- Iron ore is mined from iron nodes concentrated in Stormtouched Highlands and Fellhollow.
- You need at least a bronze pickaxe to mine iron ore nodes efficiently.
- Smelt 3 iron ore in a Furnace for an iron bar, or combine with coal for steel.
- A single full farming run can yield roughly 200+ iron ore.
- Watch out for lightning strikes and dense enemy packs in the Highlands.
Iron Ore Basics: What It Is and Why You Need It
Iron ore is a basic Mining material introduced on 15 April 2025. It is mined from iron ore nodes scattered across the Stormtouched Highlands and Fellhollow, and it serves as the backbone of your mid-game gear progression. Every iron weapon, iron tool, and steel item in Dragonwilds starts with a stockpile of this ore.
According to the in-game Journal, iron is prized by blacksmiths for crafting superior arms and armour, and it is rumoured to repel certain fae creatures due to its rigidity against magical influence.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Item type | Basic Material (changed from Basic Item in 0.10) |
| Released | 15 April 2025 |
| Weight | 3.6 (reduced from 4.5 in patch 0.8.0) |
| Stack limit | 99 (raised from 50 in patch 0.8.0) |
| Primary locations | Stormtouched Highlands, Fellhollow |
Video Highlights:
- Best iron farming spot is a cliffside gorge in the Stormtouched Highlands
- Follow the dragon bones trail to find clustered iron nodes
- Explosion magic clears nodes instantly for faster farming
- A small cave nearby holds extra ore — bring a torch
- Roughly 200+ iron ore per full run of the two areas
With a 99 stack limit and reduced 3.6 weight, you can carry far more ore per trip than at launch. Still, smelting down to bars at your base furnace saves inventory space on long runs.
Where to Find Iron Ore: Node Locations
Iron ore nodes are mainly found all over the Stormtouched Highlands and Fellhollow. The Highlands are the premier farming destination because nodes cluster densely along cliff faces and gorges, letting you clear a dozen or more in a single loop without long travel times.
| Location | Node Density | Hazards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stormtouched Highlands (cliffside gorge) | Very High | Enemy packs, rams | Main farming route |
| Stormtouched Highlands (southern edge) | High | Lightning strikes, rams | Secondary loop |
| Small cave below Highlands | Medium | Darkness, poison gas enemies | Bring a torch |
| Fellhollow | High | Deeper-game enemies | Good for later progression |
Cliffside Gorge
- Highest density of iron nodes
- Two facing cliff walls
- Follow the dragon bones trail
- Extra nodes across the entrance
Southern Edge
- Four to five nodes on the outskirts
- More ore on the upper plateau
- Farm rams and sheep for hide
Side Cave
- Bonus ore cache
- Small system, easy to clear
- Torch strongly recommended
- Poison gas enemies inside
Lightning strikes in the Stormtouched Highlands can interrupt your farming run. Keep moving between nodes and monitor your health, especially during storms near the southern edge.
Farming Route: Step-by-Step Run
This route covers the two main Highland areas. Expect roughly 200+ iron ore from a full clear, which is enough to stockpile bars for a full iron or partial steel gear set.
Gear Up
Craft a bronze pickaxe or better. Bring a torch for the cave section, food, and gear that can handle enemy packs. Explosion magic speeds things up dramatically.
Enter the Gorge
Head into the crevice where two cliff faces meet in the Stormtouched Highlands. Clear the nodes on both walls, plus the node just across from the entrance.
Follow the Dragon Bones
The trail of dragon bones leads upward past a whole cluster of iron nodes. Enemies are plentiful here, so clear or avoid them as you mine.
Turn Left at the End
At the top of the bone trail, turn left toward the edge area for additional nodes, then backtrack along the cliff walls to catch every remaining deposit.
Finish at the Southern Edge
Head to the bottom end of the Highlands for another four to five nodes, then dip into the small cave behind the area for a final ore cache before returning to base.
Mining spells like Rocksplosion (Ultimate Burst) instantly extract all ore from a node, cutting your farming time significantly on long routes. Passives such as Gem Prospector and Not-So-Heavy Metal add further efficiency.
Smelting and Crafting Recipes
Iron ore feeds directly into your furnace and build menu. Three ore per iron bar is the core ratio to remember when planning how much to farm.
| Product | Facility | Skill | XP | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Bar | Furnace | Artisan | 10 Artisan XP | 3 × Iron Ore |
| Medium Iron Nugget | Build Menu | Construction | 20 Construction XP | 3 × Iron Ore |
| Steel Bar | Blast Furnace | Artisan | — | 3 × Iron Ore + 3 × Coal |
Iron and steel bars unlock a wide equipment range, from the Iron Sword and Iron Greatsword to the full Steel weapon lineup including the Steel Scimitar and Steel Crossbow. Ranged players also need iron for arrows and bolts.
If you just need a small amount, Beartach the Merchant sells iron ore for 18 Garou Chits and buys it at 6. The Zogre Pack also drops 2–6 iron ore per pack, making it a supplemental source.
Farming Preparation Checklist
Before Your Iron Run:
- Craft a bronze pickaxe or better
- Pack a torch for the cave section
- Unlock Rocksplosion or another mining spell
- Clear inventory space for 99-stack ore hauls
- Bring food and armor for enemy-heavy areas
- Set a furnace at base for immediate smelting
FAQ
Q: Where is the best place to farm iron ore in Dragonwilds?
The cliffside gorge in the Stormtouched Highlands is the top spot. Nodes cluster along both cliff walls and along the dragon bones trail, and combining it with the southern edge and nearby cave yields roughly 200+ iron ore per run.
Q: What pickaxe do I need to mine iron ore?
You need at least a bronze pickaxe to mine iron ore nodes. Anything above bronze also works and keeps the same node access.
Q: How much iron ore does it take to make an iron bar?
Three iron ore smelted in a Furnace produces one iron bar and grants 10 Artisan XP. Three iron ore combined with three coal in a blast furnace produces a steel bar instead.
Q: Can I buy iron ore instead of farming it?
Yes. Beartach the Merchant sells iron ore for 18 Garou Chits each, and Zogre Packs always drop 2–6 ore. Farming the Highlands remains far faster for large quantities.