Mining in The Forge requires the right tools to succeed, and choosing between the Magma and Arcane pickaxes can make or break your progress. Many players waste thousands of gold on the wrong pickaxe, slowing down their journey to the best gear. After testing both pickaxes extensively, the Arcane Pickaxe stands out as the superior choice for most players, offering better luck, mining speed, and value for money. In this guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about both pickaxes, their stats, how to get them, and which one deserves your hard-earned gold.
Key Takeaways
- The Arcane Pickaxe costs $125,000 and offers +50% luck, +10% mining speed, and 3 rune slots
- The Magma Pickaxe costs $150,000 with 135 mining power, +46% luck, and only 2 rune slots
- Arcane Pickaxe requires completing Bard’s Guitar quest to unlock the Fallen Angel’s Cave
- Magma Pickaxe is available directly in the Forgotten Kingdom but offers less value
- The Arcane Pickaxe is better for making money and finding rare ores
- Demonic Pickaxe is the next upgrade after Arcane, costing $500,000
| Feature | Magma Pickaxe | Arcane Pickaxe |
| Cost | $150,000 | $125,000 |
| Mining Power | 135 | 115 |
| Luck Boost | +46% | +50% |
| Mining Speed | None | +10% |
| Rune Slots | 2 | 3 |
Understanding Pickaxe Stats in The Forge
Before diving into the comparison, you need to understand what each stat means for your mining experience in The Forge. These numbers aren’t just for show—they directly impact how much money you make and how fast you progress through the game.
Mining Power determines how quickly you can break through rocks and ores. Higher numbers mean you’ll spend less time swinging your pickaxe and more time collecting valuable materials. This stat becomes crucial when you reach tougher areas where rocks have more health.
Luck Boost is perhaps the most important stat for making money. A higher luck percentage increases your chances of finding rare ores and valuable items. Even a small difference in luck can mean thousands of gold in extra earnings over time.
Mining Speed works as a multiplier to how fast you swing your pickaxe. A +10% mining speed means you’ll mine 10% faster than normal, allowing you to collect more resources in less time.
Rune Slots let you equip special runes that provide additional bonuses. More slots mean more customization options for your playstyle, whether you prefer more luck, speed, or power.
Magma Pickaxe Stats and Features?
The Magma Pickaxe sits as one of the premium options in The Forge, boasting impressive raw power that catches many players’ eyes. Found resting next to the Amber NPC within the Ashen Passage in the Forgotten Kingdom, this pickaxe demands attention with its intimidating appearance and hefty price tag of $150,000.
Here’s the complete breakdown of what you get with the Magma Pickaxe:
- Mining Power: 135 (excellent for tough rocks)
- Luck Boost: +46% (decent for finding rare ores)
- Mining Speed: No bonus (you mine at normal speed)
- Rune Slots: 2 (limited customization options)
The Magma Pickaxe truly shines when you need to break through the toughest rocks in the game. Its high mining power makes it ideal for late-game areas where rocks have massive amounts of health. If you find yourself spending too much time chipping away at volcanic rocks or other hard materials, the Magma Pickaxe can significantly speed up your mining sessions.
However, the Magma Pickaxe has some serious drawbacks. At $150,000, it’s one of the most expensive pickaxes before reaching the Demonic tier. The lack of mining speed bonus means you’ll swing at the same rate as cheaper pickaxes, and with only two rune slots, your customization options are limited compared to other options in this price range.
The Magma Pickaxe works best for players who have already completed most quests and are focusing specifically on mining the toughest materials in the game. If you’re still working through the main progression or trying to make money quickly, other options might serve you better.
Arcane Pickaxe Stats and Features?
The Arcane Pickaxe represents the sweet spot between cost and performance in The Forge, offering an impressive combination of stats that make it the preferred choice for most players. Unlike the Magma Pickaxe, you can’t just buy this one—you’ll need to complete a special quest first, but the effort is well worth the reward.
The Arcane Pickaxe comes with these impressive stats:
- Mining Power: 115 (solid for most mining needs)
- Luck Boost: +50% (excellent for finding rare ores)
- Mining Speed: +10% bonus (mines faster than normal)
- Rune Slots: 3 (great for customization)
What makes the Arcane Pickaxe special is how well-rounded it is. The +50% luck boost is higher than any other pickaxe in its price range, meaning you’ll find more valuable ores and items while mining. The additional mining speed bonus means you’ll collect resources faster than with other pickaxes, and the three rune slots give you plenty of room to customize your setup.
At $125,000, the Arcane Pickaxe costs $25,000 less than the Magma Pickaxe while offering better overall stats for most players. The combination of high luck and mining speed makes it perfect for both making money and progressing through the game efficiently.
The Arcane Pickaxe excels in almost every situation except breaking the absolute toughest rocks. For 95% of your mining needs in The Forge, this pickaxe will serve you perfectly and help you build your fortune much faster than the Magma Pickaxe would.
How to Get the Arcane Pickaxe?
Getting the Arcane Pickaxe requires completing a special quest chain, but don’t let that discourage you—the process is straightforward and the rewards are worth every minute. Here’s exactly how to unlock this powerful mining tool.
First, you need to find and speak with The Bard in Stonewake’s Cross. Head to the northeast area where you’ll find a Potions shop, and look for a small campfire nearby. The Bard sits on the floor next to this campfire, looking quite sad without his instrument.
Talk to The Bard and accept his quest to find his Lost Guitar. This is where the real adventure begins. To find the guitar, you’ll need to locate a secret cave that’s hidden in plain sight.
Enter The Cave from Stonewake’s Cross and turn left at the bottom of the slope where you’ll see Nord and Umut The Brave. Look for the second pebble along the path or the first wooden post near some greenery on the wall. Walk directly into the wall in this corner—the greenery is actually hiding a secret entrance!
Drop down into the Secret Cave and you’ll find a skeleton. The Bard’s Lost Guitar sits on the rocks just to the right of this skeleton. Pick it up and return to The Bard at the campfire.
When you return the guitar, The Bard will reward you with the Unknown Key and the Guitar Finder badge. This key is essential for accessing the Arcane Pickaxe.
Now, head back to The Cave system in Stonewake’s Cross. This time, turn right and follow the path heading east. Take the first path on the right, and you’ll come across a locked gate. Use your Unknown Key to open this gate and enter the Fallen Angel’s Cave.
At the end of the Fallen Angel’s Cave, you’ll see hands carved from stone with the Arcane Pickaxe floating in the middle. Interact with it and pay $125,000 to claim your new pickaxe. The entire process takes about 15-20 minutes if you know where to go, making it well worth the effort for such a powerful tool.
Direct Comparison: Magma vs Arcane Pickaxe?
When you’re deciding between these two pickaxes, the numbers tell a clear story. Let’s break down exactly how they compare and which situations favor each one.
The most striking difference is in value. The Arcane Pickaxe costs $25,000 less than the Magma Pickaxe while offering better luck (+50% vs +46%), a mining speed bonus (+10% vs none), and an extra rune slot (3 vs 2). The only area where the Magma Pickaxe outperforms is raw mining power (135 vs 115).
For players focused on making money and finding rare ores, the Arcane Pickaxe is clearly superior. The higher luck boost means you’ll find more valuable ores, and the mining speed bonus lets you collect them faster. Over time, these advantages add up to significantly more gold in your pocket.
The Magma Pickaxe only becomes relevant in very specific situations: when you’re consistently mining the toughest rocks in the game that require high mining power to break efficiently. However, even in these cases, the difference isn’t as dramatic as you might think—most rocks that the Magma Pickaxe can break faster can still be mined effectively with the Arcane Pickaxe.
Another important consideration is progression. The Arcane Pickaxe serves as an excellent bridge to the Demonic Pickaxe, the next tier up. By saving $25,000 with the Arcane Pickaxe, you’ll reach the $500,000 needed for the Demonic Pickaxe much faster than if you had purchased the Magma Pickaxe.
| Factor | Winner | Reason |
| Value for Money | Arcane | Costs $25,000 less with better stats |
| Money Making | Arcane | Higher luck and mining speed |
| Tough Rock Mining | Magma | Higher mining power |
| Customization | Arcane | 3 rune slots vs 2 |
| Overall Progression | Arcane | Better path to Demonic Pickaxe |
For 95% of players, the Arcane Pickaxe is the clear choice. Only invest in the Magma Pickaxe if you have specific needs for breaking the toughest rocks and already have plenty of gold to spare.
What’s the Next Pickaxe After Arcane?
Once you’ve mastered the Arcane Pickaxe and built up your fortune, you might wonder what comes next in your mining journey. The answer is the Demonic Pickaxe, the ultimate mining tool in The Forge.
The Demonic Pickaxe represents the pinnacle of mining power with these incredible stats:
- Mining Power: 175 (destroys any rock instantly)
- Luck Boost: +47.5% (excellent for rare finds)
- Mining Speed: -15% (actually slower than normal)
- Rune Slots: 3 (same as Arcane)
- Cost: $500,000 (requires significant grinding)
At $500,000, the Demonic Pickaxe is a massive investment that requires serious dedication to acquire. However, its raw power is unmatched—no rock in the game can withstand more than a few hits from this beast of a tool.
Getting the Demonic Pickaxe is more challenging than simply having enough gold. It’s located in the northeastern section of the Volcanic Depths in the Forgotten Kingdom, behind a glowing locked door. There are two known methods to get inside:
- Be of the Demon race and use the dash capabilities to spam jump through the door
- Place your portal partway through the door and use jump/dash/roll techniques to glitch through
The Demonic Pickaxe is best suited for end-game players who have already acquired everything else they need and are looking to maximize their mining efficiency. While it offers incredible power, the $500,000 price tag and the negative mining speed make it a questionable upgrade for players who are still working on building their fortune.
For most players, the Arcane Pickaxe remains the sweet spot between cost and performance, offering the best balance for making money and progressing through the game. Only consider upgrading to the Demonic Pickaxe once you’ve mastered everything else The Forge has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pickaxe gives more luck in The Forge?
The Arcane Pickaxe provides the highest luck boost at +50%, making it the best choice for players who want to find rare ores and valuable items. While the Game Rant tier list incorrectly lists it at +100%, actual in-game testing confirms it’s +50%, which is still higher than the Magma Pickaxe’s +46%. This extra 4% might not sound like much, but over hundreds of mining sessions, it adds up to significantly more valuable finds and higher earnings.
Is the Magma Pickaxe worth the extra cost?
For most players, the Magma Pickaxe is not worth the extra $25,000. While it offers higher mining power (135 vs 115), this advantage only matters when breaking the toughest rocks in the game. The Arcane Pickaxe provides better luck, mining speed, and an extra rune slot for less money. Unless you specifically need the extra mining power for end-game content, you’re better off saving your gold for the Demonic Pickaxe or other upgrades.
Can I get both pickaxes in The Forge?
Yes, you can own both the Magma and Arcane Pickaxes in The Forge. There’s no restriction preventing you from purchasing both, and some players do this to have the right tool for different situations. However, given the significant cost ($275,000 total) and the fact that the Arcane Pickaxe handles most mining needs perfectly well, most players find it more efficient to save their gold for other important upgrades like better armor, weapons, or working toward the Demonic Pickaxe.
How long does it take to complete Bard’s Guitar quest?
The Bard’s Guitar quest typically takes 15-20 minutes to complete if you know where to go. Most of this time is spent traveling to the secret cave location and back. The actual quest is straightforward—find the guitar in the hidden cave and return it to The Bard. Once you’ve completed it once, you could do it again in under 10 minutes. This relatively small time investment makes the Arcane Pickaxe well worth the effort compared to simply buying the more expensive Magma Pickaxe.
What’s the best pickaxe for making money in The Forge?
The Arcane Pickaxe is the best tool for making money in The Forge. Its combination of +50% luck and +10% mining speed means you’ll find more valuable ores and collect them faster than with any other pickaxe in its price range. While the Demonic Pickaxe offers higher mining power, its $500,000 price tag and negative mining speed make it less efficient for pure money making. The Arcane Pickaxe strikes the perfect balance between cost and performance for players focused on building their fortune.
Conclusion
After thoroughly testing both the Magma and Arcane Pickaxes in The Forge, the choice becomes clear for most players. The Arcane Pickaxe offers better value, superior stats for money making, and serves as an excellent stepping stone toward the Demonic Pickaxe. While the Magma Pickaxe has its place for specific high-power mining needs, the $25,000 savings and better overall performance make the Arcane Pickaxe the smart choice for 95% of players.
Remember that getting the Arcane Pickaxe requires completing Bard’s Guitar quest, but this 15-20 minute investment pays off tremendously in the long run. The Unknown Key you receive unlocks access to not just the Arcane Pickaxe but also the Fallen Angel’s Cave area, which may contain other valuable resources and secrets.
As you continue your journey in The Forge, focus on building your gold reserves with the Arcane Pickaxe, and you’ll reach the Demonic Pickaxe much faster than if you had wasted money on the Magma Pickaxe. Smart equipment choices like this are what separate successful players from those who struggle to progress.
