Enshrouded Beginner Guide — 12 Things to Do First in 1.0

Enshrouded 1.0 is a big game — a handcrafted open world, a survival layer, and an action-RPG skill system all at once. Whether you are starting fresh on PS5 or returning after Early Access (in which case also read our Enshrouded 1.0 what’s new guide), these are the things that matter most in your first hours.

What should you do first in Enshrouded?

Follow the opening quest steps until you can place a Flame Altar. The altar defines your base zone, enables fast travel, and — new in 1.0 — grants your first level-up when you place it. In 1.0 progression starts sooner than it did in Early Access: your second level comes quickly after you free the Blacksmith.

How does the Shroud timer work?

The Shroud is the deadly fog covering parts of the map. Inside it, a timer counts down — roughly five minutes at the start of the game — and when it hits zero, you die. Treat early Shroud trips as raids: go in, grab the chest or resource, get out. Standing near a Flame Altar clears the debuff and resets the timer.

Which survivor should you rescue first?

The Blacksmith. He is the first crafter the main quest sends you to, and his workshops unlock metal tools, weapons and armor upgrades. Later you will rescue the Hunter, Alchemist, Carpenter and others — each opens a new crafting tree. See our Ancient Vault guides for the vaults where these survivors are held.

Which skills should you pick first?

Grab the central “hub” skills before committing to a build — they help every playstyle:

• Double Jump — the best mobility skill in the game
• Blink — turns your dodge into a short teleport
• Updraft — climb steep terrain while gliding

After that, pick a combat direction. Our 1.0 skill tree guide explains the reworked tree, and the best builds overview ranks the strongest options by playstyle.

How do you get skill points?

Three ways, and you should pursue all of them:

1. Leveling up — from combat, quests and crafting XP
2. Shroud Roots — destroy the red roots in the Shroud for +1 point each
3. Elixir Wells — blue wells, mostly in Shroud zones, worth +3 points each

Clear every root and well in a region before moving on — the points add up fast, and in 1.0 the level cap is 50.

What gear should you get early?

Upgrade from the ragged starter set as soon as the Blacksmith is set up: a one-handed weapon plus shield is the safest early loadout, with a bow for flying enemies. Do not ignore food — in 1.0, meals add damage rather than raw stats, so cooking is a real DPS increase. Keep a stock of bandages and your first health potions once the Alchemist is rescued.

What should you know about exploring?

• Craft the glider early — verticality is huge in Embervale
• The grappling hook comes later and opens vaults and shortcuts
• Activate every Ancient Spire you find for fast-travel and map reveals
• Build a small functional base first; elaborate building can wait (and in 1.0, the new Sparkworks system makes advanced building even more rewarding later)

Is base location important?

Yes, but do not overthink it. Pick a flat spot near the starting area with water and trees nearby. You can place multiple Flame Altars later, so your first base is never a permanent commitment — move when you reach a new region.

What’s different for returning Early Access players?

Your skill tree is reset for free when an old save first loads 1.0 — spend the refunded points before fighting. The map has grown (Cinder’s Cradle and new areas in older biomes), gear now adds ranks to skills, and food works differently. Full details in our 1.0 update guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can I play Enshrouded solo? Yes. The entire game is playable solo; co-op for up to 16 players is optional.

Does my progress carry between worlds? Yes — your character, gear and skill points carry over when you join a friend’s world.

What happens when I die? You drop your inventory where you died and respawn; run back to recover it.

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Sources: official 1.0 changelog (enshrouded.com), IGN Enshrouded beginner coverage, community skill data. Last verified 2026-10-18 for patch 1.0.