theHunter: Primal Guide: How to Survive

theHunter: Primal Basic Survival Guide

You find yourself on an island with a bow, a couple of arrows, and a map fragment. You are surrounded by the sounds of various animals, some who want you for dinner. If you value a long life in this perilous world full of dinosaurs, read on.

theHunter: Primal is a standalone entry in theHunter franchise, developed by Expansive Worlds and Avalanche Studios. It aims to be a realistic survival game set in the Jurassic period, where dinosaurs are very much alive. Currently it is in Early Access, and therefore you can expect to see changes over the coming months.

Over the next few pages is some information that will hopefully help you survive longer against the carnivorous species which roam the island. These should stay relevant throughout future updates.

Open Plains vs Dense Forest

In theHunter: Primal‘s Open Plains there are still bushes for cover, but enough open areas for you to easily spot any dinosaurs in the distance. This is great for avoiding dinosaurs further away, but you may be seen by those closer to you. It also helps you to identify when you’re being tracked by a Utahraptor, so they don’t get a surprise attack on you in the future. When you find yourself here, move from bush to bush and scan the surrounding area each time.

Although you are less likely to be spotted in the Dense Forest, it will make it harder for you to get a visual on any Utahraptors in the area. This may lead to you bumping into one, or getting attacked by a group that have been tracking you for a while. When moving through this biome, you need to rely on sound to help you avoid predators.

Growls and barks are casual sounds, whereas loud cries suggest they have spotted you and are signalling the rest of the group. Your best bet is to make it to higher ground for a better line of sight, although this works both ways.

Be Patient

If you really want to survive for long periods of time in Primal, you will need to be patient. This may mean crawling for hundreds of meters, or laying still for several minutes at a time. Just because you have a full energy meter, it doesn’t mean you should run. Save it for when you need to quickly move to a crate/behind some cover, because a dinosaur is chasing you. Beware though that lines of sight don’t always work and a Utahraptor may still spot you hiding in a bush.

At some points, you may find yourself being hunted by a pack of Utahraptors or a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Your best bet, if you haven’t already been eaten, is to try losing them by hiding and throwing rocks as a distraction. Any attempt to sprint is futile, because they have much more speed and stamina than you. It is best to leave the bar full, so you have a faster standard speed.

Keep Tracking

There will be times when you decide to focus on collecting supplies, as opposed to hunting dinosaurs. Even in this scenario, you should still pick up any tracks you see. You can then use this information to influence which way you go. Obviously if there is a T-Rex to the North, it would be wise to go East or West and avoid coming face to face with the king of theHunter: Primal‘s island.

However, do remember that a dinosaur can double back without leaving any evidence that it switched course. There are likely to be several occasions where a track points in one direction, when the dinosaur has clearly gone in the other direction.

Bear in mind that Utahraptors are pack-hunters and typically travel in group of around five. Where there’s one, there could be more just waiting. After all, you shouldn’t think about the attack from that raptor out in front, it’s the two raptors at the side who’ll eat you.

Don’t Get Cocky

You got yourself a shotgun. Big whoop. Unless you can kill a Utahraptor in one shot, by hitting around the base of the neck, don’t even bother strolling openly into a group of them. They have a very select set of skills, skills that make them a nightmare for people like us. If you run out shooting like a madman, they will attack you, and they will kill you.

If possible, go in with a group of friends and plan ahead. Have someone on top of a hill, who can warn you if there is a T-Rex nearby. Surround the target so that you don’t have to go on a giant chase into unknown territory where you could be ambushed by any predator. Be prepared for anything.