Pax Dei: How To Unlock the Pottery Mold & Start Crafting

Pax Dei, the medieval social sandbox MMO, offers a deep crafting system that's crucial for survival and progression. One of the earliest and most important crafts you'll want to master is pottery. Not only is it essential for storing food and water, but it's also a gateway to more advanced crafting recipes. However, unlocking the pottery mold and getting started can be a little confusing. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you can start crafting your own pottery in no time.

Pottery is a vital skill in Pax Dei. You'll need it for everything from storing precious honey to keeping your flour safe from the elements. Without it, you'll struggle to maintain your resources and progress through the game. This guide will detail exactly how to unlock the pottery mold and begin your journey as a potter.

So, let's dive in and get our hands dirty (virtually, of course!).

1. Gathering the Necessary Resources

Before you can even think about unlocking the pottery mold, you'll need to gather the basic resources required for crafting. These are:

  • Wood: Easily obtainable by chopping down trees with an axe. You'll need quite a bit of wood for various crafting recipes, so stock up.
  • Stone: Found scattered around the landscape. Look for smaller rocks that you can pick up.
  • Clay: This is the crucial ingredient for pottery. Clay deposits are usually found near water sources like rivers and lakes. Keep an eye out for areas with a reddish-brown hue in the ground.

2. Crafting a Basic Workbench

The first crafting station you'll need is a basic workbench. This is where you'll create the tools and components necessary to unlock the pottery mold.

  • Open your crafting menu (usually by pressing 'C').
  • Locate the "Basic Workbench" recipe.
  • Craft the workbench using the required wood and stone.
  • Place the workbench in a suitable location within your claim.

3. Unlocking the "Pottery" Skill

Now comes the important step: unlocking the "Pottery" skill. This skill is what grants you access to the pottery mold recipe.

  • Interact with your newly crafted Basic Workbench.
  • Navigate through the crafting options until you find the "Pottery" skill.
  • You will likely need to spend Skill Points to unlock the Pottery Skill. Skill points are earned by leveling up your character through various activities like gathering, crafting, and completing tasks. Make sure you're actively engaging in these activities to earn points.
  • Unlock the "Pottery" skill.

4. Crafting the Pottery Mold

With the "Pottery" skill unlocked, you can finally craft the pottery mold.

  • Interact with your Basic Workbench again.
  • Search for the "Pottery Mold" recipe. It should now be visible.
  • The recipe will require specific resources, including wood and potentially some clay. Ensure you have these resources in your inventory.
  • Craft the Pottery Mold.

5. Building a Kiln

The pottery mold allows you to shape the clay, but you'll need a Kiln to fire the pottery and make it durable.

  • Unlock the "Kiln Construction" skill. This skill is likely located in the same crafting skill tree as the "Pottery" skill, or a related one. You'll need to spend more Skill Points to unlock it.
  • Craft the necessary components for the Kiln. This will typically involve stone, clay, and wood.
  • Construct the Kiln in a suitable location within your claim. Kilns can be quite large, so plan accordingly.

6. Shaping and Firing Your Pottery

Now that you have the pottery mold and a kiln, you can finally start crafting pottery!

  • Prepare the Clay: You'll need to refine the raw clay you gathered into usable clay. This process might involve a separate crafting step, such as using a "Clay Refiner" or a similar crafting station. Check the crafting recipes to see what's required.
  • Use the Pottery Mold: Interact with the pottery mold and select the type of pottery you want to create (e.g., a jar, a bowl, etc.). You'll need to have the refined clay in your inventory.
  • Place the Shaped Pottery in the Kiln: Once you've shaped the pottery, carefully place it inside the Kiln.
  • Fuel the Kiln: You'll need to fuel the Kiln to fire the pottery. Wood is the most common fuel source. Add wood to the Kiln's fuel slot.
  • Start the Firing Process: Initiate the firing process. The Kiln will take some time to complete the firing. The time required will depend on the type of pottery and the Kiln's efficiency.
  • Retrieve Your Fired Pottery: Once the firing process is complete, carefully retrieve your finished pottery from the Kiln. Be careful, it might be hot!

Tips and Tricks for Pottery in Pax Dei

  • Experiment with Different Clay Types: Some clay deposits might yield clay with different properties, affecting the durability or appearance of your pottery. Experiment to find the best clay for your needs.
  • Improve Your Kiln: As you progress, you can upgrade your Kiln to increase its efficiency and reduce firing times. Look for advanced Kiln designs in the crafting skill tree.
  • Trade Pottery: Pottery is a valuable resource, and you can trade it with other players for goods and services.
  • Consider Claim Placement: Placing your claim near a reliable clay deposit and a water source will significantly streamline your pottery production.
  • Join a Guild: Joining a guild can provide access to shared resources and expertise, making the pottery process easier. Guildmates can help gather resources, build kilns, and share knowledge.
  • Pay Attention to Durability: Pottery can break over time, especially when used to store heavy items. Regularly inspect your pottery and replace it when necessary.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting Fuel: Running out of fuel mid-firing will ruin your pottery. Always ensure you have enough fuel before starting the firing process.
  • Using Unrefined Clay: Using raw clay directly in the pottery mold will result in weak and brittle pottery. Always refine the clay first.
  • Placing the Kiln in a Vulnerable Location: Kilns can be targeted by raiders. Place your Kiln in a secure location within your claim.

Conclusion

Unlocking the pottery mold and mastering pottery in Pax Dei is a crucial step towards self-sufficiency and progression. By following this guide, you'll be well on your way to crafting durable pottery for all your storage needs. Remember to gather resources efficiently, invest in the necessary skills, and experiment with different techniques to become a master potter in the world of Pax Dei. Now go forth and create! Good luck, and happy crafting!