Cairn is a contemplative climbing adventure where you scale a massive mountain using realistic climbing mechanics. Unlike traditional action games, every handhold matters and your route choices determine whether you reach the summit. The game emphasizes the meditative experience of mountaineering, with a photography system that rewards you for capturing breathtaking vistas. Currently in its full release, Cairn offers multiple routes with varying difficulty and hidden paths that reward creative problem-solving.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary equipment | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your build's key synergies |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary equipment | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
Base Camp
Key resources: Gear unlocks, route maps, basic achievements Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Rope upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
South Face
Key resources: Summit achievement, photography spots, hidden cave entrance Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Rope upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Ridgeline
Key resources: Rare photo compositions, shortcut to upper routes, ridgeline achievement Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Rope upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Summit Push
Key resources: Summit completion, endgame photos, secret ending trigger Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Pitons max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Hidden Routes
Key resources: Secret achievements, unique photo locations, lore collectibles Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Pitons max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Base Camp — South Face)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials — you'll need them later
- Focus on Rope once accessible
Mid Game (Ridgeline)
- Push Rope to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Pitons
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Summit Push — Hidden Routes)
- Max out Pitons — this is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary equipment for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple equipment — Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials — Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear — Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Ridgeline farming — This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early — Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Always start with the South Face on your first playthrough — it teaches every mechanic gradually without punishing mistakes too harshly.
- Farm Ridgeline during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build — some classes farm faster in certain areas
More Cairn Guides
- Cairn Cairn Overview
- Cairn Best Builds
- Cairn Tier List
- Cairn Walkthrough
- Cairn Beginner's Guide
- Cairn Tips & Tricks
- Cairn Weapons Guide
- Cairn Combat Guide
- Cairn Boss Guide
- Cairn Maps & Locations
- Cairn Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Cairn, check out these related guides:
- Red Dead Redemption 2 Crafting Guide — adventure game with similar mechanics
- Sea of Thieves Crafting Guide — adventure game with similar mechanics
- Dredge Crafting Guide — adventure game with similar mechanics
