the last patch i'm pretty sure they nerfed the spawn rates on everything.

Spawn rates are increased at night. Should never be out there during those times, especially alone.

I say Spawn more Trolls to help dig the copper :)... to be honest though, before nightfall dig a hole or trench around the copper. put down a campfire on both sides and a workbench. greydwarf are a easy fodder just Parry them they are mainly a distraction so the slow brute can get in there and slam you and most will turn and run from the camp fires, as for the Brute take out the Shaman and you will notice most times they turn. Once you are used to their little dance, you simply circle them the opposite direction giving them a good wack with a decent club or a dagger,

its called a bed. use it kid. sleep.

Originally posted by KingFlippyNips:

its called a bed. use it kid. sleep.

Yes, to add to what i said, put down a bed and claim that copper as yours lol.. actually another awesome strategy is to do just that.. Poke a hole on the side of the copper, tunnel in there a bit. put down your bed "Making sure to claim it" put your crafting bench in there and a chest. use the campfires and just mine all night from inside out, or simply sleep as suggested, wake up and have minimal hassles :), while you are in there your rested with a roof over your head while you hollow out the bottom to get your first bits of copper.

you must be near a grey dwarf spawn

You went intentionally at night to do some work there, serves you right.
Does well to strike some fear of the dark into newbies :) It will save them many times in the future.

In all seriousness, no, i don`t think that the spawn rate is unreasonable

Spawn rates are increased at night in all zones. The sounds that mining makes draws enemies from a great distance.

Everything is working as intended.

Go mining during the day, you'll notice a difference. Dig a deep trench around the copper and build a fence around the hole and nothing will bother you.

I cut a few trees around the copper. That summons the locals. Once I deal with them and build a bench I dig around the dome and mine from the bottom up. Call it a day at sundown. Never get attacked.

I agree, WAY too many things spawn in the black forest. The meadows is alright, sometimes it's hard to find certain animals. Swamp spawns are fine, as long as you're not near body piles, then it becomes a fun challenge. Mountain spawns are way too rare. Some of the rare enemies there are super unbalanced (ok basically just golems). The plains seems pretty balanced, although I also made a castle to deal with enemies, so...