Once Human drops you into a surreal post-apocalyptic Earth twisted by Stardust contamination. Mutated creatures, hostile factions, and strange dimensional anomalies fill the world, demanding strategy, resourcefulness, and fast adaptation. Whether you’re exploring alone or with allies, success depends on mastering combat, crafting, base-building, and surviving the unpredictable Metaworld. This guide provides the essential knowledge needed to progress efficiently and stay alive in every region.

Understanding the New World

The world of Once Human is full of anomalies and dangerous zones.

Early exploration teaches you how Stardust corruption affects terrain, enemies, and loot quality. Some areas are too hostile for beginners, so follow level recommendations.

Keep your eyes open for dimensional distortions—these often contain rare materials or mini-events that can help you advance faster.

Mastering Early-Game Progression

Progression in the first several hours determines your long-term growth.

Focus on gathering core resources: wood, stone, metal, and primitive Stardust. Crafting essential tools and weapons boosts survivability and opens more exploration routes.

Avoid unnecessary fights early on. Save ammo and prioritize stealth or melee combat until you can craft stronger gear.

Combat Fundamentals and Enemy Patterns

Once Human enemies range from small mutated beasts to massive Eldritch threats.

Learn their attack patterns—many creatures telegraph heavy attacks or elemental bursts you can dodge with proper timing. Positioning and spacing matter greatly in Stardust-corrupted environments.

Use ranged weapons strategically. Ammo is limited, so switch between melee and ranged depending on threat type.

Crafting Weapons and Gear

Crafting defines your combat power.

Blueprints allow you to build weapons with better stats, elemental effects, and attachments. Prioritize upgrading backpacks and armor to boost carrying capacity and defense.

Elemental gear plays a major role in late-game encounters—ice slows, fire burns, and electricity stuns enemies weak to certain types.

Building and Expanding Your Base

Your base is your sanctuary in a hostile world.

Start with a compact shelter near water and plentiful resources. Expand it gradually with storage rooms, crafting stations, power generators, and automated defenses.

As you unlock higher tech tiers, base modules allow farming, energy production, and even Stardust research. Smart layout planning improves comfort and efficiency.

Surviving Hostile Zones

Higher-level regions contain radiation, corruption, or extreme weather.

Before entering, craft protective gear and bring consumables that mitigate hazards. Without proper preparation, these areas quickly drain health and resources.

Travel with allies when possible. Hostile zones contain elite mutants and world bosses that are nearly impossible to solo.

Exploring Dungeons and Anomalies

Dungeons offer valuable blueprints, crafting materials, and rare Stardust.

Each dungeon features puzzles, traps, and unique biome hazards. Take tools like lockpicks, torches, and healing items to increase survival chances.

Anomalies often reward adaptive combat—pay attention to environmental modifiers such as time distortions or gravity shifts.

Joining Teams and Factions

Once Human becomes richer with cooperative play.

Teams allow shared bases, synchronized resource gathering, and coordinated raids. Communication greatly increases efficiency, especially during large-scale events.

Some factions offer quests, exclusive gear, and lore. Aligning with them unlocks long-term benefits that significantly boost progression.

Managing Resources and Inventory

Inventory management is a constant challenge.

Sort items frequently, dismantle low-tier weapons, and upgrade your backpack as soon as possible. Crafting storage crates and specialized bins helps you organize resources more effectively.

Always bring food, water, repair kits, and healing items when traveling far from base. Unprepared explorers rarely return alive.

Preparing for Endgame Threats

Endgame content introduces massive bosses, corrupted fortresses, and powerful anomalies.

These challenges demand coordinated team efforts, high-tier gear, and mastery of elemental combat. Prepare by crafting the best weapons, maxing skill trees, and upgrading Stardust tech.

Late-game bosses drop unique rewards that define your final build and open new gameplay paths.

Conclusion

Once Human blends survival, exploration, and supernatural combat into a constantly evolving world shaped by cosmic corruption. By mastering early progression, building a strong base, crafting powerful gear, and learning how to navigate hostile regions, you can thrive amid chaos. Whether fighting alone or alongside allies, smart preparation and strategic decision-making will help you rise as a powerful survivor in the Metaworld.