Progressing through Fields of Mistria's main story hinges on delving into its mines, a vital activity for earning money, acquiring crafting materials, completing quests, and finding gifts for the town's inhabitants. This guide breaks down mining progression, offering insights into optimal tools, biome-specific discoveries, and survival strategies within the subterranean environments.
Mining Fundamentals
Initial access to the mines is limited. Descending the ladder leads to the first floor, where breaking rocks reveals the path to the next level. Every five floors, an elevator is unlocked, granting access to previously discovered floors and the surface exit. This system allows players to skip earlier levels once deeper ones are accessible. Mine floors are populated with rocks, various enemies, collectable items, and chests. Deeper exploration unlocks new biomes, each featuring distinct rock types, enemies, foragables, and resources.
Effective mine expeditions require preparation, including an efficient inventory and careful time management, as time passes quickly, especially during combat. Reaching zero Health results in fainting and respawning at the Clinic, while zero Stamina impedes the ability to fight or mine. An optimal inventory includes a sword, pickaxe, net, fishing rod, and at least two meals, leaving non-essential items back home.
At the mine's entrance, a Dragon Statue allows players to exchange Essence for Mining and Combat Skill perks, influencing factors like drop rates and critical strike chance.
Combat Mechanics
Combat in Fields of Mistria is straightforward, and with appropriate gear and armor, even high-level encounters should be manageable. The primary weapon is the sword, which can be upgraded using materials found within the mines. Armor is acquired similarly, though both weapons and armor can also be obtained as combat rewards.
Upon reaching zero Health, players respawn at the Clinic without losing items in their inventory, though significant in-game time is lost. To prevent fainting, players should carry food, utilize scattered fountains within the mines, and employ armor strategically. Each monster has unique combat requirements, detailed in the game's monster guide.
Exploring the Mines
Discovering whirlpools in water can lead to secret rooms containing valuable items. Ladders ascend only to the mine entrance, so they should be used for exiting the mines. Descending a revealed ladder always progresses to the next floor. If a ladder is not visible, continued rock breaking will eventually reveal one. Dragon Priestess Statues offer rewards of Health, Stamina, or Essence in exchange for items. Learned spells, such as the rain spell, can significantly ease challenges like navigating lava levels.
Biome Progression
The mines are divided into five distinct biomes, each separated by a Seal that must be broken to proceed:
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The Upper Mines: Floors 1-19. This area contains resources like Copper Ore, Ruby Stone, Clay, Peat, and Sod, alongside forageables such as Narrows Moss and Red Toadstool. Artifacts like the Miner's Helmet and Obsidian Blade can be found here, as well as bugs like the Copper Nugget Beetle.
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The Tide Caverns: Floors 21-39. Resources include Iron, Sapphire Rock, and Coral. Forageables like Jade and Sea Grapes are present. Players can find artifacts such as the Crab Statue and Ritual Chalice. Unique bugs include the Coral Mantis and Waterfly. Furniture like the Crown of the Tide can also be unlocked.
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The Deep Earth: Floors 41-59. This biome yields Silver, Emerald Rock, and Crystal. Forageables include Crystal Berries and Rockroot. Artifacts like the Earth-Infused Stone and Rock Statue are discoverable. Bugs such as the Crystal Wing Moth and Deep Earthworm inhabit this area.
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The Lava Caves: Floors 61-79. Resources include Gold, Diamond Rock, and Obsidian. Forageables like Ash Mushroom and Lava Chestnuts can be found. Artifacts like the Fire Crystal and Rainbow Geode are present. Bugs like the Cooktop Beetle and Fire Wasp are native to this biome.
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The Ancient Ruins: Floors 81-99. This final biome offers Mistril, Pink Diamond, and Voidite. Forageables include Chirping Fern and Essence Blossom. Players may find artifacts such as the Dragon Pact Tablet and Dragon Scale. Bugs like the Ancient Firefly and Giant Worm are found here.
Furniture and cosmetic items can be unlocked through the Reclaimer Skill, crafting using recipe scrolls found with the Natural Beauty Skill, or by feeding Mimic enemies. Each biome offers unique collectables, resources, and challenges.