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Start with a bed, a workbench, basic storage, and upgraded tools; then explore outward, gather new materials, and use food to prepare for tougher trips and fights. Core Keeper leaves room to choose your own pace, but a little preparation makes its underground world easier to navigate.
What to do first in Core Keeper
Your early goal is a small, useful base—not a finished fortress. Gather nearby materials and ores, then make the basic stations and supplies that let you craft, recover, and set out again.
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| 1 |
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Core Keeper (Nintendo Switch) | $44.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Mario Tennis™ Fever (Nintendo Switch 2) | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
- Collect nearby materials and ore. Mine what is accessible, and use a furnace to smelt ore when you have the materials for one. Copper and tin are useful early upgrade targets, though ore availability can depend on world progression and game version.
- Make a workbench and bed. The workbench opens up basic crafting, while the bed sets a respawn point. Keep a little storage nearby for common materials so routine crafting is easier.
- Craft better tools and starter equipment. Upgrade when your materials allow it. Better tools help you gather resources and make progress through walls that your current mining ability cannot break.
- Set up a modest base. Choose a convenient, reasonably safe location near a route you can return to. Avoid spending too long on elaborate construction before you have explored enough to find more resources and crafting stations.
How to explore without getting lost
Core Keeper generates its world procedurally, so the route to a biome or resource deposit can differ between worlds. Biomes generally form rings around the Core, but do not rely on a fixed compass direction or assume another player’s map will match yours.
- Explore outward as your tools and equipment improve.
- Mark routes, resource deposits, and boss arenas on your map so you can return to them.
- When you hit a wall or encounter enemies that feel too difficult, note the location and come back after upgrading.
- Bring home useful materials and seeds rather than trying to uncover the whole map in one trip.
Upgrade at a useful pace
There is no single mandatory checklist for progressing. You can choose what to explore and when to take on bosses, but a general progression route helps avoid mining and equipment bottlenecks: gather newly accessible resources, improve your tools and workbench options, then revisit routes or encounters that were previously difficult.
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- Uncover the mysteries of the core: descend into a vibrant world in Core Keeper on Nintendo Switch, a co-op adventure for 1-4 players. Explore a dynamically generated underground filled with secrets, resources, and legendary challenges. Mine for precious materials, create powerful tools, unlock unique abilities and build your foundation to thrive in this ever-evolving world. Will you be a master miner, a craft prodigy or a terrifying fighter? The choice is yours!
- Explore a diverse subworld: No two adventures are the same in the procedurally generated world of Core Keeper. Each biome has its own ecosystem and challenges. Navigate the living walls of the Clay Caves, brave the crystal-filled shimmering border or discover the secrets of the ancient caves. Build a sturdy boat and explore the depths of the mysterious Sunken Sea. Every corner whispers of the past - tell the story and discover the true power of the Core.
- Build your underground paradise: Unleash your creativity and make your own way in Core Keeper. Create the ultimate foundation, from a cozy cottage to a bustling mining center, with a variety of materials and decorations. Customize your character's look to your playstyle and choose from a wide range of outfits and powerful armor pieces. In creative mode, experiment with unlimited resources and push the boundaries of building bases. Expand your experience even further with a thriving community and a wealth of player-created mods.
- Adventure awaits, solo or with friends: Embark on a solo adventure at your own pace, discover hidden secrets and build your dream base. Core Keeper also shines in seamless 2-4 player co-op. Collaborate, share resources, overcome challenges and create a shared world with your friends. Celebrate the changing seasons, trade with merchants, breed cute animal lovers, make music on playable instruments - the possibilities are endless. Do you want a dedicated world for your crew? Host your own server and discover at your leisure
- Word Core Keeper: Core Keeper offers an unforgettable experience for sandbox adventurers. With limitless possibilities, engaging explorations and a vibrant online community, there's always something new to discover. Take on legendary Titans, automate tasks with ingenious machines, master a wide range of recipes and discover the secrets of this forgotten world. Take on the challenge, explore the depths and build your legacy in Core Keeper, coming soon to Nintendo Switch!
Mining skill and mining damage affect which walls you can break. Community-maintained mining and progression references can help explain the systems, but exact thresholds, recipes, and balance may change between game versions. Treat them as guidance for your current build rather than universal rules.
Use farming, cooking, and fishing to prepare
Food is part of preparation, not a detour from exploration. Plant useful seeds when you find them and cook ingredients into meals before a long expedition or a difficult fight. Meals can provide helpful effects, but there is no single best recipe established for every player or situation.
Rank #2
- Shape the world and build a cozy new life with Pokémon as a Ditto transformed to look like a human.
- Use other Pokémon’s moves, like Bulbasaur’s Leafage, to revitalize and navigate the world around you.
- Meet and befriend more Pokémon as you help nature flourish.
- Gather materials to create items and furniture, till the fields to grow delicious crops, build homes for the Pokémon you meet, and more—there’s so much to do!
- Experience a world with varied weather, real-time days and nights, and other surprises.
Fishing is another optional way to gather food and other useful finds. You do not need to max every skill before exploring; a small crop supply and some available meals are a practical starting point.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Prepare for boss fights
Before a boss attempt, bring upgraded gear, food, healing supplies if available, and enough room to move. Pay attention to the arena and the boss’s attacks instead of trying to win by trading hits. No one weapon or loadout is required: choose equipment that suits your preferred range and play style.
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In co-op, account for the group before starting an encounter. The getting-started wiki says boss health and characteristics scale with the number of connected players, so a plan that works solo may not translate directly to a larger group.
Solo and co-op: what to adjust
In solo play, you control the pace and can gather, build, and prepare between encounters. In a group, coordinate who is bringing supplies and make sure everyone is ready before starting a boss. Nintendo’s Switch product listing describes one-to-four-player play for that listing; do not assume the same player limit applies to every platform or edition.
Quick Recap
Common beginner mistakes to avoid
- Overbuilding before exploring: A functional base is enough while you search for the resources and stations that expand crafting.
- Assuming the map matches a guide: Procedural generation changes routes and biome directions between worlds.
- Pushing through a blocked route: Mark it and return after improving mining ability or equipment.
- Entering a difficult fight unprepared: Take food, suitable gear, and room to move, and learn the attack pattern.
- Treating every skill as mandatory: Farming and fishing are useful support loops, but you can develop them at your own pace.
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