If you want to make real progress in The Forge, you need the right pickaxe. While weapons help you defeat enemies, your pickaxe determines how fast you can mine valuable resources, earn money, and get rare ores. This guide will show you the best pickaxe progression path from early game to late game, helping you choose the right tool for each stage of your journey.
Key Takeaways
- The best pickaxe progression in The Forge is: Stonewake’s Pickaxe → Mythril Pickaxe → Arcane Pickaxe → Demonic Pickaxe
- Each pickaxe offers different stats including Mine Power, Mining Speed, Luck Boost, and Rune Slots
- Early game: Start with Stonewake’s Pickaxe ($3333) found in Inner Cave at Stonewake’s Cross
- Mid game: Upgrade to Mythril Pickaxe ($67,500) from Miner Fred’s Shop in Forgotten Kingdom
- Late game: Choose between Arcane Pickaxe ($125,000) from Fallen Angel’s Cave or Demonic Pickaxe ($500,000) from Volcanic Depths
- Pickaxes with more Rune Slots allow for better customization and efficiency in late game
Why Pickaxe Progression Matters in The Forge
In The Forge, your pickaxe is just as important as your weapons. Without a good pickaxe, you can’t access valuable resources that help you craft better gear and progress through the game. Each pickaxe upgrade allows you to mine faster, access new areas, and find rarer ores.
The right pickaxe progression helps you:
- Mine resources faster
- Access new areas with tougher rocks
- Find rarer ores more frequently
- Earn money more efficiently
- Complete quests that require specific mining capabilities
Best Early Game Pickaxe: Stonewake’s Pickaxe
When you first start playing The Forge, you’ll get an Iron Pickaxe during the tutorial. This basic tool is fine for completing initial quests from Sensei Moro, but you’ll want to upgrade quickly.
Stonewake’s Pickaxe is the best early game choice with these stats:
- Mine Power: 33
- Mining Speed: -30%
- Luck Boost: +10%
- Rune Slots: 1
- Cost: $3333
You can find the Stonewake’s Pickaxe in the Inner Cave at the center inside a boulder at Stonewake’s Cross. While it has a negative mining speed modifier, its Mine Power is sufficient for breaking early rocks and boulders quickly.
The main advantage of getting this pickaxe first is that it allows you to farm in the Forgotten Kingdom’s Ruined Cave, where you can find legendary items before even getting a mid-game pickaxe.
Best Mid Game Pickaxe: Mythril Pickaxe
After farming with the Stonewake’s Pickaxe for a while, you’ll need an upgrade to access Basalt Veins and rarer ores. The Mythril Pickaxe is the perfect mid-game tool with these stats:
- Mine Power: 80
- Luck Boost: +55%
- Rune Slots: 2
- Cost: $67,500
The Mythril Pickaxe is the first pickaxe that can break Basalt Veins, making it essential for mid-game progression. Its impressive 55% luck boost significantly increases your chances of finding rare ores while mining.
You can purchase the Mythril Pickaxe from Miner Fred’s Shop in the Forgotten Kingdom. If you’re short on cash, consider using The Forge codes to get some totems or buy potions to help you farm faster.
Best Late Game Pickaxes: Arcane vs. Demonic
When you reach the late game, you’ll have two excellent pickaxe options. Both are powerful, but they have different strengths that might suit different playstyles.
Arcane Pickaxe
The Arcane Pickaxe is one of the best all-around pickaxes in The Forge with these stats:
- Mine Power: 115
- Mining Speed: +10%
- Luck Boost: +50%
- Rune Slots: 3
- Cost: $125,000
What makes the Arcane Pickaxe special is its balanced stats and three rune slots. Unlike weapons and armor, pickaxes cannot be upgraded, so having three rune slots allows you to customize your mining efficiency significantly.
You can get the Arcane Pickaxe in the Fallen Angel’s Cave at Stonewake’s Cross, but you’ll need to complete the Bard’s Guitar quest first to unlock the area.
Demonic Pickaxe
For players who prioritize raw power, the Demonic Pickaxe is the ultimate choice with these stats:
- Mine Power: 175
- Luck Boost: +47.5%
- Rune Slots: 3
- Cost: $500,000
The Demonic Pickaxe has the highest Mine Power in the game, allowing you to break even the toughest rocks in seconds. While its luck boost is slightly lower than the Arcane Pickaxe, its raw mining capability is unmatched.
To get the Demonic Pickaxe, you need to unlock the Demonic Pickaxe Altar inside the Volcanic Depths. It’s the most expensive pickaxe in the game, but its power justifies the cost for serious miners.
Complete Pickaxe Progression Comparison
| Pickaxe | Mine Power | Mining Speed | Luck Boost | Rune Slots | Cost | Location |
| Stonewake’s Pickaxe | 33 | -30% | +10% | 1 | $3,333 | Inner Cave at Stonewake’s Cross |
| Mythril Pickaxe | 80 | N/A | +55% | 2 | $67,500 | Miner Fred’s Shop (Forgotten Kingdom) |
| Arcane Pickaxe | 115 | +10% | +50% | 3 | $125,000 | Fallen Angel’s Cave (Stonewake’s Cross) |
| Demonic Pickaxe | 175 | N/A | +47.5% | 3 | $500,000 | Demonic Pickaxe Altar (Volcanic Depths) |
Tips for Efficient Pickaxe Progression
To make the most of your pickaxe progression in The Forge, follow these tips:
- Save money early: Focus on earning enough to quickly get the Stonewake’s Pickaxe, as it will significantly improve your mining efficiency.
- Complete quests: Many quests in The Forge reward you with money that can be used toward pickaxe upgrades.
- Use codes strategically: The Forge codes can provide you with totems and potions that help you farm resources faster.
- Balance your spending: While it’s tempting to spend all your money on weapons, remember that a better pickaxe will help you earn more money in the long run.
- Consider rune optimization: Once you have a pickaxe with multiple rune slots, experiment with different rune combinations to maximize your mining efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when to upgrade my pickaxe in The Forge?
You should upgrade your pickaxe when you find yourself unable to mine certain rocks or veins, or when mining becomes too slow for efficient resource gathering. Typically, you’ll know it’s time to upgrade when you’ve completed all available quests in your current area and need to progress to tougher zones with more valuable resources.
What’s the fastest way to earn money for pickaxe upgrades in The Forge?
The fastest way to earn money for pickaxe upgrades is to focus on mining high-value ores in areas accessible with your current pickaxe. Completing quests also provides good money rewards. Additionally, using The Forge codes can give you totems and potions that boost your resource gathering efficiency. Once you have the Stonewake’s Pickaxe, farming in the Forgotten Kingdom’s Ruined Cave can yield legendary items that sell for good money.
Do pickaxe rune slots matter in the late game?
Yes, pickaxe rune slots are extremely important in the late game. Since pickaxes cannot be upgraded like weapons and armor, having more rune slots allows you to customize your pickaxe’s abilities to suit your mining needs. With three rune slots on late-game pickaxes like the Arcane and Demonic, you can significantly boost mining speed, luck, or power to maximize your efficiency.
Can I skip pickaxes in the progression path?
While it’s technically possible to save money and skip a pickaxe in the progression path, it’s not recommended. Each pickaxe in the progression serves a specific purpose and unlocks access to new areas and resources. Skipping a pickaxe will make your progression significantly slower and more difficult, as you’ll struggle to mine resources efficiently in areas designed for the pickaxe you skipped.
Which is better overall: Arcane Pickaxe or Demonic Pickaxe?
The choice between Arcane and Demonic Pickaxe depends on your playstyle. The Arcane Pickaxe offers more balanced stats with a good mining speed bonus and higher luck boost, making it better for finding rare ores. The Demonic Pickaxe has superior raw power that allows you to break the toughest rocks quickly, which is ideal if you prioritize speed over luck. Both have three rune slots for customization, so consider whether you value balanced stats or raw mining power more.
How do I unlock the Fallen Angel’s Cave for the Arcane Pickaxe?
To unlock the Fallen Angel’s Cave where the Arcane Pickaxe is located, you need to complete the Bard’s Guitar quest. This quest will reward you with the Unknown Key, which unlocks the gate in Stonewake’s Cave that leads to the Fallen Angel’s Cave. The Bard’s Guitar quest involves finding and returning a lost guitar to the Bard character, so look for this NPC in the game world to start the quest.
What’s the best way to reach the Volcanic Depths for the Demonic Pickaxe?
Reaching the Volcanic Depths requires significant progression in The Forge. You’ll need a powerful pickaxe (at least Mythril or better) to break through the rocks blocking the path. The Volcanic Depths is a dangerous area with tough enemies, so make sure you have good weapons and armor before attempting to reach it. Once there, look for the Demonic Pickaxe Altar where you can purchase the Demonic Pickaxe for $500,000.
In conclusion, following the right pickaxe progression in The Forge is essential for efficient resource gathering and overall game progression. Start with the Stonewake’s Pickaxe, upgrade to the Mythril Pickaxe when you can, and then choose between the Arcane and Demonic Pickaxes based on your playstyle preferences. With the right pickaxe at each stage, you’ll be able to mine resources faster, access new areas, and find rarer ores to craft the best gear in the game.
