Quarrying Doesn't Seem Worth IT

[PhotriusPyrelus]

I forget what made me do it, but I dug down and checked under a surface copper deposit and to my surprise, there was more copper underneath, so I dug out all around it to get an idea of its size (and to learn more about the digging mechanics) and by the time all was said and done, it seemed to me like it would've been a more lucrative use of time to just dig another surface deposit (or two, or three). So why even put copper in the ground if it's more trouble than it's worth? Or am I wrong and bad and dumb?

[Brakxel]

Dig like you like. Nothing wrong with mining the top and moving on.

Copper is weird because it has the dirt inside it. Digging from the top makes you dig through copper, then through dirt to get more copper. I like to dig underneath to get the dirt out first, then go for the copper. I tell myself it feels more like mining that way. I see the whole node so I know what I have. I get the dirt out of the way and the dirt seems to be easier to remove from bottom up in the pit than going top down.

When you get to silver, I find it fun to expose the whole node (it is shaped differently) until it is hovering in the air. One whack on silver node causes the whole thing to explode into silver and rock bits. Very satisfying. I wish copper did that--or I haven't been able to do that.

[sneakyweazel]

Dunno, it all depends, I think.
Usually I start mining by following the copper veins to bedrock and then start circling the deposit. After digging huge perimeter, I start to mine away "slices" of the dirt/copper following the bedrock until all remaining copper is floating in the air. If you do this right, the landmass crashes down in one go after you find the last invisible string that keeps them floating.
This usually takes one day and half a night for me and many, many repairs of antler pickaxe.

It could be faster to mine just the surface deposits but then most likely you also increase the distance from where ever you are carrying that ore so there's that also to consider.

[PhotriusPyrelus]

Originally posted by Brakxel:

I wish copper did that--or I haven't been able too do that.

It can, I did something similar with a few sections while mining it out.

The problem with doing it for the whole node is that it - at least the one node I did - attaches to the 'bedrock' that you can't dig out. In fact, a large amount of the time I spent mining was trying to figure out why I couldn't dig down any further to get below the bottom of the copper. This game's digging floor is *shockingly* shallow, and it'd be nice if there was a texture change to inidcate "Hey, dummy, you can't dig any more."

[Rhapsody]

Yeah, it really depends, map generation is also a factor. I think it's a good thing that even a single vein can yield lots of copper if you put some effort to it. It's not a bad thing to have choices, and having big chunk of copper probably makes them look better if they are generated against a slope for example.

[John]

Originally posted by Brakxel:

When you get to silver, I find it fun to expose the whole node (it is shaped differently) until it is hovering in the air. One whack on silver node causes the whole thing to explode into silver and rock bits. Very satisfying. I wish copper did that--or I haven't been able to do that.

When that entire silver vein explodes, the game gives that little microstutter beforehand, it gives that loud, DOOF sound and you go,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPq54gxHAFU

[vinyblaster]

It depends. If you have a deposit really close to your base it may be more interesting to just mine it all instead of digging other deposits that are further away. Transport time matters too.

Second, I like to store all the stones I get by fully digging out a deposit for when I reach stone/iron age. Then I have 10 chests full of stones to build whatever crazy castle I want.

And finally, I have some mild OCD and I can't leave a deposit while knowing that there is more underneath. Just like I always chop stumps after downing a tree :)

[Draba]

As above, dig down a shaft and then circle the deposit at that depth. Copper gives shelter from rain, and if you create some campfires you get constant resting bonus while digging (not rested, resting is another +300% stamina regen). Also easier to bulk transport from a single place,
I think it's worth it to mine the entire deposit if you need lots of copper.

[bacon]

i think it comes down to preference if you want to be in the clean plate club or not. im fine with that. if youre desperate, keep digging. if youre not, move on to the next surface deposit.

also, use a combo of hoe and pickaxe to remove dirt. dig a small hole, stand in it, and flatten around you.

[Zep Tepi]

Depends on how many copper nodes you have around your base and how far you want to carry it back. It is easier just to dig the surface because then you're only digging once, not twice. You can always mark the spot and come back later if you want more. If you skip bronze armor and use troll instead, you don't even need a whole lot of it.

[Brakxel]

Originally posted by John:

When that entire silver vein explodes, the game gives that little microstutter beforehand, it gives that loud, DOOF sound and you go,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPq54gxHAFU

That is the sound I make! Now I know how to spell it. Thanks!
It is worth getting pelted by drakes and bitten by wolves for that one moment when the world pauses then shatters into silvery treats.

[Gladi8er65]

I guess everyone has their own way. For me, on every copper node I ever mine, I find the edge and dig straight down as far as it lets me, then burrow into it.

At this point, I am safe from enemies, which always seem to show up whenever mining starts. I burrow into the copper node, making a hollow "cave" in it, which allows me to set up a workbench (for repairs), a fire for rest bonus, and warm, dry place in case night falls.

If I find several copper nodes fairly close to each other, I will use the first node to dig out a cave (as mentioned before) but also set up a smelter and coal kiln, (and even a forge), to process the ores obtained from all nearby nodes... makes a great (fairly safe) temporary outpost / workshop.

It does not make sense to me to gather the heavy copper ore, (to the point of almost being encumbered) and hauling it back across the map to some pre-built base somewhere (multiple times), when it's far easier to just bring the "workshop" to the mining site.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2858960285

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2858959032

[knighttemplar1960]

There is far more copper available than you will use. I mined out a single medium island with quite a bit of Black Forest and I had all the copper I need for 3 people in the copper and bronze age and I still have a black metal chest full of smelted copper. Mine how ever you feel like it. You'll have to try really hard to run out of copper.

[Samoth]

tons of copper to be had. fully excavate at its edges, and slice it up however you can with your better tool. drop a table asap at bottom of pilot dig, get it up under the node for shelter. And have at it, chest for stone, and food and drops. Dont work at night, go home. or to a meadows bed, or take the camp with you. Smelt on site and forge into items, portal ready.