- Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey how to make a spear starts with a single dead branch found on the forest floor.
- Strip the branch by altering it with both hands, then wait for it to become a stick.
- Sharpen the stick with basalt, obsidian, or another rock to create a pointed weapon.
- A sharpened stick is the most important early defensive tool against predators like saber-toothed cats.
- Repeat crafting actions to build neuronal energy and unlock better tool-handling skills.
What You Need Before Crafting a Spear
A spear in Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is built through two-stage alteration: you first turn a dead branch into a stick, then sharpen that stick into a pointed weapon. Both stages use the same "alter" interaction, but each requires specific conditions and materials.
Before you begin, confirm you have the following:
| Requirement | Details | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|
| Dead branch | A dead branch, not a green one | Ground under trees, forest floor near your settlement |
| Both hands free | You cannot alter while carrying other items | Drop anything held before starting |
| A sharpening rock | Basalt, obsidian, or another hard stone | Rocky ground, riverbanks, jungle terrain |
| Neuronal development | Basic dexterous hands skill speeds up alteration | Repeated crafting actions build neuron energy |
Only dead branches can be crafted into sticks. Living or green branches pulled from trees will not alter properly. Look for dry, fallen branches on the ground and inspect them with intelligence before picking them up.
Stage 1: Dead Branch to Stick
- Pick up a dead branch
- Hold it in both hands
- Use the alter action repeatedly
- Bark strips away over several attempts
Stage 2: Stick to Sharpened Stick
- Find a hard rock (basalt or obsidian)
- Hold the stick, target the rock
- Alter the stick against the rock
- A pointed tip forms
Failure States
- Timing failure: interrupted alteration loses progress
- Wrong material: green branches or soft stones will not work
- Interruptions by predators can waste the branch entirely
Step-by-Step: How to Make a Spear
Follow these steps in order. Each one builds on the previous, and skipping preparation is the most common cause of failed crafting attempts.
Locate a Dead Branch
Search the forest floor near your settlement. Dead branches appear as dry, fallen wood under and around trees. Inspect any unfamiliar object first — intelligence reveals whether it can be altered. Pick it up only when you have both hands free.
Alter the Branch With Both Hands
Hold the branch and use the alter command. The hominid strips the bark in stages. It often takes multiple attempts; release and re-apply the alter action until the branch becomes a usable stick. If the action fails, reposition and try again from a stable stance.
Find a Sharpening Stone
Look for basalt on rocky ground or near rivers, or obsidian in advanced exploration areas. Carry the stone back to a safe spot, or bring the stick to the stone. Inspect the rock first to confirm it is a hard tool material rather than an ordinary stone.
Sharpen the Stick Against the Rock
Hold the stick and alter it against the rock. Correct timing produces a sharpened stick — your spear. The sharpened stick has a visible pointed tip and functions as both a defensive weapon and a hunting tool.
Store and Duplicate
Spears do not last forever. Stash one at your settlement, carry one during expeditions, and craft spares whenever materials are nearby. A prepared clan member survives surprise encounters far more often than an unarmed one.
Make spears at your settlement before an expedition, not during one. Crafting mid-expedition leaves you vulnerable, and a predator attack while your hands are full wastes both the branch and your stamina.
Tool Materials Compared
The sharpening stone you choose affects efficiency and availability. This comparison covers the most practical options for spear crafting.
| Material | Best Use | Availability | Early Game Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basalt | Sharpening sticks, making a basalt chopper | Rocky areas, riverbanks, jungle | ★★★★★ |
| Obsidian | Sharpest cutting results, advanced tools | Later exploration zones | ★★★★★ |
| Granite | Grinders and grinding, not ideal for sharpening | Exposed stone deposits | ★★★ |
| Ordinary stones | Cracking coconuts, limited crafting | Everywhere | ★★ |
Basalt is the most reliable sharpening material in the opening hours. Carry a basalt rock when exploring so you can turn any dead branch into a spear without returning to the settlement.
Why a spear matters early:
- A sharpened stick is your primary counterattack weapon against predators
- It enables safe passage through python and saber-tooth territory
- Crafting it repeatedly builds neuronal energy toward tool-use skills
- It doubles as a utility item for interacting with the environment
Using Your Spear Against Predators
Crafting the spear is only half the equation. Combat in Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is built on anticipation and timing, not button-mashing. The spear is a counter tool — it rewards patience.
| Predator | Threat Level | Recommended Spear Use |
|---|---|---|
| Saber-toothed cat | Very high | Equip before entering jungle; counterattack only on the attack cue |
| Python | High | Keep the stick ready in dense vegetation; counter, then retreat |
| Crocodile | Very high | Scan shorelines first; counter during the attack window |
| Warthog | Medium | Maintain space, counter the charge with correct timing |
| Monitor lizard | Medium | Identify with perception first; counter at close range |
Attacking before the animal commits wastes your counter window and often results in injury or death. Wait for the audio cue, then input the counterattack direction. One successful spear counter can end an encounter instantly.
Preparation Checklist
Complete this checklist each time you prepare an expedition. It covers the crafting loop and the supporting items that make spear use practical.
Spear Crafting & Expedition Prep:
- Inspect and collect a dead branch from the forest floor
- Alter the branch with both hands until it becomes a stick
- Locate basalt or obsidian and inspect it before use
- Sharpen the stick into a pointed spear
- Stash a spare spear at the settlement and carry one while traveling
Every successful crafting session generates neuronal energy that advances tool-use skills. Over generations, faster alteration and better weapon handling make spear production nearly instant for your descendants.
FAQ
Q: In Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey, how do I make a spear?
Find a dead branch on the forest floor, pick it up with both hands free, and use the alter action repeatedly to strip it into a stick. Then find a hard rock such as basalt or obsidian and alter the stick against it to form a sharpened point.
Q: Why won't my branch turn into a stick?
You are most likely holding a green living branch instead of a dead one, or you interrupted the alteration partway. Only dry, fallen branches work, and the alter action must be repeated until the bark fully strips away.
Q: Which rock is best for sharpening a spear?
Basalt is the most practical early option because it is common near rocky ground and rivers. Obsidian produces sharper results but is found in more dangerous, later-game areas.
Q: Does crafting spears improve my clan?
Yes. Repeated crafting actions generate neuronal energy, which unlocks tool-handling and combat neurons. These skills carry into future generations when infants with learned potential grow up.