Stranded Deep drops you into a brutal, unforgiving world where every minute is a fight for survival. From fending off sharks to finding clean water, the challenges are relentless. But nothing transforms your early-game experience quite like building your first raft.
More than just a flimsy float, your raft is your key to unlocking new islands, vital resources, and ultimately, a path to escape. If you’re tired of being marooned and ready to expand your horizons, this comprehensive guide will walk you through building your essential seafaring vessel in Stranded Deep, from gathering your first materials to setting sail.
Why a Raft is Your Ultimate Survival Tool in Stranded Deep
Being stuck on a single island means limited resources and dwindling hope. A raft isn’t just a convenience; it’s a lifeline. It allows you to explore new territories, scavenge shipwrecks, and find a wider variety of plants and animals essential for long-term survival.
The ability to travel also means you can establish multiple outposts, secure a steady food and water supply, and ultimately, discover the secrets to escaping your oceanic prison. Don’t underestimate the power of mobility in Stranded Deep.
Essential Preparation: Gathering Your First Tools & Materials
Before you can even think about laying down raft foundations, you need basic tools and a steady supply of crucial resources. The early game is all about efficiency, so let’s get you equipped.
Step 1: Crafting a Stone Tool (Crude Axe)
Your hands won’t cut it (literally). A crude axe is your first essential tool for gathering wood quickly. Here’s what you need:
- 1 Stone: Found on beaches or by hitting larger rocks.
- 1 Stick: Found under trees or by hitting small bushes.
- 1 Lashing: Crafted from 4 Fibrous Leaves.
To get Lashing, simply gather 4 Fibrous Leaves from small plants around your starting island. Combine these in your crafting menu to make a single Lashing. Then, combine the Stone, Stick, and Lashing to craft your Crude Axe.
Step 2: Gathering Logs and Fibrous Leaves
With your new axe, it’s time to become a lumberjack. Palm trees are your primary source of wood early on. Chop down both full-sized palm trees and young palm trees.
- Palm Trees: Provide Logs (chop the trunk) and Palm Fronds (chop the canopy). Logs are crucial for raft foundations.
- Young Palm Trees: Provide Sticks and Fibrous Leaves. Always grab these for extra Lashing!
You’ll need a good number of logs for your raft foundations, and don’t forget to keep gathering Fibrous Leaves to ensure a constant supply of Lashing.
Building Your First Basic Raft: Step-by-Step
Stranded Deep’s raft building is modular. You’ll craft individual pieces like foundations and floors, then snap them together. Let’s aim for a simple 2×1 or 2×2 raft to start.
Step 1: Craft Raft Foundations
The foundation is the base of your raft. For your first raft, we’ll use Wood Raft Foundations:
- Wood Raft Foundation: 4 Logs + 2 Lashing
For a basic 2×1 raft, you’ll need two of these. For a slightly more stable 2×2 raft, aim for four. Remember to collect enough logs and fibrous leaves!
Step 2: Craft Raft Floors
Floors provide a walkable surface on your raft. Wood Raft Floors are the easiest to make initially:
- Wood Raft Floor: 4 Sticks + 1 Lashing
Craft one floor for each foundation piece you plan to use. These attach directly to the top of your foundations.
Step 3: Assembling Your Raft
Once you have your foundations and floors, it’s assembly time! Drag your crafted Raft Foundations to the water’s edge. Once one is in the water, you can snap other foundations to its sides. Then, attach your Raft Floors to the top of each foundation.
Congratulations, you now have a basic floating platform! While technically a raft, it’s not very maneuverable yet. That’s where the essential upgrades come in.
Essential Raft Upgrades: Sail & Rudder
A bare raft is slow and hard to control. To truly explore, you’ll need a rudder for steering and a sail for propulsion.
Crafting a Rudder
The rudder dictates your direction. You’ll want to place this at the back of your raft:
- Rudder: 1 Stick + 1 Stone Tool + 2 Lashing
Attach the rudder to one of your raft foundations. You can now use the ‘A’ and ‘D’ keys (or controller equivalents) to steer.
Crafting a Sail
The sail provides the power to move. There are two main types you can craft early on:
- Crude Sail: 4 Sticks + 4 Palm Fronds + 3 Lashing (Easiest to obtain early)
- Sail: 4 Sticks + 1 Tarp + 3 Lashing (Requires finding a Tarp from shipwrecks)
The Crude Sail is perfect for getting started. Attach the sail to a foundation. You can raise and lower it to catch the wind and propel your raft across the ocean.
Beyond the Basics: Advanced Raft Building Tips
As you progress, your raft can become a formidable mobile base. Consider these upgrades:
- Different Foundation Materials: Upgrade from wood to barrel, tire, or buoy ball foundations for increased buoyancy and durability. These are found in shipwrecks.
- Anchor: Crucial for stopping your raft and preventing it from drifting while you explore islands.
- Storage Containers: Attach crates and shelves to store more loot and resources for longer voyages.
- Motor: If you find engine parts and fuel, a motor can provide reliable, wind-independent propulsion.
- Canopy & Lamps: Protect yourself from the sun and light up your raft at night.
- Fishing Spear Rack: Handy for keeping your fishing spear accessible.
Experiment with different raft layouts and materials to create the ultimate survival vehicle tailored to your playstyle.
Conclusion: Set Sail on Your Stranded Deep Adventure!
Building your first raft in Stranded Deep is a monumental step towards mastering the game. It transforms you from a stranded survivor to an intrepid explorer, ready to face the vast ocean.
Armed with your new knowledge of raft building, you’re now ready to conquer the waves, discover hidden islands, and gather the resources you need to not just survive, but thrive. Happy sailing, survivor!
