Biomes (Caves)

The caves are generated as separate maps. The entrance can be found beneath a sinkhole. When playing as Maxwell, you'll hear him say he sealed them personally.

It's interesting to know that while in the caves, time above will move at its own pace. Personally, I'm leaving at the beginning of winter. But that's a matter of personal preference.

Preparations are in order.

In the caves, attributes will constantly drop due to the lack of lighting and the overall darkness that permeates them.

So, first of all, we need to stock up on items that boost stats.

Essential items, without which we'll likely end up at the Altar:

Mining Helmet: Provides light and the ability to use tools. Also, add some pre-caught fireflies to your inventory (for recharging, they provide 38 percent charge per firefly). You can charge them a little bit with light bulbs in the cave itself, which is very convenient (19 percent per light bulb).
Tam-o-Shenter: Great for boosting sanity. Wear it in brighter parts of the map or with Willow's lantern/torch/lighter.
Comfortable Vest: For maintaining sanity in the dark.
Marble or wooden armor of your choice.
Tentacle Spikes or Boomerang: Useful in combat.
Cane: Not required. But if you have a tusk, you can craft one for quick exploration.
Gears: Useful for crafting a refrigerator.
Bandages and healing ointment: Optional, for healing wounds.

Be sure to bring:

Logs x20;
Branches x40;
Grass x20;
Stone x20;
Flint x20;
Gold Nuggets x20;
Boards x10;
Spiderweb x20

Personally, I don't take a pickaxe/axe/shovel/hammer, etc. It's more useful to take Gold Nuggets with you and craft the necessary items in the cave. I highly recommend taking the resources to create the Hatter and the Meat Dummy. It's convenient to place the latter in the Cave, as we have a high chance of dying at first. With a regular backpack, I don't have enough slots to carry all the necessary items and food, so I take Otto Von Chesterfield with me.

*Don't Starve Wiki says that Chester cannot carry items in and out of the cave. However, he can travel through the vortex, and regardless of the items he carries, he will be empty in the cave. But I can carry things just fine.

Tip before leaving: Place a fire pit, planks, and a warm item near the nearest Altar. It won't hurt to have some.

Food

Because of the Hares, we emphasize vegetables in our diet. But if you don't care, you can stock up on dried meat.

Here are some recipes based on personal preferences:

Dish Ingredients Hunger Health Intelligence Peculiarities

Butterfly Muffin Butterfly Wings + Vegetable + Branches x2 +38 +20 +5 They restore attributes perfectly.
Pumpkin cookies Pumpkin x1 + Honey x2 + Branches x1 37.5 0 +15 It will help us to be more adequate
Cooked blue mushroom Blue mushroom 0 -3 +10 Restores sanity but drains health. Don't bring many; they grow abundantly in the Mushroom Biome.
Stuffed eggplant Eggplant + Any Vegetable + Branches x2 37.5 +3 +5 It raises the attributes quite well and has a long shelf life. Easy to prepare.
Dragon pie Pitaya + Branches x3 75 +40 +5 If you have dragon fruit growing in your garden, be sure to make this dish!
Toffees Honey or honeycomb x3 + branches x1 25 -3 +15 Preferable to cooked mushrooms, but difficult to prepare
Jam Berries x4 37.5 +3 +5 If you have berries and they're going bad by the time you get back, make jam.

Practical Speleology or Cave Conqueror

Having plucked up our courage, we descend down the rope and begin searching for a spot for our future base. As soon as we find a spot with growing flowers of light, we set up camp there. First, we build a fire pit. Then, we craft an alchemy machine, a hat maker, a couple of chests, tools, and other items from the resources we brought on the expedition. Earthquakes are quite common in caves. Watch your step carefully and avoid the shadows of cobblestones (or you'll get hit on the head). Afterwards, we collect stones, marble, flint, and nuggets. When the earthquake ends, the local population crawls out to "eat." Be careful.

Creatures:

Hares: They behave like pigs. They live in huts that can be destroyed and built on the surface. They are staunch vegetarians. Thus, if they sense meat in our pockets, they will try to chop us up into a salad, shouting "Murderer!" Can be tamed by giving carrots. Slowly regenerates health and... Can wear hats :)

Rock Lobsters: Similar in behavior to Beefalo. Slow, feed on rocks, and can disguise themselves as cobblestones. Can be tamed by giving rocks, but will lose interest after a while. Cave Spider: Has a large red eye, a massive jaw, and a shell that absorbs 75% of damage when the spider is hidden. Despite this, it is very easy to kill.

Spitter: Will spit webs at us at a decent speed. Like regular spiders, can bite. Mouselisks: You may have encountered them before. Herd creatures. Hostile to everyone. Have very low health.

Slimeballs: A neutral mob that lives in Slimeball Mounds. Feeds on rocks, saltpeter, nuggets, and flint. It has a lot of health and a fast attack speed. I recommend killing it with a ranged weapon or pitting it against hares and lobsters.

Oolympus: They live in the same mounds, but have a different behavior and will run away from us when attacked. Nearby slugs will protect it. Like them, it can hide in its shell for a while. Giant Tentacle: A giant analogue of the swamp-dwelling Tentacles. Can only be attacked at close range. Summons small tentacles to help, which die in one hit. When it hides underground, it creates a small earthquake.

Deep Worm: An aggressive and very dangerous monster. Its behavior is similar to that of surface hounds. You can "attract" it by picking up a mysterious plant that it leaves as bait. It moves underground, tearing it apart. It will pursue for quite a long time. If you decide to fight, wear the strongest armor. Personally, when I get a "tail" of 2-3 individuals, I run for protection to hares or lobsters. :)

In caves, we'll find both surface resources (trees, saplings, berries) and completely new ones that grow only here.

Flowers of Light: A plant that grows in some cave biomes. Emits enough light to ward off attacks from Charlie. Cannot be replanted. Will regrow after a few days.
Ferns: Restores one health point when eaten. Harvesting yields foliage that can be used to create a potted fern.
Mushroom Trees: Giant glowing mushrooms. Can be set on fire to produce charcoal.
Cave Banana Trees: An interesting type of tree that grows bananas. Cannot be replanted.

Structures

Stalagmites and Spilagmites: The latter are covered in webs with cave spiders and spitters living inside. Can be destroyed. May drop a gold nugget, ruby, or sapphire.
Slug Mound: A swamp-green, spiked cocoon. After an earthquake (or attack), slugs and slugs emerge from it.

While exploring the map, we can find the base of a speleologist who wasn't so lucky before us. There, we can find a mining helmet, tools, and gems.

Biomes

Fungal

Possible Locations: Mushroom Trees, Light Flowers, Blue Mushrooms, Ferns.
Possible Locations: Slugs, Snails, Cave Spiders.
Features: Abundant mushroom trees, has mud turf. Relatively safe.
Loot: Monster Meat, Cobwebs, Spider Gland, Light Bulbs, Slug Slime, Helmet Shell, Broken Shell, Snail Shell, Logs, Various Tree Mushrooms.

Slimy

You can find: Berry bushes, saplings, trees, grass, blue/red/green mushrooms, grass, ferns.
You can also encounter: Hares, slugs, snails, and spiders.
Features: Convenient for replenishing resources from the surface. Hares also live in this biome.
Loot: Meat, monster meat, carrots, hare tails, spider webs, spider glands, snail slime, helmet shell, broken shell, snail shell, planks.

Guano

Possible objects: Stalagmite, rocks, flint, fern.
Possible objects: Slugs, slugs, bats, cave spiders, spitting spiders.
Features: A fairly dangerous place due to large concentrations of spiders and bats.
Loot: Monster Meat, Cobwebs, Spider Gland, Mouseleaf Wing, Guano, Slug Slime, Helmet Shell, Broken Shell, Slug Shell.

Stone

Possible Finds: Stalagmites, Blue/Green/Red Mushrooms, Flint, Rocks.
Possible Spawns: Rock Lobsters, Bats, and Cave Spiders.
Features: A convenient spot for hunting Mouseleek and collecting Rocks.
Loot: Monster Meat, Spiderwebs, Spider Gland, Mouseleek Wings, Guano.

Underground and Sunken Swamp

You can find: Flowers of Light, stones, reeds, branches, ferns.
You can also encounter: Giant Tentacles, Small Tentacles, Cave Spiders, and Spit Spiders.
Features: A creepy place due to the presence of Giant Tentacles. The Tentacle cannot be attacked with ranged weapons. When it hides, a small earthquake occurs.
Loot: Monster Meat, Tentacle Spikes, Tentacle Pieces, Slug Mucus, Light Bulbs, Cobwebs, Spider Gland.

Ruins, or How to Avoid Cracking Yourself on the First Day

You've conquered the first level and fancy yourself a cave conqueror? Well, well. Welcome to the RUINS, which will make even the most unprepared adventurers howl and claw at the walls.

According to Maxwell, the cause of the collapse of civilization in this place was the use of fuel.

After exploring the first level, you likely found a sinkhole filled with thulecite. You've probably even climbed into it and already respawned on the first level, near the meat dummy.

Getting ready for the descent:

First, we need to return to the surface to replenish our resources and food.

We'll need a miner's helmet (and lightbulbs/fireflies), a tent, a meat dummy, a hat, gears, Chester, and some meat dishes (there are no rabbits on the second level, which makes things easier).

Dishes Ingredients Hunger Health Reason Peculiarities

Stuffed eggplant Eggplant + Any Vegetable + Branches x2 37.5 +3 +5 It raises the attributes quite well and has a long shelf life. Easy to prepare.
Dragon pie Pitaya + Branches x3 75 +40 +5 If you have dragon fruit growing in your garden, be sure to make this dish!
Eggs with bacon Eggs x2 + Meat x1 + Branches x1 75 20 +5 Replenishes attributes well. Lasts for 20 in-game days.
Honey roll Honey x2 + Meat x2 75 +30 +5 If you don't have much honey, you can add 3 units of meat.
Fish sticks Fish x1 + Branches x1 + Monster Meat x2 (can be replaced with eggs, honeycomb, or vegetables) 37.5 +40 +5 There are many cooking recipes, which is very convenient
Meat stew Meat x3 + Vegetables x1 150 +12 +5 You can add 4 units of meat or take 4 ingredients: frog legs, honeycomb or vegetables.
Jerky We hang it on a drying rack 25 +30 +15 Nutritious and good for the mind. Long shelf life.

We return to the cave, smash the meat dummy, the hat-maker, and the refrigerator with a hammer, and, passing the hare village, descend into the ruins.

Setting up the base is no different from the first level. The only difference is that you need to place it away from the nightmarish lights and statues.

Monsters and their habitats

Creatures we will encounter:

Deep Spider: Descends from the ceiling on a web. Can jump, instilling even more fear. Due to the lack of cocoons, the web cannot be removed.
Swallower: A hairy ball that tries to jump on our heads. If successful, it drains our hunger until removed. When attacking, it will try to bite us.
Cave Monkey: Lives near the totem. Will try to steal items from us, and also throw beef at us during breaks. If brought to the base, will steal items from chests and refrigerators. May also wear hats.
Damaged Knight, Bishop, and Rook: Dilapidated versions of chess pieces from the surface. Can be found in the ruins biome. They look extremely creepy.
Ancient Guardian: A boss, behavior is similar to the Rook. Has a horn, hair, and a lot of health. Attacks with a ram. According to Maxwell, it is a product of mutation from the use of Dread Fuel.
Deep Worm: Our old friend.

The level is also replete with Nightmares, which will be described below.

Structures:

Ancient Post-Science Station: Used to create various Artifacts. If struck with a hammer, it will have a random effect on the player. Slowly decreases sanity.
Ornate Chests: Can be found in the labyrinth. Contains gems, weapons, and armor.
Lava Pits: During a Nightmare, they open and begin to emit a glow. When the cycle begins, Horrors spawn around them.
Thulecite Columns: A durable type of wall. Can be destroyed with a hammer to extract thulecite.
Relics: Represent everyday objects of the former inhabitants of the Ruins. Tables, vases, bowls, chairs, and plates. Destructible. Has a small chance to drop gems and items for the Pig King.
Ancient Statues: These statues depict representatives of the civilization that inhabited this area in the past. They can be destroyed with a pickaxe to obtain Tulicite.
Broken Machines: A jumble of broken machine parts. Destructible. Can be repaired with gears to obtain a friendly rook, knight, and bishop.
Cave Lichen: Grows only in Ruins. Can be collected and cooked into Unagi in a cauldron.
Muddy Pond: Unlike others, there are no frogs or mosquitoes nearby. Eels can be caught only here.
Monkey Totems: The spawning grounds of monkeys. Destructible.

Biomes

Ruined Rocky Biome

You can find: Stones, broken mechanisms, statues, lava pits, thulecite columns, relics.
You can also encounter: Deep Spiders, a damaged rook, a bishop, and a knight.
Features: A dangerous biome due to chess pieces and spiders. Don't linger in it for long.

Labyrinth

You can find: Decorated Chest, Nightmare Fire.
You can encounter: Deep Spiders and the Ancient Guardian.
Features: You can find many useful items in chests. Avoiding the web is quite easy (run along the edge), although it is recommended to kill the spiders if you accidentally disturb them, as they can lead you to a dead end. At the end of the labyrinth, the Ancient Guardian awaits - the strongest monster in the game.

Mud

You can find: Flowers of Light, lichen, ponds, banana trees.
You can encounter: Cave Monkeys and a Swallower.
Features: A relatively safe biome. Here you can find many flowers of light (double and triple), lichen and ponds in which you can fish. It is best to stay here until the nightmare ends. You can also find habitats with relics and thulecite columns.

Crafting from the Ancient Pseudoscientific Station

1) Pickaxe Recipe: Thulecite x2 + Elite Pickaxe + Elite Axe.

An item that combines a pickaxe and an axe. More efficient at mining resources.

2) Thulecite Crown: Recipe: Thulecite x4 + Dread Fuel x4.

Blocks 90% damage. Has a small chance to create a shield around you, protecting you from all damage.

3) Thulecite Mace: Recipe: Thulecite x4 + Dread Fuel x4 + Living Log x3.

Creates ghostly sounds when attacking. Summons small tentacles for protection.

4) Thulecite Armor: Recipe: Thulecite x6 + Dread Fuel x4.

Like the crown, it absorbs 90% damage. Gradually restores sanity while wearing. Does not slow.

5) Thulecite Medallion: Recipe: Thulecite x2 + Dread Fuel x2.

Its glow can be used to determine the stages of the Nightmare Cycle.

6) Construction Amulet: Recipe: Thulecite x2 + Dread Fuel x3 + Emerald x1.

Reduces construction costs by half. 5 uses.

7) Lazy Gatherer's Amulet: Recipe: Thulecite x2 + Dread Fuel x3 + Topaz x1.

When equipped, the amulet automatically picks up items lying on the ground. Expends 0.5% durability per item picked up.

8) Lazy Explorer: Recipe: Topaz x2 + Dread Fuel x2 + Cane.

Increases movement speed and allows short-range teleportation. Expends sanity when teleporting.

9) Magosvet: Recipe: Thulecite x2 + Dread Fuel x3 + Citrine x1.

When equipped, illuminates the surrounding area and increases movement speed by 20%.

10) Staff of Destruction: Emerald x2 + Dread Fuel x4 + Living Log x2.

Used to destroy structures and items. Drops all materials used to craft it. Lasts for 5 destructions. Costs Sanity when used.

11) Starcaller Staff Horror Fuel x4 + Living Log x2 + Citrine x2.

With it, we can create small stars that will warm us and restore our sanity.

12) Thulecite Crafting: Thulecite Shards x6

For creating solid pieces of Thulecite.

Remember that Nightmare Lights have a significant sanity drain.
Earthquakes also occur in ruins.
Always keep a close eye on your health, hunger, and sanity meter.

Welcome to the Nightmare Cycle

An eerie event has occurred. All Nightmare lights, statues, and surfaces begin to emit light. Horrors begin to appear in the cave, and all the cave monkeys become Nightmares.

The entire cycle takes about a day on the surface, with constant changes occurring:

For the first few minutes, nothing happens. After a while, the screen fades, and the lights and statues begin to glow slowly.

Then the nightmare enters its reign—the fireplaces, statues, and floors glow brightly. Many Horrors appear near the fireplaces and statues, attacking us if spotted.

The cycle ends with a decrease in noise. The ruins return to their normal state.

Killing Horrors does not restore sanity, so for safety, it's best to return to base when the cycle begins.
After the cycle ends, explore the fireplaces and statues. The necessary Dread Fuel will be lying nearby.

This concludes my guide. I hope I've helped you get your bearings in this gloomy place. Explore, mine, and most importantly, don't starve! :)

* The avatar and first art were created by the wonderful ZodyZaible and LizardBat.

Author: kotyatki

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Biomes (Caves) | Don't Starve