Mangroves in Don't Starve offer a unique blend of risk and reward for players brave enough to sail into swampy waters. These twisted trees aren’t just set dressing – they’re survival tools, monster buffers, and late-game resource hubs. Let’s break down why you’d want them, how to use them, and what mods can enhance the experience.
Why Mangroves Matter (And Where to Find Them)
1. Natural Defense Systems
Mangrove clusters act as organic walls against ocean threats. Water Beefalo spawned near mangroves will attack Sharks/Crocodiles but ignore players. One Redditor reported using a mangrove island with Water Beefalo as a "newbie sanctuary" for safe early-game resource farming.
Pro Tip:
"Plant Jungle Turf on every tile of your mangrove island to spawn Parrots for extra Dubloon drops" – u/DontStarveDevsTrulyCare.
2. The Slot Machine Gambit
World generation often places Slot Machines on small mangrove-connected islands. Build storage chests and Crock Pots along the shoreline to create a gambling-focused base:
-- Example layout for a "Casino Island":
1. Slot Machine (center)
2. 4x Sea Chests (NW/NE/SW/SE)
3. 2x Crock Pots (coastal edges)
4. Spider Den (for Monster Meat fuel)
This setup lets you convert Dubloons into resources while farming sanity via Surf'n'Turf.
Farming Mechanics: Stumps, Figs, and Regrowth
3. The Great Stump Debate
- Vanilla DS: Stumps never regrow. Dig them for +1 Log or burn for Ash.
- DST: Stumps decay after 30 days but trigger "world regrowth" mechanics that spawn new trees nearby.
Data comparison:
| Action | DS Result | DST Result |
|---|---|---|
| Leave stump | Permanent obstacle | Decays + new spawns |
| Dig stump | +1 Log | +1 Log |
| Burn stump | +1 Ash | Triggers forest fires |
4. Fig Economy 101
Mossy Vines in Waterlogged biomes yield Figs every 2.5-3 days. Their uses include:
- Bait: 2x faster coastal fish catches vs Berries
- Tree Jam: Forces growth stages on any tree (1 Jam = 8 manure value)
- Sanity Recovery: 15 Sanity via Figatoni (1 Fig + 3 Veggies)
Caution: Sea Striders guard Fig vines – clear their nests first or face constant ambushes.
Modding Mangroves: From QoL to Total Overhauls
5. Top 3 Mods for Mangrove Gameplay
Skully's Sea Pack
- Adds Shipwrecked-style Mangrove biomes with Skitter Squids
- New craftables: Shark Fin Soup (80 HP) & Pirate Hat (-25% hunger drain)
-- Pirate Hat Recipe: Recipe("piratehat", {Ingredient("boneshard", 2), Ingredient("rope", 1), Ingredient("pigskin", 2)}, RECIPETABS.SEAFARING, TECH.SEAFARING_TWO)
Waterlogged Beta Mods
- Enables Knobbly Tree farming (requires 4x Tree Jam applications)
- Fixes boat collision with mangrove roots
DST Mangrove Regrowth
Makes stumps regrow in 10 days (configurable) – addresses DST's "barren island" issue.
Case Study: The 1000-Day Mangrove Megabase
A veteran player’s setup combined:
- Perimeter: Water Beefalo + Spider Dens (Monster Meat → Surf'n'Turf)
- Core: 6x Fish Farms + 4x Sea Yards (repair kits on demand)
- Defense: Hurricane Season wind turbines powering 8x Houndius Shootius
Key stats:
- Food: 28 Figs/day → 14 Tree Jams → 112 Manure-equivalent fertilizer
- Combat: 100% Crocodile kills via Water Beefalo aggro
- Sanity: +45/min from Sandcastles + Bananapops
TL;DR: Mangrove Mastery Checklist
- Locate early: Scout for Slot Machine islands with connected mangroves
- Farm smart: Use Figs for fishing/tree growth, not direct consumption
- Defense first: Let Water Beefalo handle Crocs/Sharks
- Mod wisely: Add regrowth/overhaul mods if playing long-term
Need More Info?
- Waterlogged Biome Guide
- Fig Recipes Spreadsheet
- Skully's Sea Mod
"Mangroves aren’t just trees – they’re a lifestyle. Just watch where you park the boat." – Anonymous player who lost 3 Rafts to root collisions