Key Highlights:
- Change ammo types in Sons of The Forest by looking down and pressing reload when the prompt appears. You cannot swap ammo in the inventory.
- Weapons with ammo types include the Shotgun, Bows, and Slingshot.
- Pick ammo for the job: Buckshot for close range, Slug for distance, and arrow types for role, rocks or golf balls for the Slingshot.
Quick Links:
To change ammo in Sons of The Forest, equip the weapon, look down at the ground until you see the on-screen prompt, then press your reload key. The new ammo type will appear in the bottom-left of your HUD. This is the only method that works, the inventory doesn’t let you cycle ammunition.
Shotgun ammo
For the Shotgun, Buckshot is best for close-range fights, especially in tight cave systems where enemies rush you. It spreads damage across multiple targets, making it perfect for mutant clusters.
Slug rounds, on the other hand, hit harder over distance. They’re slower but more accurate, ideal for medium to long-range combat when you want precision instead of spread.
Bow ammo
Bows are the most flexible ranged weapons in Sons of the Forest. You can switch between carbon-fibre arrows, crafted (stone) arrows, and 3D printed arrows. Carbon-fibre arrows hit hardest and fly straight, making them great for tougher mutants or animals.
Crafted arrows are cheap and ideal for early survival when you don’t have access to printers or resin. The 3D printed arrows sit between the two, accurate, renewable, and easy to make when you’ve got a printer set up in your base.
Slingshot ammo
The Slingshot may be basic, but it’s handy for quiet hunting or distracting enemies. You can fire small rocks or golf balls, and swap between them the same way, look down and press reload.
Small rocks are everywhere and perfectly fine for hunting birds or rabbits. Golf balls are rarer but a fun alternative that hit slightly harder.
Finding ammo
Most ammo types can be looted from suitcases, camps, and caves scattered across the island. Ammo respawns periodically, so revisiting key sites is worth it.
Arrows are the most reliable because you can craft them anywhere, while shotgun shells rely entirely on looting. I usually keep both Buckshot and Slugs stocked so I can swap depending on the fight.
When entering caves, I always switch my shotgun to Buckshot for the close-quarters fights ahead. As soon as I’m back in the open, I swap to Slugs for range and cleaner aim.
For stealth or hunting, I rely on the bow and adjust the arrow type based on what I have most of. Early on, I’ll use crafted arrows and switch to 3D printed or carbon-fibre once I’m better equipped.
For casual hunting or noise-free distractions, I rarely use the slingshot, as my go-to silent weapon would be the Machete or the Silencer Attachment for the Pistol.
If the ammo switch prompt doesn’t appear, lower your weapon slightly and check your reload keybind in settings. You also need to have at least two ammo types in your inventory before you can cycle.
For bows, always craft a few of each arrow type ahead of time so you can change between them quickly during combat or exploration. The Compound Bow uses Stone, 3D Printed, and Carbon Fiber Arrows, but the overwhelming advantage with this weapon, is that the bolts can be retrieved after firing.
For more helpful tips like this, check out our Complete Sons of the Forest Guide.