The Old Mine is one of the most hazardous yet rewarding locations in the Valley of Mines. While miners toil under the watchful eyes of the guards, the depths of this cavern hide secrets that can drastically change your combat effectiveness. In the remake, players have discovered a powerful new weapon tucked away in the shadows: the Blood Blade.
With an attack rating of 85 damage, this one-handed sword stands out as a top-tier option. Obtaining it early or mid-game will allow you to bypass the typical stat-checking curve that makes combat challenging.
The Time Limit: Avoid the Chapter 4 Collapse
You must retrieve the Blood Blade before a major story event in Chapter 4. As the narrative progresses, the Old Mine suffers a catastrophic collapse, permanently sealing it off for the rest of the game. If you fail to grab the sword before this event, you will lose access to it entirely.
If you are looking to optimize your progression, make a detour to the mine as soon as you have the strength to survive the descent.
Reaching the Old Mine
The Old Mine is situated in the rocky hills north of the Old Camp. If you are exploring the colony early and want to skip faction prerequisites, you can check out how to enter the Old Camp castle early to secure some decent gear before heading north.
Once at the mine entrance, talk to the guards to gain entry, or pay the required bribe if you have enough ore. The ore economy dictates trade here, so make sure you have spare items to sell if you need quick funds.
Step-by-Step Route to the Blood Blade
Once inside the mine, the path to the sword requires careful navigation and a readiness to fight off aggressive creatures.
- Descend the Scaffolding: Walk down the wooden platforms, stairs, and ladders. Avoid jumping down blindly, as fall damage is highly lethal in this vertical environment.
- Clear the Minecrawlers: As you get deeper, Minecrawlers will begin to ambush you. If you are struggling with their combat patterns, use torches or fire-based magic scrolls to keep them at bay. If you are hunting for specific crafting materials later, you might also want to learn about the Minecrawler Queen pheromones.
- Locate the Hidden Shaft: Head toward the lower levels near the main mining shafts. Look for a side cavern partially obscured by broken wooden planks and debris.
- Retrieve the Blade: Guarding this side shaft are several tough Minecrawlers. Defeat them, and search the abandoned chest or stone altar in the back of the cave. The Blood Blade will be waiting there.
Stats and Requirements
The Blood Blade requires a significant investment in your Strength stat to be wielded effectively.
- Weapon Type: One-Handed Sword
- Damage: 85 Physical
- Required Attribute: Strength (high requirement)
To meet the attribute requirements, save your learning points and visit the trainers in the camps. You can consult the guide on learning points and skills to plan your character progression. While you are gathering the required strength, you can rely on other options listed in our best early weapons guide to carry you through the early chapters.
If you are opening locked chests along the way, keep in mind that the lockpicking mechanics have been adjusted in recent updates. Make sure you read up on the patch 1.0.1 lockpicking changes so you do not waste your lockpicks.