Overview
Iron Ore is a refinement material in Crimson Desert used at the Blacksmith to upgrade weapons, plate armor, and metal shields. It is one of the most common ores in the game and the first metal most players will encounter. Iron Ore appears most frequently in the Hernand region along cliffs and mountain walls.
How to Obtain
Iron Ore is gathered by striking ore deposits with a Pickaxe, purchased from the Provisioner's Shop in Hernand. Each deposit contains up to 6 Iron Ore pieces. The Force Palm Attack can also break ore deposits without a Pickaxe.
Deposit Locations
Iron deposits are concentrated in the Hernand region but also appear in other territories. Ore deposits sit along cliff faces, near rivers, and embedded in mountain walls.
Hernand Region
The densest concentration of Iron Ore in the game. Approximately 14 deposits cluster along the cliffs of Hernand near the rivers. This area is ideal for farming because the deposits are close together and the Provisioner's Shop (where you buy the Pickaxe) is nearby.
Southeast of Hernand and Steel Mountains
Additional deposits appear southeast of Hernand, extending into the Steel Mountains. These are slightly more spread out but still accessible on foot from the main settlement.
Demeniss Region
Iron deposits can be found around Anvil Hill in the Demeniss region. The hilly terrain here makes deposits easy to spot along exposed rock faces.
Crimson Desert Region
Deposits appear around Tashkalp town in the Crimson Desert. The arid landscape makes cliff-side deposits stand out against the sandstone.
Delesyia Region
Iron Ore deposits are found near Mount Benus in Delesyia. These tend to be higher-elevation deposits along mountain paths.
Location Summary
Region | Specific Area | Approximate Deposits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
River cliffs near town | ~14 | Densest cluster; best for farming | |
Southeast Hernand | Several | Spread across mountain terrain | |
Anvil Hill | Several | Exposed rock faces on hilly terrain | |
Around Tashkalp | Several | Cliff-side deposits in arid landscape | |
Mount Benus | Several | Higher elevation along mountain paths |
Uses
Iron Ore is used at the Blacksmith for refinement of the following equipment types:
Use | Details |
|---|---|
: swords, axes, spears, greatswords, and other melee weapons | |
: chest pieces and leg armor made from metal | |
: all non-wooden shield types |
Tips
The Hernand river cliffs are the single best spot for Iron Ore farming. With 14 deposits clustered together, you can fill your inventory in one loop.
Deposits respawn over time, so return to the Hernand cliffs periodically for a reliable supply.
Iron Ore is a common material used in early to mid-game refinements. Stock up early so you are not bottlenecked when you find a weapon worth upgrading.
Keep a Pickaxe in your inventory at all times. You will pass ore deposits constantly while traveling between quests.
Identifying Iron Ore
Iron Ore deposits appear as dark-gray rock formations embedded in cliff faces and mountainsides. They are visually distinct from Copper Ore deposits, which have a greenish tint. When you equip a Pickaxe and approach a valid deposit, the mining highlight circle appears. Hold the interact button (LB/L1 on controller, CTRL on keyboard) to highlight the mining area, then press the attack button to swing the Pickaxe. Each successful swing drops individual Iron Ore pieces on the ground that must be picked up manually.
Ore Respawn Mechanics
Iron Ore deposits respawn over time after being fully mined. The respawn timer appears to be tied to in-game time rather than real-world time. If you clear all the deposits along the Hernand river cliffs and continue playing for a while, they will eventually reappear. This makes the Hernand cluster especially valuable for repeated farming runs, since you can mine the entire loop, complete nearby quests or activities, and return to find fresh deposits waiting.
Rhett's Request
One of the earliest quests that requires Iron Ore is Rhett's Request, a side quest in Hernand. Rhett asks you to mine some Iron Ore and deliver it to his assistant. This quest is often the first time players encounter ore mining and is an introduction to the Pickaxe and the gathering system. You can buy the Pickaxe from the Provisioner's Shop in Hernand if you do not already have one. The closest Iron Ore deposits for this quest are found southwest of Hernand City and at the base of Anvil Hill to the south.
Farming Efficiency
For maximum efficiency, combine Iron Ore farming with Copper Ore collection. Both ores appear in the same areas along the Hernand river cliffs, so a single farming loop can yield both materials simultaneously. With 14 Iron deposits and 13 Copper deposits clustered near each other, one complete circuit through the Hernand cliffs can produce roughly 60 to 80 Iron Ore pieces and a similar amount of Copper Ore. The Force Palm Attack provides an alternative harvesting method that does not require a Pickaxe, though the Pickaxe is more efficient for dedicated farming sessions.