Looking for the Heart of the Island in The Forge? You’re not alone! This rare relic rarity ore is one of the most sought-after items in the game, and for good reason. With its incredible 18.5x multiplier and powerful combat bonuses, it’s the ultimate material for crafting endgame armor. But finding it isn’t easy – you’ll need to complete specific quests, have the right equipment, and get very lucky with a 1 in 123,456 drop chance.
Key Takeaways
- Heart of the Island spawns only in Raven Cave (requires Raven Quest completion)
- You need a 650 mining power pickaxe minimum – Prismatic Pickaxe recommended
- Drop chance is extremely rare: 1 in 123,456 when mining the rock
- Best used for forge armor rather than selling (base value $346)
- Provides Health boost (+15%), Physical Damage (+25%), and Movement Speed (+25%) when HP drops below 35%
Where to Find Heart of the Island in The Forge?
The Heart of the Island rock spawns exclusively in the Raven Cave, which is part of the Crimson Depths area in the Frostspire Expanse. But you can’t just walk in there – you need to earn access first.
To reach Raven Cave, you must complete the first two stages of the Raven Quest chain. This questline becomes available after you reach level 70 and unlock the Frostspire Expanse. The Raven moves between locations after each quest, so you’ll need to follow the quest markers carefully.
Once you complete Raven Quest 2, you’ll receive the Red Cave Key, which unlocks the entrance to Raven Cave. You’ll find this cave behind the forging station in Frostspire Expanse – look for a big stone door that was previously locked.
Inside Raven Cave, the Heart of the Island rock spawns randomly as a rare occurrence. You might not find it on every visit, so patience is key. Many experienced players recommend creating a private server and rejoining repeatedly until the rock appears.
What Pickaxe Do You Need to Mine Heart of the Island?
Mining the Heart of the Island rock is no joke – it has a massive 32,500 HP durability! You’ll need serious equipment to break it successfully.
The minimum requirement is a 650 mining power pickaxe. Anything less won’t even make a dent in this tough rock. Here are your best options:
- Prismatic Pickaxe (highly recommended): Offers 72% Luck boost, significantly increasing your chances
- Lightite Pickaxe: Meets the minimum requirement
- Arcane Pickaxe: Another viable option for the 650+ threshold
The Prismatic Pickaxe is your best bet because the Luck boost directly affects your chances of getting the ore drop. While it might be harder to obtain, it’s worth the investment for serious Heart of the Island hunters.
Pro tip: Make sure your pickaxe is fully repaired before attempting to mine. Breaking a Heart of the Island rock takes time, and you don’t want your tool to break midway through the process.
How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Heart of the Island?
With such incredibly low odds (1 in 123,456), you’ll want every advantage possible. Here are proven strategies to boost your chances:
Race Selection Matters
Choose either the Dwarf or Angel race for their mining luck bonuses. These races provide passive luck increases that can make a real difference when hunting for rare ores like Heart of the Island.
Use The Forge Codes
Don’t forget to redeem The Forge codes for free rerolls. These can help you get better races and stats that improve your mining luck. Check our comprehensive The Forge progression guide for more tips on reaching endgame quickly.
Private Server Strategy
Many successful hunters use private servers to reset the Raven Cave repeatedly. Since the rock spawn is random, this allows you to check multiple instances without waiting for natural respawns.
Break Red Ice Crystals
Some players report that breaking the Red Ice Crystals around the cave can help trigger the spawn of the Heart of the Island rock. While not guaranteed, it’s worth trying if you’re having trouble finding one.
What Are the Uses and Stats of Heart of the Island?
Once you finally obtain this precious ore, what should you do with it? The Heart of the Island offers some of the best stats in the game:
Base Statistics:
- 18.5x multiplier – among the highest in The Forge
- Relic rarity classification
- Base sale value of $346 (but don’t sell it!)
Combat Bonuses (when used in armor):
- Health boost of +15% when your HP drops below 35%
- Physical Damage increase of +25% during the same condition
- Movement Speed bonus of +25% for 8 seconds when triggered
These bonuses make Heart of the Island perfect for forge armor rather than weapon recipes. The conditional bonuses activate precisely when you need them most – during tough fights when your health is low.
The Stolen Heart ore can also drop from the same rock, making it even more valuable to fully mine rather than stopping halfway through.
Common Mistakes When Mining Heart of the Island?
Many players make avoidable errors when hunting for Heart of the Island. Learn from these common mistakes:
Not Checking Rock Contents
Before fully committing to mining, check if the rock will actually yield valuable ores. Some experienced players recommend mining about halfway to see what you’ll get, then deciding whether to continue.
Using the Wrong Pickaxe
Don’t waste time trying to mine with equipment below 650 mining power. You’ll just damage your pickaxe without making progress.
Ignoring Race Bonuses
Playing without the Dwarf or Angel race means missing out on crucial luck bonuses that could be the difference between success and failure.
Wasting Time on Decoration Rocks
Some rocks in Raven Cave are just decorations. Learn to identify the real Heart of the Island rocks – they have a distinctive appearance with red energy emanating from them.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Where exactly does the Heart of the Island rock spawn in Raven Cave?
The Heart of the Island rock can spawn anywhere within Raven Cave, but experienced players report seeing it most often in the deeper sections of the cave. It appears as a large rock with red crystal formations and distinctive energy particles. Since spawn locations are random, you’ll need to explore the entire cave thoroughly during each visit.
Can you get Heart of the Island without completing the Raven Quest?
No, you must complete at least the first two Raven Quests to access Raven Cave where the Heart of the Island spawns. The quest chain starts at level 70 in the Frostspire Expanse. Without completing these quests, the entrance to Raven Cave remains locked behind the stone door near the forging station.
Is it better to sell or use Heart of the Island for crafting?
Always use Heart of the Island for crafting armor rather than selling it. While the base sale price is $346, its true value comes from the 18.5x multiplier and combat bonuses when used in armor recipes. The conditional Health boost, Physical Damage, and Movement Speed bonuses are far more valuable than the gold you’d get from selling.
How long does it take to mine a Heart of the Island rock?
With a proper 650+ mining power pickaxe, mining a Heart of the Island rock typically takes 3-5 minutes of continuous mining. The rock has 32,500 HP durability, so make sure your pickaxe is fully repaired before starting. Using a Prismatic Pickaxe can speed up the process slightly due to its enhanced stats.
What’s the difference between Heart of the Island and Stolen Heart?
Heart of the Island is the primary ore with 18.5x multiplier and combat bonuses, while Stolen Heart is a secondary, even rarer ore that can also drop from the same rock. Both are valuable, but Heart of the Island is generally preferred for armor crafting due to its superior stats and more reliable availability.
