Slingshot

The Slingshot is the starting ranged weapon in Starsand Island and the first combat tool available to players. It fires pellet ammunition at targets and is used for fighting enemies in the Moonlit Forest, breaking environmental obstacles, and solving puzzles. The Slingshot is the entry point for a ranged weapon progression that eventually leads to the Plume Bow, Golden Bow, and Crossbow through advancement in the Explorer profession.

How to Get the Slingshot

After you finish the main tutorial and Solara downloads the apps to your phone, you can claim a reward from the Island Life app. This unlocks the Slingshot blueprint. Craft it at any Worktable.

Both materials are abundant early in the game. Softwood comes from chopping small trees or picking up sticks from the ground. Fiber comes from cutting shrubs and wildflowers with an Axe.

How to Get Ammo

Visit the Exploration Club (on the hill past the archery targets, above Green Pasture Ranch). Talk to Zephyria to start the Explorer profession and get your first ammo quest. Inside the club:

• Interact with the cash register to buy the Stone Ammo (Simple Pellet) recipe.

• Use the crafting table by the blackboard to craft ammo on the spot.

• Buy the Ammo Maker table blueprint to build one at home for convenient ammo production.

Stone Ammo recipe: 5 Stone = 2 Simple Pellets. Stone is one of the most abundant resources on the island, making this ammo effectively unlimited. You can also use minerals and ores from your bag as emergency ammo, but do not waste valuable materials unless you are in a tight spot.

All Ammo Types

Ammo types unlock as you progress through Explorer certification tiers. Pellets are fired from Slingshots; Arrows are fired from Bows and the Crossbow. All ammo is crafted at the Ammo Maker.

Pellets (Slingshot Ammo)

Arrows (Bow and Crossbow Ammo)

Important: Fire Arrows and Water Arrows are primarily puzzle tools. They do not deal extra combat damage compared to Regular Arrows. Use them only for their environmental effects (burning obstructing branches, growing bridges). For combat, stick to Bomb Arrows, Gale Arrows, or Time Arrows.

Most arrows can be recovered from the ground or enemy corpses after firing. Walk over the arrow to pick it up. This makes standard and elemental arrows relatively sustainable; just collect them after each fight.

Weapon Progression

Ranged weapons progress through five tiers tied to the Explorer profession. Each weapon is a strict upgrade in damage, range, or both.

The Slingshot and Plume Bow are available early. The Golden variants consume the base weapon as a crafting component (similar to fishing rod upgrade chains). The Crossbow is the endgame weapon with the highest damage per second, but its blueprint can only be obtained through the Expert Explorer quest chain, not purchased.

Weapon Comparison

Each weapon tier represents a meaningful power increase. The gap between Slingshot and Bow is the largest single jump in the progression.

The Crossbow has the highest DPS by a significant margin, but it burns through ammo much faster than bows. Players who prefer ammo efficiency may prefer the Golden Bow for most content and switch to the Crossbow only for boss fights.

Controls

Keyboard and Mouse

• Equip the Slingshot or Bow from your hotbar (mouse wheel to switch items, ALT + mouse wheel to switch between quick-access bars).

• Aim with the mouse at the target reticle in the center of the screen.

• Left click to fire. Hold left click for a charged, stronger shot.

• Right click to switch between ammo types.

Controller

• Left bumper + D-pad left/right to switch hotbar items.

• Left bumper + D-pad down to switch between bars.

• Right trigger to fire. Hold for a charged shot.

• A button to switch ammo types.

Charged shots deal roughly double damage compared to a quick tap. Always charge your shots when fighting bosses or tough enemies. Against weak enemies like Runebirds, a quick shot is sufficient.

What the Slingshot and Bow Are Used For

• Breaking the Damaged Door behind your home to access the Moonlit Forest. Aim at the yellow weak spots between the cracks.

• Fighting enemies: Runebirds, Luminfrogs, and all bosses in the Moonlit Forest.

• Opening gates that require projectile hits.

• Popping treasure chest bubbles in the Moonlit Forest.

• Fire Arrows burn obstructing branches; Water Arrows grow bridges over gaps.

Boss Strategies

Each Moonlit Forest boss has specific weapon and ammo recommendations. Using the wrong weapon can make fights significantly harder.

Crystalith note: This is the first boss that demands serious ammo preparation. Bring 50 to 60 Charged Blast Pellets. The fight is long but the dodge patterns are simple: run left or right to avoid its attacks.

Glintortle note: Do not attempt this fight with a Slingshot. Slingshot pellets barely scratch its armor. You need a Bow with Bomb Arrows. After defeating the Glintortle, you receive the Water Arrow and Pristine Orb blueprints.

Final boss note: The Crossbow delivers the best DPS but chews through ammo. A Golden Bow is a solid alternative if you want better ammo efficiency. Some players use a combined strategy: Golden Bow for normal phases, Crossbow for damage windows. Combat bots from the Exploration Club significantly ease this fight. Eat Soup Dumplings before the battle for additional resources.

Tips

• Craft the Slingshot immediately after completing the tutorial. You will need it to enter the Moonlit Forest.

• Stone Ammo is infinite and free. Use it for weak enemies and save Blast Pellets and Bomb Arrows for bosses.

• Upgrade to the Plume Bow as soon as you reach Junior Explorer. The damage increase over the Slingshot is massive.

• Always charge your shots (hold the fire button) against bosses. Charged shots deal roughly double damage.

• Collect arrows from the ground and enemy corpses after fights. Most arrows are recoverable, which stretches your supply.

• The Crossbow blueprint is a quest reward from the Expert Explorer chain, not a shop purchase. You cannot buy it.

• Fire Arrows and Water Arrows do not deal extra combat damage. Use them only for environmental puzzles (burning branches, growing bridges).

• For the Crystalith, bring 50 to 60 Charged Blast Pellets. Running out of ammo mid-fight is the most common reason players lose.

• For the Glintortle, bring Bomb Arrows and switch to the Bow. A Slingshot will not get the job done.

• See the Moonlit Forest Walkthrough for detailed enemy guides and how much ammo to bring for each section.