Why is copper the perfect start for survival in Minecraft?

Cube greetings, dear miners! It’s me again, and today we’re hosting a true battle of titans… well, almost. In the left corner of the ring — the good old, time-tested iron gear! And in the right — the shiny newcomer from update 1.22, the copper set!

When I crafted my first copper pickaxe, the first thought in my head was: «Did I just waste resources? Maybe I should’ve stuck to the old way and dug for iron?» To answer this question, I gave them a full test drive. I mined, chopped, fought off creepers — basically, I did everything to figure out which one is better. And honestly, the results surprised me.

Battle for resources: which is more accessible?

Let’s start from the beginning — mining. Iron, our old friend, isn’t too hard to find. But let’s be honest, sometimes you have to dig through half a cave to gather enough for a full set. But copper… that’s a whole different story! It comes in huge veins, and sometimes, with just one dig, you can get almost a stack of ore.

Verdict: in terms of accessibility, copper takes the lead. For a quick start, when you’ve got nothing but wind in your pockets and a couple of cobblestones, copper gear is a lifesaver.

Durability and efficiency: which lasts longer?

Alright, copper is easy to find, but how does it perform? I took a copper pickaxe and an iron pickaxe and went to mine stone. The iron one, of course, digs a bit faster and lasts longer. The difference isn’t huge, but it’s there. If you’re planning a long mining marathon, iron is still your best choice.

The same goes for armor. An iron chestplate will save you from a few extra skeleton hits compared to a copper one. But here’s the interesting part: for early surface explorations or shallow caves, copper armor is more than enough. It’s much better than leather and easier to craft.

Verdict: iron wins in durability and efficiency. It’s a reliable workhorse that won’t let you down. Copper, on the other hand, is more like a capable intern that handles basic tasks well but has a long way to go to become a veteran.

So, what should you choose? My personal advice

After all the tests, I’ve formed a clear opinion. Copper gear isn’t a replacement for iron, but a brilliant bridge between the stone age and the iron era.

Think about it: you’ve just spawned in the world, and you have a stone pickaxe. Instead of spending hours searching for iron, you quickly find copper, craft a full set, and with it, feeling safe, head out to search for more valuable resources. This makes the early stages of the game much more enjoyable and dynamic.

Personally, I now always craft a copper set at the very beginning. It helps me develop quickly and then, without rushing, transition to iron and then diamonds.

What do you choose? Do you rush for iron out of habit, or have you already appreciated the perks of copper? Share your strategies and stories in the comments, I’d love to read how you survive! See you soon.