4Game

Hi there!

I've recently become obsessed with mapping out a (debatably) efficient gear progression path for new character playthroughs.

For example, some key notes:

• Stone Age – Eikthyr with a Club & Crude Bow. As far as I've found, the need for leather armor is moot. One can technically fight the first boss naked. Save your Deer Hides and whatnot for Crafting Table uprades.
• Bronze Age – The Elder with a maxed Finewood Bow. Similar to Eikthyr, the boss mechanics do not require much by way of gear. As such, I've found that the only necessities are of course the Bronze Axe and Bronze Buckler (for parry gamers). I also opted for a Bronze Pickaxe because mining in this age is a trudge and feels better than with an Antler Pickaxe.
• Iron Age – Troll Armor all the way until Silver Age. That's right, given how strong Troll Armor can be, I've found that I can skip Bronze and Iron Armor entirely, especially with how cumbersome mining them can be. The Bronze Buckler + effective dodge rolling should get you far, even against mobs in the Mountains.
• Iron Age – Silver before Bonemass. I stumbled upon the "Stagbreaker — Too Hard" method of finding Silver without a Wishbone. Given how I personally dislike the Swamp, this recent playthrough, I decided to farm only enough Iron to craft the Iron Pickaxe and skip straight to the Mountains for Silver. The combat skill cap required is more difficult, sure, but definitely doable. The benefit is that the Bonemass fight + general Swamp needs becomes a walk in the park.

This brings me to my current question: for Woodcutting efficiency, which feels better from a math/feel perspective– a maxed Iron Axe or a Crystal Axe?

Based on my readings, the damage split of Crystal Axe may be a benefit, but at the cost of slower swing time and increased stamina usage. That, and the fact that on single trees, they do about the same damage, 50-59 Iron and 50-57.5 Crystal; with the Iron Axe being more stamina efficient, as mentioned. However, of course, with how badass a two-handed axe is, I'm sure an argument can be made. ROFL.

Would love to hear your thoughts as well as any other efficiency finds you may have!