Originally posted by chefcook90:

It actually doesn't even pad the game properly - if anything it discourages players from actively building and exploring far away from their main forges.

Like, you can't even build with stone without carrying 2 iron bars with you to make a Stonecutter

Exactly the game discourages you leaving a base, because if you go out mine all that ore and die on your way back or spend 2 hours hauling back to (where most players probably build their first base in the begging area) you are exhausted. I see no added value to this limitation other than annoyance.