Choosing the best Skills early in The Last Caretaker can greatly influence your efficiency, survival, and overall advancement. With only a limited number of Skill Points to start with, knowing which Skill to unlock first will reduce wasted upgrades and help keep your defenses in check. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best Skills to unlock early on in the game.
How Leveling and Skill Points Work in The Last Caretaker
At the bottom right of the menu, you will find the display for your level, the XP you have earned, and how much more XP you need to earn your next level. Practically, everything you do within The Last Caretaker generates XP, whether it is completing a major goal or undertaking a routine task such as collecting materials and refining them.
During the early hours, it is often most smart to wander around, try things out, and interact with the world until you’ve gained a few levels. Each level then grants you Skill Points which can be leveraged into a row of potential upgrades
Starting Skills You Begin With
Before you spend any Skill Points, you already have access to two essentials:
- Repair Tool – Lets you fix broken items you come across. It’s one of the basic tools the game hands you right away.
- Torch – Helps you see clearly in dim or shadowy areas while you explore.
They’re automatically unlocked, so you can use them from the moment the game begins.
Skills to Prioritize Early (Tier 2)
Once Skill Points become available, these Tier 2 picks are worth grabbing early on:
Electric Cable Extender
If you want your power lines clean and organized, this will help. It lets you connect electricity and direct it where you need to. You can attach some Lumilites to it, then connect them to your boat for more power. Recipe: 1 Plastic, 1 Iron.
Lumilite
This is one of the best improvements to make early on. After crafting a few of these, you’ll have a steady source of power whenever the sun shines. This takes a lot of pressure off your energy management while at sea. Recipe: 1 Solar Cell, 1 Connector Ports, 1 Alloy Frame.
Dismantle Tool
This device is a time saver. Instead of transporting things to a Recycler every time you want to tear something down, you can do it on the spot. When you use it just keep in mind: it drains your internal battery.
Tier 3 Skills Worth Grabbing
These don’t necessarily need to be unlocked instantly, but getting them early gives you a noticeable advantage:
Durapack
Your inventory space is limited, and once you go over the weight limit, your movement slows to a crawl. That’s where the Durapack comes in. Think of it as a portable storage box: you can stash items inside and retrieve them whenever you need them later. It’s ideal for holding onto resources you don’t have room for at the moment. Crafting one requires 2 Alloy Frames and 1 Display Screen.
Electric Pistol
A solid early defensive option. It delivers a quick electric shot that helps keep enemies under control—useful for survival as you take on your role as the Caretaker.
Recipe: 1 Battery Cell, 1 Alloy Frame, 1 Connector Ports, 1 Conduit Wiring.
Small Battery
You rely heavily on electricity to stay functional. Charging via Lumilite takes time, so a Small Battery is a convenient backup for a quick recharge.
Recipe: 1 Battery Cell, 1 Connector Ports.
Consumable Battery
Also a good pick. It restores some of your energy when used, and the best part is that you can store them and activate one instantly whenever needed.
Recipe: 1 Iron, 1 Fabric.
Whisper
Think of this as a basic wind generator. While Lumilite depends on sunlight, Whisper gives you a power source that works even when the weather isn’t cooperating. It pairs nicely with Lumilite to keep electricity flowing.
