Raft: Beginner's Guide & Best Tips

Introduction

Look, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it: Raft is a janky, beautiful mess, and I've got like 400 hours in it. I started playing during early access when the only thing to do was not die of thirst on a four-by-four square of planks. Now? It's got a full story, islands, and a shark that will literally eat your foundations while you're trying to place them. And I still love it.

What makes Raft special is the constant tension. You're never truly safe. Even when you've got an engine, a massive floating mansion, and a fully functional farm, the ocean is still trying to kill you. The wind can screw you over. A shark can chew through your hull. You can run out of food because you forgot to plant a single potato. It's the only survival game where your entire base is also your mode of transportation, and that leads to moments of pure panic and pure triumph.

I remember this one time I ran aground on an island during a storm. My engine was broken, I had zero wood, and Bruce (that's what I call the shark) had just destroyed three of my collection nets. I had to swim for shore with nothing but a wooden spear, no flippers, and a prayer. That's the game. It's not about grinding XP or hitting level caps. It's about managing scarcity and hoping the RNG gods don't laugh at you.

This guide isn't going to baby you. It's not a walkthrough. It's the stuff I wish someone had told me before I spent six hours trying to build a sail that actually worked right. I'm writing this from my experience—the good, the bad, and the time I accidentally threw my only bucket of water overboard trying to put out a fire. Let's get into it.

Getting Started / First Steps

If you just spawned in, you're on a tiny raft with four pieces of plastic, a wooden hook, and a bunch of hope. Here's what you actually need to do, in order, from someone who's reset more times than I care to admit.

1. Get a fresh water source immediately. You have three minutes of thirst before you start taking damage. The second you hook a piece of plastic, craft a Simple Purifier (that's the little fire-powered still). You need 7 planks, 10 plastic, and 4 scrap. Don't even bother with a paddle yet. Water is life. After that, build the Cup (1 plastic). It holds one drink. You'll need it.

2. Research Everything, Like, Right Now. You spawn with the Research Table blueprint. Put it down immediately. Then, every time you pick up a new item—seaweed, a rock, a piece of debris—research it. The game keeps track, and you'll unlock crucial blueprints like the Fishing Rod and the Oar from random research. I wasted an entire day with a wooden hook trying to catch fish. It's miserable. Research everything you find until you've got the fishing rod. Then you can get raw fish, cook it, and actually survive more than ten minutes.

3. Don't Build More than a 4x4 Platform. I know you want a giant cruise liner. But early game, the bigger your raft, the more surface area Bruce can attack. He bites random tiles, and if he hits your storage chest? Rage quit. Keep your raft small—like a 4x4 grid—until you have at least a Sharpened Spear and some armor. You can expand later. Trust me, nothing sucks more than watching your only research table float away because Bruce chewed through a single support beam.

4. The Shark Is a Dick, But He's Predictable. Bruce (the shark) circles your raft. Every time you hook something, he might come over. But here's the secret: if you stay totally still and don't jump in the water, he's usually just a warning. When you do swim, he'll charge you. But you can dodge by swimming in a tight circle or just holding the sprint and a sharp turn. Also, he takes 3 hits from a wooden spear to get scared off, but only for about 30 seconds. Use that time to dive for resources.

5. Build a Collection Net ASAP. Items float past constantly. With a collection net (needs 8 rope and 10 plastic), you'll passively gather debris while you're fiddling with your purifier. It's the biggest early-game time-saver. I built two facing forward and never had to manually hook garbage again. It's the only way to get metal ore early on without swimming into shark-infested waters.

Core Mechanics & Progression

Raft isn't a linear game. It's a sandbox that twists you into knots. Here's how it actually works, beyond the basic tutorial stuff.

Islands & Loot Tiers. There are two kinds of islands: the small ones with a few trees and a single barrel, and the large ones with caves, stories, and rare loot. You'll find Wooden Crates (common), Fabric Crates (rare), and Metal Crates (ultra rare). Each island has a "tier" based on its location. Early game, you'll only get Plastic and Scrap. Once you craft a Metal Detector (needs 3 scrap and 1 circuit board), you can dig up Treasure which gives you recipe fragments for the story. Progression is literally gated by your raft's range. You need a Receiver and Antennae to triangulate story islands. But here's the kicker: the Receiver uses Batteries that drain incredibly fast. You'll need a Battery Charger (found at the first story island, Vasagatan) or you'll be swapping batteries every five minutes. It's a pain.

Story Progression, the Real Way. The main story is at specific coordinates. You have to find them via the Receiver. The first big stop is Radio Tower. Then Vasagatan (a massive ship). Then Balboa Island (a forested island with bears). Each gives you a blueprint for a key item: the Engine, the Fuel Tank, the Biofuel Refiner. You literally cannot build engines without the engine blueprint from Balboa. It's mandatory. If you're stuck, check your journal (the M key on PC). It tells you the next coordinates. Don't try to brute force it—you'll just drift forever.

Food & Farming. You can't just eat raw fish and potatoes forever. You need cooked food for good hunger saturation. The best early game is Potato Soup (2 potatoes, 1 raw potato, cooked in a pot). It gives you 60 food, which is huge. For drinks, Fresh Water is the base, but mix Seaweed + Drinks for Seaweed Soup (5 thirst, 15 hunger). But the real game-changer is Vegetable Soup (beets, carrots, and a potato) — it gives 60 thirst and 60 hunger. That's the "I don't need to eat for two days" combo. Build a Large Crop Plot (needs 4 planks, 6 rope, 2 scrap) and plant seeds. But watch out: birds will steal your crops if you don't put up Scarecrows. They eat exactly one seedling per sprite per night. I lost three entire beet patches before I learned that.

Defense & Combat. The shark is the only real enemy in the open water. On islands, you've got Ferocious Boars (they charge like Zelda boars—sidestep them) and Bears on Balboa (they hit like trucks, avoid or kite with a bow). The Fragments of the Energy Blade at Balboa let you craft a sword, but honestly, the Metal Spear (3 scrap, 4 planks) is fine. Just upgrade it with Nail (2 scrap) for extra damage. The Bow is useless for the shark—it does 5 damage per arrow, Bruce has 100 HP. Don't bother. Use a Spear on him. Three hits, he runs. That's the math.

Armor & Durability. This is the most overlooked mechanic. Your raft's foundation tiles have HP, and Bruce's attacks do 25 damage per bite. Without armor, a tile breaks after 4 hits. Armored tiles take half damage, so they last 8 hits. You can craft Netting (8 rope) and Armor (4 scrap + 2 planks) to reinforce each tile. Apply it by right-clicking the armable wall. I recommend only armor the outer edges of your raft—Bruce never bites the center. Save your scrap.

Expert Tips & Tricks

Here's the stuff you'll only learn after you've died a few times or spent too many hours staring at the horizon.

• The "Infinite Water" Strat: You can make a Water Pump (needs 2 scrap, 4 plastic, 1 circuit board) and pair it with a Network of Purifiers. But the real trick? Build a Rain Collector (4 plastic, 2 rope) and put it directly above your purifier. It will auto-fill with rainwater during storms. I have three on my raft, and I never boil salt water after day 10. It's free, infinite.
• Engine Efficiency: A single Engine (from Balboa) can only push 6 tiles of raft effectively. More than that? You need a second engine, or you'll go at a crawl. I run three engines now for my 25-tile monstrosity. Each engine consumes 30 fuel per hour (Biofuel = 8 raw potatoes + 10 seaweed in the Refiner). But Biofuel runs out fast. I use Titanium Ore (rare) to make Engine upgrades that reduce fuel consumption by 20% per upgrade. Stack two and you're golden.
• Scrounging for Metal: Early game, you can't get metal without diving. But you can use the "Scrap Hook" (the upgraded hook) to grab metal from underwater without swimming. Aim for the shiny specks near islands. It's slow but safe. I got enough to build a smelter in 20 minutes that way.
• Animal Pens: You can capture Cluckers (chickens) and Goats from islands using a Net Launcher (needs 1 metal, 1 rope, 1 plastic). Build a pen, lure them in, and they'll produce eggs and milk. Eggs are 20 hunger each, but you need to cook 'em. Milk gives 30 thirst—it's better than water for early hydration. I have two chickens on my raft, and I eat omelets for days.
• The "Glide" Movement: When swimming, if you jump out of the water onto a rock, your sprint meter recharges instantly. Use this to avoid Bruce. If you're next to your raft, jump on a foundation tile to reset the dive cooldown.
• Storm Cheat: Storms destroy your crops and break your collection nets. But if you anchor your raft (press C) before a storm hits, your raft stops moving, and the storm can't break your nets. I always anchor when I see dark clouds. Saved my entire farm.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I've made every mistake in the book. Here's what's going to kill your run or make you alt-F4 out of frustration.

• Building Too Big, Too Fast. I once built a 10x10 raft with a second floor. Then I realized I had no way to steer it because I hadn't found the engine blueprint yet. I spent three hours drifting away from every island, crying. Stick to a compact raft until you have the engine. Bigger isn't better—it's a liability.
• Ignoring the Doldrums. When the wind stops, your sail is useless. You'll be stuck. Always keep a Paddle on your toolbar. I was once stuck for 20 real-world minutes because I was waiting for wind. With a paddle, you can move at 30% speed but at least you can steer. Also, you can reverse your sail to go backwards, but that's only if you have an engine or are desperate.
• Not Using the Anchor. If you anchor near an island, your raft stays put. I lost an entire base because I anchored too far from a big island and the current dragged me into open water. Anchor close—like 10 meters from shore—so you can swim back quickly.
• Food Poisoning. You can eat raw fish but it gives 5 hunger and 10 damage over time. Not worth it. Cook everything. I once ate a raw potato out of desperation and got "Food Poisoning" debuff that lasted 90 seconds and drained my health. Died from a shark bite during the debuff. Lesson learned.
• Overfilling Crates. Every chest has a fixed limit. A small chest is 15 slots, a large one is 30. But you can stack items up to 99 per slot for resources like planks. What you can't stack? Tools and weapons. I had 10 wooden spears in my inventory because I kept picking them up. Just recycle them or leave them.
• Fighting Bruce with a Bow. Don't do it. It's a slow, inaccurate nightmare. You'll waste arrows, he'll chew your raft, and you'll just be frustrated. Spear is king. Three hits. Done.

FAQ

Q: How do I get more metal when I'm stuck?
A: Search under rocks during low tide on big islands. There's always a few stacks of metal ore. Or use the hook from above water as I said. Also, the Underwater Drops near the Radio Tower have crates with circuit boards—that's the best source.

Q: My raft keeps sinking. What do I do?
A: If Bruce is eating your foundations, repair them with Planks using the Repair Tool (needs 1 scrap, 2 planks). But if you're low on planks, disassemble the broken tile and replace it. It costs the same resources. Also, armor your outer tiles immediately after repairing. It's an extra layer.

Q: Should I build a second floor?
A: Yes, but not until you have engines. Second floor gives you space for farms and living quarters. But be warned: if the raft is top-heavy, it tilts weird. I built a three-story tower and my raft started listing. It works, but it looks stupid. Keep it symmetrical.

Q: The shark is too aggressive. Can I kill it?
A: Yes, you can kill Bruce permanently. It takes 20 spear hits (or 10 with a metal sword). But he respawns after 2 in-game days. I killed him once and it felt amazing, but then he came back with a vengeance. Better to just scare him off.

Q: How do I find the story islands?
A: You need the Receiver and two Antennae. Build them on the highest point of your raft. Turn it on, and the screen shows coordinates. The first ones are 1234, 5678, 9012 (that's the Radio Tower). But you can also just sail around and bump into them if you're lucky. I've done that twice.

Q: Is the game worth it solo?
A: Absolutely. I've played 200 hours solo. It's more stressful because you can't split tasks, but it forces you to learn. If you want multiplayer, play with friends who don't panic when the shark appears. Rando players? Hard pass. Too chaotic.

Q: Any last advice?
A: Just keep floating. You'll lose a raft. You'll die to a bear because you forgot to eat. You'll accidentally drink saltwater. But the game is about those moments. When you finally get that engine running and drift into a sunset with a full inventory of food? It's magical. Or maybe I just have Stockholm Syndrome. Either way, good luck, and watch your back—Bruce is always hungry.