10 Things You MUST Do Before The Forge Cave Update (March 2026)

Updated by Shruti Agarwal
January 3, 2026
RobloxGaming

The Forge is about to receive its most game-changing update yet – the massive Cave Update launching January 3rd, 2026. As someone who’s spent countless hours mining, forging, and battling through every corner of this Roblox phenomenon, I can tell you this isn’t just another minor patch. This update introduces a dangerous new cave area, stronger enemies, exclusive rewards, and potentially the most powerful pickaxe in the game – the legendary Dragon Head Pickaxe.

If you’re not prepared when servers go live at 10:00 AM PT, you’ll find yourself grinding for weeks while other players are already exploring the deepest corners of the new content. Trust me, I’ve made that mistake before with previous updates, and the FOMO is real.

Let me break down exactly what you need to do RIGHT NOW to ensure you’re ready to dominate the Cave Update the moment it drops.

Quick Preparation Checklist

Priority	Task	Time Required	Difficulty
URGENT	Redeem HAPPYNEWYEAR Code	2 minutes	Easy
HIGH	Save $2.7M for Dragon Head Pickaxe	10-20 hours	Medium
HIGH	Upgrade to Prismatic Pickaxe	5-15 hours	Medium
MEDIUM	Craft Snowite Armor Set	2-4 hours	Easy
MEDIUM	Complete Sensei Moro & Bjorne Quests	1-2 hours	Easy

1. Redeem the Latest Code Before It Expires

This is your most urgent task – do this NOW!

The limited-time code HAPPYNEWYEAR gives you 10 free rerolls, but it expires the moment the Cave Update goes live. These rerolls are pure gold for getting powerful races like Archangel, Demon, Angel, or even the money-saving Goblin race.

Why this matters: With the new cave expected to have tougher enemies and special requirements, having a top-tier race can be the difference between struggling and thriving. Archangel’s mobility and damage bonuses will make cave exploration significantly easier, while Goblin’s 12% shop discount could save you over $300,000 on the Dragon Head Pickaxe.

How to redeem:

Open The Forge
Click the codes button (usually on the main menu)
Type “HAPPYNEWYEAR”
Hit redeem and enjoy your free rerolls!

Pro tip: If you don’t get a top-tier race immediately, save some rerolls for after the update when we know exactly which races perform best in the new cave environment.

2. Understand Where the New Cave Is Located

Based on multiple leaks and developer teasers, the new cave is located behind the forging area, past the ominous-looking structure with a red glow. This appears to be a red-themed version of the Peak Cave, featuring new crystals, unique plants, and deeper, more dangerous areas.

Why location matters: Knowing the exact spot helps you prepare for potential access requirements. There’s a strong chance you’ll need to break special rocks or complete specific quests just to enter. Some sources suggest the cave might also be accessible near the Frostpire Expanse entrance or the spider cave area.

Preparation steps:

Explore both potential locations now
Note any barriers or special rocks
Complete any nearby quests that might become requirements
Clear out enemies in these areas to make future exploration easier

3. Save as Much Money as Possible

This is non-negotiable if you want the best gear from day one. The Dragon Head Pickaxe – expected to be the strongest pickaxe in the game – will cost approximately $2.7 million. For context, this makes it the most expensive pickaxe in The Forge’s history.

Why the Dragon Head Pickaxe is worth it:

750 Mining Power (tied with Angelite Pickaxe)
78% Luck Boost for finding rare ores
4 Rune Slots for maximum customization
+10% Mining Speed bonus
Mythic rarity – this will be a status symbol

Money-saving strategy: If you roll a Goblin race (10.5% chance), you’ll get a 12% discount on all shop purchases. That’s over $300,000 saved on the Dragon Head Pickaxe alone!

Need help making money fast? Check out our complete The Forge progression guide for the most efficient farming methods.

4. Use the Best Money Method Before It Gets Nerfed

I’ve tested every money-making method in The Forge, and right now there’s one strategy that outperforms everything else: Spider Cave Basel Vein farming with Heavy Chest Plate crafting.

The Method:

Go to the Spider Cave with at least a Frost Pickaxe (Prismatic is ideal)
Mine Basel Veins exclusively – they respawn quickly and give great materials
Craft Heavy Chest Plates at the forge (40+ ores for 75% success rate)
Sell the chest plates for massive profit

Why this works so well: Heavy Chest Plates sell for significantly more than their raw materials. For example, 40 quartz sells for ~900 coins, but a Quartz Dark Knight Chestplate sells for ~2,200 coins. That’s more than double your investment!

Earnings potential: With efficient mining and crafting, you can make $30,000 in just 15 minutes. That’s $120,000 per hour – enough to reach your $2.7M goal in about 22-23 hours of focused gameplay.

Warning: This method will likely be nerfed after the Cave Update, so take advantage of it NOW while the rates are this good.

5. Have the Right Pickaxe Ready

The new cave will almost certainly require high-tier pickaxes to access certain areas or break special rocks. Here’s what you need:

Minimum Requirement: Frost Pickaxe

Cost: $1,000,000
Mining Power: 420
Luck Boost: 62%
+5% Mining Speed bonus

Ideal Choice: Prismatic Pickaxe

Cost: $2,000,000
Mining Power: 650
Luck Boost: 72%
+20% Mining Speed bonus
4 Rune Slots for maximum customization

Why this matters: Based on previous updates, new areas often require specific pickaxe tiers to access. If you show up with a basic pickaxe, you might be locked out of half the new content.

Don’t have these pickaxes yet? Our The Forge weapon tier list covers all the best gear options for every budget.

6. Prepare Backup Money Methods

Not everyone can afford the Spider Cave method right away. If you’re still working on your gear, here are reliable alternatives:

Peak Farming (Medium Tier):

Farm enemies at The Peak for essences and runes
Sell essences for steady income
Better drops with stronger gear

Island 2 Farming (Beginner Friendly):

Farm essences on Island 2
Slower but consistent income
Lower gear requirements

Quest Completion:

Complete quests from Captain Rowan, Amber, Sensei Moro, and Barakkulf
You’re probably doing these activities anyway – just make sure the quests are active!
Some quests offer substantial gold rewards

Index Prizes:

Check your Index tab in inventory
Claim rewards for new discoveries (weapons, enemies, ores)
Easy money you might be sitting on

7. Craft a Strong Early-Game Armor Set

The new cave will feature stronger enemies, and you’ll need decent armor to survive. Based on current meta and expected difficulty, here’s your best bet:

Recommended: Snowite Armor Set

Easy to farm materials
Strong defense for early Island 3 content
Should be sufficient for new cave enemies

Material Farming:

Snowite: Mine rocks in Spider Cave
Velchire and Frost Fossils: Basic grinding in various areas

Why Snowite Armor: It strikes the perfect balance between accessibility and effectiveness. You won’t need to grind for weeks to craft it, but it provides enough protection to handle whatever the cave throws at you.

For complete armor crafting recipes and strategies, check out our The Forge all armors guide.

8. Forge a Reliable Weapon Before the Update

Armor is important, but a good weapon is equally crucial for cave survival. Here’s what I recommend:

Budget Option: Straight Sword with Hell Slayer Blueprint

Get the Hell Slayer blueprint from Santa
Cheap to craft but deals strong damage
Perfect for midgame content

Optimal Setup: Mixed Elemental Weapons

Aim for a combination of Eyesight, Voidar, and Crimson
This gives you solid midgame performance without heavy grinding
Covers different damage types for various enemy types

Why weapon preparation matters: The new cave will likely introduce enemies with different resistances and weaknesses. Having versatile weapons ensures you’re never caught unprepared.

9. Optimize Your Race and Discounts

Your race choice can make or break your Cave Update experience. Here are the top options:

S-Tier Races (if you get lucky with rerolls):

Archangel (0.1%): Ultimate mobility and damage
Angel (0.5%): Great balance of speed and power
Demon (0.5%): High damage output with fire effects

A-Tier Powerhouses:

Goblin (10.5%): 12% shop discount – saves $300K+ on Dragon Head Pickaxe
Dwarf (7%): +15% Mining Damage and better forge results
Shadow (6%): Great speed and dodge chances

Why Goblin is special: That 12% discount applies to EVERYTHING – pickaxes, weapons, armor, and likely new Cave Update exclusive items. Over time, this could save you millions of gold.

Want to know more about races? Our The Forge progression guide covers optimal race choices for every playstyle.

10. Finish Important Quests Early

This is the step most players will regret skipping. There’s a high probability that accessing parts of the new cave or purchasing new gear will require quest completion.

Priority Quests to Complete:

Sensei Moro quests – often unlock advanced forging options
Bjorne quests – typically required for high-tier content
Captain Rowan’s questline – may unlock new areas or NPCs
Amber’s Volcanic Depths quests – could be prerequisites for cave access

Why this matters: Previous updates have shown that developers often gate new content behind quest completion. If you delay these quests, you might find yourself unable to:

Access certain cave areas
Purchase new gear from NPCs
Start new questlines in the cave
Unlock special rituals or features

Pro tip: Even if quests seem tedious now, complete them anyway. It’s better to spend an extra hour grinding quests than to be locked out of content for days after the update.

Additional Preparation Tips

Stock Up on Consumables

Healing potions and food items
Mining boosts and speed potions
Any consumables that might help in the cave

Clear Your Inventory

Sell old gear you don’t need
Organize your storage for new items
Make space for cave-exclusive materials

Form a Party

The cave might have group content
Having reliable teammates makes exploration easier
Share resources and strategies

Stay Updated

Follow official The Forge social media
Join the Discord community
Watch for last-minute announcements or changes

Release Time Information

The Cave Update launches:

Date: Saturday, January 3rd, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM PT
Time Zone Conversions:
- ET: 1:00 PM
- CET: 7:00 PM
- IST: 11:30 PM
- JST: Sunday, 3:00 AM
- AEST: Sunday, 4:00 AM

Pro tip: Set alarms and use the “Notify Me” option on the official event page so you don’t miss the launch!

Expected Cave Content

Based on teasers and leaks, here’s what we’re likely to see:

New Areas:

Red-themed cave with glowing elements
Multiple levels or sections
Hidden chambers and secret areas

New Enemies:

Stronger variants of existing enemies
Cave-exclusive monsters
Possible mini-bosses

New Resources:

Exclusive ores for high-tier crafting
Rare materials for new weapons/armor
Special items with unique properties

New Features:

NPCs with exclusive quests
New forging recipes
Possibly new mechanics or mini-games

FAQ

When exactly does The Forge Cave Update release?

The Cave Update launches on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026, at 10:00 AM PT. Make sure to set your alarms for your local time zone!

What happens if I don’t prepare before the update?

You’ll likely face several disadvantages: locked out of certain areas requiring specific gear, slower progression due to weaker equipment, higher prices for new items (if you don’t have Goblin race), and intense competition for farming spots.

Is the HAPPYNEWYEAR code really expiring?

Yes, the HAPPYNEWYEAR code for 10 free rerolls expires the moment the Cave Update goes live. Use it immediately or lose it forever!

Do I really need $2.7 million for the Dragon Head Pickaxe?

While not strictly mandatory, having this amount ready will let you purchase the Dragon Head Pickaxe immediately when it releases. This pickaxe will likely be essential for efficient cave mining and accessing certain areas.

What if I can’t afford a Prismatic Pickaxe?

At minimum, aim for a Frost Pickaxe ($1M). While not ideal, it should be sufficient for basic cave access. You can always upgrade later once you’ve earned more money from the new content.

Which race is best for the Cave Update?

Archangel is theoretically best for its mobility and damage, but Goblin is practically valuable due to its 12% shop discount. If you’re lucky, reroll for Archangel; if not, Goblin is a solid money-saving choice.

Will the Spider Cave money method get nerfed?

It’s highly likely. Major updates often bring balance changes, and the current Spider Cave + Heavy Chest Plate method is significantly overpowered compared to other money-making methods.

Can I access the new cave with basic gear?

Probably not. Based on previous updates, new areas typically require mid-to-high tier equipment. At minimum, you’ll want a Frost Pickaxe and decent armor.

Should I sell my current pickaxe to save money?

Yes! Always sell your old pickaxes when upgrading. While you won’t get the full purchase price back, you’ll still recover a significant percentage – especially important for expensive pickaxes.

What if the update gets delayed?

All preparation steps are valuable regardless of timing. The money you save, gear you craft, and quests you complete will always be useful. Plus, you’ll be ready whenever the update does drop!

Final Thoughts

The Cave Update is shaping up to be The Forge’s most significant content drop yet. By following these 10 preparation steps, you’ll be positioned to:

Access all new content immediately
Acquire the best gear faster than other players
Avoid the post-update grinding rush
Enjoy the new content without frustration

Remember, preparation is everything in The Forge. The players who dominate new updates aren’t necessarily the most skilled – they’re the ones who came prepared.