Table of Contents
1. Getting Started
What to Expect in Early Access
Hytale launched into Early Access on January 13, 2026. The current version includes:
- ✅ Exploration Mode - Procedurally generated worlds with all 4 zones + Ocean
- ✅ Creative Mode - Full building tools and unlimited resources
- ✅ Multiplayer - Player-run servers and co-op play
- ✅ Modding - Full mod support via CurseForge
- ⏳ Adventure Mode - Coming soon with deeper RPG systems
Choosing Your Starting Zone
You have two choices for where to begin your adventure:
| Zone | Difficulty | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌳 Emerald Grove (Zone 1) | ⭐ Easy | Friendly Kweebecs, abundant resources, safer for beginners | Less exotic, more common progression |
| 🏜️ Howling Sands (Zone 2) | ⭐⭐ Medium | Ancient ruins with better loot, unique Feran NPCs | Harsher climate, more aggressive mobs |
2. Your First 10 Minutes
Don't Punch Trees! 🌳✋
Unlike Minecraft, Hytale doesn't require you to punch trees. Instead, you'll find resources scattered on the ground:
Look for Sticks
Found on the ground near trees. Your most basic crafting material.
Collect Rubble/Rocks
Small stones scattered everywhere. Used for early tools.
Gather Plant Fiber
From bushes and tall grass. Essential for crafting.
Pick Berries
Food source to restore health early on.
Surviving Your First Night
You have limited time before nightfall brings more dangerous creatures. Follow this priority list:
- Collect 10+ Sticks and 10+ Rubble (2-3 minutes)
- Craft a Crude Hatchet using Pocket Crafting (TAB key)
- Chop wood from trees to get 20+ Wood
- Craft a Campfire for light and cooking
- Craft a Bedroll to set your spawn point
- Find or build basic shelter before dark
3. Resource Gathering
Essential Early Resources
| Resource | Where to Find | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Sticks | Ground near trees, breaking bushes | Crude tools, campfire fuel |
| Rubble/Rock | Ground everywhere, breaking rocks | Stone tools, building |
| Wood | Chopping trees with hatchet | Workbench, building, fuel |
| Plant Fiber | Tall grass, bushes | Rope, bedrolls, crafting |
| Copper Ore | Underground caves, Zone 1 | First metal tools and armor |
| Iron Ore | Deeper caves, Zone 1-2 | Better tools and weapons |
Unique Hytale Mechanics
Tree Physics
Trees are affected by gravity! When you chop the trunk, the entire tree collapses, giving you all the wood at once. This is much faster than chopping each block individually.
Animal Feeding System
Animals can be attracted and tamed by feeding them their favorite foods. Hold food in your hand to make passive animals approach you. This is useful for farming resources like wool, milk, and eggs.
4. Crafting Your First Tools
Pocket Crafting (Press TAB)
You start with access to basic "pocket crafting" that doesn't require a workbench. Here are your essential first crafts:
| Item | Materials Required | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Crude Hatchet | 2 Sticks + 3 Rubble | Chop wood from trees |
| Crude Pickaxe | 2 Sticks + 3 Rubble | Mine stone and ore |
| Campfire | 5 Sticks + 3 Rubble | Light, cooking, warmth |
| Bedroll | 4 Plant Fiber + 2 Sticks | Set spawn point, skip night |
| Workbench | 8 Wood | Unlock advanced crafting |
Crafting Progression
Once you craft a Workbench, you unlock a much larger crafting menu. This is your gateway to:
- Better wooden tools (higher durability)
- Stone tools (stronger than crude/wood)
- Specialized workbenches (Furnace, Anvil, etc.)
- Building materials and furniture
5. Understanding Zones
Zone Progression System
Hytale's world is divided into zones of increasing difficulty. You're meant to progress through them slowly:
| Zone | Element | Climate | Recommended Gear Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌳 Zone 1: Emerald Grove | Earth | Temperate | Wood → Stone → Copper → Iron |
| 🏜️ Zone 2: Howling Sands | Wind | Hot/Dry | Iron → Thorium |
| ❄️ Zone 3: Borea | Ice | Frozen | Thorium → Cobalt |
| 🔥 Zone 4: Devastated Lands | Fire | Volcanic | Cobalt → Adamantite → Mithril |
Climate Effects
Different zones have environmental challenges you need to prepare for:
- Zone 1 (Temperate): No special preparation needed
- Zone 2 (Desert): Bring plenty of water, avoid traveling during midday heat
- Zone 3 (Frozen): Warm armor or potions required to prevent freezing
- Zone 4 (Volcanic): Heat resistance potions essential near lava
6. Combat Basics
Movement & Combat Mechanics
Hytale combat is more fluid than typical block games:
Higher Jumps
You can jump higher than in Minecraft, making platforming easier.
Ledge Grabbing
Automatically grab onto ledges to pull yourself up.
Combat Rolling
Dodge enemy attacks with well-timed rolls.
Shield Blocking
Use shields to block incoming damage.
Your First Combat Encounter
The most common early enemy is the Trork in Emerald Grove:
Fighting a Trork
- Craft a Wooden Sword (2 Sticks + 2 Wood)
- Approach cautiously - Trorks are aggressive
- Use hit-and-run tactics: attack, back away, attack again
- Watch for their overhead swing - dodge or block it
- Collect drops: Trork meat (food), crafting materials
Death Mechanics
Don't worry too much about dying! Hytale is forgiving:
- ✅ You keep most of your inventory (only lose some items)
- ✅ Respawn at your last bedroll location
- ✅ Can craft teleporters later for fast travel back to death spot
7. Progression Path
Your First 24 Hours
Here's a recommended progression timeline:
| Stage | Goals | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate (0-30min) | Collect sticks/rubble, craft crude tools, build basic shelter | Day 1 |
| Early (1-3 hours) | Upgrade to stone tools, explore nearby caves for copper | Days 1-2 |
| Mid-Early (3-8 hours) | Craft Furnace, smelt copper ingots, make copper armor/tools | Days 2-3 |
| Advancing (8-15 hours) | Find iron ore, upgrade to iron gear, explore dungeons | Days 3-5 |
| First Boss (15-24 hours) | Prepare for Earthen Golem, full iron set, healing items | Days 5-7 |
When to Upgrade Gear Tiers
Don't rush! Each tier has a purpose:
- Wood/Crude: First hour only
- Stone: Days 1-2, until you find copper
- Copper: Days 2-3, your first "real" armor set
- Iron: Days 3-5, required for Zone 1 bosses
- Thorium+: After defeating first bosses, for Zone 2+
8. Pro Tips for Beginners
Mark Important Locations
Place torches or distinctive blocks to mark caves, dungeons, and your base. The world is huge!
Use Bedrolls Strategically
Set spawn points before exploring dangerous areas. Bedrolls are cheap to craft!
Befriend Kweebecs
Don't attack Kweebecs! They're friendly and their villages are safe zones with traders.
Keep Multiple Tool Sets
Have a "exploration" set and a "base" set. Don't risk losing your best gear!
Collect Everything at First
You never know what you'll need. Storage is cheap - build chests early!
Explore During Daytime
Use nights for crafting and organizing. Mobs are more dangerous in the dark!
Ready for More?
You now have everything you need to survive and thrive! Check out these guides next: