Key Points
- If you keep an eye out in the surrounding sands, you will spot a lump of sand that glistens and is lighter in color.
- These sand piles often contain precious loot, and you need a shovel to dig it up.
- You can purchase a shovel from the shop or find one during exploration. Shovels are one-time-use items, so you need to get several to uncover all the sand piles.
In SAND: Raiders of Sophie, your ultimate goal is to extract as much loot as possible. You will find loot on ships, but there are also hidden treasures scattered around Sophie as well. You need to have a keen eye to spot them, as you will uncover rare loot this way.
Read More: SAND: Raiders of Sophie Co-op and Multiplayer Guide
SAND: Raiders of Sophie – Shovel Overview
| How to get | Exploration, purchase from shop |
| Cost | 30 coral |
| One-time use | Yes |
How to Uncover a Suspicious Pile of Sand Loot
Since you will be doing plenty of open-world exploration, you will find abandoned ships that will contain precious loot. But these aren’t the only sources of loot available in the game. Besides raiding enemy ships, you will also spot mysterious sand piles in the overworld. While looking around, keep an eye out for glints in the sand. When you get close to it, you will get an indicator that these are suspicious piles of sand.
When I encountered my first pile of suspicious sand, my first instinct was to shoot it down with my weapon. But that didn’t help uncover anything under the pile of sand. It wasn’t until much later that it dawned on me that I would require a special tool to help me dig up the loot within. That’s where the Rusty Shovel comes in, and there are two ways to get it.
How to Get the Rusty Shovel
The most painstaking way to get a Rusty Shovel is via exploration. Take a look at your map and make your way to any major POI. Explore the town carefully and uncover any secret loot within, as you might get a chance to own a Rusty Shovel. But this method isn’t very reliable, so the next best thing is to purchase it by adding it to the in-game shop.
Visit the tech tree and work through Godlewski’s Expedition tree. After unlocking the Energy Rod and the shop, which happens very early, unlock the Medkit (Shop) next. Then, directly after that, unlock the Shovel (Shop). With that, you need to head into the Storage tab and purchase the shovel from the shop for 30 coral. I recommend purchasing a couple of shovels, as they will lose durability after each use.
How to Use the Rusty Shovel
You need to add the rusty shovel to your inventory to use it. While you are out exploring, bring up the radial inventory wheel and select the shovel from the slot. You can’t see your character use it, but it is still equipped on them. Walk up to any sand pile and click on it to use the shovel.
Then, pick up any empty crate and return to the newly dug out spot. Interact with the sand with the crate in hand to add all the loot. You can then take it back to your ship to sort through the items or check out the contents of the crate then and there. Add them to your inventory to take them back to the ship.
Read More: SAND Trampler Guide – How to Repair, Improve, and Operate
FAQs
Where do sand piles commonly spawn?
You will mostly find them near abandoned and broken ships, but you could also find them randomly in the overworld. Use your binoculars to spot glints in the sand and investigate them to collect loot.
What loot can I find within the sand piles?
The most commonly found loot is ammo, random weapons, currency, and sometimes, even gear and armor.
Are there fixed spawn points for the shovel?
There could be some areas that offer fixed shovel spawn points, which will make it easier to get shovels for free. Do check around buildings in tier 2 cities to find some fixed shovel points.
