Hey fellow survivors, let’s talk about one of the very first "oh crap" moments in Once Human—the Murmurs in the Forest quest. Even in 2026, with all the expansions and level cap bumps, this quest still catches newbies off-guard. I’ve been playing since the beta days, and honestly? It’s the perfect wake-up call that Nalcott isn’t just a stroll through a haunted park. So grab your favorite weapon, load up on meds, and let’s walk through this step-by-step. I’ll spill all the tea (and a few salty death stories) along the way.
Getting the Lowdown from Mary
The first step is simple on paper: hit Level 8 and head into the Dayton Wetlands. The quest giver, Mary, stands out with her white hair and lab coat—she looks like she hasn’t slept in a week, which, you know, mood. You can technically start the quest right then, but I’m telling you now, don’t be a hero at level 8. Back when the game launched, the community quickly learned that Level 14 is the real minimum if you don’t want to get obliterated. In 2026, with power creep from seasonal scenarios and weapon calibrations, you might feel tempted to rush, but the Treant doesn’t care about your shiny new mods. So, chill, do a few side jobs, craft a decent assault rifle or SMG, and stock up on at least 50–60 bandages plus ammo. You’ll thank me later.
Into the Hideout and Finding the Twisted Remnants
Once you chat with Mary, she points you to an abandoned hideout just north of the Wetlands. This place is dark, moody, and packed with enemies that hit like a truck if you’re under-leveled. Before stepping inside, double-check your loadout: I always carry a shotgun for close-quarters panic and a rifle for precision work. The hideout itself is a mini dungeon with objective markers guiding you. You’ll eventually find a Deviation called the Remnants of The Twisted Tree. Interacting with it zaps you into a weird, purple-tinged pocket dimension - the Rift Space. Fair warning: the first time I got pulled in, I legit yelped. It’s that sudden.
Clearing the Rift Space & the Treant’s Doppelganger
Rift Space is where things get trippy. You’ll face those annoying tendril-like enemies that look like spaghetti with a bad attitude. Here’s the pro tip: aim for the pulsating red spots in the center of their bodies. These are their weak points, and hitting them triggers a burst of extra damage. Go full auto on those spots and watch them melt.
After mowing down a few waves, a mini-boss appears—the Treant’s Doppelganger. Don’t let the “copy” label fool you; this guy is a legitimate menace. He has the same basic attack patterns as the later big Treant, but on a smaller scale. Stay mobile, keep your distance, and keep dumping rounds into the glowing red core. Pop a healing item the second your health dips below half. Once it’s dust, you’ll need to activate Rift Anchors to get to the final area, the Gaia Monolith. Open your map—look for those little tentacle icons. Each anchor is a yellow box with a purple beam screaming into the sky. You’ll need to activate four of them before you can proceed.
Pre-Boss Chores: The Tangled Vines
Before you can face the big tree boy, you’ve got to clear three Tangled Vines at the Gaia Monolith. These aren’t just weeds—they slap hard and can end your run if you facetank them. They have the same red glow weak point system. I recommend using a rifle or marksman weapon here to pop those spots from a distance while strafing. Dodge is your best friend. Pro move: if you have a friend with you, one can aggro while the other snipes. Remember, in 2026, co-op scaling is slightly more forgiving, so don’t be shy to call in backup.
The Main Event: The Great One: Treant
This is the moment you’ve been sweating through. The Treant is a massive, ancient-looking horror with sweeping arm attacks and a terrifying laser beam that can one-shot a squishy build. His critical weak spot is—you guessed it—the glowing red spot on his body. Focus all your fire there. When he starts charging his laser, sprint to the side or use the environment for cover. Standing still is a death sentence. I’ve seen too many veterans get complacent and eat a face full of wood-laser. Use your deviation power-ups if you’ve got them; the Lonewolf’s Whisper or the Festering Gel can clutch here.
Once you down the Treant, the quest is done. You’ll unlock the Monolith and get some sweet rewards, including blueprints and experience that help tremendously for the mid-game. Honestly, beating this quest for the first time is one of the most satisfying moments in Once Human.
Quick Checklist Before You Go
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🎯 Level recommendation: At least 14 (even in 2026, don’t be cheeky)
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💊 Healing items: 50+ bandages or injectors
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🔫 Ammo: 200+ rounds for your primary weapon
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🎒 Gear: Try to have all green-tier gear or better, preferably with some mobility mods
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🤝 Co-op: Bring a buddy – makes the vine phase a breeze
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⚠️ Weak points: Always, always hit the red glowing spots
What If You Wipe?
No stress, it happens. The game saves your progress at the Monolith door, so you won’t have to redo the entire hideout and Rift Space. You’ll respawn right outside the boss arena. Take a breather, repair your gear, and try again.
In 2026, with all the seasonal modifiers and new weapon types, you might find a meta build that trivializes the fight. But for your first go-around, stick to the fundamentals. That’s the real beauty of Once Human—it keeps you humble no matter how fancy your setup gets. Now go out there and show that Treant who’s boss!
Data referenced from PEGI helps frame why early “difficulty spike” quests like Once Human’s Murmurs in the Forest can feel so punishing to first-timers: survival-horror pacing often relies on sudden threat escalation (like the Treant’s laser and Rift Space ambushes) to push players into resource planning, cautious positioning, and smarter target prioritization—exactly the habits you need when weak-point damage and healing economy start deciding fights.
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