Boiling Polluted Water: Forest Game Survival Guide

In the survival horror game The Forest, developed by Endnight Games, players must find a way to survive on a remote island overrun with cannibals. One of the most important tasks is finding a reliable source of water. While players can collect polluted water from ponds, this water risks making the player sick and reducing their health. To avoid this, players can boil the water by filling an old pot from a pond or rain collector and placing it on a fire. After approximately 30 seconds, the water will be purified and ready to drink. Alternatively, players can create a water collector using four sticks and a turtle shell, which will automatically fill up with clean water whenever it rains.

Collecting polluted water

In The Forest, sourcing clean water can be challenging. The game provides players with various ways to collect polluted water, which can then be boiled to make it safe for drinking.

One way to collect polluted water is by using an Old Pot. Old Pots can be found in different locations across the map, with one of the easiest to find being on the coastline northwest of the yacht at an abandoned campsite. Players can use the Old Pot to collect water from ponds or other water sources. To do this, open your inventory, left-click on the pot to hold it, and then walk into the water source. Look for the 'fill' icon and click to fill the pot with water.

Another way to collect polluted water is by crafting a Waterskin pouch. The Waterskin is crafted by combining two deer pelts and one rope. It can be filled with water from ponds or other water sources and can be used to carry and drink water. However, drinking polluted water will have adverse effects on your health, so it is important to boil it before consuming it.

Additionally, players can collect rainwater by holding an empty Old Pot or Waterskin in the rain. The container will collect clean water that can be used for drinking or cooking. However, collecting rainwater in the pot is currently bugged and may not work properly.

If you are unable to find Old Pots or craft a Waterskin, you can also use your hands to collect water from ponds or other water sources. Simply walk into the water source and use your hands to scoop up the water. However, this water will be polluted and need to be boiled before drinking.

Boiling polluted water

To boil polluted water, players must first collect it. This can be done by finding an old pot, which can be located in multiple parts of the map near sleeping bags, and using it to collect water from a pond or lake. Players can also fill the old pot with rainwater, which will be clean and can be used for other purposes, such as making stew. However, if the pot contains polluted water, the rainwater will convert it into clean water.

Once the player has collected polluted water, they must find a Basic Fire or Fire Pit and place the pot on top. After approximately thirty seconds, the water will be purified and safe to drink. Players can then press "E" to drink the boiled water.

It is important to note that boiled water cannot be stored in the pot, but it can be transferred to a Waterskin, crafted from two deer pelts and a rope, for easy carrying and later consumption. Players can also create a Water Collector using four sticks and a turtle shell, which will automatically fill with clean water whenever it rains, providing a more consistent source of drinkable water.

Using a water collector

To stay hydrated in The Forest, you can boil polluted water or create a water collector to get clean water. Here's a guide on using a water collector to obtain clean water:

Crafting a Water Collector

To craft a water collector, you will need four sticks and a turtle shell. Sticks are easy to find, but you'll have to travel to a beach to find turtles. Once you find a turtle, kill it, and skin it to obtain its shell. The turtle shell can also be used as a sled.

Filling the Water Collector

Place the crafted water collector in an area where it can be filled with rainwater. The water collector will automatically fill up with clean water whenever it rains. This method is safer and less time-consuming than boiling polluted water.

Drinking the Collected Water

Once the water collector is filled with rainwater, you can drink straight from it. You can also transfer the clean water to a waterskin for portability. The waterskin is crafted by combining two deer skins and one rope. This allows you to carry purified water with you on your journeys, especially when venturing into dangerous areas.

Other Tips

It's recommended to build your base close to a freshwater source, such as rivers, creeks, or ponds. This ensures a consistent supply of clean water. Additionally, cannibals tend to be less aggressive when it rains, so you can explore the peninsula without worrying about combat while your collectors are filling up.

Drinking boiled water

Collecting Polluted Water

To collect polluted water, you will need to find an old pot, which can be located in multiple parts of the map, often near sleeping bags. These pots are marked with blue flags on the game map. Once you have the pot, you can fill it with water from various sources, such as ponds, lakes, or the sea. However, be cautious as filling the pot with seawater will not provide drinkable water.

Boiling the Water

After collecting the polluted water, it's time to boil it. Hold the pot in your hands by left-clicking on it in your inventory. Take the pot to a Basic Fire or a Fire Pit and place the pot on top of the fire. You can then press "C" or "E" to boil the water. Wait for approximately thirty seconds; the water will be purified and ready to drink.

Drinking the Boiled Water

Once the water is boiled, you can drink it directly from the pot by pressing the "E" button again. However, boiled water cannot be stored or carried in the pot. Instead, you can transfer the boiled water to a Waterskin, a craftable portable water source. The Waterskin can be crafted using two deer pelts and a rope, or it can be filled directly from a Water Collector.

Alternative Methods for Clean Water

While boiling polluted water is effective, there are simpler ways to obtain clean water. One method is to create a Water Collector using four sticks and a turtle shell. The turtle shell will automatically fill with clean rainwater, providing a consistent source of drinkable water without the need for boiling. Alternatively, you can fill your Waterskin with clean water from ponds or lakes, ensuring a safe and reliable water supply.

Crafting a waterskin

The Forest is an open-world survival horror game where you can craft a waterskin to store water. The waterskin is a craftable portable water source that can be used to collect either polluted or clean water. This is very useful if you are away from drinkable water sources.

To craft a waterskin, you will need two deer skins and one rope. You can collect water from a pond or lake, but this water will be polluted and will need to be purified before drinking. To purify the water, you will need to boil it.

• Equip the pot and stand next to a pond or lake.
• Press 'C' to fill the pot with water.
• Place the pot on an open fire and wait for the water to boil.
• Once the water is boiled, equip the waterskin.
• Make sure you are fully sated (100%) by eating berries or drinking from another source.
• Press and hold the 'E' button to transfer the boiled water from the pot to the waterskin.

Now your waterskin is filled with clean, drinkable water!

Frequently asked questions