker where it's hidden during your first hour on the island, you'll hit a literal wall. The game gates this weapon behind specific progression items. You'll need to do some prep work. Honestly, it’s a bit of a trek, but if you want to feel like a blender in a room full of mutants, it's mandatory.
The Prerequisites: Don't Go Unprepared
Stop. Before you even think about the Sons of the Forest katana location, check your inventory. Do you have the Maintenance Keycard? If the answer is no, turn around. You cannot open the door that leads to the katana without that specific piece of plastic.
To get that keycard, you need the Shovel. To get the Shovel, you need the Rebreather and the Rope Gun. It’s a whole domino effect of survival gear. If you’ve already been through the hell of the shovel cave, you’re halfway there. The Maintenance Keycard is found in Maintenance Tunnel A, tucked away in a messy apartment area after you dig up the hatch. Once that's in your backpack, you're actually ready to head toward the southeastern part of the map.
Mapping the Sons of the Forest Katana Location
The katana is tucked away in a spot often called the "Residential Bunker" or the "Level 2 Bunker" by the community. On your GPS tracker, look for a green pulsing circle on the southeastern side of the island. It’s not too far from the large lake that feeds several rivers.
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You’re looking for a rock formation with a narrow gap. It doesn't look like much from the outside. Just a dark crack in the earth. But once you squeeze through, you’ll find a hole in the floor with a ladder leading down into a high-end, modern facility. This is where the atmosphere shifts from "scary woods" to "corporate nightmare."
Go down the stairs. You’ll eventually reach a door that requires your Maintenance Keycard. Swipe it. A cutscene triggers here—I won't spoil the specifics if you haven't seen it, but things get messy. After the cutscene, you’re free to explore the rest of the facility. You need to head down to Level 2.
Navigating the Bunker
Follow the corridor. You'll pass several rooms that look like standard living quarters. Don't just sprint past everything; there’s decent loot here, including some gear you might need for the final stretch of the game.
The Sons of the Forest katana location itself is in the second room on the right after you pass through the second set of yellow doors. It’s sitting on a stand on a table. It looks pristine. It’s a stark contrast to the blood-stained walls and the general chaos of the bunker. Just walk up and grab it.
Why the Katana Changes Everything
Most weapons in this game have a "heaviness" to them. The Firefighter Axe hits like a truck, but if you miss a swing, you’re wide open for a counter-attack. The katana is different. It’s all about DPS—damage per second.
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You can't block as effectively with it as you can with a heavier blunt object, but you usually don't need to. The sheer speed of the slashes tends to stagger standard cannibals. If you’re fighting a group, the wide horizontal swings can catch multiple enemies at once. It makes the combat feel much more like a traditional action game and less like a desperate struggle for survival.
Keep in mind, though, that the katana cannot be upgraded. You can't put a rail on it or attach a flashlight. It is what it is. But what it is happens to be the most efficient limb-removing tool on the island.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
I've seen people complain that the katana is "missing" from the bunker. Usually, this is because they are looking in the wrong room. There are multiple apartment-style rooms in that hallway. If you find the room with the 3D printer, you've gone a bit too far or are on the wrong floor.
Another big one: people think they can "glitch" through the door without the keycard. While early versions of the game had some clipping bugs that speedrunners exploited, Endnight has patched most of those. If you don't have the card, you’re just wasting time running to that corner of the map.
Also, some players assume the katana is the "best" weapon for everything. It's not. For the massive, armored mutants or the bosses, sometimes the Shotgun or the Crossbow is still the safer bet. The katana requires you to be in close. If you're fighting a Finger mutant, one wrong move while you're swinging away means you're getting smacked across the room.
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Practical Steps for Your Journey
If you are ready to make the run, here is your checklist. No fluff.
- Check for the Maintenance Keycard. If you don't have it, go to the northwestern part of the map first.
- Pack Explosives. The bunker has some "puffy" mutants that like to cluster in the hallways. A well-placed grenade makes the walk to the katana much smoother.
- Bring Food and Water. This bunker is deep. You’ll be down there for a while if you stop to loot everything—and you should stop to loot everything.
- Save Before Entering. There’s a bed in one of the earlier rooms in the bunker. Use it. If you die to a mutant further in, you don't want to have to run across the map again.
Once you have the weapon, practice the heavy attack. Holding down the swing button performs a drawing slash that does massive damage. It’s perfect for initiating a fight before the enemy even knows you’re there.
The Sons of the Forest katana location represents a turning point in your playthrough. You stop being the prey and start being the one who clears the caves. Just remember that even with a legendary blade in your hand, gravity and high-level mutants don't care about your swordsmanship. Stay cautious, keep your armor topped up, and enjoy the most satisfying melee combat the game has to offer.
Move toward the exit of the bunker after grabbing the sword. You'll find the Golden Armor further down, which you’ll need for the endgame anyway. It’s a two-for-one trip that sets you up for the final hours of the story. Grab the sword, put on the mask, and start cutting your way toward the finish line.