Navigating the dense and hostile island in Sons of the Forest requires reliable map organization to ensure you never lose track of vital resource points. While the handheld GPS tracker provides a constant view of your immediate surroundings, setting custom waypoints is crucial for long-term survival and base management. Understanding how custom markers function allows players to mark supply caches, cave entrances, and home structures with complete accuracy.
How Custom Map Markers Work in Sons of the Forest
Unlike traditional navigation systems that grant infinite free waypoints, Sons of the Forest utilizes physical GPS locators to establish custom map icons. Players must first acquire these devices from points of interest or craft them using a 3D printer and extra components. Once retrieved, these locators act as active beacons that project clear symbols directly onto your GPS display.
Using custom markers helps streamline exploration by allowing you to categorize different landmarks across the vast wilderness. By assigning distinct symbols to specific locations, you can quickly differentiate between a secure shelter and a high-value loot zone. This systematic approach significantly reduces back-tracking and saves precious time during resource runs.
Step-by-Step Guide to Placing a GPS Marker
To place a custom marker on the map, you must first plant a standard stick vertically into the ground. Equip a stick from your inventory, then look down and right-click to switch the placement silhouette from a campfire layout to an upright position. Left-click to plant the stick securely into the earth at your desired location.
Next, select a GPS locator from your inventory orange case to hold it in your hand. Right-click while holding the locator to cycle through a variety of unique icons until you find the appropriate symbol. Finally, aim at the planted stick and left-click to attach the tracker, instantly creating a permanent waypoint on your handheld GPS.
How to Protect and Manage Your Waypoints
Placing a GPS tracker on a loose stick leaves it vulnerable to environmental damage and hostile attacks. Cannibals or accidental player impacts can easily knock the stick over, causing the beacon to fall off and lose its position. To prevent this, reinforce the base of the stick by placing three large rocks around it immediately after setup.
If you ever need to relocate a waypoint or change its icon, simply break the supporting stick to retrieve the GPS device. The locator will drop to the ground, allowing you to pick it back up without losing any valuable materials. This flexibility lets players adapt their navigation network as their base operations expand across the island.
