In The Forge, your pickaxe isn’t just a tool, it’s your lifeline to progression, wealth, and power. While flashy weapons might catch your eye, the right pickaxe will determine how quickly you can mine rare ores, accumulate gold, and ultimately forge the legendary gear that sets you apart from other players. After analyzing hundreds of hours of gameplay data and consulting the official Wiki, I’ve created the definitive pickaxe progression guide that will save you countless hours and thousands of gold in wasted upgrades.
Quick Overview: The Ultimate Pickaxe Progression Path
Before diving into the nitty-gritty details, here’s the optimal pickaxe progression path that will take you from beginner to mining legend:
| Pickaxe | Mine Power | Luck Boost | Cost | Best For |
| Stonewake’s Pickaxe | 33 | +10% | $3,333 | Early game progression |
| Mythril Pickaxe | 80 | +55% | $67,500 | Mid-game mining |
| Arcane Pickaxe | 115 | +50% | $125,000 | Late-game efficiency |
| Demonic Pickaxe | 175 | +47.5% | $500,000 | End-game dominance |
This progression path maximizes your gold efficiency while ensuring you always have enough power to access new areas and ores. Each pickaxe in this chain serves a specific purpose and will carry you through hundreds of hours of content.
What Makes a Pickaxe Worth Buying in June 2026?
Not all pickaxes are created equal, and understanding the key stats will help you make informed decisions about your progression. After testing every pickaxe extensively, I’ve identified three crucial factors that determine a pickaxe’s value:
Mine Power: Your Damage Output
Mine Power determines how much damage your pickaxe deals to rocks and ores per swing. Higher Mine Power means faster mining times and the ability to break tougher rocks that lower-tier pickaxes can’t even scratch. For example, you’ll need at least 80 Mine Power to efficiently mine Basalt Veins in the Forgotten Kingdom, and 135+ Mine Power to tackle Volcanic Rock in the late game.
Luck Boost: Your Rare Ore Finder
Luck Boost is arguably the most important stat for long-term progression. It increases your chances of rolling rare ores and valuable drops from every rock you mine. A pickaxe with +50% Luck Boost will net you significantly more legendary materials than one with only +10%, even if their Mine Power is similar. This stat directly impacts your wealth accumulation and crafting potential.
Rune Slots: Your Customization Potential
Rune Slots determine how many runes you can socket into your pickaxe for permanent stat bonuses. Pickaxes with 3 Rune Slots can be customized to excel in specific areas, whether you want maximum mining speed, increased luck, or balanced stats. The flexibility offered by multiple Rune Slots makes certain pickaxes viable for much longer than their base stats would suggest.
Best Early Game Pickaxe in The Forge
Stonewake’s Pickaxe: Your First Real Upgrade
When you start The Forge, you’ll receive a free Stone Pickaxe with pathetic stats (4 Mine Power, 0% Luck). While it’s sufficient for completing Sensei Moro’s initial quests, you’ll want to upgrade as quickly as possible. After testing all early-game options, Stonewake’s Pickaxe stands out as the clear winner for your first major investment.
Stats:
- Mine Power: 33
- Mining Speed: -30%
- Luck Boost: +10%
- Rune Slots: 1
- Cost: $3,333
Why It’s Worth It:
Despite the mining speed penalty, Stonewake’s Pickaxe offers the highest Mine Power available in the early game, allowing you to break through tougher rocks that other beginners can’t touch. The +10% Luck Boost is also significant at this stage, helping you accumulate rare materials faster for crafting and selling.
How to Get It:
You can find Stonewake’s Pickaxe in the Inner Cave at the center of Stonewake’s Cross. It’s stuck in a boulder that you can interact with (press E) if you have the required $3,333. The location is easy to reach, just follow the left path from the main cave entrance until you see the wooden bridge.
Pro Tip: Don’t bother with the Bronze, Iron, or Gold Pickaxes from Miner Fred’s shop. While they’re cheaper, they lack the power needed to efficiently farm the Ruined Cave in the Forgotten Kingdom, where you can find legendary items much earlier than intended.
Best Mid Game Pickaxe in The Forge
Mythril Pickaxe: Unlocking the Forgotten Kingdom
Once you’ve farmed with Stonewake’s Pickaxe for a while and accumulated some wealth, you’ll hit a wall when trying to mine Basalt Veins in the Forgotten Kingdom. This is where the Mythril Pickaxe becomes essential for your progression.
Stats:
- Mine Power: 80
- Mining Speed: 0%
- Luck Boost: +55%
- Rune Slots: 2
- Cost: $67,500
Why It’s Worth It:
The Mythril Pickaxe is the first tool that allows you to efficiently mine Basalt Veins, which contain valuable materials needed for mid-game crafting. Its +55% Luck Boost is the highest available at this price point, making it incredibly efficient for farming rare ores. With 2 Rune Slots, you can customize it further to suit your playstyle.
How to Get It:
Purchase the Mythril Pickaxe from Miner Fred’s Shop in the Forgotten Kingdom. The shop is located near the main spawn area of the Forgotten Kingdom, making it easily accessible once you’ve unlocked this region.
Alternative Options:
If you’re feeling adventurous, you could skip the Mythril Pickaxe and save up for the Lightite Pickaxe ($98,500) or even the Arcane Pickaxe ($125,000). However, this requires significantly more grinding and leaves you unable to efficiently mine Basalt Veins in the meantime.
Best Late Game Pickaxe in The Forge
Arcane Pickaxe: The Efficiency King
When you’re ready to tackle the late game, the Arcane Pickaxe stands out as the most efficient choice for most players. While it doesn’t have the highest raw power, its combination of stats makes it incredibly versatile and cost-effective.
Stats:
- Mine Power: 115
- Mining Speed: +10%
- Luck Boost: +50%
- Rune Slots: 3
- Cost: $125,000
Why It’s Worth It:
The Arcane Pickaxe offers the highest Luck Boost available at this price point, combined with respectable Mine Power and a valuable Mining Speed bonus. The +10% Mining Speed might not sound like much, but over hundreds of mining sessions, it adds up to significant time savings. With 3 Rune Slots, you can customize this pickaxe to excel in any area you choose.
How to Get It:
Unlike most pickaxes, the Arcane Pickaxe isn’t purchased from a shop. You’ll need to complete the Bard’s Guitar quest to obtain an Unknown Key, then use it to unlock the Fallen Angel’s Cave. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Talk to the Bard NPC at Stonewake’s Cross to start the quest
- Find his guitar in The Cave (take the left path)
- Look for grass at the base of a wooden pillar, you’ll fall into a secret cave
- Retrieve the guitar next to a skeleton and return it to the Bard
- Receive the Unknown Key as your reward
- Return to The Cave and take the right path this time
- Use the Unknown Key to open the massive steel gate
- Follow the path to find the Arcane Pickaxe
Pro Tip: This quest is worth completing even if you’re not ready to buy the Arcane Pickaxe yet. Having access to the Fallen Angel’s Cave early gives you a head start on late-game content.
Demonic Pickaxe: The Ultimate Endgame Tool
For players who want the absolute best mining tool money can buy, the Demonic Pickaxe represents the pinnacle of mining power in The Forge.
Stats:
- Mine Power: 175
- Mining Speed: -15%
- Luck Boost: +47.5%
- Rune Slots: 3
- Cost: $500,000
Why It’s Worth It:
With 175 Mine Power, the Demonic Pickaxe can break through even the toughest Volcanic Rocks in seconds. While its Luck Boost is slightly lower than the Arcane Pickaxe, the massive increase in Mine Power more than compensates for this difference. Like the Arcane Pickaxe, it has 3 Rune Slots for maximum customization.
How to Get It:
The Demonic Pickaxe is located at the Demonic Pickaxe Altar inside the Volcanic Depths. To reach this area, you’ll need to progress through the Forgotten Kingdom and unlock access to the Volcanic Depths. The altar is located behind the Demonic Door, which requires significant progression to access.
Is It Worth the Price?
At $500,000, the Demonic Pickaxe is a massive investment. For most players, the Arcane Pickaxe offers better value and will serve you well into the endgame. However, if you’re a dedicated miner who spends hours farming rare ores, the time saved by the Demonic Pickaxe’s superior Mine Power will eventually justify its cost.
Complete Pickaxe Tier List for June 2026
After extensive testing and analysis, here’s the complete tier list of all pickaxes currently available in The Forge:
S+ Tier: Game-Changing Tools
- Arcane Pickaxe: Best balance of stats, highest luck, 3 rune slots
- Demonic Pickaxe: Highest raw power, essential for endgame mining
- Magma Pickaxe: Excellent alternative to Arcane with higher power
S Tier: Excellent Choices
- Mythril Pickaxe: Best mid-game pickaxe, incredible luck boost
- Lightite Pickaxe: Great speed and power combination
A Tier: Solid Options
- Uranium Pickaxe: Great luck for its price point
- Cobalt Pickaxe: Good early Forgotten Kingdom option
- Titanium Pickaxe: Balanced stats for mid-game progression
B Tier: Situational Uses
- Stonewake’s Pickaxe: Essential early game, but quickly outclassed
- Platinum Pickaxe: Decent stats but poor value compared to alternatives
C Tier: Avoid These
- Iron Pickaxe: Better than starter but quickly replaced
- Gold Pickaxe: Shiny but underpowered for its cost
D Tier: Complete Waste
- Bronze Pickaxe: Minimal improvement over starter
- Stone Pickaxe: Free for a reason, upgrade immediately
How to Redeem Pickaxe Upgrades in June 2026?
Upgrading your pickaxe in The Forge is straightforward, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind:
- Shop Purchases: For pickaxes bought from Miner Fred’s Shop, simply approach the NPC, browse the available pickaxes, and purchase the one you want if you have sufficient gold.
- World Pickaxes: Some pickaxes like Stonewake’s Pickaxe and the Arcane Pickaxe are found in the world rather than purchased. You’ll need to locate them and interact with them while having the required gold.
- Rune Application: After obtaining a pickaxe with Rune Slots, visit the Runemaker NPC near the beach of Stonewake’s Cross to apply runes. Remember that runes are permanent investments, so choose wisely!
- Selling Old Pickaxes: Generally, it’s worth selling your old pickaxe after upgrading to recoup some of your investment. However, I recommend keeping S-tier pickaxes in your inventory as they each have unique strengths that might be useful in different situations.
Best Runes for Pickaxe Optimization
Runes can dramatically improve your pickaxe’s performance, but choosing the right ones is crucial. Based on extensive testing, here are the best rune combinations for each major pickaxe:
For Mythril Pickaxe:
- Miner Shard: Increases ore drop rates
- Blast Chip: Boosts mining damage
- Rage Mark: Improves mining speed
For Arcane Pickaxe:
- Miner Shard: Maximizes rare ore drops
- Drain Edge: Provides sustainability during long mining sessions
- Ward Patch: Offers protection against environmental hazards
For Demonic Pickaxe:
- Miner Shard: Essential for maximizing returns
- Blast Chip: Further increases its already impressive power
- Rage Mark: Counters the mining speed penalty
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Pickaxe Progression
After helping hundreds of players optimize their mining progression, I’ve identified several common mistakes that can significantly slow down your advancement:
1. Buying Every Pickaxe
Many players feel compelled to buy every pickaxe as they progress, but this is incredibly inefficient. Stick to the recommended progression path and skip unnecessary upgrades to save gold for more important investments.
2. Ignoring Luck Boost
Some players focus exclusively on Mine Power while neglecting Luck Boost. This is a critical error, high Luck Boost will net you more valuable ores over time, leading to faster progression and wealth accumulation.
3. Not Using Runes
Runes can transform a good pickaxe into a great one. Even if you’re using a mid-tier pickaxe, proper rune optimization can make it competitive with higher-tier options.
4. Selling S-Tier Pickaxes
Once you reach the endgame, don’t sell your S-tier pickaxes. Each has unique strengths that make them useful in different situations. The Arcane Pickaxe, for example, might be better than the Demonic Pickaxe for specific farming scenarios due to its higher Luck Boost.
Platform-Specific Pickaxe Considerations
Mobile Players:
If you’re playing on mobile, consider prioritizing pickaxes with higher Mining Speed bonuses. The precision required for efficient mining can be more challenging on touch controls, so faster mining speeds help compensate.
PC Players:
PC players with precise mouse control can focus more on Mine Power and Luck Boost, as you’ll be able to mine more efficiently regardless of Mining Speed penalties.
Console Players:
Console players should aim for a balanced approach, considering both Mining Speed and Mine Power to accommodate controller input limitations.
Pro Strategies for Maximum Mining Efficiency
1. Potion Stacking
Combine mining potions with your pickaxe’s natural stats for dramatic improvements. A Luck Potion combined with the Arcane Pickaxe’s +50% Luck Boost can result in rare ore drop rates that seem almost unfair.
2. Race Synergies
Certain races in The Forge offer mining bonuses that complement specific pickaxes. The Dwarf race, for example, offers mining critical hits that pair exceptionally well with high-Mine Power pickaxes like the Demonic Pickaxe.
3. Location Optimization
Different areas have different ore distributions. Use the Arcane Pickaxe in areas with high-value but low-hardness ores, and switch to the Demonic Pickaxe when tackling the toughest mining spots.
4. Time-Based Farming
Some ores have better drop rates during specific in-game times or after server resets. Plan your mining sessions around these windows for maximum efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best pickaxe for beginners in The Forge?
The Stonewake’s Pickaxe is the best choice for beginners. While it has a mining speed penalty, its 33 Mine Power allows you to access areas and ores that other early-game pickaxes can’t touch, significantly accelerating your progression.
How do I get the Arcane Pickaxe in The Forge?
To get the Arcane Pickaxe, you need to complete the Bard’s Guitar quest to obtain an Unknown Key, then use it to unlock the Fallen Angel’s Cave. The pickaxe is located at the end of this cave and costs $125,000.
Is the Demonic Pickaxe worth the $500,000 price tag?
For most players, the Demonic Pickaxe isn’t worth the investment unless you’re a dedicated miner who spends hundreds of hours farming. The Arcane Pickaxe offers better value and will serve you well into the endgame.
Can you enhance pickaxes in The Forge?
No, pickaxes cannot be enhanced or upgraded directly. However, you can apply runes to pickaxes with Rune Slots to permanently improve their stats and performance.
Do pickaxes lose durability or break over time?
No, pickaxes in The Forge do not have durability or health stats. Their performance remains consistent regardless of how much you use them, so you never need to worry about repairs or replacements.
What’s the fastest way to earn gold for pickaxe upgrades?
The fastest way to earn gold is by focusing on high-Luck pickaxes and farming areas with valuable ore drops. The Mythril Pickaxe with its +55% Luck Boost is particularly effective for gold farming in the mid-game.
Should I sell my old pickaxe after upgrading?
Generally, yes, you should sell your old pickaxe to recoup some of your investment. However, I recommend keeping S-tier pickaxes (Arcane, Demonic, Magma) as they each have unique strengths that might be useful in different situations.
How many Rune Slots do the best pickaxes have?
The best pickaxes in The Forge (Arcane, Demonic, Magma) all have 3 Rune Slots, allowing for maximum customization and optimization of their stats.
What’s the difference between Mine Power and Mining Speed?
Mine Power determines how much damage your pickaxe deals per swing, while Mining Speed affects how quickly you can swing the pickaxe. Both are important, but Mine Power is generally more crucial for progression as it determines which rocks you can break.
Can I get pickaxes for free in The Forge?
The only free pickaxe is the Stone Pickaxe you receive when starting the game. All other pickaxes must be purchased with in-game gold or obtained through quests and exploration.
Conclusion
Mastering pickaxe progression in The Forge is about more than just buying the most expensive tool, it’s about understanding the game’s economy, optimizing your stats, and making smart investments that pay off over time. By following this progression path and avoiding common mistakes, you’ll save countless hours and thousands of gold while building a mining setup that will carry you through all of The Forge’s content.
Remember to bookmark this page and check back regularly for updates, as The Forge is still in development and new pickaxes or balance changes may be introduced. Happy mining, and may your pockets be heavy with rare ores!
For more The Forge guides, check out our comprehensive articles on The Forge Races Tier List, The Forge Farming Methods, and All Pickaxes in The Forge.
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