Progress Past Flint Tools in Hard Mode

The Stone Problem

In hard mode, you can't simply craft a flint pickaxe and mine stone normally. The mod blocks this path intentionally. Instead, you need to find an alternative way to obtain your first cobblestone without a proper stone pickaxe.

Finding Cobblestone

Look for naturally generated stone in your world—cliffs, mountains, and caves contain exposed stone blocks. Some of these may already be broken or cracked. Search for gravel or dirt mixed with stone; these transitions sometimes yield loose cobblestone or flint.

Alternatively, explore caves and dungeons where cobblestone may already exist as part of structures, or check if other mods in your pack provide stone through different mechanics.

Moving Forward

Once you obtain even a small amount of cobblestone, you can craft a stone pickaxe and begin normal mining. This forces you to explore and think creatively rather than following a linear crafting chain, creating that sense of accomplishment the mod aims for.