Pickaxes

[lamc999]

I've been looking for huts for 12 days in the game and I've only found 4 of them. None of them had a pickaxe. I already have access to iron but I can't collect it.

I don't like a game where my effort and tenacity don't matter. Only luck matters in this game.

[Mrs-D]

I know the pain all to well, I am having the same issue found loads of Iron deposits but only found a couple of lumps on the floor which does not give enough to make the pickaxe to mine more, also have only found a couple of huts. Starting to get fed up of this game now.

[BaronVC]

The iron boulders inside the caves often have loose iron ore located around them. One large cave often contains more than enough loose pieces to make a pickaxe. If you're having trouble finding them in the caves, use a torch to see better, as they do not highlight the same as above ground.

[lamc999]

Originally posted by BaronVC:

The iron boulders inside the caves often have loose iron ore located around them. One large cave often contains more than enough loose pieces to make a pickaxe. If you're having trouble finding them in the caves, use a torch to see better, as they do not highlight the same as above ground.

Thanks!

[Salvatos]

If you find several axes but no pickaxes, just take them apart, reheat the heads in the fire pit and reforge them into mild steel chunks, then other tools.

[WindyBlod]

From my experience it appears that the cabin locations are set when the map is generated but the contents are only generated when you discover one.

Little tip - if you have a save just before finding a cabin, reload and keep visiting it until it has what you want ;)

[River]

Can anyone tell me how many iron ore I need to collect to make the 2 wrought iron for the pickaxe? I am a long way from home and don't want to return until I have enough.

[Exarduffman]

You need 10 steel chunks to make the pickaxe.

[ev1510N]

apart from the randomness of caves, there is more than enough iron to get started. you can even find some outside (rarely). pickaxe in cabin is just a bonus

[River]

With a lot more reading I did figure out that I need 10 pieces. So far I have 5. I found a cave that has 11 but just inside the entrance another path crosses where the floor of one and the roof of the other intersect creating a deep drop-off. I tried the stockpile trick but it didn't lift me high enough. I will be trying other ideas, I just need to return with some supplies in my pockets!

[EN16M471C]

Originally posted by River:

I found a cave that has 11 but just inside the entrance another path crosses where the floor of one and the roof of the other intersect creating a deep drop-off. I tried the stockpile trick but it didn't lift me high enough. I will be trying other ideas, I just need to return with some supplies in my pockets!

You can always try fidling around with stone floor. You just neeed to find the right angle and shape:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3462868619
As you can see, the little gap that remained can easily be covered with long stick stockpile.

[River]

Thank you EN16M471C I will try that to get accross and explore the upper cave. Do you have any tricks to get out of the hole? That's where all the iron is! I am going to try the small shelter with the sloped roof and use it as a ramp.

[EN16M471C]

Originally posted by River:

Do you have any tricks to get out of the hole? That's where all the iron is! I am going to try the small shelter with the sloped roof and use it as a ramp.

Unfortunately, no. I've tried building short stick stockpile and simple shelter with 4 medium poles. Thing is, for some reason you're unable to build cross beams in a cave. Had to reload an earlier save to get out.

Only thing I haven't tried is building a full stockpile of short sticks and, let's say a half stockpile of large stones making a makeshift staircase.

[River]

About a year ago (when I last played) there was a post with step by step instructions with a few different strategies. I thought it had been pinned but I can't find it now. I'm still looking for it.

[EN16M471C]

Ok, yeah you can build sticks+large stones stockpile and make it back up.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3463405670

[River]

I found it! It's under Guides. Salvatos's Guides "Terraforming for the shovel enthusiast"

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3352589235

I hope I posted the link correctly! Lots of info. You need to scroll down a ways to find the cave tips.