It really depends on the RNG. I now have a world where there are very few burial chambers with very few cores inside on spawn island. I started with 7 (!) Cores in the Black Forest - that means I had to first make coal, demolish the furnace and then make bronze and demolish the furnace again for more coal. The Elder is also relatively far from the first continent - I have 2 positions and both require a long voyage over the ocean. However, I already have troll armor and the necessary bronze stuff. I haven't died yet, I haven't looked at the world generator and I haven't used the devcon - I don't want to ruin the experience.
Here is the seed, if someone want to try - "uZReVrT9xW" - but please don't spoil ;-)