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.
My Time at Sandrock features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order: what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandrock | Available from day one | Builder License, the Commission Board, research access and every relationship track | Salvage and ruin diver |
| 2 | Eufaula Salvage | Unlocks with Picking Up the Slack | Copper and tin ore, power stone nodes, Data Discs and relics across eleven layers | Salvage and ruin diver |
| 3 | Gecko Station | Unlocks with In Trusses we Trust | Tin, chromium, magnesium and nickel ore in varying quantities | Commission specialist |
| 4 | Breach Valley | Mid game, combat required | Combat loot, gecko clearing progress toward Gecko Station | Commission specialist |
| 5 | Dead Sea Ruins | Endgame, deepest ruin | Bee-wing Blade on level 3 and the Solarflare on the final level | Commission specialist |
Sandrock: Starting Area
The town itself, holding City Hall where Matilda issues the Builder License, the Commerce Guild where Yan posts commissions, Owen's Blue Moon Saloon, Fang's clinic, Qi's Research Center and Burgess at Water World. Almost every mission chain starts inside these few streets.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Available from day one |
| Key Rewards | Builder License, the Commission Board, research access and every relationship track |
| Recommended Build | Salvage and ruin diver |
| Key Equipment | Bronze Sword and Shield |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of Commission board and workshop ranking. This is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Eufaula Salvage.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Eufaula Salvage: Early Game
The scrapyard run by Rocky and Krystal, and the gateway to the Eufaula Salvage Abandoned Ruins behind it. The ruins open after the Picking Up the Slack mission installs the Crane Lift, and they run eleven layers deep.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Unlocks with Picking Up the Slack |
| Key Rewards | Copper and tin ore, power stone nodes, Data Discs and relics across eleven layers |
| Recommended Build | Salvage and ruin diver |
| Key Equipment | Bronze Sword and Shield |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering Machine chain from scrap to parts. It's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Bronze Sword and Shield if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Gecko Station.
Gecko Station: Mid Game
Reached after clearing the geckos in The Breach, with its ruins and mine unlocking once In Trusses we Trust is complete. Electric fences are scattered through the interior and they will punish careless movement.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Unlocks with In Trusses we Trust |
| Key Rewards | Tin, chromium, magnesium and nickel ore in varying quantities |
| Recommended Build | Commission specialist |
| Key Equipment | Bronze Sword and Shield |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Pickhammer becomes accessible here. Prioritize getting it.
- Master Data Discs and the Research Center for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Breach Valley: Late Game
The area west of town containing The Breach Hazardous Ruins, which are populated by enemies rather than by quiet salvage. This is the first place a player genuinely needs a weapon rather than a Pickhammer.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Mid game, combat required |
| Key Rewards | Combat loot, gecko clearing progress toward Gecko Station |
| Recommended Build | Commission specialist |
| Key Equipment | Pickhammer |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Pickhammer should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- Relationships and Civil Corps missions mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Dead Sea Ruins.
Dead Sea Ruins: Endgame
The deepest and most dangerous ruin set in the game, holding the Bee-wing Blade on the third level and the Solarflare on the final level. Clearing it is an endgame project rather than something to attempt during the main story.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Endgame, deepest ruin |
| Key Rewards | Bee-wing Blade on level 3 and the Solarflare on the final level |
| Recommended Build | Commission specialist |
| Key Equipment | Pickhammer |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Museum and relationship completionist for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order: Sandrock → Eufaula Salvage → Gecko Station → Breach Valley → Dead Sea Ruins. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner: Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment: Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough: Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush: Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two 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 Crafting Guide
- My Time at Sandrock Classes & Characters
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