> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://critters-quest-1.gitbook.io/critters-quest-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://critters-quest-1.gitbook.io/critters-quest-docs/critter-quest-guides/tools-and-equipping.md).

# Tools & Equipping

## Tool Overview

Tools are essential equipment that determine your critter's gathering capabilities and efficiency. Each tool type is specialized for specific resource categories and provides different levels of gathering power, durability, and special features.

## Tool Categories

### Pickaxes (Mining Tools)

* **Purpose**: Mining stone, rock, and mineral resources
* **Targets**: Basic Rock, Common Deposits, Mineral Outcrops, Rich Veins, etc.
* **Specialization**: Optimized for hard materials and ore extraction

### Axes (Chopping Tools)

* **Purpose**: Harvesting wood and tree resources
* **Targets**: Saplings, Birch, Pine, Oak, Ancient trees, etc.
* **Specialization**: Designed for cutting through wood and bark

### Shovels (Digging Tools)

* **Purpose**: Excavating soil and earth resources
* **Targets**: Loose Soil, Herb Patches, Gravel, Bone Piles, etc.
* **Specialization**: Engineered for digging and earth moving

## Tool Tier Progression

| Tier | Tool Type      | Damage Range | Luck Range | Durability Range    | Sockets | Special Capabilities                |
| ---- | -------------- | ------------ | ---------- | ------------------- | ------- | ----------------------------------- |
| 1    | Wood Tools     | 20-40        | 0%         | 172,800-259,200     | 0       | Basic gathering only                |
| 3    | Stone Tools    | 60-100       | 2.5-5%     | 345,600-518,400     | 0-1     | **Resource Level Control unlocked** |
| 5    | Steel Tools    | 120-180      | 5-10%      | 604,800-777,600     | 0-1     | Enhanced level control and yields   |
| 7    | Diamond Tools  | 200-300      | 7.5-15%    | 695,520-894,240     | 0-2     | Superior gathering power            |
| 9    | Emerald Tools  | 325-475      | 10-20%     | 869,400-1,117,800   | 1-2     | Elite-tier gathering efficiency     |
| 11   | Advanced Tools | 500-700      | 12.5-25%   | 1,173,690-1,509,030 | 1-3     | **Level 11+ resource access**       |

**Note**: Advanced Tools (Tier 11) can only be crafted at The Glowing COG (Advanced Tech Lab)

## Resource Level Control System

### Basic Tools (Tier 1-2)

* **Fixed Gathering**: Can only gather at the resource's default level
* **Standard Yields**: Receive base resource amounts
* **No Customization**: Cannot adjust difficulty or yields

### Advanced Tools (Tier 3+)

* **Level Scaling**: Set custom difficulty levels on any accessible resource node
* **Yield Multipliers**: Higher levels provide significantly increased resource yields
* **Time Investment**: Higher levels require proportionally longer gathering times
* **Strategic Control**: Choose optimal level based on time availability and resource needs

## Resource Level Control System

### Level Control Capabilities by Tool Tier

| Tool Tier          | Level Control Available | Yield Multiplier | Strategic Use               |
| ------------------ | ----------------------- | ---------------- | --------------------------- |
| 1 (Basic)          | **None**                | 1x (base yield)  | Quick standard gathering    |
| 3-5 (Intermediate) | Levels 1-5              | 1x - 5x          | Moderate yield optimization |
| 7-9 (Advanced)     | Levels 1-10             | 1x - 9x          | High-yield long sessions    |
| 11 (Elite)         | **Levels 1-11+**        | 1x - 11x         | Maximum yield potential     |

## Tool Durability System

### Durability Mechanics

* **Finite Lifespan**: All tools have limited durability that decreases with each use
* **Usage Degradation**: Tools lose durability points with every gathering action
* **Complete Breakdown**: Tools become unusable when durability reaches zero

### Durability Ranges by Tier

* **Higher Tier Tools**: Generally have much greater durability
* **Investment Protection**: Better tools last longer, providing better long-term value
* **Usage Planning**: Consider durability when planning extended gathering sessions

## Tool Crafting Locations & Requirements

| Tool Tier     | Crafting Location   | Materials Example                                                                                                         | Cost ($QUEST) | Crafting Time |
| ------------- | ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------- | ------------- |
| 1 (Wood)      | The Muddy Anvil     | 5 Wood                                                                                                                    | 250           | 1 hour        |
| 3 (Stone)     | The Muddy Anvil     | 15 Stone, 5 Wood, 2 Clay, 5 Coal, 3 Refined Sap                                                                           | 1,000         | 3 hours       |
| 5 (Steel)     | The Muddy Anvil     | 10 Wood, 10 Stone, 7 Coal, 5 Clay, 5 Refined Sap, 3 Steel Ingot, 3 Copper Ingot                                           | 1,500         | 8 hours       |
| 7 (Diamond)   | The Muddy Anvil     | 25 Wood, 50 Stone, 15 Coal, 15 Clay, 20 Refined Sap, 1 Refined Diamond, 2 Steel Ingot, 5 Gold Solution, 5 Copper Ingot    | 5,000         | 24 hours      |
| 9 (Emerald)   | The Muddy Anvil     | 50 Wood, 35 Stone, 25 Coal, 25 Clay, 15 Refined Sap, 3 Refined Emerald, 1 Polished Diamond, 2 Gold Ingot, 25 Copper Ingot | 15,000        | 48 hours      |
| 11 (Advanced) | **The Glowing COG** | Advanced materials + Tech Fragments                                                                                       | 50000         | 69 hours      |

## Tool Equipment System

### Equipping Tools to Critters

#### Equipment Requirements

* **Location Restriction**: Tools can only be equipped/unequipped when critters are **in your town**
* **Active Critter Limitation**: Cannot modify equipment on critters that are actively gathering or traveling
* **Home Base Only**: All equipment management must be done at your town base

#### Equipment Slots

Each critter can equip up to **3 tools simultaneously**:

* **1 Pickaxe**: For mining stone/rock resources
* **1 Axe**: For chopping wood/tree resources
* **1 Shovel**: For digging soil/earth resources

#### Tool Power Mechanics

* **No Stacking**: Multiple tools do not combine their power or stats
* **Resource-Specific**: Each tool only provides benefits for its corresponding resource type
* **Individual Function**: Pickaxe only helps with mining, Axe only helps with chopping, etc.

### Equipment Management

#### Equipping Process

1. **Return Critter**: Ensure the critter is at your town base
2. **Access Equipment**: Open the critter's equipment interface
3. **Select Tools**: Choose appropriate tools from your inventory
4. **Confirm Equipment**: Assign tools to the critter

#### Unequipping and Transfers

* **Free Movement**: Freely move tools between critters while they're in town
* **No Restrictions**: Can unequip and re-equip tools without cost or cooldown
* **Inventory Management**: Unequipped tools return to your general inventory

### Equipment Warnings & Risks

#### Marketplace Sales Risk

**CRITICAL WARNING**: If you sell a critter while it has equipped tools:

* **Tools Included**: All equipped items will be sold with the critter
* **No Separation**: Cannot remove tools from sale once listed
* **Permanent Loss**: You lose both the critter AND all equipped tools
* **No Refunds**: This is permanent and cannot be undone

#### Risk Prevention

* **Always Unequip**: Remove all tools before listing critters for sale
* **Double Check**: Verify critter inventory is empty before marketplace listing
* **Safe Storage**: Keep valuable tools in general inventory, not equipped

### Strategic Equipment Usage

#### Single-Resource Expeditions

* **Focused Approach**: Equip only the tool needed for your target resource
* **Inventory Space**: Keep other tools safe in inventory

#### Multi-Resource Expeditions

* **Full Loadout**: Equip all three tool types for maximum flexibility
* **Opportunistic Gathering**: Take advantage of various resource spawns encountered
* **Efficiency Trade-off**: Accept durability loss on all tools for operational flexibility

#### Tool Rotation Strategy

* **Durability Management**: Rotate tools between critters to balance wear
* **Quality Distribution**: Give best tools to most active gatherers
* **Backup Planning**: Always have replacement tools ready

## Tool Enhancement Systems

### Socket System

Higher-tier tools feature socket slots for additional upgrades:

#### Socket Availability by Tier

| Tool Tier | Socket Range | Enhancement Potential         |
| --------- | ------------ | ----------------------------- |
| Tier 1-3  | 0-1 sockets  | Basic enhancement options     |
| Tier 5-7  | 0-2 sockets  | Moderate customization        |
| Tier 9-11 | 1-3 sockets  | Maximum enhancement potential |

#### Socket Functionality

* **Enhancement Slots**: Sockets allow additional upgrades beyond base tool stats
* **Customization Options**: Specialized modifications to tool performance
* **Progressive Access**: Higher-tier tools offer more enhancement opportunities

### Equipment Enhancement Strategy

* **Socket Prioritization**: Focus enhancements on your most-used tools
* **Resource Matching**: Enhance tools for your primary gathering activities
* **Long-term Investment**: Socket upgrades provide permanent tool improvements

## Advanced Tool Crafting

### Standard Tool Creation

* **The Muddy Anvil**: Crafts Tier 1-9 tools (Wood through Emerald)
* **Material Requirements**: Increasingly complex recipes for higher tiers
* **Time Investment**: Longer crafting times for advanced tools

### Advanced Tool Creation

* **The Glowing COG**: Exclusive location for Tier 11 Advanced Tools
* **Special Requirements**: Advanced materials and technology fragments needed
* **Unique Capabilities**: Only Advanced Tools can access Level 11+ resource yields
* **End-game Content**: Represents the pinnacle of tool progression

## Tool Maintenance Tips

### Durability Management

* **Monitor Usage**: Keep track of tool durability during long gathering sessions
* **Backup Tools**: Always have spare tools ready for critical gathering operations
* **Repair Planning**: Schedule repairs during downtime or while other critters are active

### Economic Efficiency

* **Bulk Crafting**: Create multiple tools when materials are abundant
* **Strategic Repairs**: Focus repair efforts on your most valuable tools
* **Replacement Timing**: Replace tools before they break to avoid gathering interruptions


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://critters-quest-1.gitbook.io/critters-quest-docs/critter-quest-guides/tools-and-equipping.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.