Copper armor and tools are set to make their debut in Minecraft with the forthcoming copper update, offering players a sturdier alternative to the traditional stone gear. This enhancement allows early-game adventurers to wield tools crafted from a more resilient material, although the attack power remains on par with stone. In terms of durability and mining speed, copper tools and armor outperform their stone counterparts, yet they still lag behind iron in overall performance. This raises an intriguing question: is it truly necessary to incorporate copper items into your gameplay, or would it be more efficient to transition directly from stone to iron?
Should you make copper tools?
At the onset of a new Minecraft journey, players find themselves relying on basic resources, primarily wood, to craft their initial tools. The logical progression typically leads from wooden to stone tools, culminating in the coveted iron loadout. However, during my exploration of Minecraft’s test branch, I discovered a notable ease in acquiring copper ore compared to iron. Each block of copper yields double the resources, simplifying the crafting of copper tools and armor, even though the ingot requirements remain consistent.
Moreover, I observed a marked increase in mining speed when utilizing copper axes and pickaxes over their stone equivalents. While iron tools certainly offer superior speed, the transition from stone to copper feels like a significant leap in efficiency. Despite this, I find myself leaning towards the classic upgrade from stone to iron tools. One reason for this preference is the relative rarity of iron resources, which, despite being less abundant, do not necessitate a large number of ingots for crafting. Typically, players will encounter both copper and iron during their initial mining expeditions, often yielding enough iron ore to forge essential tools.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that copper tools lack the capability to mine valuable resources such as redstone, gold, diamonds, or emeralds. I contemplated the idea of bringing both copper and iron tools on my next mining venture—using copper for basic materials and iron for the more precious finds—but ultimately, the advantages of iron in terms of speed and durability make it a more sensible choice. If Mojang were to allow copper ore to be mined with a wooden pickaxe, it could elevate the value of copper tools as a stepping stone before iron; however, this alteration might disrupt the established balance of the game.
What about copper armor?
The introduction of copper armor sets presents an exciting opportunity for players. While a complete copper armor set offers 5 armor points—less than the iron set’s 7.5 points—it provides a valuable alternative that allows players to prioritize safety without sacrificing progression. Crafting a full set requires a substantial investment of 24 ingots, which often leads players to default to leather armor while reserving iron for tools, weapons, and other essential items.
With copper previously serving primarily as a decorative material, investing in armor crafted from this resource appears to be a prudent choice. Additionally, players should consider saving some copper ore for crafting a copper golem. As the copper update remains in its testing phase, it’s important to keep in mind that certain functionalities and stats may undergo changes prior to the official release. Based on current insights, it’s clear that copper armor and tools hold value in Minecraft, particularly as a means of conserving iron resources. For those eager to experience these new features firsthand, enabling Minecraft’s experimental features will allow for testing, although the copper update is presently available only in Minecraft Bedrock Edition, with plans for inclusion in Java snapshots in the future.
