Resource farming was not always a typical aspect of adventure role-playing games, but the rise of MMOs has made it more prevalent. Diablo 4, a beloved Blizzard franchise, introduced several interesting new features, including the concept of resource farming.
Unlike traditional MMOs, Diablo 4 does not require players to have specific professions like mining or blacksmithing to gather resources. The game focuses on the importance of iron as a valuable material that players should accumulate. The advantage is that players can gather as much iron as they want, without concerns about limited bag space, mining abilities, or their character's level.
Why Farm Iron?
In Diablo 4, players will come across two types of ore in Sanctuary: iron and silver. These resources, though not directly used by players, can be exchanged along with gold to an NPC for various purposes. While resource farming is not as extensive as in other games, it aligns with the simplicity of the game's overall concept. Diablo 4 prioritizes hack and slash gameplay over resource gathering, but players who remain vigilant can still acquire a decent amount of iron and silver while combating demons.
Uses For Iron
Ore Veins and Glittering Ore Veins are nodes found in the wilderness where players can gather Chunks of Ore and Chunks of Silver. These valuable resources are stored in the Resource section of the character's inventory and can be later refined or utilized for upgrades.
The process of refining involves alchemists who possess the ability to refine various materials, predominantly herbs and plants. They can also convert iron into silver if the character requires additional resources.
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Enhancement: Iron and silver are essential for enhancing nearly all weapons and accessories, while certain armor parts also necessitate a combination of metal fragments and rare magical materials.
Sparkling Ore veins are particularly lucrative deposits that frequently hold precious gemstones. Take these to a Jeweler for cutting, enhancement, and utilization in enhancing any equipment with a socket.
Where To Farm Iron
Players who are comfortable spending time in the wilderness and remain vigilant have several options for obtaining iron. Certain locations offer better chances of finding iron nodes, while quests or specific looting spots can also yield ore.
For players who prefer travelling on horseback, it is indeed possible to gather from a node without dismounting. Nonetheless, the character must be stationary to perform this action.
Salvaging: The most convenient method of obtaining iron is by taking the equipment to the Blacksmith, who is capable of extracting iron from the various gear that players naturally collect during their journeys. However, one obstacle is that inventory space is highly limited, meaning that characters can only bring back a limited amount of iron to town.
Iron Nodes: In addition, silver can also be acquired from iron nodes when characters venture into the wilderness in search of valuable resources. These nodes are scattered randomly throughout the Sanctuary's wilderness, with a higher concentration in mountainous or rocky areas. It appears that swamplands, on the other hand, have an above-average abundance of these nodes.
Ore Caches: Quest rewards often consist of gold and a cache containing various supplies such as gear, herbs, potions, or valuable ore. A prime example of this is "A Debt Repaid," located in Backwater.
Cellars and Dungeons: Underground cellars or dungeons, particularly those situated near or within mining ruins, offer higher chances of encountering nodes, caches, chests, and enemies that are likely to drop iron or silver chunks.
Dead Miners: Take the opportunity to loot any deceased miners encountered during your travels in the wilderness. This includes not only inside mines, but also in the proximity of mine entrances, trade connections, old campsites, and abandoned transport and trade vehicles.
Chests, Traveler's Caches, and Lockboxes: As you explore the wilderness, dungeons, and other areas of Sanctuary, keep an eye out for hidden treasures. These containers may hold valuable items such as iron or silver, with a higher likelihood of finding them in mountainous regions, ruined mines, or former mining towns.