Learn how to get Iron and what it can be used for
Iron is a fundamental resource in 7 Days to Die and is used consistently by players throughout the entire game for crafting, building, forging, and upgrading. You will need a lot of Iron to create a stronger base or forge more advanced defensive gear.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about how to scavenge, salvage, and mine Iron in 7 Days to Die and explain how it can be used to your advantage.
How to get Iron in 7 Days to Die
Fortunately, Iron is a plentiful resource in 7 Days to Die because players must use it constantly as they progress through the game. There are numerous ways to obtain this resource, each favoring characters with different skills and tools and offering various efficiency levels. However, mining is the fastest method for obtaining it.
Here are 3 of the best ways to get Iron in 7 Days to Die:
1. Scavenging
Scrap metal can be found in trash piles and similar loot containers around the map. While you aren’t likely to find large quantities of metal lying around, several of the parts you find (such as nails, springs, and pipes) can be scrapped in the inventory or melted in the Forge to create Iron.
2. Salvaging
For players with an itch to recycle, many structures and objects can be smashed or disassembled to retrieve Iron. Breaking street signs, dismantling machines, and salvaging cars are all great ways to get your hands on it.
3. Mining
Probably the most efficient method for gathering raw Iron, exposed veins can be mined with a pickaxe or auger. These surface veins often conceal large deposits beneath the ground and provide a significant quantity of metal to those willing to dig it up.
Building an Iron mine
Building an Iron mine is often necessary if you choose to mine for your metal. It is possible to dig a mine without adding any building materials, but doing so can be messy, inefficient, and even dangerous, depending on which biome you are in.
Iron veins can be found in just about any biome and are often visible from the surface in the form of a small boulder. After mining this boulder, we recommend placing a platform on the surface one block above the ground with a trapdoor at the center. It’s a good idea to reinforce this platform, as zombies will often be attracted by the noisy mining and try to ambush you.
Dig down under the trapdoor and build an enclosed shaft with a ladder. Place a separate platform every 3 to 5 blocks down the ladder to allow you to build catwalks to raised sections of ore. If you don’t do this, reaching ore deposits that are part of the upper walls or ceiling can be difficult.
Build posts or pillars every 10-15 blocks to reinforce the mine ceiling. These supports don’t need to be made of anything stronger than Wood; make sure they run all the way from floor to ceiling. Failing to do this can lead to the mine collapsing, destroying valuable ore and potentially killing the player if they’re caught in it.
Tips and tricks for using Iron in 7 Days to Die
1. Forging
Iron and objects made of it can be melted down at a forge and used for its most important function: Forged Iron and Steel production. These refined metals are extremely durable and necessary for crafting advanced armor, weapons, and defenses. Once melted down in a forge, it can be retrieved or used to create components such as nails.
2. Defenses
Right from the start of the game, Iron can be used to reinforce wooden doors, and window covers with scrap metal. Scrap metal and Wood can also be crafted into Barbed Wire Fences, a unique trap that not only deals small amounts of damage but greatly slows down enemies who get tangled up in it.
3. Armor
Iron can be used to craft Scrap Armor, assuming the player has the correct perks or has read the associated recipe book. This suit of heavy armor is very useful for early-game confrontations. Although it may slow the player down, it provides much greater defense than light armor at the cost of mobility.
FAQs
No. Iron can be used as-is right from the ground.
Forged Iron has been refined at a forge and is much stronger than scrap metal.
It can be collected into stacks of up to 6000 units at a time.
Final thoughts on getting Iron in 7 Days to Die
Among all the materials The Fun Pumps made available for you to encounter in 7 Days to Die, Iron is by far the most versatile. While it’s easy to come by, farming the large amounts you’ll need to upgrade your base can be tedious.
Hopefully, this guide has provided insight into easier ways to acquire Iron and given you some new ideas for using it. If you’re looking for more tips to make your life in the apocalypse easier, check out our 10 Tips for Getting Started.
