TL;DR
- Upgrading from iron to steel tools increases gathering speed from 125% to 250% – a massive time saver
- Engineering skill level 50+ required for steel tools, but no skill needed to use crafted tools
- Azoth and perks provide additional bonuses like extra resources and durability enhancements
- Trading post purchases offer alternatives but can be expensive during peak demand periods
- Progressive metal tier system requires consistent mining and smelting skill development
Superior gathering equipment represents one of the most impactful upgrades for New World adventurers seeking to optimize their resource collection workflows. The difference between basic and advanced tools isn’t merely incremental – it fundamentally transforms your gathering experience from tedious chore to efficient progression.
Amazon’s expansive MMO New World features an intricate crafting ecosystem with 17 distinct professions spanning from fundamental gathering disciplines like logging and mining to sophisticated manufacturing skills including weaponsmithing and jewelcrafting. While batch production of crafted items can be accomplished with relative speed, the preliminary resource acquisition phase often becomes the primary bottleneck. Each tree felling requires repeated axe strikes, animal skinning triggers extended animation sequences, and mineral extraction demands sustained pickaxe swings. These repetitive actions accumulate into significant time investments that superior tools can dramatically reduce.

The transition from primitive to advanced implements transforms resource runs from monotonous tasks into streamlined operations. This guide details the systematic approach to equipping yourself with progressively enhanced tools as you advance through Aeternum’s challenges.
Advancing Through Metal Tiers for Superior Tools
Crafting enhanced gathering implements follows a logical progression through increasingly sophisticated metal tiers. The fundamental crafting formula remains consistent across tool types – only the metal component upgrades while leather and timber requirements stay fixed. Consider the logging axe evolution: an iron version demands two coarse leather units, three timber pieces, and twelve iron ingots. The steel variant maintains identical leather and timber specifications but substitutes twelve steel ingots for the iron components.
The performance leap between tiers is substantial rather than marginal. An iron logging axe provides 125% gathering velocity, while its steel successor delivers 250% efficiency – effectively halving your harvesting time. This acceleration compounds across thousands of gathering actions throughout your gameplay. Consistent development of your mining proficiency and smelting expertise is essential to access and process increasingly rare metallic resources for these upgrades.
Pro Tip: Always carry multiple tool types during gathering expeditions. When your iron axe breaks mid-quest, having a backup steel axe prevents wasted travel time. Additionally, prioritize mining skill advancement early, as metal availability gates all other crafting professions.
Engineering Proficiency: Your Crafting Key
Fabricating advanced gathering implements necessitates corresponding engineering skill development. Basic iron tools impose no engineering prerequisites, but steel tools demand level 50 proficiency, with requirements escalating further for superior metals like starmetal and orichalcum. Capitalize on every crafting opportunity for lower-tier items to systematically elevate your engineering capability.

Critical Distinction: Engineering skill governs tool creation exclusively, not utilization. You can employ any crafted tool regardless of your personal engineering level, making socially acquired or purchased tools viable alternatives.
Avoid This Mistake: Don’t neglect engineering while focusing solely on gathering skills. The inability to craft your own tools creates dependency on often-expensive market alternatives.
Enhanced Tools Through Perks and Azoth
For optimal gathering implements, incorporate perks and Azoth during the fabrication process. These specialized resources and mystical substances enable bonus attribute assignment, including durability improvements, additional resource yields, or accelerated harvesting rates. For tools you’ll utilize extensively, such as steel-tier equipment, the additional resource investment for perk acquisition delivers substantial long-term returns.
Strategic Insight: Prioritize yield-increasing perks for tools used in high-demand resource areas, while durability enhancements prove most valuable for remote expeditions where repair stations are inaccessible.
Azoth investment follows diminishing returns – the first 50 Azoth provides the most significant perk probability boost, with additional amounts offering progressively smaller improvements.
Alternative Tool Acquisition Pathways
While self-sufficiency in tool crafting offers clear advantages, it’s not mandatory. Companions with advanced engineering capabilities can manufacture tools for you, while New World’s player-driven economy provides marketplace alternatives through trading post transactions.
Market Awareness: Tool pricing fluctuates dramatically based on server population, time of day, and current gameplay trends. High-demand periods like new content releases or seasonal events often trigger substantial price inflation. Budget your currency strategically and monitor market trends before committing to purchases.
Advanced Strategy: Establish relationships with dedicated crafters in your company or faction. Regular tool suppliers often offer discounted rates compared to anonymous market transactions.
For comprehensive gameplay strategies beyond crafting, consult our Complete Guide to master all aspects of your adventure.
Action Checklist
- Prioritize mining skill to level 50+ for steel ingot access
- Craft bulk low-tier items to efficiently reach engineering level 50
- Upgrade primary gathering tools to steel tier with minimum 50 Azoth investment
- Add yield-increasing perks to frequently used tools
- Establish relationships with crafters for future tool needs
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » New World Crafting Guide: How To Make Better Gathering Tools Master New World's crafting system with upgraded tools to dramatically boost your resource gathering efficiency
