Mining Question

OK, I'm near the end of the tutorial quests, I think (building the distress beacon). So I'm gonna need a whole bunch of iron now, since it's two iron ore to one iron bar. The desc for iron only says look "deep underground". How "deep" does one typically find iron ore? The two deposits I've found so far have been maybe 3 or 4 9-by-9 blocks below the surface.

 

You can get to tier 10 without ever going underground. There is always a lot of deposits near the surface.
You'll find much more the deeper you are though.

 

There is no minimum depth to find iron ore. The deeper you go, the more likely you will find it in larger quantities. So just dig until you have enough.

 

Iron goes from the surface to the core. Not even kidding, it's everywhere on early tier planets.

 

It's pretty much everywhere.

And don't build the beacon until you're geared up.

 

It's on the surface, shallow underground, medium underground and deep underground. Pretty much everywhere. Just be prepared when you do use the beacon.

 

Define "a lot". Granted, I haven't gone very far from my basecamp, but I've only encountered two iron deposits so far, enough for 4 bars total.

Yeah, the beacon's quest warned me about that, but thank you for reminding me. That's the other reason I'm hunting for iron. First I need an anvil, then I can craft weapons and armor for myself.

 

Digging deep underground does help to find platinum and diamond ores that you otherwise won’t find on the surface on alpha planets. However at this point in the game, the only thing you can use platinum bars and diamond for is upgrading your pickaxe to mine somewhat faster. If you want to quickly get iron, underground is the best way to go as long as you don’t have to deal with hard materials too often like soft bricks.

 

Heh, anvils are super important ^.^

 

You need torches,wood platforms,food,and a pickaxe. Mineshaft....dig straight down upon planet spawn. Placing torches and platforms as you go. In two hrs time,you'll get enough to do anything you need.

 

I forgot to add,you should make a hoe. Wheat farm to make bread in the cooking table. This is easier and a safer endless food supply.