Overview
The Impact Hammer is an advanced mining tool in Starsand Island designed for breaking higher-tier ore chunks found in the Moonlit Forest. While Common Ore Chunks can be mined with a standard Pickaxe, Uncommon and Rare Ore Chunks require the Impact Hammer's greater striking force to crack open. This makes it an essential tool for players looking to access the game's rarest mineral resources.
The Impact Hammer is not available from the start of the game. It is unlocked at higher Crafter profession tiers and must be crafted at a Worktable using advanced materials. Players who invest in the Crafter profession path will gain access to this tool as a natural part of their progression, opening up valuable late-game resource gathering opportunities.
Ore Chunk Tiers
Ore chunks in the Moonlit Forest come in three tiers, each requiring a different level of tool to mine. The tier system gates access to rarer resources behind progression milestones. This keeps that players gradually unlock more valuable materials as they advance their Crafter profession.
Ore Chunk Tier | Required Tool | Example Resources |
|---|---|---|
Common Ore Chunk | Pickaxe (standard) | Basic metals, common stone, low-tier crafting materials |
Uncommon Ore Chunk | Impact Hammer | Magnetite, mid-tier alloys, refined stone |
Rare Ore Chunk | Impact Hammer | Spirit Cube Fragments, high-tier metals, rare crafting components |
Common Ore Chunks are abundant throughout the forest and can be mined immediately with the basic Pickaxe that every player starts with. Uncommon and Rare Ore Chunks are less frequent, often found deeper in the forest or in more difficult-to-reach areas. Attempting to mine an Uncommon or Rare Ore Chunk without the Impact Hammer results in a "tool too weak" message and no resources are extracted.
How to Unlock
The Impact Hammer blueprint becomes available as the player progresses through the Crafter profession tier system. The exact tier requirement may vary based on game balance changes during Early Access, but it is gated behind the mid-to-upper Crafter ranks. Players who focus on crafting as their primary or secondary profession will reach this unlock point through normal gameplay.
Once the blueprint is unlocked, it appears in the player's crafting menu at the Worktable. The blueprint is permanently learned; you do not need to purchase it separately from a shop.
Crafting Requirements
The Impact Hammer is crafted at a Worktable using advanced materials. The recipe requires resources that themselves may come from Moonlit Forest gathering, creating a progression loop where early forest visits yield materials needed to craft the tool that lets you access deeper resources on subsequent visits.
Exact material requirements are subject to balance adjustments during Early Access. Check the Worktable crafting menu for the current recipe once the blueprint is unlocked. Typical advanced tool recipes in Starsand Island require a combination of refined metals, hardwood, and specialty components.
Using the Impact Hammer
Equip the Impact Hammer from your tool inventory and approach an Uncommon or Rare Ore Chunk. Interact with the ore chunk to begin the mining action. The Impact Hammer uses a heavier striking animation than the standard Pickaxe, taking a few more swings to break through the tougher ore. Each successful mining action consumes stamina, with the Impact Hammer using more stamina per swing than the basic Pickaxe due to its heavier nature.
Once an ore chunk is fully broken, it drops its contained resources directly into your inventory (or on the ground if your inventory is full). The type and quantity of resources depend on the ore chunk tier and some randomization. Rare Ore Chunks have a chance to drop multiple resource types in a single extraction, including valuable Spirit Cube Fragments used in high-end crafting recipes.
Key Resources From Higher-Tier Ores
Magnetite
A mid-tier mineral found in Uncommon Ore Chunks. Magnetite is used in several advanced crafting recipes including upgraded tools, building components, and decorative items. It has a distinctive dark metallic appearance and is moderately valuable when sold.
Spirit Cube Fragments
One of the rarest resources in Starsand Island, found exclusively in Rare Ore Chunks. Spirit Cube Fragments are essential components for endgame crafting projects and high-tier equipment upgrades. Their scarcity makes the Impact Hammer a critical tool for players pursuing the most advanced crafting goals.
Tips
Prioritize the Crafter profession if you want early access to the Impact Hammer. The sooner you unlock it, the sooner you can start gathering rare resources.
Bring stamina recovery items (food, drinks) when mining in the Moonlit Forest. The Impact Hammer's higher stamina cost per swing means you will burn through your energy bar faster than with basic tools.
Place a bed near the Moonlit Forest entrance so you can mine until late at night and sleep immediately, starting the next day with full stamina for another mining session.
Uncommon Ore Chunks respawn over time. Establish a regular mining route through the forest to maximize your resource income across multiple visits.
Use the Ore Analyzer to identify and sort the materials you extract. This helps you track which resources you have enough of and which you still need for specific recipes.