What to know
- Tarred planks are advanced crafting materials used for stronger builds and upgrades
- You must unlock the Cursed Swamp by defeating Israel Hands first
- Tar is only found within discoveries inside the swamp biome
- Workbench level 3 is mandatory to craft tarred planks
Crafting tarred planks in Windrose is a progression-based process that ties exploration, combat, and crafting together. You won’t be able to skip ahead—every step is designed to push you deeper into the game’s systems. Once you understand how each requirement connects, the process becomes much smoother and far less time-consuming.
Here is a quick overview of tarred plank crafting in Windrose:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Biome Required | Cursed Swamp |
| Boss Requirement | Defeat Israel Hands |
| Workbench Level | Level 3 |
| Base Material | Wooden Plank |
| Special Resource | Tar |
| Wood Requirement | 2 Wood → 1 Wooden Plank |
| Final Recipe | 1 Wooden Plank + 1 Tar |
Unlocking Cursed Swamps for Tarred Planks
Before you can even think about crafting tarred planks, you must unlock the Cursed Swamp biome. This is not just a location—it acts as a progression gate. To gain access, you need to defeat Israel Hands, a key enemy located in the Foothills area. This fight is essential because it opens up the path forward and introduces you to more advanced resource systems.
Once you step into the swamp, you’ll notice that tar is not immediately obvious or lying around like basic materials. Instead, it is tied to major discoveries scattered throughout the biome. These discoveries often require exploration, interaction, or minor puzzle-solving. This design encourages you to fully explore the swamp rather than rushing through it.
Preparing your crafting setup for tarred planks
Your workbench level plays a critical role in this process. Even if you already have the materials, you won’t be able to craft tarred planks without upgrading your station.
At Workbench Level 2, you unlock the ability to craft wooden planks, which are the base component. These are made by combining two pieces of wood into one plank, making wood gathering an important early step.
However, tarred planks themselves require Workbench Level 3, which means you must invest time into upgrading your crafting station. Skipping this upgrade will completely block your progress, no matter how much tar you collect.
How to get Tarred Planks in Windrose
Step 1
Defeat Israel Hands in the Foothills to unlock access to the Cursed Swamp. This is your gateway to tar, and without completing this step, the entire crafting chain remains locked.
Step 2
Enter the Cursed Swamp and begin exploring major discoveries. Focus on uncovering points of interest, as these are where tar is typically found.
Step 3
Collect tar from these discoveries. Make sure to gather multiple pieces if possible, since you’ll likely need more than one tarred plank for future crafting.
Step 4
Gather wood and convert it into wooden planks at a Level 2 workbench. Each plank requires two pieces of wood, so plan your resource gathering accordingly.
Step 5
Combine one wooden plank and one tar at the Level 3 workbench. Once the materials are placed, finalize the crafting process by pressing the action key to complete it.
Understanding why tarred planks matter in progression
Tarred planks represent a shift into mid-to-late game crafting systems. You’ll notice that structures or ship upgrades requiring them tend to be more water-resistant, durable, efficient, or tied to advanced gameplay mechanics.
The inclusion of tar as a resource adds an exploration layer to crafting, forcing you to engage with the environment rather than relying solely on farming. This makes tarred planks feel more valuable compared to standard materials.
Additionally, the requirement of multiple workbench upgrades ensures that players build a solid crafting foundation first, preventing progression skips that could break game balance.
Common mistakes to avoid while crafting
Many players get stuck because they focus only on gathering tar without upgrading their workbench, which halts progress entirely. Others may ignore exploration mechanics in the swamp, missing out on key discovery points where tar is located.
Another frequent issue is underestimating wood requirements. Since each wooden plank needs two pieces of wood, you can quickly run out if you don’t stockpile enough early on.
Making tarred planks in Windrose is a layered process that rewards preparation and exploration. Once you’ve unlocked the Cursed Swamp, gathered tar, and upgraded your workbench, the crafting itself becomes straightforward.
The key is to approach the process in order—unlock, explore, upgrade, and then craft. If you follow this structure, you’ll avoid unnecessary backtracking and make steady progress through the game’s crafting system.
