The Forge Cthulhu Farming Guide (March 2026) Complete Walkthrough
If you’re diving into The Forge’s latest content, you’ve likely hit the infamous Cthulhu quest wall. As someone who’s spent countless hours perfecting this grind, I’m here to tell you that finding and farming Cthulhu doesn’t have to be the nightmare everyone makes it out to be. This comprehensive guide will transform your approach from frustrating hours of waiting to an efficient, systematic farming method that gets you that Heavenly Pickaxe faster than you ever thought possible.
Quick Reference: Cthulhu Farming Essentials
| Aspect | Details | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Cost | 1 Coinite per trip | Farm extra before starting |
| Location | Large Cave at front of maze | Same area as Angel Quest |
| Spawn Rate | Extremely low naturally | Server hopping required |
| Total Needed | 15 Cthulhu for final quest | Split across 3 quest stages |
| Health Range | 11,200-15,600 HP | Bring appropriate weapons |
| Damage Output | 115 DMG | Ensure proper armor |
| Gold Reward | $750-1,500 per kill | Good for farming income |
| Essence Drops | Greater, Superior, Epic | Essential for crafting |
Understanding the Cthulhu Quest Context
Before we dive into the farming strategies, it’s crucial to understand why Cthulhu is so important in The Forge’s current meta. The Cthulhu enemy serves as the primary gatekeeper for the Heavenly Pickaxe, one of the most sought-after tools introduced in the January 2026 Iceberg Expansion. This isn’t just another enemy grind – it’s your ticket to accessing some of the best mining equipment in the game.
The questline, given by the Angel NPCs Zarall and Zachariel at the maze’s center, requires you to defeat progressively more Cthulhus and Skeleton Pirates across three stages. What makes this particularly challenging is the combination of low spawn rates and the maze’s daily-resetting layout, which means static guides become useless every 24 hours.
Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting?
Level and Area Requirements
Before you even think about hunting Cthulhu, you need to meet these essential requirements:
- EXP Level 70 – This is non-negotiable as it’s required to access Frostspire Expanse via the Portal system
- Raven Cave Access – You’ll need this to farm Coinite, the currency for maze entry
- Decent Gear – While Cthulhu isn’t the toughest enemy, having at least mid-tier armor and weapons will make the process much smoother
- Time Investment – Even with optimal methods, expect to spend several hours completing all quest stages
Resource Preparation
The biggest mistake I see players make is underestimating the Coinite cost. Each maze entry costs 1 Coinite, and with server hopping, you’ll burn through dozens of these. Here’s my recommended preparation:
- Minimum 50 Coinite for a complete quest run
- Preferred 100+ Coinite for comfortable farming with mistakes
- Stock up on healing items – while the maze itself isn’t dangerous, the enemies can pack a punch
- Bring teleportation items if available, to speed up the return trips
Step-by-Step Maze Access Guide
Reaching the Ferry Operator
Getting to the Hidden Maze requires a specific sequence that many players miss:
- Portal to Frostspire Expanse – Available once you hit EXP Level 70
- Navigate to the Docks – Head to the pier at the island’s edge
- Find the Ferry Operator NPC – He’s usually near the docked boats
- Pay 1 Coinite – This is your entry fee to Iceberg Island
- Board the Boat – Don’t attempt to swim! The water is toxic and kills instantly
Critical Safety Warning
I cannot stress this enough: DO NOT SWIM TO THE ISLAND. The ocean surrounding the maze is coded as toxic water that kills your character on contact. I’ve seen countless players lose their Coinite and progress by trying to take shortcuts. Always use the ferry system.
Maze Navigation Mastery
Understanding Daily Reset Mechanics
The Hidden Maze resets its layout every 24 hours, which means any static maps or guides become outdated quickly. However, I’ve discovered a consistent navigation method that works regardless of the daily changes:
The East-Direction Strategy: Regardless of the maze’s current layout, consistently moving east will eventually lead you to the key areas. This works because the maze is designed with the Fungi Shop at its center and the Large Cave (Cthulhu spawn point) toward the eastern section.
Using the Fungi Shop as Your Landmark
The Fungi Shop NPC is your most reliable navigation tool because:
- Always spawns at maze center – This never changes, even with daily resets
- Sells essential items – Fungi Potions and new weapon recipes
- Visual reference point – Use it to orient yourself if you get lost
Locating the Large Cave
Cthulhu consistently spawns in the Large Cave at the front side of the maze. This is the same area where you’ll find the Angel Quest NPCs, making it easy to multitask while farming. The cave entrance is typically marked by distinctive rock formations and is larger than other cave entrances in the maze.
The Server Hopping Strategy: Your Key to Efficiency
Why Server Hopping Works?
The natural spawn rate for Cthulhu is abysmal – we’re talking hours between spawns if you wait normally. Server hopping exploits the game’s instance system by forcing fresh spawns in new servers. When you join a new server, there’s a high chance (1-3 Cthulhu) that have just spawned and haven’t been killed yet.
Step-by-Step Server Hopping Method
Here’s the exact method I’ve perfected through hundreds of runs:
- Enter Maze Island (Costs 1 Coinite)
- Navigate to Large Cave – Use the east-direction strategy
- Check for Cthulhu spawns
- If present: Kill all available Cthulhu
- If absent: Immediately leave the server
- Join a different server – Use the server browser or rejoin
- Repeat the process – Continue until quest completion
Resource Management During Server Hopping
This method burns through Coinite quickly, so here’s how to optimize:
- Batch your farming – Do 10-15 server hops in one session
- Track your progress – Keep count of Cthulhu killed per quest stage
- Efficient routing – Learn the fastest path from ferry to cave
- Consider party play – If playing with others, take turns paying Coinite
Quest Progression: All Three Stages
Maze Quest 1: The Introduction
Requirements:
- Kill 10 Skeleton Pirates
- Kill 2 Cthulhu
Strategy: This stage is relatively easy and serves as an introduction to the mechanics. Focus on learning the maze layout and perfecting your server hopping rhythm.
Maze Quest 2: Scaling Up
Requirements:
- Kill 25 Skeleton Pirates
- Kill 7 Cthulhu
Strategy: The difficulty increases here. I recommend having at least 30 Coinite before starting this stage, as you’ll need more server hops to find the required Cthulhu spawns.
Maze Quest 3: The Final Challenge
Requirements:
- Kill 50 Skeleton Pirates
- Kill 15 Cthulhu
Strategy: This is where most players give up. You’ll need 50+ Coinite and several hours of dedicated farming. Break this into multiple sessions to avoid burnout.
Advanced Farming Techniques
Optimal Server Selection
Not all servers are equal for Cthulhu farming. Here’s what I’ve discovered:
- Lower population servers often have better spawn rates
- Morning hours (server time) tend to be less competitive
- Newly created servers have the highest chance of fresh spawns
Combat Optimization
While Cthulhu isn’t the toughest enemy, optimizing your combat approach saves precious time:
- Use weapons with high attack speed – Cthulhu has moderate health, so faster hits work better
- Bring area-effect weapons – Useful when multiple Cthulhu spawn together
- Stock healing items – Even with good armor, mistakes happen
Timing Your Sessions
The best farming times I’ve identified:
- Weekday mornings – Fewer players competing
- Immediately after daily reset – Fresh maze layout means fewer players know the optimal routes
- During major events – Many players are distracted elsewhere
Understanding Cthulhu Drops and Their Value
Drop Rates and Items
Cthulhu provides valuable drops that make the farming worthwhile even beyond the quest:
| Item | Drop Chance | Value/Use |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Essence | 1/6 (16.7%) | Mid-tier crafting |
| Superior Essence | 1/7 (14.3%) | High-tier crafting |
| Epic Essence | 1/9 (11.1%) | Top-tier crafting |
| Gold | $750-1,500 | General currency |
| Experience | 250-500 XP | Level progression |
Economic Considerations
Even if you’re not interested in the Heavenly Pickaxe, Cthulhu farming can be profitable:
- Essence market – High demand for crafting materials
- Gold farming – Consistent income source
- Experience gains – Good for leveling alts or new accounts
Heavenly Pickaxe: Is It Worth the Grind?
Statistical Comparison
Let’s break down whether the Heavenly Pickaxe is worth your time investment:
| Feature | Heavenly Pickaxe | Dragon Head Pickaxe | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mining Speed | Faster | Slower | Heavenly |
| Mining Power | 725 | Higher | Dragon Head |
| Luck Stat | 85% | Higher | Dragon Head |
| Cost | $2.4M + quest | Quest rewards | Dragon Head |
| Rune Slots | 4 | Varies | Heavenly |
My Verdict
After extensive testing, I recommend the Dragon Head Pickaxe for serious miners due to its superior Luck stat, which significantly increases rare ore drops. However, the Heavenly Pickaxe excels for speed mining and has more rune slots for customization.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Resource Management Errors
- Underestimating Coinite needs – Always bring more than you think you’ll need
- Not banking excess Coinite – Don’t carry everything on you
- Ignoring other resources – Remember to stock healing items and potions
Navigation Mistakes
- Swimming instead of using the ferry – Instant death, lost Coinite
- Relying on outdated maps – Maze resets daily
- Getting lost in the maze – Always use the Fungi Shop as your center point
Combat Errors
- Underestimating Cthulhu damage – 115 DMG can kill unprepared players
- Not bringing appropriate weapons – Some weapons are ineffective
- Ignoring Skeleton Pirates – They’re quest requirements too
Troubleshooting Common Issues
“I Can’t Find Cthulhu Anywhere”
This is the most common complaint. Here’s my checklist:
- ✅ Are you in the Large Cave at the front of the maze?
- ✅ Have you tried server hopping at least 10 times?
- ✅ Is it possible another player just killed them?
- ✅ Are you on the right quest stage?
“I Keep Running Out of Coinite”
Solution:
- Farm 50+ Coinite before starting serious farming
- Consider party play to split costs
- Focus on efficiency – minimize wasted trips
“The Maze Layout Keeps Changing”
This is intentional! Use the east-direction strategy and Fungi Shop as your landmark.
Future Updates and Meta Considerations
Potential Changes
Based on developer patterns and community feedback, watch for:
- Spawn rate adjustments – The community has requested higher Cthulhu spawn rates
- Quest requirement changes – Possible reduction in Cthulhu needed
- New farming methods – Developers may introduce alternative strategies
Staying Updated
To keep current with changes:
- Join the official Discord server
- Follow official Twitter for announcements
- Check the Reddit community for player strategies
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to complete all Cthulhu quests?
With optimal server hopping, expect 3-5 hours total. Without server hopping, it could take 20+ hours due to natural spawn rates.
Can I complete Cthulhu quests solo?
Yes, but it’s more expensive. Party play allows you to split Coinite costs and take turns ferrying.
What’s the best time to farm Cthulhu?
Weekday mornings (server time) typically have fewer players and better spawn availability.
Do I need to kill Skeleton Pirates too?
Yes, they’re required for all quest stages. Focus on Cthulhu first, then clean up Pirates as you find them.
Is the Heavenly Pickaxe better than Dragon Head Pickaxe?
It depends on your goals. Heavenly is faster with more rune slots, but Dragon Head has better Luck for rare drops.
What happens if I die in the maze?
You respawn outside and need to pay another Coinite to re-enter. This is why resource management is crucial.
Can I sell the essences I get from Cthulhu?
Yes, Greater, Superior, and Epic Essences are valuable crafting materials with good market demand.
Final Thoughts
Mastering Cthulhu farming in The Forge is less about raw skill and more about systematic efficiency. The server hopping method I’ve outlined here transforms what could be a 20+ hour grind into a manageable 3-5 hour session. Remember to prepare adequately, stay patient during dry spells, and don’t be afraid to take breaks between quest stages.
The Heavenly Pickaxe questline represents some of the best content The Forge has to offer, and with this guide, you’re now equipped to tackle it like a pro. Happy hunting, and may your server hops be ever in your favor!
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