One of the things players should be incredibly aware of in Stranded Deep is that every second of survival matters. Every moment lost causes dehydration, starvation, and, ultimately, death. This is why every second should be dedicated to finding the quickest way to food, water, and shelter.
In a game about survival on a series of deserted islands, it is crucial for new players to know which resources and tools are essential, especially given Stranded Deep’s extensive and somewhat confusing crafting UI. As such, here’s a breakdown of the items that need to be crafted first during a playthrough.
Updated January 22, 2023, by Christopher Argentino: Stranded Deep left its Early Access stage. Because of that, we wanted to update you on what you need to make it in the harsh environment presented to you in the game. There are many troubles in and between the islands you can explore. But the most dangerous is the risk of being underprepared when facing this challenge. Within the game's first hours, ensure you have these items and structures, and you’ll be just fine.
13 The Stone Tool
The first item required to be crafted at the beginning of the game, the Stone Tool can be constructed out of any basic stone found lying around the island. Luckily, stones are a very early resource found almost everywhere throughout Stranded Deep.
One of the best items to craft early on, not only is the Stone Tool useful in making it into a knife, axe, hoe, arrow, or even spear, but it’s also good for building initial stats in a player’s crafting level. Easily the first thing that should be crafted in the game.
12 Refined Knife
The first weapon you’ll be able to craft in the game, the Refined Knife, should be built almost immediately after attaining the Stone Tool. It’s useful and more efficient in harvesting some desperately needed early resources in the game.
Instead of being your main tool in harvesting sticks or fibrous leaves from palm trees or Yucca plants, the Refined Knife is also the only item capable of gutting animals for various types of meat or obtaining different skins for rawhides.
11 Lashing
What would any good survivalist be without using a sturdy rope to tie things? This is precisely what Lashing provides. Ropes used to tie just about anything together.
Many wooden structures, tools, and resources need Lashing as an essential ingredient in their crafting. A player can craft Lashing from four fibrous leaves obtained from Yucca plants and small palm trees.
10 Kindling
From the dawn of the caveman, in almost every survival situation during humanity’s existence, fire has been a necessity since the beginning. It provides light in the darkest of nights, cooking food, and even crafting materials.
This is why Kindling is essential, as it keeps a fire going. A bundle of kindle can be crafted from two sticks. A survivor will need plenty of these to keep Campfires, Fire Pits, and Stoves working consistently.
9 Crude Axe
With a lot more speedy utility than the refined knife, the Crude Axe is used to chop things in the game quicker and more efficiently. This is an essential tool for gathering resources to construct just about every building or construct in the game.
The axe also serves as a weapon against animals. And what’s neat is that it can be upgraded into a Refined Axe just before breaking, making it a recyclable tool that can help build up some skill points with its durability.
8 Campfire
The Campfire is the most basic and yet, most essential heating source featured in the game. Crafted by using a base of four sticks, the Campfire is maintained with new Kindling.
Completely essential for cooking all meats in the game, the Campfire can be upgraded by adding three stones, turning it into a fire pit. Thanks to the pit, you’ll be able to add some other crafting tools to your fire and later on also be able to make your fuel, thanks to it.
7 Smoker
After you’re done building your fire pit, the first thing you will need to make on it is a Smoker. The Smoker is a godsend, as you won’t need to place one piece of meat at a time to cook.
Ideal for when you are running low on energy and need to stock up on food quickly. It’s one of the essential pieces of equipment you can craft in the game, and waiting too long to make one will be a downfall.
6 Fishing Spear
A straightforward spear that can be crafted out of a basic stick. The Fishing Spear can be crafted or found in lockers and is useful for hunting small fish like sardines or small animals such as crabs, all for consumption.
The spear can also be taken into the deep waters to hunt bigger fish such as cod. Just beware of sharks, as the spear does not provide that much protection. However, in a pinch, it can be thrown at larger animals.
5 Crude Hammer
An item that’s incredibly useful for later portions of the game, the Crude Hammer is a nifty little object for anyone looking to live out in the wilderness alone. Why? Well, it's obviously an object for both creation and destruction.
Not only is it a basic blunt and deconstructive weapon, but it's also a critical utility tool meant for crafting the bigger holdouts, towers, and structures in Stranded Deep. The Crude Hammer is also capable of repairs.
4 Crude Bow
The Crude Bow is one of the best primary weapons in Stranded Deep; you don’t need much material to build one. Even the Arrows you need aren’t that hard to make from scratch. So you can see that the bow will elevate your early hunting game.
You’ll also be able to hunt sharks from the safe position of a shipwreck and collect some precious resources without having to get your toes wet.
3 Raft
One of the most critical aspects of Stranded Deep is transportation. Sure, you can rely on the Safety Raft in the early stages of the game, but do you want to spend all of the game paddling across the tropics?
Building a raft will allow you to move quickly from island to island, and if you make it big enough, you’ll be able to store resources on it. Maybe live on it too.
2 Shelter
This is the item that’s of utmost importance to build immediately when you reach the island. Without Shelter, a character will be left blind in the evening, and they won’t be able to sleep. The more weathered and tired the survivor is, the more likely that a game over will be triggered.
The Shelter also serves as the main base for the character, providing a place to sleep and, more importantly, the option to save. Stranded Deep will require many save points given how easy it is to starve out here.
1 Water Still
Water Still is the most important item in Stranded Deep. One has to be on top of several attributes, including overheating, hunger, and, most importantly, dehydration. At first, the latter is the stat that diminishes the fastest.
Although it’s possible to keep hydrated by drinking a coconut, consuming too many leads to diarrhea. Therefore, a Water Still is vital to craft immediately, and it will need fibrous leaves or palm fronds to produce water. This structure also refills water skins or clay water bottles.