Swamps are the biggest difficulty bump in the game.
- Set up portals immediately. Always leave yourself an easy return path.
- Gear up. High level bronze is completely inadequate and it's time to get iron right away.
- Load up on high quality food. Sausages, fish and turnips unlock and are good stuff.
- WATER IS LAVA. You will insta sheath weapons when water reaches above waist level, this is a very fast way to die. Use the hoe to elevate terrain and remove water.
- Poison resist mead. Don't travel without it.
- Always have the well rested buff, retreat home before it wears out.
- Don't venture outside at night. All biomes are more dangerous at night.
- Look for swamp caverns and dive in. The caverns are FAR less dangerous than outside and has all the good loot.