Resource collection is one of the main aspects of gameplay in The Front. You can collect resources bare-handed or through the use of tools. You can also join a squad (G key) and work with other players to collect resources. Basic resources that you collect can be further processed into more advanced materials at workbenches. These advanced materials can be used to build structures, manufacture gear, manufacture vehicles, and deploy defenses.
Collecting with Bare Hands
When you first create a character, your tech level (O key) will be relatively low, and you won't have many resources. As a result, you won't be able to make and use tools with higher collection efficiency right off the bat, so you'll need to collect materials with your bare hands early on. You can only collect certain kinds of materials with your bare hands, such as rocks, branches, and basic plants. More advanced resources like the kind you harvest from trees and minerals can only be collected with the use of tools.
Collecting with Tools
As your character collects more basic resources and levels up, you can unlock tools in the tech interface (O key). Tools are not only more efficient, they're often the only way to collect advanced resources. Axes can chop down trees, pickaxes can collect ore, knives can harvest resources from animal carcasses, shovels can collect crude oil and sand, and sickles can collect plants.