Miner Shards are the only runes that can be equipped on Pickaxes in The Forge, and they provide targeted stat boosts to improve mining efficiency. Each shard increases one of four stats — Luck, Mine Power, Swift Mining, or Yield — allowing players to tailor a pickaxe to their mining goals. These shards are earned through combat with specific enemies, making area progression a factor in how quickly power and stats accumulate. Because the shards affect a tool that players rely on for resource gathering, understanding where to farm them and which bonus each shard offers is essential for players aiming to optimize their gear over time.
Delver Zombies in the starting zone form the core early source for Miner Shards. They appear in Stonewake's Cross, the first area players encounter, and are easily identifiable by the hardhat and light they wear while attacking with a pickaxe. While lower-level variants are common near the starting point, higher-level versions can be found in more distant pockets of the same zone and carry better odds of dropping a Miner Shard. It is important to note that only Delver Zombies carry a chance to drop Miner Shards; other zombies in the area do not drop them.
Beyond the starting area, Bomber Skeletons provide another avenue for Miner Shards. These enemies inhabit the Forgotten Kingdom, specifically within the Ruined Cave, which unlocks once a player reaches level 10. As with Delver Zombies, defeating higher-level Bomber Skeletons improves the likelihood of receiving a Miner Shard, and some zones may see these foes spawn more frequently, boosting farming efficiency. Players can pursue either area based on their route, risk tolerance, and the composition of their current gear; both paths are valid for building up Miner Shards over time.
All Miner Shard stat boosts
There are four distinct stat bonuses that Miner Shards can provide: Luck, Mine Power, Swift Mining, and Yield. Luck increases the chance of receiving resources when mining, Mine Power raises the damage done by the Pickaxe to rocks (shortening how long it takes to break them), Swift Mining speeds up the mining action itself, and Yield increases the probability of obtaining additional resources from a mining cycle. The practical value of any given shard depends on player preference and current resource needs. Luck can be especially helpful when pursuing rarer resources, while Yield can amplify gains when Luck is already high. The choice between shard types often hinges on what resources are prioritized and how the rest of the character’s build is progressing.
To slot more Miner Shards on a pickaxe, players will need to upgrade to stronger pickaxes that come with additional slots by default. This progression step is typically pursued later in the game, as higher-tier tools require more in-game currency and time investment. Expanding slot capacity is a straightforward path to stacking multiple stat boosts and accelerating overall mining power.
With these paths in mind, players can plan Miner Shard farming around area progression and their preferred playstyle. Best of luck collecting Miner Shards to push your mining power forward and tailor your pickaxe to the resources you seek.