Train the skill that supplies your next useful craft or objective. There is no verified universal fastest skill order. For the four gathering disciplines, use the current resource-tier levels below instead of older demo requirements.
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Which skill should you train first?
Start with the material or usable item your next objective needs. Find it in the game, then select the skill that supplies it. After that goal is met, choose again. This gives you a useful training order without pretending one skill is always best.
For production, check whether you can keep a relevant gathering task running alongside it. Do not choose the highest available resource solely because it is new: the material you need for the next craft may still come from an earlier tier.
Verified gathering milestones
Hotfix #5 changed the level requirements for these resource tiers in Mining, Woodcutting, Fishing and Gathering. The number is the relevant skill’s level, not an account-level recommendation.
| Resource tier | Required skill level |
|---|---|
| Tier 3 | 18 |
| Tier 4 | 28 |
| Tier 5 | 40 |
| Tier 6 | 55 |
| Tier 7 | 70 |
These are published resource-tier requirements, not a complete resource database. Individual item names, tier 1–2 and tier 8 requirements, mastery thresholds and time-to-level are not included.
Gathering skills
Mining
What it does: Ore and mining-resource collection.
When to train: When your selected recipe calls for a resource shown in Mining.
Used with: Production and tool choices.
Unlocks: See the verified tier 3–7 levels above; specific resource names are not mapped here.
Woodcutting
What it does: Wood-resource collection.
When to train: When your selected recipe needs a resource in Woodcutting.
Used with: Production and gathering tools.
Unlocks: See the verified tier 3–7 levels above; specific resource names are not mapped here.
Fishing
What it does: Fishing-resource collection.
When to train: When a current objective or usable recipe requires a fishing resource.
Used with: Recipe planning and resource mastery.
Unlocks: See the verified tier 3–7 levels above; specific resource names are not mapped here.
Gathering
What it does: The game’s named Gathering activity.
When to train: When the material you need appears in its resource list.
Used with: Production inputs and resource mastery.
Unlocks: See the verified tier 3–7 levels above; specific resource names are not mapped here.
Production skills
Blacksmithing
What it does: An equipment-production discipline.
When to train: When an available recipe creates an item that fits your next goal.
Used with: Equipment, materials and crafting.
Unlocks: Exact unlock requirements are currently unverified. Read the current in-game list.
Crafting
What it does: An item-production discipline.
When to train: When a usable recipe solves an immediate material or equipment need.
Used with: Gathering and inventory planning.
Unlocks: Exact unlock requirements are currently unverified. Read the current in-game list.
Cooking
What it does: The game’s cooking discipline.
When to train: When a listed recipe produces something useful for your current plan.
Used with: Consumable planning; inspect each recipe’s effect.
Unlocks: Exact unlock requirements are currently unverified. Read the current in-game list.
Alchemy
What it does: The game’s alchemy discipline.
When to train: When you can identify a useful output and supply its listed ingredients.
Used with: Consumables and material planning.
Unlocks: Exact unlock requirements are currently unverified. Read the current in-game list.
Magic & equipment progression
Arcane School
What it does: The game’s magical training system.
When to train: When an available magical option supports your current combat plan.
Used with: Combat; read the ability and mastery tooltips.
Unlocks: Exact unlock requirements are currently unverified. Read the current in-game list.
Upgrade
What it does: The game’s equipment-upgrade system.
When to train: When you have a piece worth investing in and understand the displayed cost.
Used with: Equipment; compare the result before committing.
Unlocks: Exact unlock requirements are currently unverified. Read the current in-game list.
Enchantment
What it does: Equipment enhancement through enchantment.
When to train: When an available enhancement is useful for gear you expect to keep.
Used with: Equipment and enchantment materials.
Unlocks: Exact unlock requirements are currently unverified. Read the current in-game list.
Make the level useful
- Recheck newly available resources after patch changes. You may already meet a reduced requirement.
- Keep skill level separate from mastery. A published tier requirement does not establish the best mastery strategy.
- Match production to supply. Inspect a recipe’s inputs before leaving a crafting task running.
- Review your goal after an unlock. A new resource is an option, not an obligation to abandon what you need.
For the full decision loop, return to the beginner guide. For a sale-focused session, use the gold guide.
Common questions
How many skills are in Early Access?
The official launch announcement lists 11: Mining, Gathering, Woodcutting, Fishing, Blacksmithing, Crafting, Cooking, Alchemy, Arcane School, Upgrade and Enchantment.
Do these tier levels apply to Crafting?
No. The published tier requirements shown here apply to Mining, Woodcutting, Fishing and Gathering. Do not reuse them as crafting recipe requirements.
Does a new tier mean faster XP?
The unlock level alone cannot establish that. A comparison would also need action times, XP and your applicable bonuses. Those complete inputs are not verified here.
Sources & verification
Game facts are checked against the sources below. Priorities and checklists are editorial advice, not measured optimal routes. Early Access details may change.