- Doloc Town coal is a critical early-game resource required for smelting Copper Ingots to upgrade your tools.
- Primary sources: Mining nodes in the River Valley, purchasing from the merchant Merlin, or crafting via the Charcoal Kiln.
- Best strategy: Progress the River Valley boulder quest quickly to unlock the Outpost for more abundant mining nodes.
- Save tech points: Do not spend points on the Charcoal Kiln recipe, as you receive a free kiln after delivering an item to Mira at the Outpost.
- Top tip: Stockpile coal early by assigning a dedicated storage box to automatically collect all mined coal.
Doloc Town Coal: Why It Matters
Coal is one of the most essential early-game resources you will encounter. Its primary use is fueling your foundry to smelt critical ores like Copper. Without a steady supply, progression halts entirely, as you cannot craft the Copper Pickaxe required to clear the boulder blocking the River Valley.
Video Highlights:
- Over 30 early-game tips covering resource management
- Detailed explanation of the coal shortage during the Copper Pickaxe quest
- Step-by-step guide to unlocking the Charcoal Kiln for free
- Storage optimization strategies for mined resources
During the first few days, you will find that Copper ore is relatively abundant in the mining sections of the River Valley. However, natural coal nodes are surprisingly scarce in the starting areas. This scarcity often catches players off guard when they attempt to craft the five Copper Ingots needed for the mandatory Pickaxe upgrade.
It is highly common to gather enough Copper Ore but fall short on coal. If this happens, do not abandon your mining expedition. You can bridge the gap by purchasing coal directly from Merlin, the local merchant.
To understand the immediate demand, review the crafting requirements for your first major tool upgrades:
| Tool/Item | Required Ingots | Coal Needed (Per Ingot) | Total Coal Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Pickaxe | 5 Copper Ingots | 1 Coal | 5 Coal |
| Copper Axe | 5 Copper Ingots | 1 Coal | 5 Coal |
| Small Container | 10 Copper Ingots | 1 Coal | 10 Coal |
Primary Mining Locations
Finding natural coal deposits requires venturing out of your starting farm. As you explore the post-apocalyptic environment, you will discover distinct zones that yield different mineral returns. The key to efficient farming is knowing exactly where to swing your pickaxe.
River Valley (Early)
- Copper-rich zone
- Limited coal nodes
- Accessible from Day 1
- Bring a pickaxe to mine
The Outpost (Mid)
- Abundant coal deposits
- Unlocked after River Valley boulder quest
- Better mining overall
- Check garbage bins for loot
General Store
- Purchase from Merlin
- Costs gold but saves time
- Reliable backup plan
- No exploration required
When heading to the River Valley, ensure your pickaxe is fully repaired and your inventory has space. Assign a dedicated storage box at your farm specifically for wood, stone, soil, and coal. When you return, the resources will automatically sort into their assigned slots.
The progression of coal availability is directly tied to your willingness to push through the main early quests. Clearing the blockage in the River Valley is the single most important milestone for securing a reliable coal supply.
| Location | Coal Abundance | Accessibility | Danger Level | Recommended Tool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Valley Entrance | Low | Immediate | Low | Starter Pickaxe |
| River Valley Depths | Moderate | Requires clearing rocks | Moderate | Copper Pickaxe |
| The Outpost | High | Requires quest completion | Moderate-High | Copper Pickaxe |
The Charcoal Kiln Strategy
If you are struggling to find natural deposits or prefer a renewable farming method, the Charcoal Kiln is your solution. This crafting station allows you to convert wood into coal, providing a steady stream of fuel without relying on mining expeditions.
Clear the River Valley Boulder
Use your newly crafted Copper Pickaxe to destroy the large boulder blocking the path in the River Valley. This requires 5 Copper Ingots to craft the pickaxe, meaning you need at least 5 coal from the starting zone or Merlin's shop.
Reach the Outpost
Once the boulder is cleared, follow the path to reach the Outpost. This area opens up new NPCs, quests, and most importantly, better resource nodes.
Deliver Mira's Item
You will receive a quest to deliver a specific item to an NPC named Mira who resides at the Outpost. Complete this delivery to progress her storyline.
Check Your Mail
The day after completing the delivery for Mira, check your mailbox. You will receive a Charcoal Kiln recipe and the station itself completely for free.
A common mistake is spending valuable Life tech points to unlock the Charcoal Kiln recipe early on the tech tree. Since you get it for free from Mira's questline, save those points for other essential upgrades like the Cooking Pot or Pickling Jar.
Once you have the kiln operational, you can begin mass-producing coal. This shifts your resource gathering focus from mining to woodcutting, which is generally safer and closer to your farm.
| Resource | Input per Cycle | Output per Cycle | Processing Time | Station |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coal (Charcoal) | 2 Wood | 1 Coal | ~Half Day | Charcoal Kiln |
| Copper Ingot | 1 Copper Ore, 1 Coal | 1 Copper Ingot | ~Quarter Day | Foundry |
Purchasing Coal from Merchants
Sometimes, the fastest way to get coal is simply buying it. This is especially true when you are just a few pieces short of crafting your Copper Pickaxe and do not want to wait for a Charcoal Kiln cycle. Different merchants in Doloc Town offer varying inventories and prices.
The most reliable merchant for early coal is Merlin. If you find yourself short on coal while mining in the River Valley, backtrack to town and purchase the deficit. This small gold investment pays massive dividends by unlocking the Outpost faster.
Remember that merchant inventories can fluctuate. While Merlin generally stocks coal, it is always a good idea to check other vendors like Dada near the Botanical Research Lab. Her stock changes daily and might occasionally feature raw materials at discounted prices.
To maximize your gold for purchasing coal, consider these profitable early-game activities:
| Money-Making Method | Preparation | Sell Price | Best Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed Endfoods (Cooking) | 2 Endyams, Cooking Pot | 110g | Cargo Drone |
| Raw Chinese Cabbage | Seeds, Planter Box | 130g | Seed Shop (Villain) |
| Century Egg (Pickling) | 1 Egg, Pickling Jar | 200g | Cargo Drone |
| Cod (Fishing) | Fishing Rod, Rain | 170g | Fishing Port |
Coal Farming Checklist
To ensure you never run out of coal during your playthrough, follow this comprehensive checklist. It covers the optimal progression path from Day 1 to unlocking renewable coal sources.
Essential Coal Milestones:
- Gather 10 Endyam seeds and plant them for quick gold
- Rummage large dumpsters daily for extra crafting materials
- Purchase the first backpack upgrade from Hult (500 gold)
- Assign a dedicated storage box for coal at your farm
- Buy coal from Merlin if short on the 5 needed for Copper Pickaxe
- Clear the River Valley boulder to access the Outpost
- Complete the delivery quest for Mira at the Outpost
- Collect the free Charcoal Kiln from your mailbox
- Stockpile wood to fuel your new Charcoal Kiln
Once you have your Charcoal Kiln running and a steady supply of wood from your farm area, you have effectively solved the early-game energy crisis. You can now smelt unlimited Copper Ingots and progress through the tech tree with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is the best place to mine coal in the early game?
The River Valley has some coal nodes, but they are limited. The most reliable early-game source is simply purchasing coal from Merlin at the General Store if you fall short while gathering Copper Ore. Once you clear the boulder, the Outpost offers significantly better mining opportunities.
Q: Should I spend tech points on the Charcoal Kiln recipe?
No, you should avoid spending tech points on the Charcoal Kiln recipe. If you progress through the main story and complete the delivery quest for Mira at the Outpost, you will receive a Charcoal Kiln via mail the next day completely for free. Save your tech points for other upgrades.
Q: How much coal do I need to craft the Copper Pickaxe?
You need exactly 5 coal. The Copper Pickaxe requires 5 Copper Ingots to craft, and each Copper Ingot requires 1 Copper Ore and 1 coal to smelt in the foundry. It is highly recommended to also gather 5 extra coal to upgrade your Axe simultaneously.
Q: Can I automate coal farming in Doloc Town?
Yes, by utilizing the Charcoal Kiln. Once unlocked, you can continuously feed wood into the kiln to produce coal. By placing your kiln within 2 tiles of a storage shelf containing wood, the machine can pull materials directly, creating a semi-automated coal farming setup.