Tungsten vs. Gold Pickaxe in Terraria: Which Tool Reigns Supreme?
The question of whether a Tungsten Pickaxe is better than a Gold Pickaxe in Terraria is a common one for new and seasoned players alike. The answer, however, isn’t a simple “yes” or “no.” It depends heavily on what you prioritize in the early stages of the game. Here’s a breakdown:
No, the Tungsten Pickaxe is generally NOT better than the Gold Pickaxe in most crucial aspects. While the Tungsten Pickaxe has a slight edge in pickaxe power compared to its direct alternative, the Silver Pickaxe, the Gold Pickaxe outperforms it in several key areas making it the better option. The Gold Pickaxe is ultimately more useful due to its higher power, and faster speed when compared to Tungsten.
Why the Gold Pickaxe Takes the Lead
While the Tungsten Pickaxe is stronger than Iron and Lead Pickaxes, it falls short compared to Gold in crucial ways:
- Pickaxe Power: The Gold Pickaxe boasts higher pickaxe power than the Tungsten Pickaxe. This allows it to mine more types of blocks and ores, including those that Tungsten cannot touch.
- Mining Speed: The Gold Pickaxe also has a faster mining speed than the Tungsten Pickaxe. This translates to a more efficient experience overall.
- Progression: The Gold Pickaxe is necessary to mine blocks like Ebonstone, Crimstone, and later, Hellstone, which are crucial for progression. The Tungsten Pickaxe cannot mine these blocks, rendering it less useful as players advance.
The Tungsten Pickaxe’s Niche
The Tungsten Pickaxe is not entirely without merit, and here’s where it shines:
- Early Availability: Tungsten ore is typically more common than Gold ore. This means it’s often easier to acquire the necessary resources to craft a Tungsten Pickaxe, making it a viable early-game upgrade from Iron or Lead.
- Alternative to Silver: The Tungsten Pickaxe is definitely better than its alternate, the Silver Pickaxe with its higher pickaxe power. This makes it a slightly better mining choice if you are in a world that doesn’t generate gold.
- Meteorite Mining: Unlike the Silver Pickaxe, the Tungsten Pickaxe can mine Meteorite, which is an early-game ore useful for creating the space-age armor.
When to Choose Tungsten
If you find yourself with a lot of Tungsten ore and struggle to find gold, crafting a Tungsten Pickaxe is not a bad idea. It can be a good stepping stone to get you to a better pickaxe.
When to Prioritize Gold
If your aim is to progress efficiently through the early game, the Gold Pickaxe is the better overall choice. The increased speed and power will ensure that you can obtain the resources you need much more efficiently. Gold will also allow you to mine more ore types.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about pickaxes and ore in Terraria, to help you make informed decisions in your Terraria world:
1. What is the absolute best pickaxe in Terraria?
The Luminite Pickaxes are the best pickaxes in Terraria. They are crafted from Luminite bars obtained after defeating the Moon Lord.
2. What is better than a Gold Pickaxe?
The Platinum Pickaxe is better than the Gold Pickaxe. It is crafted from Platinum bars, the alternate ore to Gold. Additionally, both Nightmare Pickaxe and the Deathbringer Pickaxe are better than gold as they allow players to mine Hellstone.
3. Is the Tungsten Pickaxe worth crafting?
The Tungsten Pickaxe is worth crafting if you have an abundance of Tungsten and are struggling to find Gold. It’s better than Iron and Lead pickaxes, and a better choice than the Silver Pickaxe, but aim for Gold or Platinum as soon as possible.
4. What pickaxe can mine Hellstone?
You will need a pickaxe with at least 65% pickaxe power to mine Hellstone. This includes the Nightmare Pickaxe, the Deathbringer Pickaxe, and their upgrades. Gold and Tungsten alone cannot mine Hellstone.
5. What is the fastest pickaxe in Terraria?
The Shroomite Digging Claw is the fastest pickaxe in the game. It is a Hardmode pickaxe crafted from Shroomite Bars, which requires defeating Plantera to obtain.
6. How do you get 200% pickaxe power in Terraria?
You can get 200% pickaxe power by crafting either the Drax or Pickaxe Axe after defeating all three Mechanical Bosses. Both require Hallowed Bars, as well as Souls of Fright, Might, and Sight.
7. Why is tungsten better than gold in real life?
In real life, tungsten is much stronger and more durable than gold. Tungsten carbide is roughly 10 times stronger than gold, making it ideal for things like tools, jewelry, and other items needing high durability.
8. What is Tungsten ore used for in Terraria?
Tungsten ore is used to make Tungsten Bars, which are used to create Tungsten tier weapons, armor, and tools. It’s an early-game ore found in the Underground and Cavern layers.
9. What is better than tungsten in Terraria and real life?
In Terraria, Titanium is generally considered better than Tungsten, as it is a higher-tier ore and is stronger than it. In real life, titanium is also better than tungsten in many applications due to its strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance.
10. How rare is the Laser Drill in Terraria?
The Laser Drill has a 1/800 (0.13%) chance of dropping from common enemies during a Martian Madness event.
11. What pickaxe can mine Chlorophyte?
You need a pickaxe or drill with at least 200% pickaxe power to mine Chlorophyte. This includes the Drax or Pickaxe Axe.
12. Is a drill or a pickaxe better for mining in Terraria?
Pickaxes are better than drills for mining because they are affected by melee-speed modifiers. Drills do not get the benefit of increased mining speed from these modifiers.
13. Can a Tungsten Pickaxe mine Meteorite?
Yes, the Tungsten Pickaxe can mine Meteorite, unlike the Silver Pickaxe.
14. Can a Tungsten Pickaxe mine Demonite or Crimtane?
No, the Tungsten Pickaxe cannot mine Demonite or Crimtane ore. You will need at least a Gold Pickaxe or higher.
15. What can Hallowed Bars craft?
Hallowed Bars can be used to craft a wide variety of mid-Hardmode armor and weapons. These bars are obtained by defeating the Mechanical Bosses.
Conclusion
While the Tungsten Pickaxe serves a purpose as an early game alternative to the Silver Pickaxe, it’s not better than the Gold Pickaxe in the long run. The Gold Pickaxe’s superior mining power and speed make it the better option for overall progression, and it is required to get access to better tools and materials in the game. Prioritize Gold when possible, as it will help you progress smoothly through the early game.