Into The Depths Crafting Guide: Build & Upgrade Gear

Introduction to Crafting in Into The Depths

Crafting is the backbone of survival and progression in Into The Depths. As you descend into the mysterious underground world, you will need to create tools, weapons, armor, and essential items to keep your colony thriving. Unlike many colony sims, crafting here is deeply tied to the Roguelite elements of the game — each run offers different blueprints, resources, and crafting stations. This guide will walk you through the fundamentals of the crafting system, from gathering raw materials to forging legendary gear.

Whether you are a beginner just starting your first settlement or a seasoned explorer looking to optimize your production lines, understanding the crafting mechanics is crucial. You can also check our beginner-guide for a broader overview of early-game strategies. Crafting is not just about survival; it is about conquering the depths.

Resources and Materials

Every crafting recipe in Into The Depths requires specific resources. These are divided into several tiers and categories:

• Basic Materials: Wood, Stone, and Fiber. These are abundant near the surface and used for early tools and structures.
• Refined Materials: Planks, Bricks, and Cloth. Created at basic crafting stations, these unlock mid-tier gear.
• Advanced Materials: Iron Ingots, Steel Bars, and Crystal Shards. These are harder to find and require deeper exploration.
• Rare Components: Void Gems, Ancient Relics, and Deep Core Samples. These are often found in treasure rooms or dropped by elite enemies.

Resource management is key. You can learn more about efficient gathering in our resource-management guide. Always prioritize building a stockpile of basic materials before venturing too deep.

Crafting Stations and Upgrades

To craft items, you must first build the appropriate stations. The main crafting stations include:

• Workbench: For basic tools and wooden items.
• Forge: For metal weapons, armor, and ingots.
• Alchemy Table: For potions, elixirs, and rare components.
• Gem Cutter: For jewelry and crystal-based gear.

Each station can be upgraded using resources and blueprints found in the depths. Upgrading stations unlocks new recipes and improves the quality of crafted items. You can find blueprints in chests, as rewards from bosses, or by trading with traveling merchants.

For a detailed breakdown of all upgrade paths, see our upgrades-guide. Remember that upgrading your Forge to level 3 is often the first major milestone for mid-game progression.

Step-by-Step: Crafting Your First Weapon

Follow these steps to craft your first reliable weapon:

1. Gather Resources

   Collect 10 Wood and 5 Stone from the surface area. Use your hands or a basic pickaxe.

2. Build a Workbench

   Open the build menu (default key: B) and place a Workbench in your camp. It costs 5 Wood.

3. Craft a Stone Pickaxe

   At the Workbench, select the Stone Pickaxe recipe. It requires 5 Wood and 3 Stone.

4. Mine Iron Ore

   Use your new pickaxe to mine Iron Ore nodes found in the first cavern layer.

5. Build a Forge

   Construct a Forge using 10 Stone and 5 Wood. Then smelt Iron Ore into Iron Ingots.

6. Craft an Iron Sword

   At the Forge, use 3 Iron Ingots and 2 Wood to craft your first real weapon.

Advanced Crafting: Mods and Enchantments

Once you have mastered basic crafting, you can enhance your gear with mods and enchantments. Mods are physical attachments that change a weapon's stats — for example, adding a serrated edge increases damage but reduces durability. Enchantments are magical effects applied at the Alchemy Table, such as fire damage or lifesteal.

To apply mods, you need a Modding Bench (unlocked mid-game). Enchantments require rare components like Void Gems and a high-level Alchemy Table. Experimenting with different combinations is key to creating the perfect loadout for your playstyle.

For more advanced builds, refer to our character-builds guide. The crafting system allows for incredible depth, and the best gear is often custom-made rather than found.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important crafting station to upgrade first? The Forge is generally the best priority, as it unlocks metal tools and weapons that dramatically improve your efficiency and combat capability.

Can I disassemble items for resources? Yes, you can break down unwanted items at a Salvage Station. You will recover a portion of the original materials, making it useful for recycling old gear.

Are there any unique crafting recipes only found in the depths? Yes, certain rare recipes are exclusive to specific biomes or boss drops. Exploring every corner of the caverns is essential for finding them.

How do I increase crafting speed? Assigning workers with high crafting stats to your stations will speed up production. You can also research efficiency upgrades at the Research Table.