Caves and gear

Shovel

The Shovel is a major progression tool that exposes buried bunker entrances, including the route to Maintenance A and its keycard.

PC / Global, final release

WHERE & HOW TO FARM

Where to farm

Shovel Cave at the river confluence below the mountain crash site; the interior includes a Rope Gun zipline barrier and flooded sections.

This is a gated cave pickup: you need both the Rope Gun to cross a barrier and the Rebreather with Air Tanks for flooded passages. Prepare those items before entering, then follow the cave route through its hostile interior to retrieve the Shovel. Its value extends beyond digging: it unlocks access to important facilities.

See farming steps ↓

GET STARTED

How to farm

Before you go

Rope Gun from Rope Gun Cave.
Rebreather and Air Tank for flooded passages.
Light source, weapon, armor, and healing supplies.

Obtain the Rope Gun and Rebreather before setting out, and carry spare Air Tanks.
Locate Shovel Cave at the river confluence below the mountain crash site.
Use the Rope Gun on the zipline to cross the stalagmite barrier inside.
Equip the Rebreather before entering the flooded passages and watch your air supply.
Continue through the cave route, prepared to handle mutants in the interior.
Find and collect the Shovel at the end of the route.
Use it later at marked dig sites to expose buried entrances such as Maintenance A.

Farming tips

This route combines a traversal gate and underwater sections; arriving without either tool forces a retreat.
Bring combat supplies for the cave rather than treating it as a simple pickup walk.

Repeat, collect and use

One-time tool pickup; the Shovel remains useful at multiple dig sites after leaving the cave.

Common mistakes

Entering without a Rope Gun; retrieve it from Rope Gun Cave first.
Swimming into a flooded passage without the Rebreather and Air Tank; equip them before submerging.
Using up supplies early in the cave; pace combat and retain healing for the return.