Forged Iron is a processed metal made by smelting iron ore in a Forge and finishing it through a mold. It shows up in nearly every metal-based crafting recipe—from weapons, armor, and tools to base fixtures—making it, in effect, the star among intermediate materials.
Uses
As its description notes, Forged Iron pulls its weight across three fronts: crafting, repairing, and upgrading.
- Crafting: A material frequently required for iron tools and weapons, various parts, and fixtures.
- Repairing: Repairing metal gear can call for a good amount of Forged Iron, so it pays to always keep some in stock.
- Upgrading: It also comes into play when reinforcing wood or concrete base blocks up to iron-framed tiers.
How to Obtain and Craft It
Forged Iron is fundamentally made by crafting in a Forge. The standard flow is to gather iron ore first, feed it into the Forge, and draw out the melted iron as Forged Iron. In the early game, “how quickly you can get a Forge running steadily” is the lifeline of metal crafting, so prioritize setting up a Forge and securing fuel and iron ore.
When to Use It
The moment you transition to metal gear, your consumption spikes dramatically. We recommend bringing iron ore home from every expedition and “stockpiling” it in the Forge. Since the Forge keeps processing in the background once you load it, steadily banking Forged Iron while you’re out exploring or working on your base means you’ll never be caught short for repairs or reinforcements when it counts. As your gateway into the metal age, make it a point to get your Forged Iron production line in order first.