How to Find Heart of Island in The Forge (March 2026) Complete Guide

Looking for the legendary Heart of the Island in The Forge? You’ve come to the right place! This ultra-rare Relic ore has become one of the most sought-after treasures since the Caves update dropped on January 3, 2026. As someone who’s spent countless hours mining in Raven Cave, I’m here to share everything you need to know about finding this elusive ore.
Quick Overview: Heart of the Island at a Glance
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Relic |
| Location | Raven Cave (Island 3) |
| Mining Requirement | 650+ base power pickaxe |
| Drop Rate | 1 in 123,456 |
| Multiplier | 18.5x |
| Sell Price | $346.88 |
| Best Pickaxe | Prismatic Pickaxe (72% luck boost) |
What is Heart of the Island?
Heart of the Island is a Relic-rarity ore introduced in the Caves update, making it one of the rarest materials in The Forge. This ore is exclusively found in the mysterious Raven Cave on Island 3, and its drop rate of just 1 in 123,456 makes it a true endgame treasure that only the most dedicated (or lucky) players will obtain.
What makes this ore special isn’t just its rarity—it’s the incredible 18.5x multiplier and the unique armor trait it provides. When used in crafting, Heart of the Island grants powerful defensive bonuses that can turn the tide in tough battles.
How to Access Raven Cave?
Before you can even think about mining Heart of the Island, you need to unlock the Raven Cave. Here’s what you need to do:
Prerequisites
- Level 70: You must reach level 70 to access Frostspire Expanse
- Complete Raven’s Quests: Finish both Raven 1 and Raven 2 quests
- Red Cave Key: Awarded after completing Raven 2
Step-by-Step Access Guide
- Reach Level 70: This unlocks Frostspire Expanse (Island 3)
- Find Raven NPC: Located in the Frostspire Expanse area
- Complete Raven Quest 1: Basic introduction quest
- Complete Raven Quest 2: This rewards you with the Red Cave Key
- Locate Raven Cave: Behind the forging area on Island 3
- Enter with Key: Use your Red Cave Key to unlock the entrance
Pro Tip: The area is filled with Demonic Spiders that can deal massive damage. Make sure you have good armor and weapons before venturing into Raven Cave!
Finding Heart of the Island Rocks
Once inside Raven Cave, finding the actual Heart of the Island rocks is your next challenge. Here’s what you need to know:
Rock Appearance
Heart of the Island rocks resemble the main rocky mass at the back of the cave, but without the distinctive tendrils growing from it. They’re typically smaller than the main centerpiece rock and have a subtle glow that sets them apart from regular rocks.
Spawn Mechanics
- Random Spawns: These rocks don’t have fixed spawn locations
- Server Hopping: Try switching between servers to find spawns
- Private Server Method: If you have a private server, reset it repeatedly to respawn rocks
- Break Red Ice Crystals: Mining the red ice crystals in the cave can trigger Heart of the Island spawns
Best Farming Strategy
- Enter Raven Cave and quickly scan for the distinctive rocks
- If none found, break nearby Red Ice Crystals
- Server hop or reset private server if still no spawns
- Repeat until you find a Heart of the Island rock
Mining Requirements and Best Pickaxes
You can’t just use any pickaxe for this job. Heart of the Island rocks require serious mining power:
Minimum Requirements
- 650 Base Mining Power: This is non-negotiable
- Rock Durability: 32,500 HP (requires significant time to break)
Recommended Pickaxes
| Pickaxe | Mining Power | Luck Boost | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prismatic Pickaxe | 650+ | 72% | $2,000,000 |
| Dragonhead Pickaxe | 650+ | ~60% | Varies |
Money-Saving Tip: If you have the Goblin race, you’ll get discounts on pickaxe purchases. The Prismatic Pickaxe is your best bet due to its massive 72% luck boost.
Maximizing Your Luck
With a 1 in 123,456 drop rate, you’ll want every advantage possible. Here are the best ways to boost your luck:
Luck Boosting Methods
- Dedicated Player Skill: Up to 40% luck boost based on playtime
- Luck Potions: Temporary boosts (Goblins get discounts)
- Miner Shard Runes: Attach Luck trait runes to your pickaxe
- Race Bonuses: Angel race provides the best luck bonus
- Luck Totems: 25% temporary boost from codes/daily rewards
- Developer Events: Special events often increase global luck rates
Race Recommendations
- Angel: Best for luck bonuses
- Dwarf: Good for mining efficiency
- Goblin: Saves money on equipment and potions
Heart of the Island Stats and Uses
Ore Statistics
- Rarity: Relic (second only to Galaxite)
- Base Multiplier: 18.5x
- Sell Value: $346.88
- Primary Use: Armor crafting
Armor Trait Breakdown
When used in armor crafting, Heart of the Island provides:
- +15% Health Boost (permanent)
- +25% Physical Damage (when HP < 35%)
- +25% Movement Speed (when HP < 35%)
- Duration: 8 seconds for conditional buffs
- Trigger: Activates when health drops below 35%
Pro Strategy: Use 2-3 Heart of the Island ores in armor recipes for maximum effectiveness. While you can use them in weapons, you’ll miss out on the incredible defensive bonuses.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Based on my experience, here are the mistakes most players make:
- Underleveling: Don’t attempt Raven Cave before level 70
- Wrong Pickaxe: Using anything below 650 mining power is wasted effort
- Ignoring Luck Boosts: Not using luck potions or optimal races
- Giving Up Too Early: The drop rate is brutal—persistence is key
- Selling the Ore: At $346, it’s worth far more for crafting
Advanced Farming Techniques
Server Hopping Strategy
- Join a populated server (better rock spawn rates)
- Quickly scan Raven Cave (30 seconds max)
- If no Heart of the Island rock found, leave and join new server
- Repeat until you find a spawn
Private Server Method
- Enter Raven Cave in your private server
- Check for Heart of the Island rocks
- If none found, leave and reset server
- Re-enter and repeat
- Advantage: No competition, guaranteed fresh spawns each reset
Group Farming
- Team up with other players to cover more ground
- Share luck boosts through group activities
- Coordinate server hops for maximum efficiency
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to find Heart of the Island?
Based on community data and my own experience, most players find their first Heart of the Island after 10-50 hours of dedicated farming. However, with optimal luck boosts and strategies, some players get lucky within a few hours.
What’s the difference between Heart of the Island and Stolen Heart?
Heart of the Island is a Relic ore (1/123,456 drop rate) that provides armor bonuses. Stolen Heart is a Divine ore (1/54,321 drop rate) that grants lifesteal to weapons. Both drop from the same rocks.
Can I find Heart of the Island without completing Raven quests?
No, you must complete Raven 2 to get the Red Cave Key. There’s no other way to access Raven Cave where Heart of the Island spawns.
Is Heart of the Island worth the grind?
Absolutely! The 18.5x multiplier and unique armor trait make it invaluable for endgame content. Plus, it’s one of the rarest ores in the game, making it a status symbol.
What’s the best time to farm for Heart of the Island?
During developer events that increase global luck rates, or when using multiple luck-boosting items simultaneously. Weekend evenings tend to have better server populations too.
Should I sell or craft with Heart of the Island?
Always craft! The $346 sell value is nothing compared to the permanent 15% health boost and conditional damage/speed bonuses it provides to armor.
Final Thoughts
Finding Heart of the Island in The Forge is one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences in the game. With the right preparation, strategy, and a bit of luck, you’ll be adding this legendary ore to your collection in no time.
Remember to stay patient, use every luck boost available, and don’t get discouraged by the brutal drop rate. The feeling of finally seeing that Heart of the Island ore drop after hours of farming is absolutely worth it!
Happy mining, and may the RNG gods be ever in your favor! ⚒️
Related Content and Resources
For more The Forge guides, check out these comprehensive resources:
