Weapons & Equip Early Hardmode Mining Armor Upgrade

[ThatQwertyPi]

Once Hardmode is entered, there is a lot of mining that needs to be done. The problem is that you are now in Hardmode, and enemies are far more dangerous. Mining armor will get you at most 6 defense and, even with accessories for more defense and damage reduction, it falls short. Mining armor could use a direct upgrade, such as combining it with Mythril or Orichalcum bars at a Hardmode anvil, becoming something like Excavator armor. Since this is a Hardmode armor set, it could do a bit more, specifically from the helmet. The helmet would be an upgraded version of the Ultrabright helmet, combined with Hardmode bars as well as Crystal Shards and give even greater visibility and an effect similar to that from Spelunker Glowsticks or the Magic Lantern, but making treasure sparkle regardless where it is on the screen.

 

[Coleyohley]

I think the Helmet should give permanent Spelunker potion, since those are absolutely trivial to make at this point in the game and are far superior to Spelunker Glowsticks. Aside from that, a defense boost over the normal Mining set would be greatly appreciated, I approve.

 

[Aceplante]

I've definitely seen posts about hardmode mining armor, and as always, completely support! But while most people simply suggest "mining armor with more defense", I love the added detail of a small effect that directly benefits mining.

I think the Helmet should give permanent Spelunker potion, since those are absolutely trivial to make at this point in the game and are far superior to Spelunker Glowsticks. Aside from that, a defense boost over the normal Mining set would be greatly appreciated, I approve.

I have actually previously suggested an accessory to do exactly that (Thermal/Spelunker Vision Goggles), and received feedback that it would be too OP, which I admit I agree. I do think the spelunker glowstick effect would be better, and more balanced if it is going to be a permanent boost you get simply by wearing the helmet.

Edit: I just realized I too have posted a take on this (Drillers/Casters Set (hardmode miner/fisherman set), feel free to check it out), which I tried to distinguish by having it buff drills, to encourage players to give those a chance. Point being, regardless of how it is implemented, its clear the community wants some sort of hardmode miner's set.

 

[Coleyohley]

I have actually previously suggested an accessory to do exactly that (Thermal/Spelunker Vision Goggles), and received feedback that it would be too OP, which I admit I agree. I do think the spelunker glowstick effect would be better, and more balanced if it is going to be a permanent boost you get simply by wearing the helmet.

Have you tried crafting a Spelunker Potion? They're incredibly cheap and the potion itself directly leads you to all of its ingredients. It's trivial to get all the materials for it, especially in hardmode, so I don't think a helmet that gives Spelunker as a permanent effect is overpowered at all, especially since you are (presumably) giving up a significant amount of damage or defense in exchange for it. You  could just drink the potion and still have all those effects anyway, so I don't agree with the people who said it would be overpowered.

I think the difficulty involved in actually getting consumables in this game is highly overestimated by most of this community, and as a result people tend to think any equipment that gives a permanent potion effect is overpowered, when in reality it's usually quite underpowered since you are giving up other equipment effects and making the potions is almost always incredibly easy anyway. These permanent potion effects are basically always just quality of life, and usually minor QoL at that since the potions they replace are often the easiest ones to amass.

 

[Dapling]

when in reality it's usually quite underpowered since you are usually giving up other equipment effects and making the potions is almost always incredibly easy anyway

This. You have 44 buff slots. You only have 3 armor slots and only 7 accessory slots at most (sure, you have 3 sets of them, but you can’t use the multiple sets at the same time so that point is moot). The opportunity cost of using an equipable item is outrageously high compared to buffs and as a result gear should always be balanced to be stronger than the buffs if anything.

 

[Modding Salmon]

Once Hardmode is entered, there is a lot of mining that needs to be done. The problem is that you are now in Hardmode, and enemies are far more dangerous. Mining armor will get you at most 6 defense and, even with accessories for more defense and damage reduction, it falls short. Mining armor could use a direct upgrade, such as combining it with Mythril or Orichalcum bars at a Hardmode anvil, becoming something like Excavator armor. Since this is a Hardmode armor set, it could do a bit more, specifically from the helmet. The helmet would be an upgraded version of the Ultrabright helmet, combined with Hardmode bars as well as Crystal Shards and give even greater visibility and an effect similar to that from Spelunker Glowsticks or the Magic Lantern, but making treasure sparkle regardless where it is on the screen.

Isn’t there a upgraded mining and fishing coming in 1.4.5/1.5

 

[ThatQwertyPi]

Isn’t there a upgraded mining and fishing coming in 1.4.5/1.5

Did a bit of searching and that does seem to be the case, as a screenshot in the console and mobile section of the June 2024 state of the game has what appears to be an upgraded mining armor set. Must of missed that, there has been a lot to keep up on!

 

[trya]

I agree,