Originally posted by Gladi8er65:

Originally posted by Trike:

I need a buddy for these cause I can't even get copper without getting mobbed by everything.

I ONLY play solo vanilla and have cleared the game several times up through the plains, but it means you have to adapt and come up with creative ways to do things...

Instead of mining on the surface, where all the baddies show up, find an edge of the copper node, and dig straight down as far as it lets you... This should leave a hole that mobs won't jump into (same principal as "moats" around bases)...

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2908211198

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2858958865

Once you dig down as far as it lets you, then start mining into the node... This creates a safe place to mine, rest, sleep, even process the ores on-site, while all the baddies have no idea you are under there.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2858960285

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2858959032

Later on, when you go to the swamps... build an outpost way up in the indestructible trees, where it IS possible to place fires / hearth, and/or coal kiln, smelter, up out of harm's way, while you process Iron, etc.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2661983674

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2908647883

Excellent post, and I must add for OP's sake;

The devs made it possible for us to employ combat engineering, so I would say you are fully empowered to shape the environment to your advantage at every opportunity and highly recommend doing so with each boss. They aren't going to hold back, so you might as well utilise every tool you can get your hands on.