How Much Pickaxe Power Is Required to Mine Adamantite?

Mining adamantite is one of the more advanced tasks in games like Terraria, and it can only be accomplished with pickaxes that meet a specific power threshold. So, how much pickaxe power is needed to mine adamantite ore? In Terraria, adamantite requires a minimum pickaxe power of 180%, which is higher than many of the standard pickaxes available early in the game.

Adamantite is one of the top-tier ores in Terraria, appearing in Hardmode after breaking altars. However, its hardness is a defining characteristic, and not just any pickaxe can break through it. If you attempt to mine adamantite without the right tool, you'll quickly realize the pickaxe just won't dig in—it's like hitting an impenetrable wall.

The progression of tools and ores in Terraria is meticulously designed, and adamantite sits near the top of the mining hierarchy, just below ores like titanium. It's this difficulty that makes mining adamantite such a rewarding and sought-after task, but only if you have the proper gear.

The Best Pickaxes for Mining Adamantite

Several pickaxes in Terraria meet or exceed the 180% power requirement for adamantite mining. To make sure you are prepared, here's a list of the best picks for the job:

1. Molten Pickaxe (100% pickaxe power)

   • While the Molten Pickaxe is incredibly powerful in pre-Hardmode, it’s not sufficient for mining adamantite. It’s crafted from Hellstone Bars but falls short with only 100% pickaxe power.

2. Cobalt Pickaxe (110% pickaxe power)

   • The Cobalt Pickaxe is the first Hardmode pickaxe players are likely to craft after smashing altars. Unfortunately, at 110%, it still won’t cut it for mining adamantite.

3. Palladium Pickaxe (130% pickaxe power)

   • Slightly stronger than cobalt, but with 130% power, the Palladium Pickaxe also fails to mine adamantite.

4. Mythril Pickaxe (150% pickaxe power)

   • The Mythril Pickaxe marks another step up but is still insufficient. Despite its usefulness in other areas, it won't touch adamantite.

5. Orichalcum Pickaxe (165% pickaxe power)

   • Orichalcum is another tier above Mythril, but still falls short of the 180% requirement, making it ineffective against adamantite.

6. Adamantite Pickaxe (180% pickaxe power)

   • The Adamantite Pickaxe is the first pickaxe in Terraria that can actually mine adamantite. Players must first mine other ores like Cobalt and Mythril to craft this.

7. Titanium Pickaxe (190% pickaxe power)

   • If you’re lucky enough to find titanium, this pickaxe offers 190% pickaxe power, making it even more effective for mining adamantite.

The Mining Progression: Why 180% Pickaxe Power?

Understanding the 180% pickaxe power threshold is crucial for mining progression in Terraria. Early in the game, players are limited to basic tools like copper and iron pickaxes, which have relatively low power. As you move into Hardmode, breaking demon or crimson altars spawns new ore types like cobalt, palladium, mythril, and orichalcum. These ores allow you to craft increasingly powerful tools, each with higher pickaxe power.

However, when it comes to adamantite, you need to have mined previous ores to craft a tool capable of harvesting it. This system encourages exploration, combat, and strategic planning. Players can’t just skip ahead to mine the best ore without first going through the necessary steps of upgrading their equipment.

Moreover, pickaxe power directly correlates with progression in the game’s stages. For example:

• Copper Pickaxe: 35% pickaxe power
• Iron Pickaxe: 40% pickaxe power
• Molten Pickaxe: 100% pickaxe power (best pre-Hardmode)
• Cobalt Pickaxe: 110% pickaxe power (beginning of Hardmode)

Each step offers incremental improvements, which ultimately lead to the ability to mine stronger ores like adamantite. The 180% power requirement makes adamantite mining a late-game activity, signaling a major progression point.

Crafting the Adamantite Pickaxe: Materials and Strategy

Before you can mine adamantite, you’ll need to craft a pickaxe strong enough to handle the task. Here's how you can craft the Adamantite Pickaxe, the first tool capable of mining adamantite itself:

Materials Needed:

• 18 Adamantite Bars: These bars are smelted from adamantite ore at an Adamantite Forge or Titanium Forge.
• Adamantite Ore: This ore can only be mined with a Mythril or Orichalcum Pickaxe or higher.
• Anvil: Use an anvil to craft the pickaxe.

Once you’ve gathered these materials, crafting the pickaxe is simple. However, the challenge lies in obtaining adamantite in the first place, since without the right pickaxe, you’ll need to rely on Mythril or Orichalcum tools to get your hands on the initial ores.

After crafting the Adamantite Pickaxe, you'll be able to mine adamantite ore directly, which can be used to craft high-level armor, weapons, and other tools. This marks a major turning point in a player’s gear progression, allowing for much more efficient mining, combat, and exploration.

Why Adamantite?

You might wonder why adamantite is so important. The answer lies in its properties. Adamantite is one of the strongest ores in the game, used to craft some of the best armor and weapons in Terraria. For example, Adamantite Armor provides significant bonuses to defense and attack power, making it invaluable for fighting tougher enemies in Hardmode.

Additionally, adamantite’s unique aesthetic makes it desirable for players looking to upgrade their gear not only for its stats but for its appearance as well. The bright red ore has a distinctive look that stands out in any inventory or set of equipment.

Pickaxe Power in Comparison

Here’s a comparative table of various pickaxes in Terraria and their respective powers, highlighting which tools can and cannot mine adamantite:

Pickaxe	Pickaxe Power	Can Mine Adamantite?
Copper Pickaxe	35%	No
Iron Pickaxe	40%	No
Molten Pickaxe	100%	No
Cobalt Pickaxe	110%	No
Palladium Pickaxe	130%	No
Mythril Pickaxe	150%	No
Orichalcum Pickaxe	165%	No
Adamantite Pickaxe	180%	Yes
Titanium Pickaxe	190%	Yes

As seen above, only the Adamantite and Titanium pickaxes are capable of mining adamantite ore, emphasizing the importance of upgrading to these tools for players seeking to progress to higher tiers of equipment.

Final Thoughts

Mining adamantite in Terraria is a critical step toward late-game mastery, but it requires preparation and the right tools. With a minimum of 180% pickaxe power, players must first obtain tools from earlier Hardmode ores before they can even think about tackling adamantite. Once achieved, the rewards are plentiful, unlocking some of the best armor, weapons, and tools in the game.

Adamantite mining is a reflection of Terraria’s thoughtful progression system, where each new material or tool opens doors to even greater achievements. Understanding how to meet the 180% pickaxe power requirement is just one of the many challenges players face on their journey through this dynamic, ever-evolving world.