How to Revive Kelvin in Sons of the Forest

In Sons of the Forest, while player death typically results in respawning, you can revive your AI companion, Kelvin, if he has fallen, often by editing the game's save files.

If Kelvin has been incapacitated or is considered 'dead' by the game, the primary method to revive him, especially if normal in-game interactions aren't working, involves manually editing the game's save data. This process requires caution as incorrect edits can corrupt your save.

Reviving Kelvin by Editing Save Files

The following steps outline how to potentially revive Kelvin by modifying specific game files, based on information like the method detailed in the reference provided:

1. Create a New Save Slot: Start by creating a new save slot in the game. This is a safety measure that helps ensure you know which save file directory corresponds to your current game session.
2. Access the Save Files: Navigate to the location where Sons of the Forest stores its save files on your computer. This is typically found within your AppData folder (%AppData%\..\LocalLow\Endnight\SonsOfTheForest\Saves\<SteamID>\). Replace <SteamID> with your specific Steam ID number.
3. Find the Most Recent Directory: Within your Steam ID folder, save files are organized into directories, often timestamped or numerically named. Identify the directory corresponding to the new save slot you just created. This is usually the most recently modified folder.
4. Open GameStateSaveData.json: Locate the file named GameStateSaveData.json within the save directory and open it using a text editor like Wordpad or Notepad++.
5. Change IsRobbyDead: Find the entry "IsRobbyDead" within the file. If Kelvin is considered dead, this value will likely be set to True. Change this value from True to False. Save the file.
6. Open SaveData.json: Next, find the file named SaveData.json in the same save directory and open it with your text editor.
7. Change Kelvin's State: Search for Kelvin's data within this file. Look for an entry related to his character, identified possibly by an ID or name. Find his "State" value. If he is incapacitated or dead, this might be set to 6. Change this "State" value from 6 to 2.
8. Adjust Kelvin's Health: While in SaveData.json, it's also recommended to locate Kelvin's health values (often "Health" or similar) and set them to a healthy value, such as 100.0 or 100. Save the file.

After completing these steps and saving both files, launch the game and load the modified save slot. Kelvin should now be revived and functional in your game.

Note: File editing carries risks. Always back up your save files before making any changes.

Summary of Save File Changes

File Name	Entry Key	Original Value (If Dead/Incapacitated)	New Value (To Revive)	Description
GameStateSaveData.json	"IsRobbyDead"	True	False	Marks Kelvin as not dead.
SaveData.json	Kelvin's "State"	6 (or similar)	2	Sets Kelvin to an active state.
SaveData.json	Kelvin's "Health"	Low value (e.g., 0)	100.0 (or similar)	Restores his health.

What Happens When the Player Dies?

Unlike companion revival which may require manual file editing, the player character's death in Sons of the Forest is handled differently by the game's mechanics. If you die, you typically do not "revive" on the spot. Instead, the game will load your last save or transport you to a nearby camp or shelter, often resulting in the loss of some inventory items. There is no in-game mechanic for another character to revive you, nor is there a common file editing method described for undoing player death in the same way as reviving Kelvin.