Solo Hunters NPC Locations & Unlocks Guide

This guide lists every major NPC in Solo Hunters and exactly what each one unlocks when you find and interact with them. You’ll get their general map locations, the specific reward or feature each character grants, and the conditions required to trigger those unlocks.

Formula

The calculator above works out your average pace and speed from a finish time and distance. The formulas are:

• Pace (min/km) = Finish time (minutes) ÷ Distance (km)
• Speed (km/h) = Distance (km) ÷ (Finish time (minutes) ÷ 60)

Variables: t = finish time in minutes, d = distance in kilometres. Pace is the number of minutes it takes to cover one kilometre; speed is the number of kilometres you cover in one hour.

Worked Example

Using the default values: finish time = 50 minutes, distance = 10 km.

• Pace = 50 ÷ 10 = 5.00 min/km
• Speed = 10 ÷ (50 ÷ 60) = 10 ÷ 0.8333 = 12.00 km/h

So a 50-minute 10 km run is an average pace of 5 minutes per kilometre and an average speed of 12 km/h.

How NPC Unlocks Work in Solo Hunters

Unlike many open-world games that hand you abilities through a skill tree, Solo Hunters ties most of its systems to specific NPCs scattered across the map. Each NPC has a fixed spawn point (though some only appear after you reach a certain hunter level or complete a main story chapter). When you first talk to them, you typically get a one-time unlock: a new crafting recipe, a fast-travel hub, a storage expansion, or a passive bonus. Some NPCs also act as vendors or quest givers after the initial unlock, so it’s worth returning to them periodically.

The map is divided into five regions: the Verdant Lowlands, the Ashen Ridge, the Frostbite Expanse, the Sunken Fen, and the Crimson Badlands. Each region contains at least two unlock NPCs. A few NPCs are hidden behind optional side quests or require a specific item to be in your inventory before they’ll speak to you.

All NPC Locations by Region

Below is the complete list of unlock NPCs, their approximate location, and what they give you. Coordinates are given as (X, Y) grid references on the in-game map.

Verdant Lowlands

• Old Man Kael – West of the starting village, near the ruined windmill (X: 142, Y: 88). Unlocks the Herbalist’s Satchel, which increases your inventory capacity by 10 slots. Requires hunter level 3.
• Mira the Trapper – In the northeastern forest, beside a bear trap line (X: 201, Y: 45). Unlocks the Snare Trap blueprint, allowing you to craft traps for small game. No level requirement.

Ashen Ridge

• Blacksmith Vorn – Inside the forge at the Ashen Ridge camp (X: 310, Y: 120). Unlocks Weapon Forging, letting you craft tier-2 melee weapons. Requires hunter level 7 and 5 Ember Shards.
• Nomad Sera – On the southern cliff edge, overlooking the lava falls (X: 287, Y: 156). Unlocks the Heat Resistance Cloak, reducing fire damage by 25%. Requires completing the side quest “Ashes to Ashes.”

Frostbite Expanse

• Wandering Yeti – In a cave on the western glacier (X: 420, Y: 210). Unlocks the Frostbite Axe blueprint, a tier-3 ice weapon. Requires hunter level 12 and a Yeti Fang.
• Scholar Elara – At the frozen library ruins (X: 456, Y: 178). Unlocks Rune Translation, allowing you to read ancient runes that reveal hidden treasure chests. Requires 3 Frost Crystals.

Sunken Fen

• Bog Witch Thalia – In the center of the marsh, on a small island (X: 520, Y: 340). Unlocks Potion Brewing, letting you craft healing and stamina potions. Requires hunter level 5 and 10 Swamp Herbs.
• Fisherman Orin – On the east bank of the blackwater river (X: 560, Y: 300). Unlocks the Fishing Rod, enabling fishing for food and rare materials. No level requirement.

Crimson Badlands

• Warlord Kargath – In the fortress at the far east (X: 640, Y: 420). Unlocks Siege Crafting, allowing you to build ballistae and catapults for base defense. Requires hunter level 15 and completion of “The Crimson Siege” quest.
• Mystic Zara – In a hidden oasis cave (X: 610, Y: 390). Unlocks Elemental Infusion, letting you add fire, ice, or lightning damage to your weapons. Requires 5 Ember Shards, 5 Frost Crystals, and 5 Storm Orbs.

How to Choose Which NPC to Find First

Your first unlock should match your playstyle. If you’re constantly running out of inventory space, head to Old Man Kael early. If you prefer stealth and trapping, Mira’s Snare Trap is a low-effort, high-reward unlock. For combat-focused players, Blacksmith Vorn’s Weapon Forging is the biggest power spike, but it requires level 7 and some grinding in Ashen Ridge. The Bog Witch’s Potion Brewing is universally useful for survival, so grabbing it by level 5 is a solid choice.

Remember that some NPCs only appear after you’ve progressed the main story. For example, Mystic Zara won’t show up until you’ve cleared the “Crimson Siege” quest, even if you wander into her cave early. Always check your quest log for hints about which NPCs are currently available.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

A frequent mistake is assuming that NPCs are one-time interactions. Most unlock NPCs also serve as vendors or repeatable quest givers. For instance, Blacksmith Vorn will upgrade your weapons for a fee after you unlock forging, and Fisherman Orin gives daily fishing quests. Another misconception is that the Wandering Yeti is hostile – he’s actually neutral, but if you attack him, he’ll disappear for 24 hours and you’ll miss the unlock until he respawns.

Another issue: some players report that Elara won’t offer Rune Translation even with the required crystals. This is usually because they haven’t completed the “Frozen Library” side quest, which is a prerequisite. Similarly, Sera’s cloak requires the “Ashes to Ashes” quest, not just the level requirement.

Comparing NPC Unlocks: Which Are Worth It?

• Storage vs. Crafting: Kael’s satchel is a one-time bonus; crafting unlocks (Vorn, Thalia) provide ongoing value but require materials.
• Combat vs. Utility: Weapon blueprints (Yeti Axe, Siege Crafting) directly boost combat; Rune Translation and Fishing are quality-of-life improvements.
• Early vs. Late Game: Mira’s trap and Orin’s rod are available immediately and help with early resource gathering; Kargath’s siege crafting is only useful in late-game base defense.

If you’re playing solo, the most impactful unlocks are Thalia’s Potion Brewing (survivability) and Zara’s Elemental Infusion (damage flexibility). Both require moderate grinding but pay off significantly.

Costs and Requirements Summary

Every unlock has a cost beyond just finding the NPC. These are the materials you’ll need in your inventory when you first talk to them:

• Kael: none (level 3 only)
• Mira: none
• Vorn: 5 Ember Shards (dropped by Ember Imps in Ashen Ridge)
• Sera: complete “Ashes to Ashes” quest
• Yeti: 1 Yeti Fang (drops from Yetis in Frostbite Expanse)
• Elara: 3 Frost Crystals (mined from ice nodes)
• Thalia: 10 Swamp Herbs (gathered in Sunken Fen)
• Orin: none
• Kargath: complete “The Crimson Siege” quest
• Zara: 5 Ember Shards, 5 Frost Crystals, 5 Storm Orbs (Storm Orbs drop from Storm Wraiths)

Note that materials are consumed when you receive the unlock. If you don’t have them, the NPC will tell you what’s missing, and you can come back later.

Safety and Fair Play Notes

All NPC locations are fixed and accessible in the standard game world – no mods or exploits are needed. Be aware that some NPCs are in dangerous areas: the Frostbite Expanse has freezing temperatures that drain health, and the Crimson Badlands has high-level enemies. Bring appropriate gear and consumables before traveling. Also, do not attack neutral NPCs (like the Yeti) unless you’re prepared to lose the unlock for a real-time day. Finally, always save your game before approaching a new NPC, just in case a bug prevents the interaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do NPC unlocks carry over to New Game+?
Yes, all unlocks persist into New Game+. However, you’ll need to re-find the NPCs to access their vendors and repeatable quests, but the actual unlocked abilities (like forging or potion brewing) remain active from the start.

Q: Can I get all unlocks in one playthrough?
Yes, none of the unlocks are mutually exclusive. You can find every NPC and unlock every feature. The only limitation is time and material grinding, but nothing locks you out permanently.

Q: What happens if I miss an NPC early on?
Nothing breaks. You can return to any NPC at any time, as long as you meet the level and quest requirements. The map will show a small icon for NPCs you’ve discovered but not yet interacted with.

Q: Are there any NPCs that unlock fast travel?
No, fast travel points are unlocked by discovering landmarks, not by NPCs. However, some NPCs (like Kael and Vorn) are located near fast travel points, making them convenient to revisit.

Q: Do the NPCs sell unique items after unlocking?
Yes, most unlock NPCs become vendors with exclusive stock. For example, Vorn sells rare weapon components, and Thalia sells potions that can’t be crafted. Check back after each main story chapter for new inventory.

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in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2