Caves are a key part of progression in Hytale, as they contain crucial items you need to move forward. First and foremost, that means ores, which let you upgrade your tools, weapons, and workbench. But there are other secrets waiting underground too—structures, monsters, and valuable treasure. Cave runs are an essential part of the gameplay, and you should prepare accordingly. Let’s take a closer look at what Hytale’s caves currently look like in Early Access and what you can find there!
Hytale cave preparation: gear and inventory check
Before you dig down, make sure you bring the right gear—without it, you likely won’t get far. Caves can be dangerous, even if they don’t seem that way at first glance. It’s better to have more than you need than not enough.
Your inventory should include:
- a weapon of your choice
- bow and arrows
- a shield (if using a one‑handed weapon)
- several pickaxes (your current tier)
- repair kits (for iron pickaxes and above)
- food (2× 25 pieces)
- plenty of torches (at least 100 in your off‑hand so you can place them directly)
- fibers, sticks, and resin (for crafting more torches)
- cobblestone or dirt (for building)
It’s even more convenient if you’ve already unlocked the backpack. This gives you additional inventory slots right away for anything you find. You only need 8× iron bars and 8× Medium Leather, which you should be able to obtain fairly quickly.
Hytale caves by biome: layout and each zone’s quirks
Hytale currently features four different biomes where you can find caves. They differ in look and in which ores and resources appear. If you want to learn more about the zones themselves, check out our post: (Hytale zones explained: biomes, ores, and mobs) . You can find cave entrances throughout each biome—some are even marked by mineshafts and offer more ores. Every zone brings new challenges!
- Zone 1: Caves are fairly straightforward, with regular stone. You’ll occasionally find mushroom sections—careful, they can explode. At the very bottom lies a hellish sea of lava, with ancient ruins and nasty monsters.
- Zone 2: The depths of the Howling Sands are laid out differently and surrounded primarily by sandstone. Watch out for insect nests scattered everywhere. They’re dangerous but a good source of chitin if you need it. At the bottom, you’ll also find a lava‑filled section with ruins, similar to Zone 1.
- Zone 3: The caves in the Whisperfrost Frontiers look completely different. They’re frozen and chilling just to behold. Be careful—the ground can be slippery and send you straight into the abyss. Move cautiously and don’t misstep. Deep below you’ll find mostly ice and water, with surprisingly few enemies. Sometimes you can even dive for treasure—watch your oxygen.
- Zone 4: Zone 4 flips many other caves on their head—literally. While things are chaotic above, far below you’ll discover a paradise of tropical trees and lush landscapes. You’ll find not only very rare tree species there but also native dinosaurs.
Hytale ores and resources: where to find them in caves and on the surface
Caves in Hytale are primarily important for gathering enough ore for your projects. You’ll use them to forge new tools or dabble in alchemical work. But where do you find all the ores you need? Let’s break it down. Keep in mind that ores appear not only in caves but also on the surface or in mountains.
- Copper: Found almost everywhere, but primarily in Zone 1, the starting area.
- Iron: Occasionally in Zone 1, but very common in Zones 2 and 3.
- Gold: Found in oceans and easy to spot in the mountains of Zone 3. Used primarily for alchemy and currently not for tools.
- Silver: Also found in the mountain regions of Zone 3 and in deep lava caves in Zone 2. You can sometimes find it in Zone 1 if you dig deep enough. Not used for tools either, but for crafting wands.
- Cobalt: Easy to find in Zone 3, sometimes right in the mountains so you don’t even need to dig down.
- Thorium: The green ore found in Zone 2’s desert.
- Adamantite: You’ll need to travel to one of the Zone 4 islands—this is the only place to find Adamantite, the strongest ore currently.
Ores are the most important underground resource, but you’ll find more than that. You can also uncover crystals in various colors for decorations, as well as rare gemstones such as emeralds or even diamonds. Beyond that, be sure to collect monster resources and drops.
Hytale cave monsters: enemies, spawn behavior, and dangers
You’re probably wondering which monsters lurk in caves. Cave runs aren’t exactly easy. Yes, there are mobs—but the system is still not fully developed. Some nasty creatures are out there regardless, and they seem to spawn especially often when you turn your back. It’s still unclear whether lighting up caves helps. So keep your back covered.
In caves you’ll encounter:
- rats
- goblins (with various equipment)
- spiders
- Scaraks
- toads
- elemental golems
- dinosaurs
- skeleton mages
Conclusion: explore Hytale’s caves and find rare ores
Caves in Hytale have a character all their own and change depending on the biome. That keeps things fresh, and you’ll truly need to travel through every zone to gather key materials. Always bring the best gear you can and keep upgrading it to stay prepared. And watch out for monsters—especially the ones that love to appear behind you.
If you want to play with your friends, then rent one of our Hytale servers and head out on a cave tour together: https://www.4netplayers.com/en/gameserver-hosting/hytale/ Who knows what secrets, structures, or rare resources you’ll discover!
