Hytale Early Access Exploration Guide: What to Do First (Beginner Walkthrough)

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Hytale’s Early Access doesn’t drop you into a rigid tutorial or force a single path forward. Instead, it hands you a living sandbox and quietly asks a dangerous question: “What are you going to do first?”

For new players, that freedom can feel overwhelming. Wander too far, and you’ll die at night. Ignore progression systems, and you’ll waste hours backtracking. Build the wrong tools first, and exploration slows to a crawl.

This Hytale Early Access Exploration Guide is designed to fix that. Below is a day-one walkthrough that shows you exactly what to prioritize — from the safest starter zones to early survival goals, efficient exploration routes, and beginner mistakes to avoid. Whether you’re playing solo or planning co-op, this guide will help you start strong and explore smarter.

What to Do First in Hytale Early Access (Day One Overview)

If you only remember one thing from this guide, let it be this: your first hour defines your entire early game.

Instead of roaming aimlessly, your day-one goals should follow a simple structure:

  1. Secure a respawn point

  2. Craft essential tools

  3. Choose the right zone to explore

  4. Unlock early progression systems

  5. Prepare for night survival

Everything else builds on these steps.

Step 1: Secure a Base & Respawn Point Immediately

The moment you spawn, your first task isn’t combat or exploration — it’s survivability.

What to Do

  • Craft a Campfire as soon as possible

  • Build a small shelter (even a dirt hut works)

  • Declare your home location to set your respawn point

Nighttime in Hytale is dangerous early on, with hostile creatures spawning rapidly in dark areas. A basic shelter prevents frustrating early deaths and long corpse runs.

Pro Tip: Build your first base near trees and a cave entrance. You’ll need wood and ore constantly.

Step 2: Craft These Tools First (And Skip Everything Else)

Hytale Early Access Exploration Guide: What to Do First

Many beginners waste time crafting unnecessary items early. Don’t.

Priority Tools

  • Crude Pickaxe – for stone, rubble, and early ores

  • Crude Hand Axe – for wood and crafting materials

  • Workbench – unlocks critical progression recipes

Once you have these, you can efficiently gather resources and prepare for real exploration.

Step 3: Best Starter Zones to Explore First

Hytale’s world is divided into zones with escalating difficulty. Exploring the wrong area too early is one of the most common beginner mistakes.

Recommended Early Exploration Order

Zone                        DifficultyWhy It Matters
Emerald GroveEasy            Best starting zone with caves, wood, food, and basic enemies
Howling SandsMediumBetter loot, but harsher enemies — visit after iron gear
BoreaHardCold biome with advanced materials — not beginner friendly
Devastated LandsVery HardLate-game danger zone

Stick to Emerald Grove during your first several hours. It offers the best balance of safety and progression.

Step 4: Explore Caves Early (But Do It Smart)

Caves are your gateway to real progression — but they’re deadly if you rush in unprepared.

Cave Exploration Checklist

  • Bring torches (lots of them)

  • Carry backup tools

  • Don’t overextend — retreat often

  • Mark cave exits visually

Why Caves Matter

  • Copper and iron ore spawn early here

  • Chests often contain powerful early gear

  • Many progression systems tie into underground structures

If you find iron early, smelt it as soon as possible. Iron tools and weapons dramatically increase survivability.

Step 5: Unlock the Memories System ASAP (Most Guides Miss This)

One of the most important systems in Hytale is also the easiest to overlook: Memories.

What Are Memories?

Memories are permanent progression bonuses unlocked by discovering Forgotten Temples. Once activated, they grant:

  • Teleporter unlocks

  • Inventory and backpack upgrades

  • Utility and traversal improvements

Why This Matters

Memories are not retroactive. The earlier you unlock them, the more value you get from exploration later.

Priority Objective:
If you spot a Forgotten Temple early — drop everything and activate it.

Step 6: Expand Inventory Space Before Long Expeditions

Inventory management is one of the biggest early-game pain points.

What to Craft

  • Backpack upgrades at higher-tier workbenches

More inventory space means:

  • Longer exploration runs

  • Fewer risky return trips

  • Faster resource accumulation

This single upgrade massively improves exploration efficiency.

Step 7: Day-One Survival & Combat Tips

Hytale combat rewards preparation more than reflexes early on.

Survival Tips

  • Avoid combat at night until you’re geared

  • Use cooked food for health and stamina buffs

  • Always light your surroundings to prevent ambushes

Combat Tips

  • Learn stamina management — dodging and blocking matter

  • Shields drastically reduce early damage

  • Don’t fight groups head-on without an escape route

Exploration doesn’t mean constant fighting — survival is about choosing battles wisely.

Step 8: Efficient Starter Loadout for Exploration

Before heading far from your base, aim for this setup:

Recommended Starter Loadout

  • Copper or iron weapon

  • Shield

  • Torches

  • Backup pickaxe

  • Healing food

This loadout lets you explore caves, ruins, and surface structures safely.

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these early pitfalls that slow progression:

  • Exploring far without setting a respawn point

  • Ignoring the Memories system

  • Entering dangerous zones too early

  • Hoarding low-value items instead of upgrading gear

  • Fighting at night without preparation

Fixing just one of these mistakes dramatically improves early gameplay.

First-Day Objective Checklist (Bookmark This)

Use this as your Day One roadmap:

  • ✅ Set home with campfire

  • ✅ Craft crude tools and workbench

  • ✅ Build shelter

  • ✅ Explore Emerald Grove

  • ✅ Enter caves and collect copper/iron

  • ✅ Unlock Memories if found

  • ✅ Upgrade inventory

  • ✅ Prepare for night survival

If you complete this list, you’re officially ahead of the curve.

Final Thoughts: Explore With Purpose

Hytale Early Access rewards curiosity — but purposeful exploration is what separates frustration from momentum. By securing a base, choosing the right zones, unlocking Memories early, and gearing efficiently, you turn the world into an opportunity instead of a threat.

This isn’t about rushing content. It’s about setting foundations that make every future discovery smoother, safer, and more rewarding.

If you’re just starting out, take it slow, plan your routes, and remember: every great adventure begins with a smart first step. 

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