Mining

**Mining** is an activity that consists of using the Pickaxe to mine in Rock Spots and clear various Obstacles. Mining is the primary method of acquisition for **Minerals**. Minerals can be used in crafting, gifted to Characters, or sold for  Star Coins. Mining uses a moderate amount of  Energy.

## Mechanics

In order to Mine, the player must have unlocked the Pickaxe by completing  *The Royal Tools*.

To mine, the player must equip the Pickaxe from the Tool Wheel. Once equipped, the player simply needs to get close to a Rock Spot or Obstacle and press the Use Tool key.

### Critical Hits

There is a chance a player will critically hit on the final strike of a Rock Spot. A variety of materials available from that Rock Spot will pop out in a moderate area, including Minerals, Gems, and even Shiny Gems. These materials will vanish after a short period of time.

## Rock Spots

Rock Spots are dark stone pillars located around the edge of each Biome. Rock Spots yield Stone as well as a variety of Gems and Minerals depending on the Biome. Each spot can be struck 1 to 5 times before it breaks, and will regenerate some time after it has been fully mined.

### Vitalys Rock Spots

Vitalys Rock Spots are Rock Spots found within the Vitalys Mines with colorful, glowing veins on their surface.

A Vitalys Rock Spot will always yield a Vitalys Crystal on the final strike, provided another gem is not obtained.

## Gems

*Main article: Gems*
Gems, sometimes referred to as Gemstones, are a type of Mineral. Each biome in the Valley offers a different selection of Gems to mine and collect. Gems are more often used to fulfill Quest objectives.

Shiny Gems are more valuable versions of their ordinary counterparts, offering more  Star Coins when sold. Certain Quests, Duties, and Favorite Gifts may also require Shiny Gems.

Although there is always a chance of obtaining a gem from a Rock Spot, a spot may visually display a gem embedded upon its surface indicating the certainty of obtaining that gem. These visual cues may be present before the player begins mining, or maybe appear after any strike with the Pickaxe.

Gems can only be obtained on the final strike of a Rock Spot.

## Companions

At Friendship level 2, most Villagers can be assigned Mining as a role

While the player is accompanied by a Mining companion, that companion will receive bonus Friendship whenever the player mines at a Rock Spot or clears obstacles with a Pickaxe.

Additionally, there is a chance that a companion will mine an additional item on the final strike of a Rock Spot. This item will always be the last received item. This is important, since Gems can only be acquired on the final strike.

## Obstacles

*Main article: Obstacles*
The following Obstacles can be cleared by mining.

### Rocks

Rocks can appear in all biomes except  Dazzle Beach. Mining Rocks yields Stone. Both Small Rocks and Large Rocks can be mined as soon as the player unlocks Mining.

### Sea Debris

Sea Debris can appear in  Dazzle Beach, including some Large Sea Debris that blocks the bridge. The Pickaxe must be upgraded to be able to break Small and Large Sea Debris by completing  *The Great Maui* and  *A Tale of Stone and Fire*, respectively. Mining Sea Debris yields Sand.

### Ice Blocks

Ice Blocks can appear in  Dazzle Beach,  Forest of Valor, and  Frosted Heights. The Pickaxe must be upgraded to be able to break Ice Blocks and Massive Ice Blocks by completing  *Breaking the Ice* and  *The Singing Ice*, respectively. Mining Ice Blocks yields Snowballs.

## List of Minerals

The following is a list of all available minerals from Mining at Rock Spots or Obstacles.