What to know
- Magnetite is a mid-to-late resource tied to Moonlit Forest progression, so you cannot truly speed-farm it until that area is open
- You need a high-tier mining tool to actually harvest Magnetite from its deposits; weaker tools will waste your time
- Your fastest gains come from running a tight route that hits multiple deposits, then resetting/returning later when nodes are back
- You can also get Magnetite through processing ore chunks once you have the Analyzer, but it’s RNG-based and slower per unit
In Starsand Island, Moonlit Forest is where Magnetite farming becomes a real thing, and once you’re set up, it’s one of the easiest materials to stockpile without thinking too hard. If you’re trying to craft higher-tier gear and machines, you’ll want a repeatable route you can run whenever you’ve got a few minutes.
| Topic | Quick detail |
|---|---|
| Fastest source | Mining Magnetite deposits in Moonlit Forest |
| Key requirement | A high-tier mining tool that can break Magnetite |
| Backup source | Analyzer outputs from ore chunks (random) |
| Best strategy | Short route loop, clear nodes, leave and come back later |
How Magnetite works
Magnetite is not something you casually pick up while doing early starter-island mining. You’re looking for specific deposits in Moonlit Forest, and the game expects you to be upgraded enough to break them efficiently.
Once you can mine it, the pacing flips: Magnetite becomes a route-and-reset resource, meaning you’ll earn more by improving your loop speed than by wandering.
Locations involved in your Magnetite run
Your farming happens inside Moonlit Forest, focusing on the central mining stretch where multiple ore nodes appear close together. If you keep your route tight and avoid unnecessary fights or detours, you’ll spend most of your time moving between deposits instead of searching for them.
How to get Magnetite fast
Step 1: Unlock Moonlit Forest access
Progress until you can enter Moonlit Forest through the blocked path behind your home area, which becomes available as part of your early progression. When you enter for the first time, activate any travel point you see so your future runs start faster.
Step 2: Upgrade your mining tool before you attempt the farm
If your tool can’t break Magnetite deposits, you won’t be able to harvest anything even if you find the right nodes. Make sure your pick/tool tier is high enough for advanced ores, then bring it as your dedicated farming kit.
Step 3: Learn what you’re actually looking for
Magnetite deposits look visually distinct compared to normal stone and basic ore. Your goal is to quickly recognize them at a glance so you can ignore everything else unless you’re also farming side materials.
Step 4: Run a tight loop instead of free-roaming
Do a simple circuit that hits:
- The nearest cluster of Magnetite nodes
- The next closest cluster along the same path
- Any nearby “bonus” nodes that are only a few seconds off-route
The rule is simple: if you have to climb, backtrack, or fight something annoying to reach a node, it usually isn’t worth it for a fast farm route.
Step 5: Clear deposits efficiently, then reset your session rhythm
Mine every Magnetite deposit you pass, keep moving, and don’t wait around after you’ve cleared the cluster. When the area is empty, leave and do something else (quests, crafting, farming), then return later when deposits have respawned.
Step 6: Use Analyzer processing as your passive Magnetite income
If you already have the Ore Analyzer, keep it running in the background while you play. Stockpile ore chunks during your Moonlit Forest runs, load the Analyzer whenever you’re back home, and treat any Magnetite you get from it as extra rather than your main supply.
Common mistakes that slow you down
- Farming too early before your mining tool is strong enough to break Magnetite deposits
- Wandering the whole forest looking for “the best spot” instead of building a repeatable loop
- Spending time on low-value rocks mid-run when your goal is Magnetite per minute
- Relying only on Analyzer RNG instead of mining real deposits once you’re capable
Rewards and outputs table
| Outcome | What you get | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Mining Magnetite deposits | Magnetite | Core crafting ingredient for magnets and advanced recipes |
| Processing ore chunks (Analyzer) | Chance at Magnetite and other materials | Passive extra income while you do other tasks |
If you want the simplest version, do this: enter Moonlit Forest, sprint to the densest deposit cluster you know, mine every Magnetite node in a clean circuit, then leave once it’s dry and come back later. After a couple of runs, you’ll have a memorized route that feels automatic and stays fast even when you’re multitasking.
