The Forge Pickaxe Progression Guide (March 2026) Complete Walkthrough

Updated by Prachi Jhalani
December 30, 2025
RobloxGaming

Mining is the lifeblood of The Forge, and your pickaxe determines everything from your income to your ability to craft legendary weapons. After analyzing hundreds of hours of gameplay data and cross-referencing information from official sources, I’ve created the most comprehensive pickaxe progression guide available. Whether you’re just starting with a Bronze Pickaxe or grinding toward the elusive Prismatic, this guide will optimize your path to mining mastery.

Quick Reference: Pickaxe Progression Overview

Progression Stage	Recommended Pickaxe	Cost	Mining Power	Luck Boost	Key Benefits
Tutorial	Bronze Pickaxe	Free	7	0%	Starting tool
Early Game	Stonewake’s Pickaxe	$3,333	33	10%	Large hitbox, 3 rune slots
Mid Game	Mythril Pickaxe	$67,500	80	43%	Mine Basalt Veins
Late Game	Arcane Pickaxe	$125,000	115	50%	Highest base luck, 3 rune slots
End Game	Demonic Pickaxe	$500,000	180	51%	Highest mining power
Island 3	Prismatic Pickaxe	$2,000,000	650	72%	Ultimate pickaxe, 4 rune slots

Understanding Pickaxe Mechanics

Before diving into progression, let’s master the fundamentals. Every pickaxe in The Forge has four core stats that dramatically impact your mining efficiency:

Mining Power: This determines how much damage you deal to rocks and boulders. Higher power means faster mining and access to tougher ore deposits. For example, Basalt Core rocks require 39 mining power, while Volcanic Rock needs 100 base damage.

Luck Boost: Critical for finding rare ores. Each percentage point increases your chance of discovering legendary materials like Crimsonite, Moltenfrost, and other high-value resources. This stat becomes increasingly important in late-game farming.

Mining Speed: Often overlooked but game-changing. Positive speed buffs let you mine faster, while negative debuffs (like on Stonewake’s Pickaxe) can slow you down significantly. Always consider the net effect on your mining efficiency.

Rune Slots: Your path to customization. Each slot can hold a Miner Shard Rune, providing permanent buffs to mining power, luck, speed, or ore quantity. Higher-tier pickaxes offer more slots, allowing for specialized builds.

The Complete Pickaxe Progression Path

Stage 1: Tutorial Island (Stonewake’s Cross)

Bronze Pickaxe → Iron Pickaxe

Start with the free Bronze Pickaxe, but immediately upgrade to Iron Pickaxe for $500. The 5% luck boost and doubled mining power make this essential for completing Sensei Moro’s initial quests efficiently.

Iron Pickaxe → Stonewake’s Pickaxe

This is the most crucial early-game decision. While many guides recommend Gold Pickaxe, Stonewake’s Pickaxe ($3,333) is superior for progression. Despite the -30% mining speed debuff, its 33 mining power and 3 rune slots make it incredibly versatile.

Why Stonewake’s Pickaxe dominates early game:

Large hitbox makes farming easier
Can mine Forgotten Kingdom’s Ruined Cave early
Three rune slots allow early customization
Only $3,333 compared to better alternatives

Pro Tip: Complete Bard’s guitar quest early to unlock the Unknown Key for Fallen Angel’s Cave. This prepares you for the Arcane Pickaxe later.

Stage 2: Mid Game (Forgotten Kingdom)

Stonewake’s Pickaxe → Mythril Pickaxe

Save $67,500 for the Mythril Pickaxe from Miner Fred’s Shop. This is your gateway to mining Basalt Veins, which contain legendary ores like Lightite, Mythril, and Rivalite.

Alternative Path: If you have extra gold from The Forge codes, consider skipping directly to Lightite Pickaxe ($98,500). It offers 100 mining power with +30% mining speed, making it incredibly efficient for Basalt Vein farming.

Mythril Pickaxe → Arcane Pickaxe

The Arcane Pickaxe ($125,000) represents the best value for late-game preparation. Found in Fallen Angel’s Cave (requires Unknown Key from Bard’s quest), it offers:

115 mining power
50% luck boost (highest base in game)
+10% mining speed
3 rune slots for maximum customization

Arcane vs Demonic Strategy: While Demonic Pickaxe has higher raw power, Arcane’s superior luck makes it better for rare ore farming. Many top players keep both and switch based on their current goal.

Stage 3: Late Game (Volcanic Depths & Beyond)

Arcane Pickaxe → Demonic Pickaxe

Located in the Volcanic Depths behind the Demonic Door, the Demonic Pickaxe ($500,000) is the ultimate power tool:

180 mining power (highest obtainable)
51% luck boost
3 rune slots
-10% mining speed (negligible at this power level)

Acquisition Strategy: The Demonic Door requires specific quest completions and potentially special items. Join the official Discord server for the latest requirements, as they change with updates.

Stage 4: Island 3 (Frostspire Expanse)

Island 3 introduces a new progression system with quest requirements:

Demonic Pickaxe → Aqua Pickaxe

Complete Sensei Moro’s quest 3, then purchase Aqua Pickaxe for $375,000. This allows mining in Spider’s Cave and prepares you for Island 3’s unique challenges.

Aqua Pickaxe → Snow Pickaxe

After completing Sensei Moro’s quest 6, upgrade to Snow Pickaxe ($750,000). This essential tool mines Small Ice Crystals in The Peak, which drop high-multiplier ores like Crimsonite and Moltenfrost.

Snow Pickaxe → Prismatic Pickaxe

The ultimate goal requires both wealth and dedication:

Prismatic Pickaxe Acquisition:

Accumulate 2,000,000 gold
Find one Mosasaursit (rare drop)
Locate the frozen lake southeast of Bjorn
Break the 500,000 HP ice block (requires 420+ mining power)
Purchase from the underwater chamber

Why Prismatic dominates:

650 mining power (breaks any rock)
72% luck boost
+20% mining speed
4 rune slots (first in game)
Ultimate late-game investment

Hidden and Event Pickaxes

Holiday/Event Pickaxes

These limited-time tools often provide exceptional value:

Christmas Pickaxe (3,600 Xmas Tickets)

550 mining power
72% luck boost
3 rune slots
Comparable to late-game pickaxes

Candy Cane Pickaxe (800 Xmas Tickets)

280 mining power
65% luck boost
Excellent mid-game option

Ultra-Rare Pickaxes

For completionists and whales:

Heavenly Pickaxe (Relic rarity)

750 mining power
100% luck boost
6 rune slots
+100% mining speed

Dragon Head Pickaxe (Mythic rarity)

750 mining power
78% luck boost
4 rune slots

Note: These extremely rare pickaxes typically require real money or special events and aren’t practical for most players.

Rune Optimization Strategy

Maximizing your pickaxe potential requires strategic rune placement:

Early Game Runes (Stonewake’s Pickaxe)

Miner Shard (Luck): Prioritize for rare ore farming
Miner Shard (Power): If struggling with tough rocks
Miner Shard (Speed): Counteract the -30% debuff

Mid Game Runes (Mythril/Arcane)

2x Luck Shards: Maximum rare ore potential
1x Power Shard: Ensure you can mine everything

Late Game Runes (Demonic/Prismatic)

2x Luck Shards: Ultimate rare ore farming
1x Speed Shard: Faster mining efficiency
1x Power Shard (Prismatic only): Complete domination

Area-Specific Mining Strategies

Stonewake’s Cross Strategy

Focus on completing quests quickly and saving for Stonewake’s Pickaxe. The large hitbox makes farming the central cave incredibly efficient. Target Copper and Iron ores for early weapon crafting.

Forgotten Kingdom Strategy

With Mythril Pickaxe, prioritize Basalt Vein farming. These drop legendary ores that sell for high prices or craft end-game weapons. Complete Captain Rowan and Sensei Moro quests simultaneously for maximum efficiency.

Frostspire Expanse Strategy

Island 3 requires different approaches:

Spider’s Cave: Use Aqua Pickaxe for standard deposits
The Peak: Snow Pickaxe essential for Small Ice Crystals
Underwater Chamber: Prismatic Pickaxe unlocks everything

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Skipping Stonewake’s Pickaxe

Many players waste gold on Gold and Platinum pickaxes. Stonewake’s Pickaxe provides better value and progression potential.

2. Ignoring Rune Slots

Every rune slot dramatically increases efficiency. Don’t wait to equip runes – even basic ones provide significant benefits.

3. Poor Gold Management

Save strategically for big upgrades. Don’t spend on intermediate pickaxes when you’re close to major tier upgrades.

4. Neglecting Quest Requirements

Island 3 pickaxes require specific quest completions. Always work on Sensei Moro’s quests while farming.

Advanced Mining Techniques

Speed Running Techniques

Use The Forge races with movement speed bonuses
Equip speed-boosting potions for temporary bursts
Learn optimal cave routes to minimize travel time

Efficiency Maximization

Mine in groups for shared ore drops
Use totems during intensive farming sessions
Time your mining with server restarts for better ore spawns

Economic Strategy

Focus on high-value ores for weapon crafting
Sell excess legendary ores for quick gold
Reinvest profits immediately into better pickaxes

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the fastest way to get the Prismatic Pickaxe?

Focus on completing Island 2 content first, then grind Basalt Veins with Mythril or Arcane Pickaxe. Join the official Discord for trading opportunities and group farming sessions.

Should I sell my old pickaxes?

Generally yes, except keep S-tier pickaxes (Arcane, Demonic) as they serve different purposes. Gold is better invested in your next upgrade.

How do I get more rune slots?

Upgrade to higher-tier pickaxes. Prismatic Pickaxe is the only one with 4 slots currently.

What’s the best pickaxe for making money?

Arcane Pickaxe offers the best balance of luck and power for consistent rare ore farming. Demonic Pickaxe is better for speed-running tough deposits.

Can I enhance pickaxes?

No, pickaxes can’t be enhanced directly, but runes provide permanent stat boosts that function similarly.

Future-Proofing Your Progression

The Forge receives weekly updates, often introducing new pickaxes or balancing existing ones. To stay ahead:

Follow Official Sources: Join the official Discord and Twitter (@RobloxTheForge) for update announcements.
Diversify Your Arsenal: Keep multiple pickaxes for different situations rather than selling everything for one upgrade.
Save for Events: Holiday events often introduce powerful pickaxes like the Christmas Pickaxe that compete with end-game tools.
Community Engagement: Active players often discover progression shortcuts and hidden mechanics before they’re widely known.

Conclusion

Mastering The Forge’s pickaxe progression is about more than just buying the next best tool – it’s about strategic planning, efficient resource management, and understanding the deeper mechanics of mining efficiency.

Whether you’re aiming for the Prismatic Pickaxe or just trying to optimize your current farming setup, this guide provides the foundation for dominating The Forge’s mining system. Remember that the best progression path balances your current needs with long-term goals.

Bookmark this guide and check back monthly for updates, as The Forge’s rapid development cycle means new strategies and pickaxes are always on the horizon. Happy mining, and may your luck rolls be ever in your favor!

Looking for more The Forge content? Check out our comprehensive The Forge armor guide and races tier list to complete your character build!