Prospecting is tedious and ruins the game for me. {Help!}

[Danny97]

Titles says it all.

I love playing this game and going ham on food production with a basement full of meats,cheese,pies and a ton of veggies but then i lose interest because i know that the only way for me to progress and move on to bigger buildings is to watch a 3 hour guide on prospecting which vaguely explains how you MAY or MAY NOT waste 10 hours of your life sampling rocks every 15 meters in every direction for miles on end.

The game goes from a whimsical journey to the equivalent of a day job where you slog away for hours,hoping that the 0.5% tin deposit you've been chasing for the last 2 hours is 3 blocks away from you and not just in the general area the size of Arkansas.

Call it skill issue but i think having to read a book in order to understand a mechanic in a game that up to this point basically held my hand with an on hand guide in my back pocket is boring and slows the game down to a crawl.

Diving random caves all the way to their very bottom is not only a quick and easy way to meet god even with tin bronze scale armor but also a very quick and easy way to make me not want to play.

I need someone to explain prospecting to me like I'm a special needs kid cuz I'm not having a good time chief.

If i go down another 10000 meter deep cave with only saltzpyre at the bottom I'm going to shave myself bald.

 

Edited December 28, 2024 by Danny97

[LadyWYT]

53 minutes ago, Danny97 said:

not just in the general area the size of Arkansas.

As an Arkansas native, this comparison is oddly specific.

54 minutes ago, Danny97 said:

I need someone to explain prospecting to me like I'm a special needs kid cuz I'm not having a good time chief.

So there are two modes for the propick: density search and node search.

Density Search: This is the one you'll use to get a reading of the chunk and what you're most likely to find there in terms of ore. After you sample the rock in three different spots within a small area, you'll get a list of what's potentially there, with a description and percentage values. Ignore the percentage values--the descriptors are more useful in most cases. You want to dig in spots that are listed as Decent or better; ie, spots that are yellow or green on the map. You can take a chance on a Poor or Very Poor reading if you're desperate to find a particular thing(or if it's a very rare thing like gems), but your odds of finding it there are low.

Node Search: This is the one you'll want to use once you've found a spot you want to dig in. You only need to sample one block in this mode, and it will tell you exactly what ores are nearby(a six block radius by default). Since it has such a short range, you'll only want to use this mode to pinpoint the location of ore.

Mining in general: When you're out exploring, I recommend bringing a propick along with you to sample chunks every now and then, even if there's not a specific ore that you're after at that moment. That way you've recorded the data for later so you can have an easier time figuring out where to look for specific things.

When you've found a spot you want to mine(an Ultra High reading is ideal), you'll want to dig a shaft straight down and sample the blocks every so often with the Node Search until you get a definite reading on the ore vein. Use ladders to help make sure you won't fall to your death, since your character will cling to a ladder unless they are moved off of the ladder's space. Once you have a definite reading on the ore vein, continue using the Node Search as needed to triangulate the vein's position, as well as make sure that you've excavated all the bits of ore that there were to find.

[Lollard]

Here's how I did it:

Make the pickaxe, prospecting pick and hammer as your first set of copper tools, do this as early as you find 60 surface copper bits. Also make a stack of rope ladders while you're in the early game, this will help with digging later. While you're out and about exploring, looking for wild crops, hunting, or looking for a nice house location or whatever, every now and then take a sample using density search mode with your prospecting pick. Not every 15 blocks, could be hundreds or thousands, you need a good distance for the ores to actually change. Do this early in the game and you'll already have a lot of readings to check up on later when you can actually mine the ores.

When you're ready to mine the ore, check your map and find a spot with a reasonable concentration of the ore you want (ignore the percentage, read the description). Now using density search mode again, make more readings around that area in close proximity. This will help you find the spot with the highest concentration. Once you've found the spot, start digging a deep vertical shaft while you place rope ladders to avoid falling into a cave. Every 12 blocks you dig, take a reading using node search mode. If the reading result includes the ore you want, that means there's a vein within 6 blocks and you should dig in every direction and take more node search readings until you find the vein. Once you feel like you've dug a hole deep enough (or once you run out of rope ladders), climb back up to the surface, retrieve your rope ladders and plug the hole so you don't fall in. You can dig another hole 12-20 blocks away and do this again.

If there's a cave in a reasonable ore concentration area, you can check it out and node search the walls every few blocks.

Three more things:

1. Not every ore can generate in every rock type. Search the handbook for the ore chunks you want and you'll see all the rocks that can accommodate it.

2. There can be multiple ore types for the same metal. Hematite, limonite and magnetite all give iron.

3. Depending on the rock type, ores can be harder to see. Sphalerite on granite is extremely hard to notice as it looks almost the same as regular granite, so pay close attention.

Edited December 29, 2024 by Lollard

[N0ma13]

One thing I've noticed with the prospecting is that you can pinpoint the densest area by doing multiple searches.
Each node shows on the map with color-coded densities and the ore tends to be seen over larger areas as far as I've seen in the limited time I've played. 
Once you've found the densest chunk, swap modes and start digging your shaft.

I do the standard every third row for complete exposure and node search every 6th block

[JAGIELSKI]

Wasn't there a mod that highlighted chunks you've prospected on the map and let you see the material composition of them?

//edit: Found it.

Edited December 29, 2024 by JAGIELSKI

[Grizdango]

For long range scanning / finding high amount ore nodes:

Rope ladders and digging straight down let you get a prospector reading and back to moving in like 15 seconds, every hundred blocks or so is plenty if you're setting up a grid of results in an area. You only need to go closer if you're zeroing in on a specific ore you already have a high concentration of.

Just dig until you hit rock, use prospector pick, dig 3 blocks down with pickaxe, second prospect, dig 3 more blocks, last prospect. Then rope ladder up and pull your rope ladders back when you're up top. Seal the hole or not, your choice.

This long range grid you set up this way will be good for finding other ores in future too, not just the one you want right now. It's a one-off long term investment.

For short range scanning / once you find a high yield area and want actual ore:

Once you have a sufficiently high concentration, you pick a spot to dig to mantle. I advise having 2 full stacks of rope ladders here. Dig straight down and take a prospect reading (in short range mode) every 6 or 7 blocks. If you get ore detected with one of your prospect readings, great dig in directions to find it. Otherwise dig another 6/7 blocks down and keep prospecting. If you reach mantle without finding anything just climb straight up with your rope ladders and then pull your rope ladders out once you're topside.

If you reached mantle without finding anything move 12 blocks in any direction and repeat. First hole should be the center of a square of prospect holes, just work around in a clockwise direction or whatever. If you're at very high / ultra high from your long range readings I've never had it take more than 3 vertical shafts to find a deposit of the ore I'm looking for.

TL;DR

Dig straight down and use rope ladders to go as fast as possible. If you mess around making staircases or avoid ladders it takes forever. Generally once you find a single deep deposit of an ore you're either set for life or at least good for the next few dozen hours.

[N0ma13]

Rope ladders, huh?
Didn't know that was a thing. You may have just made my decision to enable cave-ins less painful.

[Kevin Eric Snell]

Yeah, during my early prospecting phase, I started taking chunks out of any bare vertical rockface I came across, testing a little here and there, and eventually stumbled onto a "decent" reading of bismuthite, and since I'd already gotten some zinc while panning gravel, that'd get me to bronze. Eventually I stumbled onto cassiterite up north in a chilly desert, but it was the bismuthite that got me to bronze. Slightly annoying, since I started digging down and ran into a layer of quartz I couldn't dig through and had to pivot to make another shaft.

[Vratislav]

On 12/30/2024 at 4:38 PM, Grizdango said:

TL;DR

Dig straight down and use rope ladders to go as fast as possible.

Yes. I think that almost every experienced player finetuned this method of prospecting, and I like the idea to use rope ladders even for density search (especially with soil gravity enabled). 

What I do differently: 

- my density search grid span is usually 150 blocks to have easy coordinates (started with 160 span as was recommended in Wiki, but got lazy to calculate, and multiples of 50 work well).

- For node search in the hole to the mantle, I check every 10 blocks (3x dig down by 3 blocks then once the test, and again numbers are easy).

- If I miss desired ore, I do the next hole about 20 - 30 blocks aside (12 is unnecessarily close). Ore deposits are shaped as horizontal discs, even the smallest ones have about 10-15 blocks, so there is no way to miss the deposit. When prospecting for iron, I may go even like 40 blocks aside, because their deposits are usually huge.

 

 

Edited December 31, 2024 by Vratislav

[Danny97]

On 12/29/2024 at 2:29 AM, LadyWYT said:

As an Arkansas native, this comparison is oddly specific.

So there are two modes for the propick: density search and node search.

Density Search: This is the one you'll use to get a reading of the chunk and what you're most likely to find there in terms of ore. After you sample the rock in three different spots within a small area, you'll get a list of what's potentially there, with a description and percentage values. Ignore the percentage values--the descriptors are more useful in most cases. You want to dig in spots that are listed as Decent or better; ie, spots that are yellow or green on the map. You can take a chance on a Poor or Very Poor reading if you're desperate to find a particular thing(or if it's a very rare thing like gems), but your odds of finding it there are low.

Node Search: This is the one you'll want to use once you've found a spot you want to dig in. You only need to sample one block in this mode, and it will tell you exactly what ores are nearby(a six block radius by default). Since it has such a short range, you'll only want to use this mode to pinpoint the location of ore.

Mining in general: When you're out exploring, I recommend bringing a propick along with you to sample chunks every now and then, even if there's not a specific ore that you're after at that moment. That way you've recorded the data for later so you can have an easier time figuring out where to look for specific things.

When you've found a spot you want to mine(an Ultra High reading is ideal), you'll want to dig a shaft straight down and sample the blocks every so often with the Node Search until you get a definite reading on the ore vein. Use ladders to help make sure you won't fall to your death, since your character will cling to a ladder unless they are moved off of the ladder's space. Once you have a definite reading on the ore vein, continue using the Node Search as needed to triangulate the vein's position, as well as make sure that you've excavated all the bits of ore that there were to find.

 

On 12/29/2024 at 2:41 AM, Lollard said:

Here's how I did it:

Make the pickaxe, prospecting pick and hammer as your first set of copper tools, do this as early as you find 60 surface copper bits. Also make a stack of rope ladders while you're in the early game, this will help with digging later. While you're out and about exploring, looking for wild crops, hunting, or looking for a nice house location or whatever, every now and then take a sample using density search mode with your prospecting pick. Not every 15 blocks, could be hundreds or thousands, you need a good distance for the ores to actually change. Do this early in the game and you'll already have a lot of readings to check up on later when you can actually mine the ores.

When you're ready to mine the ore, check your map and find a spot with a reasonable concentration of the ore you want (ignore the percentage, read the description). Now using density search mode again, make more readings around that area in close proximity. This will help you find the spot with the highest concentration. Once you've found the spot, start digging a deep vertical shaft while you place rope ladders to avoid falling into a cave. Every 12 blocks you dig, take a reading using node search mode. If the reading result includes the ore you want, that means there's a vein within 6 blocks and you should dig in every direction and take more node search readings until you find the vein. Once you feel like you've dug a hole deep enough (or once you run out of rope ladders), climb back up to the surface, retrieve your rope ladders and plug the hole so you don't fall in. You can dig another hole 12-20 blocks away and do this again.

If there's a cave in a reasonable ore concentration area, you can check it out and node search the walls every few blocks.

Three more things:

1. Not every ore can generate in every rock type. Search the handbook for the ore chunks you want and you'll see all the rocks that can accommodate it.

2. There can be multiple ore types for the same metal. Hematite, limonite and magnetite all give iron.

3. Depending on the rock type, ores can be harder to see. Sphalerite on granite is extremely hard to notice as it looks almost the same as regular granite, so pay close attention.

Worked like a charm!

That was a lot easier than i remember it being,literally found iron within 2 hours.

Thanks!

[cjc813]

Can anyone explain exactly how density search works? I know it's supposed to be at least 3 blocks between samples, but no more than 16 between samples, but for me that only seems to work if blocks are in a straight line. How do you reliably get propick results if you don't have 9 blocks in a row?

Easiest way I've found is to dig out a 9 block line and just prospect every 4th block, but -- to OP's point -- that gets tedious.

I'm a couple hundred hours in across multiple worlds, so I have an okay understanding of how it all works. And I think overall the prospecting mechanic is super interesting, but I still dread prospecting early on when I'm working with flint shovels and only a small supply of copper starting out.

Is there a better way that doesn't take as much time and/or durability? 

Edited January 7, 2025 by cjc813

[LadyWYT]

18 minutes ago, cjc813 said:

Can anyone explain exactly how density search works? I know it's supposed to be at least 3 blocks between samples, but no more than 16 between samples, but for me that only seems to work if blocks are in a straight line. How do you reliably get propick results if you don't have 9 blocks in a row?

Easiest way I've found is to dig out a 9 block line and just prospect every 4th block, but -- to OP's point -- that gets tedious.

I'm a couple hundred hours in across multiple worlds, so I have an okay understanding of how it all works. And I think overall the prospecting mechanic is super interesting, but I still dread prospecting early on when I'm working with flint shovels and only a small supply of copper starting out.

Is there a better way that doesn't take as much time and/or durability? 

I usually just make sure that every block sampled is at least three blocks away from the previous, five blocks away at the most. I'll also try to stay within 3-5 blocks of the first sampling, so my end result usually covers a triangle shape rather than a straight line. I've found it keeps my samples in a compact area that way, so I don't have to worry about sampling a block that's too far away and accidentally resetting my prospect attempt.

[Echo Weaver]

21 minutes ago, cjc813 said:

Can anyone explain exactly how density search works? I know it's supposed to be at least 3 blocks between samples, but no more than 16 between samples, but for me that only seems to work if blocks are in a straight line. How do you reliably get propick results if you don't have 9 blocks in a row?

Easiest way I've found is to dig out a 9 block line and just prospect every 4th block, but -- to OP's point -- that gets tedious.

I'm a couple hundred hours in across multiple worlds, so I have an okay understanding of how it all works. And I think overall the prospecting mechanic is super interesting, but I still dread prospecting early on when I'm working with flint shovels and only a small supply of copper starting out.

Is there a better way that doesn't take as much time and/or durability? 

Well, I often get my three blocks in an L-shape, counting 3-4 blocks away from my first block on the Z-axis and the X-axis.

However, I also play with ProspectTogether, and I've actually never used density search without it. It stores density results and allows you to display them on the map in various ways to help you locate what you're looking for.

[N0ma13]

Dig down to rock, sample, dig down 3, sample, dig down 3 more, sample. (bring rope ladders). Cover the top and move 50 blocks to the next spot.

[Maelstrom]

I got the easy prospecting mod which reduces sampling to a single block.  Might not be as realistic, but I have limited time to play; butbut I don't like making the game too easy either.

EasyProspect - https://mods.vintagestory.at/show/mod/13063

[Thorfinn]

On 1/7/2025 at 3:11 PM, N0ma13 said:

Dig down to rock, sample, dig down 3, sample, dig down 3 more, sample. (bring rope ladders). Cover the top and move 50 blocks to the next spot.

Good way to do it. I add one more step -- something, anything to presumably make the pit non-spawnable except in storms. (Hmmm, is there anything at all I could craft with the 6 stones I just picked up?) If I hear drifters when running cross country, I want to know for sure that there is a cave nearby, and not just an old prospecting shaft with it's own unfortunate Fortunato.

Edited January 9, 2025 by Thorfinn

[gomodo]

Sampling 3 times causes a single point on the map : It's not intuitive.
Another thing, the system doesn't work with surface veins, it's strange (detail here: weird-result-with-density-mode-prospecting-on-blocs-adjacents-to-the-vein).

My first prospecting : I used completly my first prospecting pickaxe.. ..without finding anything!

I think that the prospecting system is not sufficiently developed.

It is frustrating and is not a good gaming experience.

[Maelstrom]

Surface ore is indicated by the nuggets on the surface.  The density search mode is based off the first block, other two are to complete the requirements to get a reading.

I agree it is the steepest learning curve in VS.  Once you get the hang of it, it'll be easy.  I think the prospecting system is pretty realistic and fits the game very well.

[RapscallionGamer]

I feel it rather important to point out so people can do the math, it is NOT a percentage.  A percentage as we all know is 1 part in 100.  The symbol being used is, ‰, which is per mille, or 1 part in 1000.  

Cent, mille, cent mille, etc.  It's the math that prob got ignored, forgotten or just plain unused by a lot of people, but those that deal with numbers and larger numbers of course, it comes into play a LOT.  In any case, knowing 1 in 1000 should help you understand the numbers part instead of ignoring for just the words.  Hope that helps.

 

[Maelstrom]

Additionally, that number does NOT insure there is that much ore in that chunk.  It is at best an indication of how much ore COULD be there IF ORE SPAWNS in that area.

It's best to read the wordy descriptor until you get the highest reading you can.  The devs have confirmed to me that the numbers should ONLY be used to determine which wordy descriptor is a stronger reading, such as Decent 3.02 versus Decent 2.84.

[Teh Pizza Lady]

I once dug up an entire chunk looking for iron that had a fairly high change of being high quality.

Never did find it and the drifters took over the mine 'cause I ran out of oil lamps to ward them off.

[Maelstrom]

Quality of the ore is only determined once you can lay eyes on it.  Prospecting only tells you the likelihood of the ore being in the area (density search) or that there is ore in the area (node search).

[Thorfinn]

12 hours ago, RapscallionGamer said:

In any case, knowing 1 in 1000 should help you understand the numbers part instead of ignoring for just the words.

Sort of. Like @Streetwind reminds every time this comes up is that it's not just a simple math problem. It doesn't in any way represent what is there, but what could be there. If the RNG fails the roll, it's not there. It's even worse for iron, where there is in essence first a check to see if that chunk should even have a check.

And, of course, it's meaningless to someone without a lot of experience at the game. Does that number mean its a good chance or not? Unless you've seen a lot of other values and what they actually spawned, you are better off sticking to the description, and using the numbers to split ties, like @Maelstrom says. If you IRL are a mining engineer, or possibly a metallurgical engineer, you can compare those numbers to what you learned in school were likely prospects, but you are drawing on some special knowledge then.

[Maelstrom]

52 minutes ago, Thorfinn said:

If you IRL are a mining engineer, or possibly a metallurgical engineer, you can compare those numbers to what you learned in school were likely prospects, but you are drawing on some special knowledge then.

That would likely be a detriment since this is a game, not even a simulator.  Best results are gained from KISS - Keeping It Simple.  Use the numbers ONLY to determine which direction to continue to search for the best chance for an ore to spawn in that area and nothing more.

[Thorfinn]

18 minutes ago, Maelstrom said:

That would likely be a detriment since this is a game, not even a simulator. 

Maybe. The only one I have personal knowledge of is malachite, and that's in the ballpark, if memory serves. I have no idea if the rest are reasonable or not.

But, yeah, I don't use the numbers for anything other than maybe moving to a higher likelihood location. Even so, the difference between "Decent 3.02 versus Decent 2.84" is miniscule. A few hundredths of a percent. Assuming the RNG is more or less random, you couldn't tell the difference without several hundred blocks mined, and then only if you are good at statistics..