- Doloc Town upgrade tools progression centers on copper-tier equipment crafted from river valley ore
- Pickaxe first is the recommended priority, unlocking new mining nodes and larger junk piles
- Garbage Smelter transforms rusty scrap into copper bars, reducing repeated mining trips
- Lost tools can be replaced through crafting stations or community guidance
- Auto-fire drones provide essential protection while you mine upgrade materials
Tool Upgrade Fundamentals
Upgrading your tools is the single most impactful progression step in Doloc Town. Copper-tier tools dramatically increase your efficiency, unlock new map areas, and allow you to break down larger junk piles that block access to valuable resources. The base tools you start with are functional, but they quickly become a bottleneck as you explore deeper into the post-apocalyptic world.
Video Highlights:
- Copper tools are the first major upgrade tier
- Pickaxe upgrade unlocks ore mining in the river valley
- Axe upgrade breaks rockwood and grants access to new western areas
- Drone auto-fire mode is essential for safe mining runs
- Garbage Smelter converts rusty scrap into usable copper bars
The upgrade system relies on gathering raw copper ore from the river valley, then refining it into bars through a smelter. Each tool serves a specific purpose in unlocking content, making the order in which you upgrade them strategically important for smooth progression.
Copper tools do more than increase gathering speed. The copper pickaxe unlocks ore veins and large junk piles. The copper axe breaks rockwood barriers blocking new zones. The copper scythe harvests vines needed for seed unlocks. Prioritizing correctly prevents progression dead-ends.
Copper Tool Upgrade Priority
Not all copper tools are created equal. Each upgrade unlocks specific content gates, and following the optimal order ensures you never get stuck waiting for the right equipment. Based on community testing and gameplay experience, here is the recommended upgrade sequence.
| Priority | Tool | Cost | Unlocks | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Copper Pickaxe | Copper bars | River Valley ore, large junk piles | Mining iron and copper nodes |
| 2nd | Copper Axe | Copper bars | Rockwood clearing, west map access | Bamboo cutting, new exploration zones |
| 3rd | Copper Scythe | Copper bars | Vine harvesting | Seed unlocks at Alchemy's Lab |
Copper Pickaxe
- First priority upgrade
- Mines ore in river valley
- Breaks large junk piles
- Enables copper self-sufficiency
- Unlocks iron gathering
Copper Axe
- Second priority upgrade
- Clears rockwood barriers
- Opens western map areas
- Cuts bamboo in river valley
- Expands exploration range
Copper Scythe
- Third priority upgrade
- Harvests tough vines
- Required for seed unlocks
- Supports farm expansion
- Lower urgency than pickaxe and axe
Resist the urge to upgrade the axe or scythe first. Without the copper pickaxe, you cannot efficiently mine the copper ore needed for the remaining upgrades. Always start with the pickaxe to establish a sustainable resource loop.
Gathering Copper Ore Efficiently
Copper ore is found in the river valley, an area that requires combat readiness to navigate safely. The valley contains hostile drones and enemies that can interrupt your mining operations. Preparation and smart drone management are essential for productive gathering runs.
| Strategy | Method | Output Rate | Risk Level | Recommended Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Mining | Mine copper nodes with pickaxe | High | Medium | 2-3 in-game days |
| Drone Guard | Set drone to auto-fire while mining | High | Low | 2-3 in-game days |
| Scrap Smelting | Smelt rusty scrap into copper bars | Medium | None | Ongoing passive source |
| Junk Pile Farming | Break large piles with copper pickaxe | Low-Medium | Low | Whenever available |
Prepare Your Loadout
Equip your pickaxe and ensure your drone battery is fully charged. Carry blueberries for stamina recovery and canned food for emergency health. Bring a takeout box for overflow storage of common materials like rocks and soil.
Enable Drone Auto-Fire
Open your settings and turn on the drone auto-fire mode. This turns your drone into a personal bodyguard that automatically attacks hostile enemies while you focus on mining nodes. This setting is a game-changer for solo mining trips.
Mine the River Valley
Head to the river valley and systematically mine every copper node you encounter. Prioritize copper veins over common stone. When your inventory fills up, use your takeout box to stack common materials and continue mining.
Craft the Garbage Smelter
Once you have enough copper, craft the garbage smelter. This structure transforms small rusty scraps into copper bars, providing a passive source of upgrade materials and reducing the number of trips you need to make to the river valley.
The garbage smelter is a long-term investment that pays for itself quickly. Every small rusty scrap you collect from junk piles and defeated drones can be converted into copper bars. Stockpile rusty scraps early so you always have smelting fuel ready.
Recovering and Replacing Lost Tools
Losing essential tools like your axe or pickaxe can halt your progression entirely. This is a known issue that players encounter, and the Steam community discussions confirm that tool recovery is a common concern. If your tools have vanished from your inventory, there are several paths to getting back on track.
| Situation | Solution | Difficulty | Prevention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tool missing from inventory | Check storage chests and shelves first | Easy | Always return tools to a designated chest |
| Tool lost in the field | Retrace steps to last used location | Easy | Keep a spare set at your farm |
| Cannot craft replacement | Gather copper and use crafting station | Medium | Maintain a copper bar reserve |
| No crafting station available | Progress main story to unlock stations | Hard | Follow story quests promptly |
Before panicking about lost tools, thoroughly check every storage container you own. Tools can accidentally be placed into boxes or shelves when organizing inventory. Check Link's shelf, your storage containers, and any takeout boxes you may have used recently.
If you have confirmed the tool is truly gone and cannot be found, your next step is crafting a replacement. This requires access to the appropriate crafting station and the necessary materials. Players on the Steam community discussion boards have noted that tool crafting becomes available as you progress through the early game story and unlock the right stations.
Supporting Your Upgrade Journey
Tool upgrades do not happen in isolation. Several supporting systems and preparations make the upgrade process smoother and more efficient. Addressing these areas before and during your upgrade journey saves significant time and frustration.
Tool Upgrade Preparation Checklist:
- Upgrade backpack to 500 gold capacity before mining trips
- Stockpile 50+ blueberries for stamina during mining runs
- Complete Link's environmental crisis mission early
- Enable drone auto-fire in settings before heading to river valley
- Craft at least one garbage smelter for passive copper bar production
- Maintain a dedicated takeout box for mining overflow
- Save 1,000 gold for the first drone frame upgrade from Motti
Before investing heavily in tool upgrades, ensure your backpack has been upgraded at least once. The default inventory fills rapidly when mining copper ore. The first backpack upgrade costs 500 gold and should be purchased on day one by selling the free morning beer from Zenith and junk from the junkyard.
Beyond immediate preparations, consider the long-term ecosystem that supports tool maintenance and upgrades. Building a tree farm near your base provides sustainable wood for crafting stations and construction. Trading trash with Link for old engine cores powers your generators, which in turn run sprinklers and other automated systems that free up your time for exploration and mining.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the recommended order for Doloc Town upgrade tools?
The optimal upgrade order is copper pickaxe first, copper axe second, and copper scythe third. The pickaxe unlocks ore mining in the river valley, which is essential for crafting the other two upgrades. The axe opens new map areas by clearing rockwood, and the scythe enables vine harvesting for seed unlocks.
Q: Where do I find copper ore for tool upgrades?
Copper ore is found in the river valley. Set your drone to auto-fire mode before heading there, as the area contains hostile enemies. Plan to spend 2-3 in-game days mining to gather enough copper for your first set of upgrades. You can also smelt small rusty scraps into copper bars using the garbage smelter.
Q: How do I replace lost tools in Doloc Town?
First, check all your storage containers and shelves thoroughly. If the tool is truly gone, you will need to craft a replacement at the appropriate crafting station using copper bars and other materials. Tool crafting stations unlock as you progress through the main story quests.
Q: Is the garbage smelter worth building early?
Yes, the garbage smelter is highly valuable early in the game. It converts small rusty scraps, which you collect constantly from junk piles and defeated drones, into copper bars. This creates a passive source of upgrade materials and significantly reduces the number of mining trips you need to make to the river valley.
Q: Can I skip the copper scythe upgrade?
While you can delay the scythe upgrade, you should not skip it entirely. The copper scythe is required to harvest vines that are used for unlocking new seeds at Alchemy's Lab. Without it, your farming options remain limited. Prioritize the pickaxe and axe first, but plan to craft the scythe soon after.