Key Highlights:
- Learn how to upgrade weapons with the Solafite Upgrader in Sons of the Forest.
- Find the blueprint, gather resources, and mine Solafite Ore with the Pickaxe.
- Prepare for a guaranteed mutant horde attack during every upgrade attempt.
Upgrading weapons was one of the most requested features and Patch 12 finally added it. The Solafite system in Sons of The Forest gives every melee weapon and firearm a new level of power, but it is not something you can just build on a whim. You’ll need rare resources, exploration gear, and preparation for a fight that kicks off the moment you press the upgrade button.
The Solafite Upgrader blueprint is hidden in a cave southwest of the golf course. To reach it, you must have the Rebreather, since the route includes one of the longest underwater swims in the game.
Drop into the cave by rope, head right, and follow the tunnel until you find the skeleton with the blueprint on the floor. This automatically adds the Upgrader to your build menu.
This same cave also contains the Pickaxe, and it is essential. Only the Pickaxe can mine Solafite Ore, the resource that fuels the entire upgrade system. Push deeper into the cave after picking up the blueprint to secure it before leaving.
To build the Solafite Upgrader, you’ll need:
- Four Golf Cart Batteries
- Three Turtle Shells
- Seven Stones
- Eleven Sticks
- Three Wires
Once you’ve gathered everything and built the machine, you can start the upgrade process:
- Equip the weapon you want to enhance.
- Place it on the machine’s rack.
- Insert six pieces of Solafite Ore into the vat.
- Hit the power button symbol to begin.
As soon as you activate the machine, the weather will shift. Lightning strikes, heavy rain begins, and then the mutants come. At a minimum you’ll face Puffies, Twins, and Fingers, but sometimes Armsy spawns too, which can easily wipe you if you aren’t ready. Stockpile health consumables, load every ranged weapon, and surround the area with traps before you attempt your first upgrade.
The process takes around two and a half minutes. When it ends, the skies clear and your weapon emerges encased in gold trim, marking it as enhanced. Each upgrade boosts base damage by about 30 percent. Melee weapons benefit the most, with the Katana and Firefighter Axe being standout choices. Firearms can also be upgraded, though given the scarcity of ammo, I tend to prioritise melee first.
One important detail: bows and crossbows cannot be upgraded. Every other weapon is valid.
The Solafite Upgrader turns survival into dominance once you’ve secured it. The extra power helps conserve ammo, kill faster, and deal with late-game mutant waves that otherwise overwhelm. If you’re building for the long haul, this is one of the smartest mid-game investments you can make.
Once you’ve mastered upgrades, visit the Sons of the Forest Ultimate Guide to explore more advanced mechanics, base builds, and gear locations.