If you have ventured into The Forge enough, you’ve likely hit the same barrier everyone has. Magma and Arcane pickaxe can feel like gambling with your wallet, and it’s a good idea to know what differentiates the two before betting all of your hard-earned money on the wrong one. This guide will explain Magma vs Arcane pickaxe in The Forge very briefly so you can actually pick the tool that moves your run forward.
The Forge Magma vs Arcane Pickaxe Statistics
After you browse through our The Forge pickaxe progression guide, you’d see which one is a better pick and why. But the choice is yours for Magma vs Arcane as both rank among top-tier pickaxes in The Forge. But before we jump into the rabbit hole, here are the Magma and Arcane pickaxe stats in The Forge:
| Stats | Magma | Arcane |
|---|---|---|
| Mine Power | 135 | 115 |
| Mining Speed | None | +10% |
| Luck Boost | +46% | +50% |
| Rune Slot | 2 | 3 |
| Price | $150,000 | $125,000 |
Magma Pickaxe – Raw Power for a Price
The Magma pickaxe costs $150,000 and deals a lot of damage. It has the first-best break rate on volcanic rock in the game as well – breaking directly through with 135 mining power. This is relevant when you are farming Demoite or Darkryte in late-game areas.
But the Magma pickaxe doesn’t have a mining speed bonus. Which means you swing at the same rate as cheaper options. You’re paying for pure hitting strength, not efficiency.
The 46% luck fillip is serviceable but not the strongest. You’ll see some of those rare ores, but not as many as when using other high-tier picks.
You can’t customize anything with only 2 rune slots. You can kick up stats, but you can’t quite pile on as many effects as you might want for end-game grinding.
Best for: Gamers who require very high mining power to break into tougher ores faster. If you have trouble with volcanic rocks, this solves the problem.
Arcane Pickaxe: The Balanced Champion
The Arcane pickaxe is worth $125,000 and features as one of the top pickaxes in The Forge. It has 115 mining power (less than Magma, yet still able to mine all end-game content).
The benefit is the +10% mining rate, however. You attack faster, which allows you to smash rocks at a quicker pace even with less raw power. Over the course of long farming runs, this speed really adds up.
The 50% luck bonus is the largest in this continuum. You’ll experience more rare ore drops as a general rule of thumb, so you can make loads of cash super quickly and rise up the levels swiftly.
With 3 rune slots available, you can fully personalize your pickaxe. You can add in mining power runes, luck runes, or speed boosts. This versatility of the Arcane pickaxe makes it optimal for all farming methods.
Best for: Those who like their stats balanced and want maximum customization. It’s the sensible choice for long-term advancement.
The Forge Magma vs Arcane Pickaxe: Which to Buy?
The Arcane pickaxe is superior in nearly every situation. It’s cheaper, luckier more often, and has the luxury of that precious third rune slot. The mining speed bonus has good applications for farming sessions.
The Magma pick only becomes remotely appealing if you need exactly 20 extra mining power. But in reality, runes are equippable on the Arcane pickaxe, which makes it compete and even outperform Magma.
Here is the breakdown:
Choose Arcane if:
- You don’t just want basic coverage
- You farm rare ores regularly
- Malleable builds, many rune setups are favored by you
- You want to have an extra $25,000 available for other improvements
Choose Magma if:
- What you could use to the fullest right now is mining power
- You don’t give a care about rune pages
- Your pockets are full and you want the raw damage
- You have a hard time breaking some of the higher-tier rocks
For the vast majority of players, the Arcane pickaxe is the superior purchase. It is an S-tier option for a reason on the The Forge pickaxe tier list.
How to Get Each Pickaxe
Arcane Pickaxe Location
Must complete Bard’s Guitar quest first. Located near the campfire at Stonewake’s Cross. You will be asked to retrieve his guitar.
Go into The Cave and go down left. By the wooden post, there is now a patch of grass. Walk into it to fall down a secret area. Pick up the guitar by the skeleton.
Go back to the Bard and pick up the Unknown Key. Use this key to open the door in Fallen Angel’s Cave. The Arcane pickaxe is stored in here, costing $125,000 to purchase.
Magma Pickaxe Location
Found at Miner Fred’s Store in the Forgotten Kingdom. However, you have to unlock the portal tool and then go to World 2. Then get there, save up $150,000 to buy it outright.
Rune Slots Make the Difference
Slots for runes are very important in The Forge. They enable you to equip unique modifiers that boost your pickaxe stats. The Magma only has 2 slots, where the Arcane pickaxe has 3.
With the three slots, you can pile on:
- Farm power runes to have the same damage as Magma
- More rare drop luck runes for even more ores
- Runes of speed in order to mine faster than ever
This manipulation of the skill rates pushes up the Arcane pickaxe further. You are in control of how to use the tool according to your recent wishes.
Long-Term Progression Matters
Proper The Forge pickaxe when following a guide and you realize that flexibility is greater than raw stats. The Arcane pickaxe allows you to adjust with ease between farming zones, without having to change tools.
The Magma pickaxe pigeonholes you into a playstyle. You get high damage, but nothing in between. So as you head for the Demonic pickaxe, you will want tools that can do multiple things.
Until you can afford the Demonic pickaxe for $500,000, the Arcane pickaxe is actually more useful again. It’s an in-between mid-game and end-game content.
Final Verdict: Arcane Wins
And in the matchup Magma vs Arcane pickaxe during The Forge, it’s the correct choice for sure. It’s cheaper, better with runes, and provides the highest luck boost in-tier.
Keep your $150,000 for the Demonic pickaxe instead. Until such time that you can justify the ultimate power upgrade, use the Arcane pickaxe for fast farming of rare ores.
So, which pickaxe are you going for in the battle of Magma vs Arcane in The Forge? Let us know in the comments.
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