Pick the Right Scenario First
Your first big decision is scenario choice. Manibus (PvE) is the recommended start: no player-versus-player pressure, a full story arc, and every core system introduced at a sane pace. Save PvP scenarios like Evolution’s Call for your second season, once you understand gear progression.
Your First Hours: Priorities in Order
- Follow the main quest until you unlock your Territory Terminal — this is your base and respawn anchor.
- Place your base near water and ore. Dayton Wetlands starters should settle close to a river with tin and copper nodes in walking distance.
- Unlock Memetics early. Memetics is the tech tree; points come from leveling and chests. Prioritize the Furnace, Supply Workbench, and Gear Workbench lines.
- Do Securement Silo Alpha at level 10-ish. It teaches boss mechanics and drops your first meaningful gear.
Understand the Seasonal Structure
Once Human runs on seasonal scenarios split into phases. Each phase unlocks new zones, higher-tier gear, and new objectives. At season end, most progress resets, but key items transfer to Eternaland, your persistent hub. Don’t hoard — spend materials during the season.
Deviations: Catch Them Early
Deviations are collectible anomalies that fight beside you (Combat) or automate your base (Territory). Early must-haves:
- Festering Gel — reliable early combat DPS, found in Silo Alpha.
- Nutcracker — automates logging for your base.
- Growshroom — accelerates crops.
Keep their mood high with the right containment conditions (music, lighting) or their performance drops.
Five Mistakes to Avoid
- Building a giant base before Phase 2 — you will want to relocate.
- Ignoring Sanity: low sanity caps your HP. Cook real meals.
- Spending Starchrom on random blueprints — save for a weapon you’ve researched.
- Skipping water/food buffs before boss fights.
- Soloing Prime Wars — they’re tuned for groups; join a Warband or open-world squad.
What to Aim for by End of Week One
A stable base with power, a full set of crafted armor for your level bracket, two or three combat Deviations, Silo Alpha through Bravo cleared, and a weapon archetype you enjoy. From there, the mid-game loop of Silos, blueprints, and build-crafting opens up.