has anyone started without an axe?
When you start Autonauts for the very first time, you can pick up a stick from the ground and pick up a stone from the ground. You will be given the options to make a crude axe or make a crude shovel. Choose to make one of those. Then, pick up a second stick and a second stone and make the other crude tool. You can use the crude axe to chop down pine trees, which will give you a log and some tree seeds. Use the crude shovel to dig holes in the ground and plant the tree seeds. Use the crude axe to chop the log into some planks and use the crude axe to chop the planks into poles. Repeat this a few times to get several more logs, planks, and poles. Press the E key to view the list of Equipment (buildings, etc.) that you can build. You should eventually make most or all of the buildings. Some of the buildings can be used to build bots. One you have built some bots, you can train them to do all of the tasks of the game. Have fun.