Confusing progression

[Yaltiaj]

It's hard to tell what building material is the next tier when there's so many different ones in the menu and there's dozens of same kind of crafting table which makes it difficult to know which is the best one.

Is there an in-game resource or a guide that covers the path of progression?

[Shadow]

Other than the journal which is more like a tutorial than a guide, no. A rule of thumb is that the more processing a material requires, the higher tier it is. In general it goes something like:

stone -> brick -> hardened brick
wood -> insulated wood, shaped wood
iron reinforcement -> steel reinforcement

stone -> iron -> steel -> hardened steel -> starmetal
hide -> leather -> thick leather

sandstone, flotsom -> insulated wood, stonebrick -> reinforced stone, black ice and everything else

whatever bench -> improved whatever bench -> grandmaster/garrison/campaign whatever bench

[Digstar]

The journey's in their various subject categories sets out a a reasonably clear guide.

[Bnn1]

I mean, its pretty clear;

Just use the chain of unlocking as a reference.

For building materials its pretty clear; you start with simple stone and flotsam, and end with stuff like Stormglass or Black Ice and other high tier DLC stuff like Arena materials (if you have those DLCs bought and activated).

For workstations, generally: "MASTER" or "IMPROVED" is what it will say if its the better version.

Also looking at the symbol works. If the symbol is a high-quality looking construction, like a Alchemy bowl with lots of bricks, or a furnace that isn't clay covered stone anymore but actually looks like solid uniform bricks, its easier to tell which one is better.

Lastly the resources needed to build them are an indicator. If it requires steel, hardened bricks, iron reinforcements, then you can tell its most assuredly an endgame construction.

But the game wants you to only unlock things. The building is up to you. You can keep a base as Sandstone, and still use high level smelters and blacksmith tables, for example.

The same way as you can make a stormglass or black ice Fortress of a base, but only use the beginner smelters, cooking spits, and campfires and all.

[Bloodartist]

Building blocks: There are three tiers of building blocks in the game. Different build styles may inhabit the same tier. Higher tier = more hitpoints.

Tier 1: sandstone and flotsam
Tier 2: Stonebrick and insulated wood
Tier 3: Basically everything else. Especially all DLC buildstyles except flotsam are always tier 3. The base game tier 3 styles are reinforced stone and black ice.

Also a very important thing: use a tool that is made out of the best material available to you. Better tool = more material harvested. It matters a lot when crafting large numbers.

Overall this game is more about the gear than it is about character attributes.

Originally posted by Shadow:

stone -> iron -> steel -> hardened steel -> starmetal

Tool quality:
Stone -> iron -> steel -> hardened steel -> starmetal, black ice -> obsidian, Black blood
(Black blood is not craftable, only lootable)

ps. The journey system gives you decent rundown on things to learn.

I remember when Conan didnt even tell you how to make steel. You had to discover it yourself by experimenting. The secret of steel and all that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz2DknROaI8

[Bnn1]

Every time someone calls the Riddle of Steel the "Secret" of Steel, a little Cimmerian child dies

[GR4V3 MIST4K3]

Get levels, get weapon and armor, go fight some stuff. That's about it the only confusing thing is that there are so many options to choose from.

[Bloodartist]

Originally posted by Bnn1:

Every time someone calls the Riddle of Steel the "Secret" of Steel, a little Cimmerian child dies

"In their rage, the gods forgot the secret of steel and left it on the battlefield.."