Welcome to the frozen apocalypse of Permafrost, developed by SpaceRocket Games and published by Toplitz Productions. Following “The Shattering” — the catastrophic lunar destruction that plunged Earth into a perpetual sub-zero winter — survival demands calculated resource prioritization and unwavering thermal awareness.
As the protagonist Rook, you wake up with limited supplies in a merciless white desert. This guide outlines the verified step-by-step roadmap to survive your critical first 60 minutes.
1. Understanding the 5 Core Survival Stats
Before venturing away from your spawn point, monitor your health indicators located on the bottom HUD:
| Stat Name | Depletion Condition | Consequences of Reaching Zero | Recovery Methods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body Warmth | Ambient cold exceeds clothing insulation | Causes Hypothermia; rapid continuous HP loss | Campfire, indoor shelter, Makeshift Heater |
| Health (HP) | Hypothermia, predator attacks, fall damage | Permadeath / Inventory drop at grave marker | Makeshift Bandage, Cooked Meat, Herbal Tea |
| Hunger | Continuous exertion and passage of time | Max stamina reduction; starvation damage | Cooked Meat (Venison/Rabbit), Canned Rations |
| Energy | Staying awake over prolonged cycles | Reduced movement speed and vision blur | Sleeping on a bed roll or crafted cot |
| Stamina | Sprinting, heavy melee swings, climbing | Inability to dodge or run from hostile wolves | Regenerates automatically when resting |
Key Rule: Early Access does not feature farmable agriculture. You cannot grow crops. Food must come from hunting wildlife or looting abandoned industrial ruins.
2. Opening 15 Minutes: Starter Tool Progression
Follow this strict progression sequence upon waking up:
Step 1: Collect Surface Loose Branches & Rocks
Do not punch trees barehanded. Search the snowy ground for loose Branches and Loose Stones. You need:
- 4x Wood
- 2x Small Stones
Step 2: Craft Your First Stone Axe
Open your inventory crafting menu (Tab or I):
- Stone Axe Recipe: 4x Wood + 2x Small Stone
- Equip to your hotbar (
Slot 1). Use this axe to chop down non-frozen birch and pine trees for substantial timber. Avoid fully ice-encased tree trunks, as they cannot be harvested.
Step 3: Craft the Stone Pickaxe
- Stone Pickaxe Recipe: 4x Wood + 2x Small Stone
- Use the pickaxe to break surface boulders to obtain Flint and additional stones. Flint is the gateway to Tier 2 mining tools.
3. Minutes 15–30: Establishing Emergency Thermal Shelter
Nightfall in Permafrost is lethal without preparations. Temperatures plunge below -30°C, draining starter clothing warmth in seconds.
- Locate an Intact Building Shell: Search for a ruined wooden cabin or concrete warehouse with intact ceiling rafters.
- Build a Campfire:
- Craft with 2x Stone + 4x Wood.
- Place inside your sheltered perimeter out of blizzard wind tunnels.
- Add wood or charcoal to ignite. Stand within 2 meters to replenish your Body Warmth to 100%.
- Melt Clean Snow for Drinking Water:
- Scoop fresh snow with an empty container.
- Boil over campfire embers to eliminate biological contaminants. Never consume dirty raw snow, or you will suffer hypothermic stomach cramps.
4. Minutes 30–45: The Crude Bow & Food Security
Relying on canned beans will deplete your supply within hours. Secure permanent protein through bow hunting:
- Crafting Rope: Gather 2x Cloth from ruined furniture and clothing racks -> Craft Rope (Hand-crafted).
- Crafting Crude Bow: 2x Wood + 1x Rope.
- Crafting Stone Arrows: 1x Wood + 1x Small Stone yields 3 arrows.
- Hunting Strategy: Crouch (
Ckey) to mask footstep noise. Target wild deer and snow hares from 20 meters away. Always harvest their hides for insulation crafting. - Cooking: Place Raw Meat on the campfire grill. Cook until golden brown. Eating raw meat risks severe parasite infection.
5. Minutes 45–60: Next Milestones
Once your warmth and hunger are stabilized:
- Recruit Your Dog Companion: Northeast of your starting valley lies the Bone Cave. Prepare 1x Bandage and 1x Raw Meat to recruit your four-legged partner.
- Push to Horizon Settlement: Follow the radio beacon towards Horizon to meet allied traders and unlock high-tier workbench schematics.
- Begin Smelting: Build a Stone Furnace to smelt Copper Ore mined with your Flint Pickaxe.