Cave

Map mark

Caves are important geographical formations in The Infected. They are the sole source (except for looting) for several vital resources. There are 5 Caves visible on the in-game Map. They are marked on the Map with a red X.

The player can only mine Copper Ore, Aluminum Ore and Cobalt Ore in Caves by placing Mineral Extractors in Caves. A Mineral Extractor placed in a Cave will produce all three ore types plus small stones.

Mineral Extractor in a Cave. Placement of Jack O'Lantern only possible if Cave is within a Land Claim.

Caves are also the sole source (except for looting) for Coal and Lead Ore. All Caves contain Coal Nodes and boulders which respawn randomly after they are broken.

Coal Node in Cave

 •  When a player breaks a boulder in any Cave, the boulder yields two pieces of Lead Ore and one other resource, which can be either Iron Ore or Clay or a Small Stone.
 •  When a player breaks a Coal node in any Cave, the node yields 3 pieces of Coal.

Caves are also the only place in the game where Mushrooms grow. Mushrooms respawn randomly in quick succession when they are harvested by the player.

The only predators that spawn in Caves are small Scorpions which deal little damage, but which can infect players with their sting or make them bleed. Therefore it is recommended to carry a supply of Bandages and Medicated Bandages when mining in caves.

It is possible to build (e.g. place Foundations) in a Cave. However, the interior of a cave is subject to the retraints imposed by land claims. Only certain items, including Mineral Extractors can be placed in a Cave if the Cave is not within the radius of a Land Claim Pole.

Gallery

Mouths of Caves can be difficult to find if the vegetation is not cleared away. In this image, trees obscuring the mouth of the Cave have been chopped down.

It is very dark inside of Caves, so players need to carry their own light source, either a Torch or the Yellow Helmet. Alternatively, they can place a light source on the ground in a cave.

Boulders that are broken in caves quickly respawn, but at a random spot.

Mushrooms grow only in caves but can be hard to spot without a good light.

History

v. 14.01	Copper, Cobalt and Aluminum mineable in every cave with mineral extractor. Number and size/visuals of caves changed with new map. Map marker for Caves changed. Building in Caves subject to Land Claim restrictions.
v. 12.0	Number of caves increased from 4 to 9 on new map. Copper, Aluminum and Cobalt ore must be mined in caves (in correct biome) using Mineral Extractors. Coal nodes introduced to caves. The player can now build in caves.
v. 8.5	Ore balancing: you are guaranteed to get 2 Lead Ores and the third will randomly be a Stone, Clay or Iron Ore.
v. 8.4	Added Copper to the possible drops of cave boulders.
v. 8.0	Cave added to the game.