Dens and Artifacts
Dens are not side content. They are one of the main bridges from normal mountain damage into artifacts, mithril, PP, and late-game scaling.
Why Dens Matter
Section titled “Why Dens Matter”| Use | Player Impact |
|---|---|
| Artifacts | Destroyed dens can drop artifacts, with each den carrying its own artifact chance and max artifact tier. |
| Mithril | Some dens guarantee mithril and others can add extra mithril rolls. |
| Loot volume | Higher loot ranges mean more chances to turn a den clear into useful currency and ore value. |
| Progression gates | Special artifacts and late-game paths are much easier to pursue when den rewards are reliable. |
| Artifact Chance Formula | A guaranteed artifact counter takes priority. Otherwise, the den rolls its base artifact chance plus prestige and spelunker bonuses, with den luck adding up to 30 percentage points. |
|---|---|
| Artifact Selection Formula | Destroyed dens roll from artifacts you have not obtained or collected, excluding boss-only artifacts. Artifacts above the den's max tier can still appear, but their weight is halved. |
| Artifact Choice Formula | Artifact-choice screens exclude owned, collected, and boss-only artifacts. Higher mountain level adds more weight to higher-tier artifacts, and the offered choices are unique. |
Den Comparison
Section titled “Den Comparison”| Den | Health | Artifact | Mithril | Loot | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient Vault | Den HP rolls between 14% and 19% of mountain max HP. After mountain level 100, both ends are reduced by late-game scaling but floor at 1%. | 16%, max tier 3 | 1 guaranteed, 2 extra max | 5-8 | Best den to prioritize when you can handle the health. |
| Dark Castle | Den HP rolls between 11% and 16% of mountain max HP. After mountain level 100, both ends are reduced by late-game scaling but floor at 1%. | 9%, max tier 1 | 0 guaranteed, 1 extra max | 4-6 | Early den target; clear it when cheap, then scale toward stronger dens. |
| Goblin Den | Den HP rolls between 9% and 14% of mountain max HP. After mountain level 100, both ends are reduced by late-game scaling but floor at 1%. | 8%, max tier 1 | 0 guaranteed, 1 extra max | 4-6 | Early den target; clear it when cheap, then scale toward stronger dens. |
| Mithril Vein | Den HP rolls between 11% and 15% of mountain max HP. After mountain level 100, both ends are reduced by late-game scaling but floor at 1%. | 1%, max tier 2 | 1 guaranteed, 2 extra max | 1-4 | Target when you specifically need mithril more than artifacts. |
| Troll Cave | Den HP rolls between 12% and 17% of mountain max HP. After mountain level 100, both ends are reduced by late-game scaling but floor at 1%. | 11%, max tier 2 | 0 guaranteed, 2 extra max | 4-7 | Good mid den with extra mithril potential and max tier 2 artifacts. |
Artifact Drop Advice
Section titled “Artifact Drop Advice”| If You Need | Do This |
|---|---|
| Any artifact early | Clear cheap dens and take Fated Finds once available. |
| Higher-tier artifacts | Push mountain level, improve den clear speed, and target dens with higher max artifact tier. |
| Mithril plus artifacts | Favor Ancient Vault and mithril support over low-reward dens. |
| Safer expedition artifact play | Stonewarden's Pact makes Spelunkers and Treasure Hunters survive failed outcomes. |