Hardmode Ores Advanced Guide

Overview

After defeating the Wall of Flesh, smashing Demon/Crimson Altars with the Pwnhammer generates Hardmode ores in your world. Each altar smashed spawns one tier of ore, cycling through Tier 1 → 2 → 3.

Tier 1: Cobalt / Palladium

Cobalt

or

Palladium

Pickaxe RequiredMolten Pickaxe or better (100% pickaxe power)

Equipment

• Cobalt/Palladium Pickaxe
• Cobalt/Palladium Armor Set
• Cobalt/Palladium Sword

Found at all underground depths. Mine enough for a pickaxe first to access Tier 2.

Tier 2: Mythril / Orichalcum

Mythril

or

Orichalcum

Pickaxe RequiredCobalt/Palladium Pickaxe or better (110% pickaxe power)

Equipment

• Mythril/Orichalcum Anvil
• Mythril/Orichalcum Armor Set
• Mythril/Orichalcum weapons

Priority: craft the Mythril/Orichalcum Anvil first — it unlocks all Tier 2-3 crafting.

Tier 3: Adamantite / Titanium

Adamantite

or

Titanium

Pickaxe RequiredMythril/Orichalcum Pickaxe or better (150% pickaxe power)

Equipment

• Adamantite/Titanium Forge
• Adamantite/Titanium Armor Set
• Tier 3 weapons

Titanium armor is generally preferred for its Shadow Dodge set bonus.

Anvils & Forges

Mining Tips

Spelunker Potion

Highlights all ores and treasures on screen. Essential for efficient mining.

Mining Armor

Increases mining speed by 30%. Useful for extended mining sessions.

Mining Potion

Increases mining speed by 25%. Stacks with Mining Armor.

Dangersense Potion

Highlights traps and hazards. Prevents surprise deaths underground.

Altar Strategy

How many altars should you smash? Each set of 3 completes a cycle, but returns diminish and biome spread increases.

Ore Comparison

Summary

1. Smash 6-9 altars for optimal ore generation.
2. Always craft the pickaxe first to access the next tier.
3. Mythril/Orichalcum Anvil is the priority Tier 2 craft.
4. Use Spelunker Potions for efficient mining.
5. Titanium armor's Shadow Dodge is the best Tier 3 set bonus.