TL;DR
- Iron Ore is needed to craft and refine most weapons, armor, and shields in the game
- Mine it from dark black rock veins on mountainsides — the closest are southwest and east of Hernand
- You need a Pickaxe to mine — get one from Rhett’s Request or buy one at the Provisions Shop in Hernand
- Buy up to 3 Iron Ore at a time from Rhett’s Equipment Shop for 18 coins each
- Unlock Mineral Shops by liberating Cairn House and Karin Quarry north of Hernand — they stock 6 ore each
- Vendors restock after 2 to 3 in-game days — sleep or rest at a campfire to speed it up
- You can also use Force Palm on ore nodes if you do not want to use a Pickaxe
Iron Ore comes up constantly in Crimson Desert. Nearly every weapon and piece of armor you want to refine needs it. The sooner you build a consistent supply, the less time you spend running back and forth looking for it mid-upgrade.
This guide covers every way to get Iron Ore, the best early farming spots, how to mine correctly, and how to speed up vendor restocks.
Why You Need Iron Ore in Crimson Desert
Iron Ore is the primary material for weapon and armor Refinement. Most swords, greatswords, spears, plate armor, and metal shields all require Iron Ore to upgrade. The further you push Refinement levels, the more Iron Ore each upgrade costs.
You will also need it for crafting certain items at the Blacksmith. Early on, two Iron Ores covers a quest. Later in the game, a single Refinement level can cost five or more. Getting into the habit of stockpiling Iron early saves a lot of hassle when you reach mid-game and want to push multiple gear pieces at once.
If you want a full breakdown of how Refinement works and what else you need, our guide on how to upgrade weapons and armor in Crimson Desert covers the entire system.
Method 1 — Mine Iron Ore Veins
Mining is the most reliable and unlimited source of Iron Ore. There are nodes scattered throughout Pywel and they respawn over time, so you can return to the same spots repeatedly.
Iron Ore veins have a distinct appearance. They are large dark black or onyx-colored rock formations built into mountainsides and cliff faces. They stand out clearly against the lighter grey of regular stone once you know what to look for.
How to mine:
- Equip the Pickaxe from your equipment wheel using the Left D-Pad on controller or F2 on PC
- Stand in front of the ore vein
- Hold LB on Xbox, L1 on PlayStation, or CTRL on PC to aim
- Wait for the targeting circle to turn blue
- Press the attack button to swing and break the rock
- Pick up the ore chunks immediately — on slopes they can roll away
Each vein breaks in one or two hits. After mining, the node will show as depleted and regrow after a couple of in-game days.
No Pickaxe? You can also use Force Palm directly on ore nodes. It drains your Spirit but gets the job done without needing the tool.
Where to Mine Iron Ore Near Hernand
Hernand and its surrounding area have several accessible Iron Ore nodes that you can farm early:
Southwest of Hernand — Exit through the southern gate of Hernand and walk west along the path. Look over the ledge and you will see an ore node below. You can jump down to reach it, though you will take a small amount of fall damage. Take the longer path around if you prefer to avoid it.
Anvil Hill — East of Hernand — Follow the main quest marker for Rhett’s Request and it will take you to the ore node at the base of Anvil Hill, east of the city past the river. This is the most convenient early node and also has Copper Ore nearby. Mine both while you are there.
Rocky Mountainsides — As you explore further out from Hernand, Iron Ore nodes appear consistently along mountain passes, cliff edges, and highland paths. Use Blinding Flash (R1+R2 on PlayStation, RB+LB on Xbox) to help spot nearby resource points when you are in a new area.
When you are at Anvil Hill, note that the tree chopping spot for Blacksmith Turnali’s quest is right nearby. If you have both requests active, knock them out in the same trip.
Method 2 — Buy from Rhett’s Equipment Shop
Rhett is the equipment vendor in the center of Hernand, right next to Blacksmith Turnali. His shop stocks Iron Ore for purchase when you do not want to mine.
- Price: 18 coins per Iron Ore
- Stock: 3 Iron Ore per restock cycle
Rhett’s stock is limited but it is useful for topping up quickly when you are a couple of ores short for a Refinement. Speak to him and browse his wares to find the Iron Ore listing.
Rhett restocks after 2 to 3 in-game days. To speed this up, find a bed in Hernand and sleep, or rest at a campfire. Either option advances in-game time and triggers vendor restocks faster than just waiting around.
Method 3 — Buy from Mineral Shops
Mineral Shops are specialized ore vendors that carry a larger stock than regular equipment shops. They are the best vendor option for Iron Ore once you unlock them.
Each Mineral Shop stocks 6 Iron Ore per cycle at the same price of 18 coins each — double what Rhett carries. They also restock on the same 2 to 3 in-game day cycle.
How to unlock Mineral Shops near Hernand:
Liberate Cairn House, located north of Hernand. After clearing the enemies and liberating the location, a Mineral Shop vendor will become available nearby.
Liberate Karin Quarry, located northeast of Hernand. Same process — clear the location and a Mineral vendor opens up.
Liberating camps is a regular part of exploring Pywel and Cairn House and Karin Quarry are close enough to Hernand that you will likely pass through them early in Chapter 2. Prioritise them when you are in the area so you get access to the extra ore stock as soon as possible.
As you travel further into Pywel, each new region will have its own Mineral Shops. Check the vendor icons on your map whenever you enter a new settlement.
How to Speed Up Vendor Restocks
If you have bought out all the Iron Ore from Rhett and both Mineral Shops and need more immediately, you can advance time to trigger a restock:
- Rest at a campfire — Sit down at any bonfire or campfire to rest. This advances in-game time
- Sleep in a bed — Find a bed in a house or inn and sleep. This advances time faster than resting and is the quickest way to trigger restocks
After sleeping, head back to the vendors and their Iron Ore stock will have refreshed. You can repeat this cycle multiple times if you need a large quantity quickly, though mining is still more efficient for bulk amounts.
How Much Iron Ore Should You Stock?
More is always better, but here is a rough guide for planning:
Early game Refinement levels 1 through 3 use 1 to 2 Iron Ore per upgrade. From level 4 onward, the requirement climbs. If you are refining a weapon and a full armor set simultaneously, you can burn through 20 or more ores in a single session.
A practical target is to always keep at least 15 to 20 Iron Ore in your inventory. That gives you enough to push a couple of items up a Refinement level without scrambling for more. If you are about to tackle a hard boss or enter a new region, upgrade your gear first and then restock before leaving.
Other Ore Types in Crimson Desert
Iron Ore is the most common crafting material but not the only ore in the game. While you are mining, keep an eye out for:
Copper Ore — Found alongside Iron nodes at Anvil Hill and other rocky areas. Used for accessories and some mid-tier crafting.
Silver Ore — Found deeper into Pywel in higher-level mining zones. Used for more advanced crafting recipes.
Abyssal Ore — Rare ore found in Abyss-related locations and deep caves. Used for high-tier weapon and armor crafting late in the game.
Each ore type has its own set of vendor locations and farming spots as you progress. The same mining mechanics apply to all of them.
For related early game quests that require Iron Ore, check our guide on how to complete Rhett’s Request in Crimson Desert — it covers the exact quest that gives you your first Pickaxe and teaches you the basics of mining.
And if you have been stocking up on gear and resources, make sure you have the inventory space to hold it all. Our guide on how to increase inventory space in Crimson Desert covers every method for expanding your slots.
Ready to play? Get Crimson Desert here:
For our full thoughts on the game, read our Crimson Desert Review.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get Iron Ore in Crimson Desert?
There are three main ways. Mine it from dark black ore veins on mountainsides using a Pickaxe or Force Palm. Buy up to 3 at a time from Rhett’s Equipment Shop in Hernand for 18 coins each. Or buy up to 6 at a time from Mineral Shops unlocked by liberating Cairn House and Karin Quarry north of Hernand.
Where is the best place to mine Iron Ore near Hernand in Crimson Desert?
The Anvil Hill ore node east of Hernand, past the river, is the most convenient early farming spot. It is marked by the quest marker during Rhett’s Request. There is also a node southwest of Hernand accessible by dropping off the ledge past the southern city exit.
How do you use the Pickaxe to mine Iron Ore in Crimson Desert?
Equip the Pickaxe from your equipment wheel. Stand in front of an ore vein and hold LB on Xbox, L1 on PlayStation, or CTRL on PC to aim at it. Wait for the targeting circle to turn blue, then press the attack button to swing. Pick up the ore from the ground quickly as it can roll away on slopes.
How do you unlock Mineral Shops in Crimson Desert?
Mineral Shops become available after you liberate enemy-controlled locations. Near Hernand, liberate Cairn House to the north and Karin Quarry to the northeast. After clearing each location, a Mineral Shop vendor will open up with 6 Iron Ore per restock at 18 coins each.
How do you restock Iron Ore vendors faster in Crimson Desert?
Vendors restock after 2 to 3 in-game days. To speed this up, rest at any campfire or bonfire to advance time, or sleep in a bed for a faster time skip. After resting or sleeping, return to the vendor and their Iron Ore stock will have refreshed.
