Scavland Beginner Guide
Quick answer
Start Scavland after launch by planning a short Zalesye route, checking the live field index, carrying food, water and healing, and saving bunker or Mist pushes for prepared runs.
Start Scavland after launch by planning a short Zalesye route, checking the live field index, carrying food, water and healing, and saving bunker or Mist pushes for prepared runs.
The first 30 minutes
Use the live field index to search confirmed systems before leaving camp. Pack food, water, Bandages and AI-2, then choose one nearby job and keep enough weapon condition for the return. Day One added Explorer mode, autosave, campfires and a second player stash, so use those safety nets instead of making a deep bunker push on the first run.
First route
| Step | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pick a short route through roads or settlement edges | Steam describes a larger Zalesye world with settlements, roads, territories and secrets |
| 2 | Carry food, water, Bandages and AI-2 when available | Public notes confirm Grigory sells these basics |
| 3 | Keep a weapon with enough condition for the return | Weapon condition and repair items are part of the survival loop |
| 4 | Take a repeatable job only when the route fits | Bandit Hunt and Mutant Extermination are named jobs |
| 5 | Save bunker and Mist pushes for prepared runs | Bunkers are procedural and the Mist is a major hazard |
What to loot first
Prioritize survival items before speculative valuables: Bandages, AI-2, Morphine, IFAK, Pills, food, water and repair supplies. For crafting and maintenance, public notes name Gun Lube, Gun Cleaning Rod, Field Repair Kit and Sewing Kit.
Traders to check
Start with Grigory for food, water, Bandages and AI-2. Then check Jasna for Canteens, Marco for consumables, Nadja for Screws, and Sasha before assuming the 3-Line Nagant (03) is available from that trader.
Jobs and reputation
Bandit Hunt and Mutant Extermination are named repeatable jobs. Reputation matters because Steam describes faction consequences; verify current trader-faction gates against the live game rather than pre-launch notes.
Common mistakes
- Going too deep before planning the return route.
- Treating unverified damage, price or location charts as final.
- Ignoring food, water and medicine because weapons feel more urgent.
- Assuming pre-launch trader stock or route advice remains valid after the Day One launch patch.
Sources
Updated September 8, 2026.