Pathea Games left Early Access with My Time at Sandrock on 2 November 2023, moving the Portia formula into a desert town where water is rationed and the last workshop just closed. You collect a Builder License from Matilda at City Hall, then take commissions from Yan at the Commerce Guild while Mi-an competes for the same board. Progress runs through machines rather than through farming: a Recycler breaks down scrap, a Furnace smelts bars and glass, a Grinder makes gears and rivets and a Processor cuts planks, all feeding an Assembly Station that rebuilds the town.
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 combinations |
| 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
Sandrock
Key resources: Builder License, the Commission Board, research access and every relationship track Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Bronze Sword and Shield upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Eufaula Salvage
Key resources: Copper and tin ore, power stone nodes, Data Discs and relics across eleven layers Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Bronze Sword and Shield upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Gecko Station
Key resources: Tin, chromium, magnesium and nickel ore in varying quantities Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Bronze Sword and Shield upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Breach Valley
Key resources: Combat loot, gecko clearing progress toward Gecko Station Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Pickhammer max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Dead Sea Ruins
Key resources: Bee-wing Blade on level 3 and the Solarflare on the final level Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Pickhammer max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Sandrock to Eufaula Salvage)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials, since you'll need them later
- Focus on Bronze Sword and Shield once accessible
Mid Game (Gecko Station)
- Push Bronze Sword and Shield to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Pickhammer
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Breach Valley to Dead Sea Ruins)
- Max out Pickhammer. 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 Gecko Station 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
- Spend Data Discs before hoarding them. The Ore Refinery at 10 Data Discs turns ordinary ore into rarer materials and crystals, and the Dew Collector at 8 produces one Dew every eight hours, which compounds across a whole save.
- Farm Gecko Station 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 My Time at Sandrock Guides
- My Time at Sandrock My Time at Sandrock Overview
- My Time at Sandrock Best Builds
- My Time at Sandrock Tier List
- My Time at Sandrock Walkthrough
- My Time at Sandrock Beginner's Guide
- My Time at Sandrock Tips & Tricks
- My Time at Sandrock Weapons Guide
- My Time at Sandrock Combat Guide
- My Time at Sandrock Boss Guide
- My Time at Sandrock Maps & Locations
- My Time at Sandrock Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy My Time at Sandrock, check out these related guides:
- Stardew Valley Crafting Guide: simulation game with similar mechanics
- Satisfactory Crafting Guide: simulation game with similar mechanics
- The Sims 4 Crafting Guide: simulation game with similar mechanics
