| Cost | 25 Diamonds |
| Level 1 Perks | +2 Sack Space |
| Level 2 Perks | Open Chests 20% Faster |
| Level 2 Perks | Increased visibility at night |
| Level 3 Perks | Chance to get scrap as a bonus drop from chests |
| Level 2 Requirements | Scrap Scrapped: 0/450 Studs Travelled: 0/2500 |
| Level 3 Requirements | Scrap Scrapped: 0/1000 Studs Travelled: 0/10000 |
“A resourceful opportunist with a knack for finding more than what’s expected. They live by the motto: one survivor’s trash is another’s treasure.”
The Scavenger is a playable Class in 99 Nights in the Forest. This class is designed for players who prioritize efficient resource gathering and a strong start. The Scavenger excels at maximizing inventory space and looting, making it a powerful choice for accelerating early-game progress and a staple in the speedrunning community. By focusing on making the most out of every container and every trip, the Scavenger builds a resource advantage that can set the foundation for a successful run.
Acquisition & Cost
The Scavenger class can be purchased from the main menu for a one-time cost of 25 Diamonds. Its relatively low price and potent early-game perks make it one of the most cost-effective classes available.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost | 25 Diamonds |
| Type | Utility / Gathering |
| Difficulty | Beginner / Intermediate |
Perks and Leveling Progression
The Scavenger’s perks are all centered around the theme of efficient looting. Leveling the class requires players to engage in two core Scavenger activities: traveling long distances to find new loot opportunities and scrapping unwanted materials for parts.
Level 1 Perks (Initial Unlock)
Upon purchasing the class, the player immediately benefits from the following:
- Perk: +2 Sack Space
- This is a powerful passive perk that is active from the very beginning. The Scavenger gains two additional inventory slots, a bonus that applies to every sack in the game, from the Old Sack to the largest crafted ones. This is a significant advantage at the start of a run, as the initial Old Sack expands from five to seven slots. This allows the player to, for example, chop down two full trees and still have room for another item like Coal on their first trip, drastically improving early-game efficiency and reducing the need for immediate storage solutions.
Level 2
- Perk: Open Chests 20% Faster
- Upon reaching Level 2, the Scavenger interacts with all chests and lootable containers 20% faster. For the average player, this is a minor quality-of-life improvement that makes looting feel slightly smoother. However, for speedrunners, this perk is invaluable. Over the course of a run, the fractions of a second saved on each chest can add up to a significant time advantage, making it a key component of optimized playthroughs.
- Level Requirements to Unlock:
- Scrap Scrapped: 0/450
- Studs Travelled: 0/2,500
Level 3 (Max Level)
- Perk: Chance to get scrap as a bonus drop from chests
- At its maximum level, the Scavenger gains a chance to find bonus Scrap when opening any chest. Scrap is a finite resource in the game world, making this perk exceptionally valuable. It provides a renewable, albeit luck-dependent, source of a crucial crafting material. This allows a Scavenger to gather Scrap far more easily and quickly than other classes, especially in the early game, leading to faster access to advanced tools and base components.
- Level Requirements to Unlock:
- Scrap Scrapped: 0/1,000
- Studs Travelled: 0/10,000
Strategic Analysis & Gameplay
The Scavenger is a top-tier utility class whose benefits are felt immediately and scale well into the mid-game. It is an excellent choice for players who want to establish a strong economic base quickly.
Tips and Tricks
- Capitalize on the Early Game: The +2 sack space is the Scavenger’s strongest asset. Use it to gather large amounts of wood, stone, and food in your first few days to build a secure and well-stocked base faster than any other class.
- A Speedrunner’s Dream: If you are interested in speedrunning, this class is almost essential. The combination of extra starting inventory, faster chest opening, and the potential for early bonus Scrap provides a massive advantage that is critical for achieving record times, especially in a team setting.
- Efficient Leveling: To level the Scavenger, you must be proactive. Make long, sweeping trips across the map to rack up “Studs Travelled” instead of staying close to your base. Actively hunt for items specifically to scrap them at a Scrapping Bench to meet the “Scrap Scrapped” requirement.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Excellent Value: The class provides powerful and useful perks for a very reasonable price of 25 Diamonds.
- Superior Early Game: The +2 sack space provides an immediate and noticeable head start on resource collection and base building.
- Essential for Speedrunning: Its combination of perks makes it one of the best classes for optimized, time-sensitive playthroughs.
- Sustainable Scrap Economy: The Level 3 perk provides a way to acquire a limited and essential resource, which is a massive long-term advantage.
Cons:
- No Starting Item: Unlike the Camper, the Scavenger begins with nothing but its perks, meaning you still need to find your own tools and light source.
- No Combat or Defensive Bonuses: The class offers no advantages in combat, making you just as vulnerable to threats as a default character.
- Time-Consuming to Level: The requirements to reach Level 3, especially traveling 10,000 studs, demand a significant time investment and a nomadic playstyle.
- RNG Dependent: The final perk is not a guarantee; you are still subject to luck when hoping for bonus Scrap from chests.
- Perk Value Diminishes: While still useful, the +2 sack space becomes less game-changing in the late game when you have access to the largest sacks and extensive base storage.
Trivia
- The Scavenger was one of the original seven classes introduced to the game in the landmark Classes Update.
- It is the second cheapest class in the game, costing slightly more than the Camper.
- The Scavenger holds the distinction of being the first class added to the game that does not spawn with a starting item in its inventory. The second class with this trait is the Trick or Treater.