Choosing between a pick and hatchet makes early gathering trips produce the materials you need.
PC / Global, The Island map focus
WHERE & HOW TO FARM
Where to farm
Early Island beaches and forests, then the resource nodes you discover as your base develops.
A tool changes which materials you collect from the same kind of resource. Use a pick or hatchet deliberately so a short early gathering trip supplies a specific crafting goal instead of an unwanted mix. As your needs change, upgrade tools and move toward specialized harvesters for bulk collection. The core loop is simple: identify a need, use the matching tool, check the inventory, and return to craft or build.
A Stone Pick and Stone Hatchet, unlocked and crafted when available.
Inventory space for the resource you plan to gather.
A nearby safe place to store or use the materials.
Choose a material needed for your next tool, structure, or crafting step.
Use a pick on rocks when you want flint, and a hatchet when you want stone.
Use a hatchet on trees for wood, or a pick when you want thatch.
Check your inventory after a few harvest actions and compare the result with your goal.
Switch tools if the gathered mix does not match what you need.
Return to your storage or crafting area and use the gathered material.
Upgrade tools or tame a specialized harvester when hand gathering no longer suits the quantity required.
Farming tips
Carry both tools so one trip can adapt if your immediate crafting need changes.
A tool choice changes the resource mix; more swings with the wrong tool can make the trip less useful.
Repeat, collect and use
Repeat the gather-and-check loop whenever you need early materials. Hand harvesting remains available, while upgrades and tames can take over bulk work later.
Common mistakes
Using the same tool for every node: match pick or hatchet to the resource you need.
Continuing after the inventory fills: unload before gathering more.
Harvesting without a crafting goal: decide what you need and stop when you have enough for that task.
When to stop or switch
Stop when you have enough materials for the next craft or your inventory is full; switch tools or methods if the output is not useful.
