Sons of the Forest Kelvin: Uses, Limitations & How To Revive

Kelvin know how to chop chop & bring you fish in Sons of the Forest!

By Irfan Ansari March 11, 2023

Kelvin is the early game companion you get in Sons of the Forest. While he is not super helpful when it comes to killing cannibals or getting their attention as you fight enemies, he is nevertheless a helpful ally. However, he is not immune to death and will die for good if you put him in dangerous situations. Whatever the case, you need to learn how to use Kelvin, what his limitations are, and if he is a viable companion in mid-to-late game.

Key Takeaways

Kelvin is a companion NPC in Sons of the Forest, who survived a helicopter crash with the player.
He is deaf and mute due to ear damage and head trauma, communicated with via notepad.
His main commands are: Take item, Follow, Get/Follow/Drop/Give, and Build.
Kelvin can gather resources, fish, clear areas, and hide in fights but can’t fight or swim and won’t enter caves.
If Kelvin dies, he cannot be officially revived. However, a Reddit user, u/arnoldochavez, discovered an unofficial method to bring him back.

Characteristics Of Kelvin

Self-sufficiency	Will attempt to satisfy physical needs on his own
Bonding	Building a bond with Kelvin increases work efficiency
Commands	Take the item, follow me, get and follow me/drop here/give to me, build
Life	Companions like Kelvin and Virginia can die in the game
Warning	Will point to an enemy’s location to warn the player
Upset	Becomes less productive and effective if treated poorly

Kelvin, in Sons of the Forest, is a loyal friend despite his communication challenges due to a helicopter accident.

Here’s a summary of his capabilities:

He understands four primary commands: Take the item, follow me, get and follow me/drop here/give to me, and build.
Players can communicate with Kelvin using a notebook for specific instructions.
Kelvin responds to orders by scanning the paper, nodding, and promptly carrying out the task.
While Kelvin doesn’t fight independently, he assists in battles if provided with weapons.
Kelvin alerts the player to the exact positions of opponents, enhancing situational awareness.
He warns the player of nearby adversaries.

Kelvin’s effectiveness is influenced by player treatment. Positive interaction makes him more efficient. He can assist in resource gathering, construction, hiding during battles, resource clearing, and fish retrieval with proper guidance.

How To Use Kelvin Effectively

The player may direct Kelvin’s actions by writing down directives in a notebook and giving them to him. So far in Sons of the Forest, players have discovered four primary commands for Kelvin to obey. These instructions may take the form of either broad commands or narrowly tailored requests.

Take the Item”: Instruct Kelvin to pick up a specific item of your choice by writing “Take the item” followed by the item’s name. Kelvin will collect the designated item.
“Follow Me”: Use this command to have Kelvin follow you closely, allowing you to lead him to specific locations or activities.
“Get and Follow Me/Drop Here/Give to Me”: This versatile command enables Kelvin to gather various materials such as sticks, rocks, logs, and fish. After collecting the items, you can instruct him to either follow you with the materials or drop them at a designated location.
“Build”: Direct Kelvin to construct structures according to the blueprint by using the “Build” command. Whether it’s a simple shelter or a complex fortress, Kelvin will assist in building as per your instructions.

How Useful Can Kelvin Be?

Despite not being a playable character, Kelvin proves to be a crucial ally. Some of Kelvin’s benefits to the player are as follows:

Resource Gathering and Building: Kelvin can collect materials and construct buildings, allowing players to focus on other tasks in the game. He can gather sticks, stones, and logs to build structures such as shelters and fires, particularly helpful in the early stages of the game.
Fish Retrieval: Kelvin can catch fish from rivers and lakes, providing a convenient food source without the need for the player to go fishing.
Resource Clearance: Kelvin can clear specific areas of resources, facilitating the construction of buildings or creating clear lines of sight for players.
Hiding During Fights: Players can instruct Kelvin to hide during battles, keeping him safe while the player engages hostile enemies.
Kelvin chopping Wood

Kelvin’s Limitations:

Non-Combatant: Kelvin cannot engage in combat independently, so players should not rely on him during confrontations. He can be armed and assist the player in combat, but he won’t fight on his own.
Vulnerable to Death: Companions like Kelvin can die in the game, so players must protect them during combat and be cautious about their well-being. Once a companion dies, they cannot be resurrected.
Inability to Swim: Kelvin cannot swim, so players should be careful when crossing water bodies and not expect him to accompany them during cave exploration.

While Kelvin offers valuable assistance, players must be mindful of his limitations to ensure his safety and effective use throughout the game.

Can you Revive Kelvin In Sons of The Forest?

If Kelvin dies, he stays dead for better or for worse, and there is no reviving him beyond this point. However, Reddit user u/arnoldochavez has found a way to bring Kelvin back to life.

I found how to revive Kelvin! from SonsOfTheForest

If Kelvin is dead in your game and you are fond of having this deaf and mute companion around you, then you go to follow the process listed in the Reddit post. This is by far the best shot at bringing Kelvin back to life, unless developers provide any other official method.

Kelvin Or Virginia – Who Is the Best Companion In Sons of the Forest?

Sons of the Forest Tips and Tricks — Try to get Virginia as a companion instead of killing her

Features	Kelvin	Virginia
Availability	Available from the start	Must be found and befriended
Skills	Good at gathering logs and fishing	Brings random valuable items as gifts
Combat	Cannot fight in combat	Can fight with a shotgun or pistol
Ammunition	Doesn’t involve in combat much	Does not require ammunition
Usefulness in Early Game	Very useful for building and gathering resources	Helpful for gathering resources and combat
Usefulness in Late Game	Less useful as gathering becomes easier	More useful as combat becomes more difficult
Overall	Great for resource gathering and building	Great for combat and resource gathering

Kelvin is undoubtedly a great starter companion for players.

He can be commanded to do specific actions such as gathering logs, fishing, and building structures.
Kelvin is a great help during the early game when players need to build a shelter or a campfire.
His fishing skills are also valuable, as players won’t have to worry about food when near a lake or river.
Additionally, since Kelvin is available from the start, players won’t have to spend time looking for him.

On the other hand, Virginia can bring random valuable items as gifts, ranging from food to materials such as duct tape and cloth.

This is a great help for players who are struggling to gather resources.
Moreover, Virginia’s ability to fight alongside players in combat is a significant advantage.
Players can give her a gun, and she will fight off cannibals with them.
This is a great advantage, especially during the later stages of the game when combat becomes more challenging.

Summary

That is pretty much everything we had to discuss regarding Kelvin in Sons of the Forest. The game is still in early access, and as the development cycle evolves, we may see more companions like Kelvin and even see his AI being tweaked to perfection. In any case, before you leave the page, consider reading our How To Get Crossbow, All Special Weapons Location, and How To Get Firefighter Axe guides.

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