Smalland: Survive the Wilds — 5 Best Tips for Beginners

If the thought of treading into a deep, dark wooded area as a bug-sized humanoid creature is enough to ruffle your feathers, then there’s a good chance that Smalland: Survive the Wilds’ “Land of the Small” will come across as your absolute worst nightmare. Not to fret, though, as a few quick tips can whittle that fear down into nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

So, how exactly do you go about earning a living in this bite-sized domain, and what are the first steps you should take to get your foot on the ladder, so to speak? Well, if you have just planted your itty bitty feet in the tiny world of Smalland, then be sure to read on. Here are the five best tips for beginners.

5. Build a Shelter Immediately

One of the first things you’ll need to do in Smalland is build a shelter. Matter of fact, it’s advised that you seek shelter almost immediately, as the ever-changing weather in the world will likely affect your chances of survival right from the get-go, and not to mention destroy the durability and condition of your items, too. To prevent this from happening, you’ll need to source a stockpile of Bark and Clay, both of which can become building blocks for that first home of yours. And while it won’t be anything particularly extraordinary at first, it will definitely keep you from succumbing to the elements.

Once you’ve spread the foundations for a home, you’ll want to craft two things: a bed, and a workbench. You will also need to build a roof, as this will stop the rain and hail from damaging your stored goods. If you can help it, aim to build your first shelter on higher ground, preferably away from areas that spawn bugs and other unwanted insects. It’s also worth building a second, and maybe even a third shelter, too, as the more shelters you build, the less you’ll have to worry about traveling back and forth between gathering locations.

4. Craft a Weapon

It’s nigh impossible to get through the world of Smalland without having to confront one or two deadly critters along the way. Fortunately for you, there are more than enough raw materials laying around in the woods and its connecting biomes, which can in turn be used to craft weapons and other valuable tools and armors. However, to start, you’ll need to settle for something a little less complicated, and not to mention something that won’t cost an arm and a leg to craft. A wooden sword, for example, can be an excellent starter weapon.

To get your hands on a weapon, you’ll first need to craft a hammer, which can be built with just Wood and Fiber—two resources that can be found in the opening area of the campaign. Secondly, you’ll need to build a workbench, which requires Wood, Fiber, and Resin. Once built, you should be able to access a new panel, which will in turn give you the option to craft a Wood Sword. Do yourself a favor and build this, as well as your first shelter, as early on as possible.

3. Repair & Regenerate

As it turns out, weapons don’t last all that long in Smalland, which is why it is absolutely essential to make frequent pit stops at your workbench to boost their durability meters. Sure, it’s a bit of a pain, but you’ll soon come to realize that, with a lower durability, you’ll have next to zero control over an encounter with an enemy. So, do yourself a favor and return to your shelter at least once or twice per day.

There’s another reason why you should make regular trips to your shelter, too: to save the game. Once you’ve crafted a bed, you’ll be able to use it to regain your balance and establish a safe spot—a marker, of sorts, that you’ll be able to return to if you happen to fall in battle. And believe me when I say, you will die — so it’s always good to have a couple of beds set up around the map for frequent intervals.

2. Make Potions

After a short while of foraging for berries and other useful materials, you should, with a little luck, have enough in your bag to start crafting a few potions. And while berries on their own will have various nutritional benefits, you’ll come to find that, with enhanced concoctions, you’ll be able to craft better items, and not to mention ones with exclusive health and stamina perks.

Of course, it’s always a great idea to keep a stockpile of blackberries, as these can provide you with a quick boost in the health and stamina departments. To boost the quality, however, you’ll need to set aside another batch, with which you’ll be able to use to create greater and more complex consumables.

1. Take Flight

While the lower floors in Smalland can provide you with plenty of raw materials needed to build a home and a starter weapon, there is really only so much that can be foraged. Before long, you’ll need to start working your way towards the higher levels, which means you’ll need to source yourself a couple of wings. Easier said than done, mind you, as you’ll need to defeat a couple of bees to fashion them.

It is worth pointing out that, while a pair of wings will give you access to a whole new section of the map, at no point will they give you the ability to actually fly. Instead, you’ll have the ability to glide, which is a boon in itself, as you’ll be able to soar from certain landing pads and other obstacles that are located higher up. If you have the time to spare, then be sure to source said wings as early on as possible. You can find a nest of bees near the Smallfolk settlement.

So, what’s your take? Do you have any useful tips for Smalland: Survive the Wilds newcomers? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.