How to Get Hardwood – Nightingale

Discover the two primary methods for obtaining Hardwood in Nightingale: by smashing Fae Chests found in ruins and Sites of Power, or by purchasing it from Essence Traders at The Watch.

As of early access in Nightingale, Hardwood cannot be obtained by harvesting trees. There are currently only two ways to acquire Hardwood: by destroying Fae Chests or by speaking with Essence Traders at The Watch. Hardwood has limited crafting uses but can reinforce tools and weapons, and is used with some endgame building materials.

Where to Find Fae Chests for Hardwood

Fae Chests are the first method for obtaining Hardwood before reaching The Watch. These chests can be found throughout most realms in abandoned ruins, around Points of Interest (POIs) such as Bastille of Intellect puzzles, and most frequently within Sites of Power. You will naturally encounter these chests as you progress through different Sites of Power required for various realm cards (Antiquarian, Provisioner, Astrolabe, Herbarium, Gloom, and Hunt). Explore every area of these sites carefully, as Fae Chests can be well hidden, especially in dark environments. Materials found in Fae Chests do not respawn once destroyed, so it is always beneficial to smash them for resources like Hardwood and Brass Ingots.

Get Hardwood from Essence Traders at The Watch

The Watch is a multiplayer hub encountered towards the end of the main story in Nightingale. Here, you can interact with other players, join dungeons, and complete puzzles and boss fights. The Watch is the primary source for earning tier 3 Essence and also offers opportunities to find other materials, including Fae Chests. Once you reach The Watch, you can speak with NPCs, many of whom are Essence Traders, who sell various recipes and items. Among these are different types of Hardwood, which can be purchased using a specific amount of Essence. The type of Essence required varies depending on the Hardwood type.

For crafting purposes, all listed Hardwoods provide basic stats of +15% Blocking Efficiency, +0.2 Durability, and +0.1 Fuel Efficiency for weapons and tools. Gilded Lumber offers additional benefits with +0.2 Ranged Damage and +0.2 Magick Power, making it slightly superior for combat-oriented items. These stats do not affect the appearance of Hardwood when used as a building material.