How a run works
Days are for gathering, nights are for surviving. During the day you chop trees, collect scrap and food and explore. At night the forest gets far more dangerous and you want to be close to the fire. Every night you survive counts toward the 99, and the run ends when everyone dies.
The campfire is everything
- The campfire is your safe zone. Monsters are much less of a threat inside its light.
- Feed it with logs and other fuel. Upgrading it expands the safe radius and pushes back the fog, which opens up more of the map.
- Make someone responsible for fuel. Most early wipes happen because everyone wandered off and the fire died.
The Deer and other threats
- The Deer is the monster that stalks you at night. You can't kill it, but you can stun it by shining a flashlight at it, and the fire keeps you safer.
- Cultists show up and attack the camp. Defeating them gives drops you can use for crafting.
- Wolves and other animals roam the forest. Don't explore alone at night without a weapon.
Rescuing the lost kids
Four children are hidden around the forest, each guarded somewhere deeper in the map. Bringing them back to camp is one of the main goals of a run. Upgrade the fire first so you can push further into the fog safely, then go as a group.
Crafting and beds
Use the crafting bench at camp to turn scrap and logs into tools, defenses and furniture. Building beds for the group matters more than it looks: when everyone sleeps, nights pass faster.
Choosing your first class
Classes are bought with Diamonds and change your role in a run.
| Class | Why it's a good early pick |
|---|---|
| Scavenger | Cheap, and helps you gather more |
| Lumberjack | Faster wood gathering, which keeps the fire going |
| Explorer | Better at scouting the map and finding the kids |
Prices and bonuses change with updates, so check the in-game class menu before buying. Free Diamonds from codes help you unlock your first class sooner.
Beginner tips
- Stay near the fire at night until you know the map.
- Carry a flashlight. It's your answer to the Deer.
- Split jobs: one player gathers fuel, others explore and craft.
- Grab food during the day so nobody starves later in the run.