Hytale Starter Guide: Essential Steps for Early Progress

Hytale's Early Access launch on January 13, 2026, has introduced a captivating sandbox world blending survival crafting, RPG progression, and exploration.

This guide focuses on the first few hours to days, emphasizing resource gathering, base building, and unlocking key systems like Memories.

1. Gather Basics and Craft Crude Tools (Pocket Crafting)

Spawn in a safe cave-like structure. Immediately collect Rubble (small rocks on ground), Sticks (from bushes/ground), and Plant Fibers (bushes). Punch trees at the base for Logs and more Sticks.

Open your inventory (Tab) for pocket crafting:

Crude Hatchet: 2 Rubble, 2 Sticks, 2 Plant Fibers
Crude Pickaxe: Same
Crude Sword: Same

These tools speed up gathering and let you fight basic mobs like rats.

2. Craft Torches and Cook Food

Mix 1 Stick, 1 Plant Fiber, 1 Rubble for Torches (crafts 4). Place on 'Z' slot wheel for quick use in caves.

Hunt animals for Wildmeat, craft Campfire (2 Rubble, 4 Sticks), and cook using Logs as fuel. Hunger regenerates health slowly, so only eat for heals.

3. Build Your Starter Base and Workbenches

Use the spawn cave or find a nearby spot. Craft and place these essentials:

Workbench	Materials
Workbench	4 Logs, 3 Stone (mine with Pickaxe)
Furnace	6 Logs, 6 Stone
Tanning Rack	6 Logs, 3 Stone, 3 Light Hides (from rats/rabbits)
Farmer's Workbench	6 Logs, 20 Plant Fibers
Bedroll	3 Plant Fibers, 2 Light Hides (for spawn point)

Light up with Torches — mobs spawn less in light. Store loot in chests early to organize.

4. Mine Copper Ore and Smelt Ingots

Find a cave entrance (dark holes). Place Torches, mine Copper Ore (orange blocks with bumps) — aim for 50+. Smelt in Furnace (fuel: Logs) to Copper Ingots.

5. Upgrade to Copper Tools and Armor

At Workbench/Furnace:

Copper Pickaxe/Hatchet: 6 Ingots each, plus Logs/Fibers.
Craft more benches: Armorer's, Blacksmith's.

Gear up with basic Copper armor for protection. Kill more animals for hides.

Combat Tip: Weapons > fists. Hit mobs to charge Signature Attack (Q key) for big damage. Use Shield for blocks.

6. Locate the Forgotten Temple

Check your compass/map (M) for the hurricane icon — it's near spawn. Enter the gateway, defeat/evade the golem, access the portal.

7. Unlock the Memories System

Interact with Heart of Orbis. Collect Memories (orbs) by interacting with creatures/NPCs worldwide (1 per notable being). Return to Heart for rewards:

Memories	Key Rewards
10	3 Decorative Chests, 2 Eternal Seeds
25	3 More Chests, 4 Eternal Seeds, +1 Teleporter
50	Morph Potions, More Chests/Seeds, +1 Teleporter
100	Ancient Gateway, Backpack Upgrade, +2 Teleporters

This is your main progression loop — explore to farm Memories!

8. Start Farming and Organize

Use Farmer's Workbench: Till soil with Hoe, plant seeds from harvested crops. Convert produce to Essence for more seeds/saplings.

Sort chests by resource type. Death drops partial items (durability loss) — recover at death marker.

9. Gear Up in Iron and Explore Structures

Deeper caves for Iron Ore (gray). Tan hides to Leather, loot Linen Scraps from undead at night. Craft full Iron set (+46 Health, resistances).

Raid structures for chests/loot. Night = danger — shelter if weak.

10. Push to Next Biomes and Upgrade Benches

Head south to Howling Sands (Thorium), north to Boreal Reach (Cobalt). Upgrade Workbench to T2/T3 for advanced recipes (e.g., Teleporters for fast travel).

Pro Tips: