SKull Cavern strategy

[DJCaseyD]

Does anyone have a strategy for getting further in the Skull Caverns? Yesterday, I got further than normal. I bough a bunch of rock and made stairs. I immediately started using the stairs and got down to 25 or so. I then started using the mega bombs. Eventually, by 2am I got to level 99. I just have no idea how people are getting to 150, 200, 400..This was on the really lucky day and I had spicy eel. I got a lot of iridium and such but I'd like to go further down.

[Black Mambo № 5]

Your strategy is pretty much in-line with what most of us use to get down the cavern rather quickly. Basically you need not worry or bother with any level until you reach level 200 AT THE VERY LEAST.

Here is my reply to a similar thread that was created:

Originally posted by Black Mambo № 5:

Bring at least 30 stacks of 999 stones with you. That way you can theoretically craft 270(±) something stairs.

- Bring AT LEAST the Lava Katana or the Galaxy Sword, some 200-250 (black)bombs or mega bombs. (I prefer mega bombs because "greater radius").
- Bring any food item that restores HP decently, at least 150(or more).
- Bring rings that may help you avoid monsters and / or get more loot, etc. (I prefer Slime Charmer Ring + Iridium Band).
- Skip out on all the tools, may take the pickaxe if you want, but the bombs will do most of the mining/breaking down.
- Optional stuff you can carry: Farm Totem.
- Once you are stocked up on items as per your liking -- wait for a lucky day then head on straight into the mine as soon as possible, I guess Pam comes to the Bus-Stop at 9 or 10am something.
- Inside the mine, craft staircases and quickly keep using them until you reach on level 250+, should take a while(not in-game time) but the rewards will be worth it. You could easily get off with 999+ iridium and 100 something Prismatic Shards depending on luck and your Mining Profession Perks.
- Once past level 250 start blowing up iridium ores that are in clusters, ignore the isolated ones.
- Use the bombs / stone to craft staircases and keep mining/blowing things up until you are done for that (in-game) day.

One such trip might cost some in-game $$$, but the rewards are worth it and will give you a fantastic supply of iridium, anything 500+ is well worth it and you won't feel the need to go down the skull caverns ever again.

In one of my runs I ended up till level 462, with 93 Prism-Shards, and well over 1300 Iridium + a bunch of other stuff as well.

Check this video on a demo run of how to do it most efficiently(not my videos):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGpxX3neWFI
Also:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-5VHJDpHak

Full thread: http://steamcommunity.com/app/413150/discussions/0/357284767249422208#c357284767250996439

[DJCaseyD]

Thanks very much. I want to now make a barn full of Crystalariums, so I need more iridium. I guess I just wasn't making enough stairs.

[TTV| Oogasra]

I know this is old, but yes I want to get very far down into the Skull Cavern myself, but I do not want to use Staircases, but it is intriguing to say the least about the bombs as your replacement pickaxe, but in the recent Beta Update, There is a glitch in the Mine where you use Fences at the bottom of the mine on the left side of the room and use a bomb and it reveals a ladder. You take that ladder and you end up in the Skull Cavern instantly. it saves alot of time getting to Calico Desert, and may also save you 500 gold.

[FlameL8812]

anyone wanna play multiplayer with me?