Trading & Bartering

Learn how to trade with Sutherland, the elusive Trader in Blackfrost: The Long Dark II. Discover his arrival times, radio locations, and tips for successful bartering.

Hey there! So, you've heard about the Trader, huh? He's a pretty unique character in Blackfrost: The Long Dark II, and a great way to get your hands on some rare gear. Think of him as your go-to guy for stuff you just can't find lying around. He's part of the 'Tales from the Far Territory' expansion, so make sure you've got that installed to even see him. When Does He Show Up? Sutherland, as he's known, only pops up when there's an Aurora going on. You can't just call him anytime. He'll also only appear after a certain number of days have passed in your game, and this varies depending on how tough you like your survival experience: * Pilgrim: You'll need to survive for 15 days. * Voyageur: Wait for 20 days. * Stalker: He'll show up after 30 days. * Interloper / Misery: This is the long haul, 40 days. He's been busy fixing his radio, which is why he takes so long to show up. Patience is key! How to Contact Him Forget your regular walkie-talkie. You need to find these special yellow Radios with a microphone and antenna. They're fixed in certain spots across Great Bear Island (and other areas too, like Blackrock, Bleak Inlet, Broken Railroad, Coastal Highway, Forsaken Airfield, Mountain Town, Mystery Lake, and Pleasant Valley). You can't move them, so you'll have to go to them. * Important: The radio needs to be powered up during an Aurora (or Glimmer Fog in the Far Territory). If you see 'Trader Unavailable,' it means you haven't hit the day count yet, or he's busy delivering your last trade. A good sign he's around? You'll hear him shouting when the radio is on! Where to Find the Radios: * Blackrock: Blackrock Prison (Guard Barracks) * Bleak Inlet: Last Resort Cannery (White Trailer) * Broken Railroad: Maintenance Yard (Outdoor Office) * Coastal Highway: Quonset Garage * Forsaken Airfield: Terminal * Mountain Town: Milton Post Office * Mystery Lake: Camp Office * Pleasant Valley: Community Hall Trading Basics Once you've got him on the line, he'll offer you rare items. But here's the catch: you gotta pay up. He'll tell you what he wants, and you need to drop those items in the Trade Drop Box on Misanthrope's Island (specifically at Misanthrope's Homestead in Coastal Highway). He's a bit shy and stays out at sea on his sailboat, only coming close enough to do the exchange. He never actually sets foot on Great Bear Island. Building Trust This is crucial! The more you trade with him, the more trust you build. This unlocks better items and special requests. Be careful though, doing certain things can lose you trust. Keep an eye on your Trust level, as it affects what he's willing to offer. Special Requests Sometimes, Sutherland will have specific requests for items. Fulfilling these can really boost your trust and might get you some unique rewards. Keep your eyes peeled for these opportunities. His Inventory His inventory changes. There are normal trades, where he'll offer common items for other common items, and then there are special trade items that are much rarer and more valuable. You'll need to build up your trust to access the really good stuff. A Word of Caution Remember, the Trader is DLC-exclusive content. If you don't have the 'Tales from the Far Territory' addon, you won't be able to interact with him at all. Also, if you're not feeling the trading vibe, you can disable him before starting a new survival game. Just look for the 'Enable/Disable Trader' option when you're setting up your game.