What to know
- You’ll need an upgraded chopping axe (iron or wrought-iron tier) to harvest Heartwood effectively.
- Only certain large trees drop Heartwood, while smaller or lighter ones yield only sapwood.
- Your Woodcutting skill level affects drop chances and unlocks higher-tier trees.
- Heartwood is used for fine carpentry materials such as beams, planks, and charcoal.
In Pax Dei, Heartwood is a mid-tier resource that separates novice builders from advanced craftsmen. It’s stronger, denser, and vital for creating fine wood materials used in high-quality construction and crafting. Getting it, however, requires both the right tools and experience. Here’s everything you need to know about finding and farming Heartwood efficiently.
Heartwood and its importance in Pax Dei
Heartwood is the dense inner layer of certain large trees and is classified as a Tier 2 resource. It’s used in crafting fine wood beams, planks, and various tool stocks. If your goal is to progress beyond basic sapwood structures and furniture, Heartwood is a must-have.
Prerequisite for getting Heartwood
| Requirement / Item | Purpose / Benefit |
|---|---|
| Iron or wrought-iron axe | Enables chopping trees that drop Heartwood |
| Woodcutting level 20+ | Improves drop chance and efficiency |
| Large, rough-bark trees | Higher probability of Heartwood instead of sapwood |
| Tier-2 or 3 forest biome | Better trees with mid-tier resource yields |
Tool requirement – Axes
Key Point: You need at least an Iron or Wrought-Iron Axe to harvest Heartwood.
A stone or copper axe won’t work on Heartwood-bearing trees. Upgrading to iron-tier tools lets you chop tougher tree types and increases your drop rate. Higher-tier axes also reduce chopping time and improve yield efficiency.
Recommended Tools:
| Axe Type | Suitable for Heartwood? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Axe | No | Only yields sapwood |
| Copper Axe | No | Insufficient chopping power |
| Iron Axe | Yes | Minimum requirement |
| Wrought-Iron Axe | Yes | Faster yield and better drops |
| Steel Axe | Excellent | Best for consistent Heartwood |
Skill requirement – Woodcutting level
Key Point: Aim for Woodcutting Level 20 or higher.
Heartwood doesn’t appear reliably until your woodcutting skill reaches around level 16–20. Leveling up your skill improves the odds of higher-tier wood drops and reduces chopping fatigue.
Ways to increase your skill quickly:
- Chop a variety of tree types to gain consistent XP.
- Use higher-tier axes for faster experience gain.
- Keep gathering even lower-tier wood when exploring; every chop adds up.
Trees that drop Heartwood and where to find them
Identifying Heartwood trees
Heartwood trees are generally large, dark-barked, and require multiple swings to fell. They look thicker at the base and stand out from ordinary sapwood trees. Smaller trees usually give only sapwood.
Best biomes for Heartwood
Key Point: Look in Tier-2 or Tier-3 forest biomes with larger or rougher trees.
| Biome Type | Heartwood Potential | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky / Stone regions | High | Oak and Juniper trees with dense trunks |
| Wilderness forests | Medium-High | Great for mid-tier lumber farming |
| Haunted forest zones | Variable | Rare trees, sometimes higher yield |
| Grassland / Meadow | Low | Mostly sapwood trees |
How to get Heartwood step by step
Step 1 – Skill level 20
Raise your Woodcutting skill to level 20 for a reliable drop rate. Without sufficient skill, you’ll mostly gather sapwood even from Heartwood trees. Continue chopping all tree types to gain XP quickly.
Step 2 – Find large, rough-bark trees
Travel to biomes with thick, tough trees—especially those in rocky or forested regions. Heartwood trees often look aged and dark. Focus on trees that take many hits to chop down.
Step 3 – Use an upgraded axe
Equip your Iron or Wrought-Iron Axe before harvesting. The higher your axe tier, the faster you’ll collect Heartwood. Always repair or replace damaged tools to maintain efficiency.
Step 4 – Mark tree locations
Once you discover trees that consistently drop Heartwood, mark those locations. Some trees respawn, letting you build a reliable farming loop without having to scout new areas every time.
Step 5 – Maintain and upgrade gear
Keep your axe durability high and continue upgrading whenever possible. Higher-tier axes (like steel) provide faster chopping speeds and better drop chances.
What to craft using Heartwood
| Crafted Item | Usage |
|---|---|
| Fine Wood Beam | Used in advanced building structures |
| Fine Wooden Plank | Upgrades furniture and walls |
| Long Fine Wood Stock | Crafting weapon and tool handles |
| Short Fine Wood Stock | Decorative and utility crafting |
| Heartwood Charcoal | High-grade fuel for forges and kilns |
Heartwood lets you move from basic wooden setups to professional-grade craftsmanship, powering your mid- and late-game progression.
Common issues to watch for
- Heartwood can take time to appear even with the right tools as they are random drops with no specific drop rate.
- Some trees look similar to Heartwood sources but yield sapwood.
- Keep your axe repaired to avoid slowing down your gathering.
- Game updates may alter which trees drop Heartwood—stay flexible.
The path to Heartwood mastery
To farm Heartwood efficiently in Pax Dei, remember the essentials:
Use an upgraded axe, reach level 20 in woodcutting, and target large, rough trees in tiered biomes. With patience and proper gear, you’ll collect enough Heartwood to craft fine materials, fortify your structures, and master mid-tier crafting.
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