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Starter plan

Beginner money: the stable loop

Early progress comes from completing a simple loop cleanly: cut nearby wood, haul a manageable load, mill it when ready, sell or store it, then reset your base.

Updated September 28, 2026New-player friendlyNo exploit shortcuts

The goal of a first session

Do not chase every upgrade at once. Your first objective is to create a repeatable work area: an axe, a way to move wood, enough room to unload, and a sawmill plan. Nearby Main Biome wood is usually the right starting material because the route stays short.

A clean starter loop

Pick one close target

Start with wood you can reach, load, and return with confidently. One clean local run teaches the full loop faster than a long trip for a material you cannot safely process yet.

Cut for your vehicle, not for a screenshot

Make pieces your current vehicle can turn with and unload. Oversized logs that jam a route, fall off a vehicle, or occupy your entire base are not efficient early money.

Process with a purpose

Wood can be sold as logs or processed as planks. Use your sawmill when you have a clear unloading path and the material will be sold or used for a blueprint; keep your work area clear between runs.

Sell, store, or build—choose one

For a short session, choose cash, a stockpile, or a blueprint batch. Splitting a single load across all three usually makes each result too small to matter.

Reset before logging off

Put tools back in known zones, move loose items off your driving lane, and leave room for the next load. The best early upgrade is often a base layout that saves a minute every run.

Good early upgrades

  • A reliable axe and a clean unloading area.
  • Storage zones that separate build materials from sellable stock.
  • A vehicle setup that can carry a modest load safely.
  • A Work Light before committing to dark routes.
Be careful with player trades and “instant money” claims. A stable self-run loop is slower than a too-good-to-be-true offer, but it keeps your early base and inventory under your control.

References and route checks