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Weapons and Ammo overview
Combat in Starsand Island revolves around ranged weapons (slingshots, bows, crossbow) and their ammunition types. Melee weapons exist (hammers and machetes) but are primarily used for resource gathering. All combat equipment is tied to the Explorer profession mentored by Zephyria at the Exploration Club in Green Meadow. Higher profession ranks unlock stronger weapons and specialized ammunition. Combat mainly takes place in the Moonlit Forest, the game's dungeon area filled with corrupted creatures and bosses.
Explorer rank progression
Your Explorer rank determines which weapons and ammo you can access:
Rank | How to Achieve | Unlocks |
|---|---|---|
Apprentice | Complete Zephyria's slingshot tutorial, enter Moonlit Forest | Slingshot, Stone Ammo, Ammo Maker blueprint |
Junior | Defeat the Crystalith boss | Golden Slingshot, Plume Bow, Blast Pellet, Stink Bomb, Bomb Arrow, Fire Arrow, Water Arrow |
Intermediate | Reach the Bronze Gate (requires two key pieces) | Advanced combat recipes |
Senior | Complete Senior trial; visit Youfang near Cloudrest Lake | Golden Bow, Gale Arrow, Wood Arrow |
Expert | Complete final rank challenges | Crossbow (quest reward), Time Arrow |
Ranged weapons
Weapon | Rank | Crafting Materials | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Slingshot | Apprentice | 2x Softwood, 2x Fiber | First weapon. Basic damage. Tutorial reward. |
Golden Slingshot | Junior | 1x Slingshot + 3x Gold Ore | Upgraded slingshot. Quest reward (Momo's Gift). |
Plume Bow | Junior | 5x Hardwood, 6x Carbon Line | First bow. Big damage increase over slingshot. |
Golden Bow | Senior | 1x Plume Bow + 2x Gold Ingot | Upgraded bow with higher base damage. |
Crossbow | Expert | 15x Premium Wood, 3x Gold Wire, 4x Iron Sheet | Most powerful ranged weapon. Quest reward only. |
Melee weapons
Weapon | Crafting Materials | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
Impact Hammer | Hardwood, Iron Ingot | Breaking ore deposits. Required for Gold mining. |
Blast Hammer | Premium Wood, Gold Wire | Upgraded mining hammer. Faster ore breaking. |
Machete | Iron Ingot, Hardwood | Clearing vines and brush in Moonlit Forest. |
Sharp Machete | Gold Ingot, Premium Wood | Upgraded machete. Faster clearing. |
Melee weapons are resource-gathering tools, not combat weapons. All serious combat uses ranged weapons and ammo.
Slingshot ammunition
Ammo | Rank | Crafting Recipe | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Stone Ammo (Simple Pellet) | Apprentice | 5x Stone → 2x ammo | Basic ammo. Low damage but unlimited stone supply. |
Blast Pellet | Junior | Stone + Phosand (Coal + Sunveil Shroom) | Charged shots deal extra damage. Primary Crystalith counter. |
Stink Bomb | Junior | Bug resources + Fiber | Area denial. Creates a cloud that damages enemies over time. |
Arrow types
Arrow | Rank | Crafting Recipe | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Standard Arrow | Junior | Softwood + Fiber | Basic bow ammo. Decent damage. |
Bomb Arrow | Junior | Arrow + Phosand | Highest damage combat arrow. Essential for mid-to-late bosses. |
Stinky Arrow | Junior | Arrow + Bug resources | Area effect poison. Bow version of Stink Bomb. |
Fire Arrow | Senior | Arrow + Flamecore | Puzzle tool: burns branches/roots to clear paths. Essential for The Corrupted boss. |
Water Arrow | Senior | Arrow + Water Crystal | Puzzle tool: grows branches/roots to create bridges. Expensive to craft. |
Gale Arrow | Senior | Arrow + Wind Crystal | High-damage combat arrow. |
Wood Arrow | Senior | Hardwood + Carbon Line | High-damage combat arrow. |
Time Arrow | Expert | ~4,500 coins blueprint | Endgame arrow. Highest damage available. |
Important: Fire Arrows and Water Arrows are puzzle tools, not combat tools. They do NOT deal extra combat damage. Use them only for their environmental effects (burning/growing vines). For combat, Bomb Arrows and Gale Arrows are your best options.
Charged shots
Both slingshots and bows support charged shots. Hold the fire button to charge, then release for increased damage. Charged Blast Pellets are particularly effective. They deal roughly 2x damage compared to a quick shot. Against bosses, always charge your shots for maximum damage during vulnerability windows.
Sentry Bots
Sentry Bots are deployable AI companions that fight alongside you in the Moonlit Forest. They draw enemy attention and deal passive damage over time.
Cost: 190 coins each from the Exploration Club shop
Daily limit: 10 Sentry Bots per day
Cannot be crafted. Purchase only
Bots auto-deploy when placed and target the nearest enemy
Extremely useful for boss fights. They provide consistent damage while you dodge attacks
Multiple bots can be active simultaneously for stacked damage
Boss-specific loadouts
Each boss in the Moonlit Forest requires a different strategy and loadout:
Boss | Recommended Weapon | Recommended Ammo | Key Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
Crystalith | Slingshot | Charged Blast Pellets (50-60) | Target glowing yellow stomach during repower phase. Jump over ground-slam shockwaves. |
Glintortle | Bow | Bomb Arrows + Sentry Bots | Never use slingshot (ineffective). Hit shell crystals when glowing bright blue during Tuck & Spin. Deploy Sentry Bots. |
The Corrupted | Bow | Fire Arrows + Bomb Arrows | Requires skateboard for mobility. Fire Arrows for environmental puzzles. Target glowing eyes and shoulders. Do NOT retreat (resets health). |
Ruin Guard | Bow / Crossbow | Charged Bomb Arrows | Wait for head weak spot to be exposed. When stunned, dump charged Bomb Arrows into its skull. Extreme patience required. |
Ammo Maker station
All ammunition is crafted at the Ammo Maker station. The blueprint costs 50 coins from the Exploration Club with no tier requirement. Build this station immediately after becoming an Apprentice Explorer. Place it near your storage for easy access to crafting materials.
Combat controls (PC)
Mouse wheel: Equip weapon from hotbar
Left-click: Fire (tap for quick shot, hold for charged shot)
Right-click: Switch ammo type
Charged shots deal significantly more damage. Always charge against bosses
Tips
Craft 50+ ammo minimum before entering the Moonlit Forest. Running out mid-dungeon is dangerous
Bomb Arrows are the single most important ammo type. Stock up on Phosand (Coal + Sunveil Shrooms) to keep a steady supply
Buy 10 Sentry Bots daily from the Exploration Club. They trivialize most boss fights when deployed in groups
The Plume Bow at Junior Explorer is a massive upgrade over the Slingshot. Prioritize reaching Junior rank
Fire and Water Arrows are expensive puzzle tools, not combat ammo. Do not waste them on regular enemies
The Crossbow (Expert rank) cannot be purchased. It is a quest reward only. Complete the Expert Explorer questline to obtain it
Always eat a Battle Spirit buff food before boss fights for extra damage
Stone Ammo is infinite and free. Use it for weak enemies and save Bomb Arrows for bosses