This guide covers the first few hours of Once Human, what to prioritize, what to ignore early on, and the systems that change how the game feels once you understand them
The game does not explain this very well. Most of what matters in the first few hours is tucked behind menus, gated by early quests, or just assumed knowledge. Here is what to actually do first.
Once Human is free on Windows PC. Start here before you log in
Get the GuideYour first hour in the wasteland
When you first wake up after the Starfall, the temptation is to follow the main quest markers without stopping. Resist that a little. The first hour rewards players who take a moment to understand the basics before pushing forward.
Explore the immediate area around your starting point. Gather basic resources, check every interactable object, and pay attention to early crafting recipes that unlock. Several of the earliest recipes are needed constantly later, so getting comfortable with the crafting menu now saves time.
Setting up before combat matters
Most new players go straight into fights with whatever gear they spawn with. That works for the first hour or so. It stops working once Deviants outside the starting area start showing up.
Before your first real Deviant encounter, spend a few minutes in the crafting menu. Build a basic weapon upgrade if the materials are available, and check your class loadout. The class system lets you mix combat styles, and going in with a setup that matches your preferred range makes early fights noticably easier.
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Gather starting resources immediately Basic materials are needed for early crafting recipes that unlock fast
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Check the crafting menu before your first real fight A basic weapon upgrade changes how early Deviant encounters feel
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Scout before placing your first territory Resource density and proximity to Scenario zones affect long-term value
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Complete early story objectives before chasing side content They unlock systems that side activities depend on
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Try capturing a low-threat Deviant early Understanding the capture loop early makes later captures easier
Resource gathering
Collect everything early. Early recipes need these materials constantly
Crafting menu
Check it before your first real fight. A basic upgrade matters
Territory placement
Scout resource density before committing to a base location
Class loadout
Mix combat styles to match your preferred range and playstyle
Deviant capture
Try it on a low-threat target early to learn the system
Story progression
Complete early objectives before side content, they unlock other systems
See what the world looks like before your first session
Explore the WorldThe systems you should touch in the first few sessions
Once Human introduces a lot of systems quickly, and not all of them need attention right away. Some front-load useful rewards for minimal effort, while others can wait until you are more settled.
| System | When to start | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Resource gathering | Immediately | Feeds early crafting recipes constantly |
| Territory placement | Session one | Resource density affects long-term progress |
| Weapon crafting | Session one | Basic upgrades change early combat difficulty |
| Deviant capture | Session two | Learn the loop on a low-threat target first |
| Scenarios | After early story | Assume a base gear level the open world does not require |
| Territory decoration | When you want to | No urgent system tied to it |
What the combat system actually rewards
Combat clicks at different times for different players, but the moment it clicks is usually the moment you stop relying on starting gear and start using crafted weapons that match the threat in front of you.
Different Deviants respond differently to weapon types and ranges. Reading what you are fighting before engaging, rather than running in with whatever is equipped, is the single biggest jump in early survivability.
- Do not ignore the crafting menu in your first hour. Early recipes are needed constantly
- Do not place your first base without checking resource density nearby
- Do not run into Deviant fights with starting gear once you leave the first area
- Do not rush every Scenario the moment it appears. Some assume a gear level you may not have yet
- Do not ignore the class loadout menu. Mixing styles changes how fights feel
What to prioritize in your first week
New players tend to spread attention across every system at once. That is the wrong approach. The early game rewards focus.
Pick two or three systems, resource gathering, territory building, and weapon crafting are a solid start, and go deep on them before branching into Scenarios and Deviant capture.
This guide is for players in their first few sessions with Once Human. If you have cleared early story content and want advanced build guidance, the gameplay guide covers that territory
The systems that feel optional in the first hour, the crafting menu, territory scouting, and class loadouts, are often the ones that matter most by hour ten. The rest of the world reveals itself in its own time
Common questions from new players
- Resource gathering front-loads useful materials for early crafting
- Territory placement done early avoids having to relocate later
- The class system adds flexibility that helps from the first real fight
- The world is designed to reward exploration outside the main quest path
- The tutorial does not explain territory placement or Deviant capture clearly
- The difficulty spike outside the starting area catches players who skip gear checks
- Some early Scenarios assume a gear level new players may not have yet
What should I do in my first ten minutes?
How do I pick my first territory location?
Is the gacha or shop necessary early on?
Should I try Scenarios right away?
What is the fastest way to get better at combat early?
The wasteland takes time to understand. Start with resource gathering and territory placement and the rest opens up from there
Start Playing Free
the crafting menu tip saved me so much trouble. had no idea early recipes would matter this much until i actually checked