Guide
Getting Started
Core Keeper beginner's guide — new-player tips covering early progression, first tools, mining, boss preparation, and base building.
What Is Core Keeper?
Core Keeper is a top-down sandbox survival game where you explore a procedurally generated underground world. You mine resources, craft equipment, fight bosses, cook food, farm crops, and build a base around a mysterious ancient Core. It supports up to 8 players in co-op.
First Steps
- Mine copper and tin. These are the first ores you will find near the Core. Smelt them into bars at a Furnace, then craft a Tin Pickaxe and Tin Sword at an Anvil.
- Place a bed and workbench. Beds set your respawn point. The workbench lets you craft basic items and the Furnace.
- Explore outward. The world is organized in concentric biome rings around the Core. Each ring has tougher enemies and better resources.
- Find and activate the Core. The Core sits in the center of the map. Activating it begins the boss progression chain.
- Prepare for the first boss. Craft the best gear available, cook food for buffs, and build a summoning area. Check the boss order guide for details.
Core Progression Loop
The game follows a repeating cycle:
Essential Systems
- Mining
- Your pickaxe tier determines which ores you can mine. Upgrade your pick as soon as new ores become available. Browse all tools.
- Cooking
- Raw food can be cooked at a Cooking Pot for buffs. Two-ingredient recipes produce stronger dishes. See the cooking guide.
- Armor Sets
- Wearing multiple pieces from the same set grants bonus stats. Check armor sets for full breakdowns.
- Accessories
- Rings, necklaces, and off-hand items provide passive bonuses. Browse all accessories.
- Base Building
- NPCs like merchants move into your base when you meet certain conditions. See merchants and buildings.
Common Mistakes
- Skipping armor upgrades. Defense matters as much as damage. Always craft the current tier's full armor set before a boss fight.
- Ignoring food buffs. Cooked food provides substantial combat bonuses that can make the difference in a boss fight.
- Fighting bosses under-leveled. If a boss feels impossible, explore more of its biome for better resources first.
- Not placing waypoints. Waypoint teleporters save enormous travel time as your world expands.