While the Crude Bow and Spear serve you well against passive wildlife, defending against territorial timberwolves, ravenous snow bears, and armed Moon Clan marauders demands firearm superiority.
In Permafrost, firearms cannot be casually looted in the opening forest. This guide outlines the exact, verified methods to acquire and craft your first gun.
1. The Three Methods to Obtain a Gun
Method 1: The Main Storyline (Most Reliable)
This is the intended progression route:
- Complete the starting shelter quests (“A New Beginning” and “Feel the Heat”).
- Advance through the House Camp outpost storyline.
- Travel south towards the vast Solar Farm complex.
- Speak with the radio dispatcher to initiate the “Parking Zoo” quest.
- Starting this quest unlocks the Weapon Bench schematic in your building menu.
Method 2: Looting Enemy Raider Drops
Human bandit patrols frequently raid the outskirts of the House Camp settlement. Defeated human marauders have a ~15% chance to drop a worn IZG Pistol or spare loose 9mm ammunition.
Method 3: Blueprint Level 9 (The SG9)
Accumulating experience unlocks higher tiers in your Blueprint menu. Reaching Character Level 9 allows you to spend Blueprint Points to unlock the SG9 Machine Pistol.
2. In-Game Firearm Comparison
| Weapon Name | Weapon Type | Damage per Shot | Mag Capacity | Primary Advantage | Required Crafting Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Bow | Primitive Hunting | 35 (Headshot 80) | 1 Arrow | Silent; reusable ammo; stealth hunting | 2x Wood, 1x Rope |
| IZG Pistol | Semi-Auto Handgun | 48 | 8 rounds | High per-shot stopping power; common parts | 4x Weapon Materials, 6x Scrap, 2x Components |
| SG9 Pistol | Automatic Machine Pistol | 32 | 15 rounds | Rapid burst fire; clears close-quarters packs | 6x Iron Ingots, 4x Components, 2x Springs |
| GB-11 Rifle | Military Assault Rifle | 65 | 30 rounds | Long-range penetration against armored Moon Clan | World drop only (Military Outposts & Bunkers) |
3. Crafting Ammunition & Gunpowder
A gun without ammunition is a blunt club. Once your Weapon Bench is constructed:
1. Gunpowder Recipe
- Ingredients: 2x Charcoal + 1x Sulfur Powder (or Scrap Chemicals)
- Produced at the Chemistry Table or Weapon Bench Mortar.
2. 9x19mm Ammunition (Box of 10)
- Ingredients: 2x Scrap Metal + 2x Gunpowder + 1x Copper Ingot
- Conserved for dangerous expeditions and predator emergencies.
4. Tactical Combat Tips
- Conserve Bullets for Apex Predators: Do not waste 9mm ammunition on snow hares or deer. Use the Crude Bow for food gathering. Save firearms for hostile humans and bears.
- Winter Jamming Risk: Firing repeatedly in deep blizzard conditions degrades gun durability 30% faster. Carry Gun Oil (crafted from animal fat and kerosene) to clean your firearm at camp.
- Dog Distraction: Order your dog companion to “Bark” (
GWhistle menu). Enemies will focus fire on the companion, giving you clean flanking sightlines for precision headshots.