Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos — How to Mine Like a Pro

Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos takes mining to a whole new level with several changes made to the mechanic. With the help of the new dowsing feature, you can now get a better look at which spots are worth exploring in the mines. However, you’ll need a lot of stamina to reach new floors and walk away with valuable ore. Here’s how to mine like a pro in The Winds of Anthos.

How to Mine in Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos

Mining is a big part of life in The Winds of Anthos. As you progress through the story and begin to rebuild the towns throughout Anthos, you’ll need to get your hands on several resources that can only be found in mines. From glass to gems and ore, you can pocket each material by practicing these tips.

• Use the Dowsing Feature
• Keep Going Down
• Avoid Cave-Ins
• Come Prepared With Stamina-Restoring Foods

Use the Dowsing Feature

In The Winds of Anthos, the key to mining is to monitor the dowsing feature on your mini-map in the bottom right corner of your screen. No matter the floor, this feature will tell you exactly where resources can be excavated, indicated by large blue circles. You’ll want to dig right around the center to reveal what’s hidden beneath the surface.

Just keep in mind that the dowsing feature’s reach is only temporary. Once the image fades on your map, you’ll need to reactivate it. While you’ll typically find ore and gemstones in the highlighted areas, you’ll sometimes uncover a ladder leading to another floor.

Keep Going Down

As you venture through the mines of Anthos, you’ll stumble upon ladders that lead to new floors. I recommend using these immediately to delve deeper into the mine. The deeper you go, the more likely you’ll find particularly valuable resources, like silver or gold ore. Not to mention, time passes startlingly fast in Anthos, so you’ll want to make the most of each day to make progress in the game.

When you follow ladders down, you’ll occasionally find a level that houses a pretty lucrative fishing spot. Depending on your fishing rank, you might not be able to reel in any of the fish species that live there. However, this quickly becomes more profitable as you gain experience.

Related: Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos – How to Make Money Fast

Avoid Cave-Ins

This one is pretty self-explanatory, but cave-ins can spell bad news on any spelunking trip. Each time you dig or smash mineral deposits in the mine, there’s a small chance a part of the ceiling will give way. Do what you can to avoid the rocks that fall, as a direct hit can make a serious dent in your stamina.

Be sure to pay attention to the environment. When a part of the ceiling is about to collapse, you’ll hear a distinct whistling noise. Shadows will also appear where the debris is about to fall. These are your signs to make a swift escape, and you’ll have just enough time to head in the other direction to avoid taking any damage.

Come Prepared With Food

Mining is hard work in The Winds of Anthos, and this is reflected in your stamina output. To avoid passing out beneath the surface, you’ll need to bring a solid supply of restorative foods. The crops you’ve harvested or foraged will do the trick. However, many fish you’ve caught or meals you’ve purchased will also offer a greater energy boost.

That said, you shouldn’t wait to top off your stamina. When you’re caught between a rock and a hard place (literally), you might not be able to avoid a cave collapse. To prevent passing out in a similar scenario, I recommend eating something nutritious once you’re down to about two hearts.

Take these tips to heart, and you’ll master mining in The Winds of Anthos in no time. For more help on your new adventure in Anthos, check out our guides hub for Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos.