The shovel is one of the first tools you will want in Fields of Mistria, and unlike many tools it is not handed to you for free — you buy it. The basic Worn Shovel unlocks archaeology, digging, and a whole layer of the game’s content, so picking the tool up early is worth the Tesserae. This guide explains how to get the shovel, exactly where to find it in the shop, what the shovel is used for, and how to upgrade the shovel later once your finances and mining are in better shape.
How to Buy the Worn Shovel (500 Tesserae)
The basic shovel, called the Worn Shovel, is sold at the General Store for 500 Tesserae. Walk into the General Store, open the shop menu, and look in the tools section. Once you have 500 Tesserae saved — easy within your first couple of weeks — you can walk out with the shovel and start digging immediately. There is no quest or story gate; the shovel is simply a purchase, which makes it one of the most reliable early-game unlocks in all of Fields of Mistria.
Where to Find the Shovel in the Shop Menu
Players often miss the tool because it is not on the main shop page. In the General Store menu, switch to the tools tab to see the Worn Shovel. On a controller, use the shoulder buttons to move between menu tabs; on keyboard and mouse, click the tools category. The shovel sits alongside other basic tools, so if you cannot find the shovel, you are almost certainly on the wrong tab — flip through every category before assuming you need more Tesserae.
What the Shovel Is Used For
The shovel unlocks digging. Use the tool to dig up artifact spots and archaeology nodes around Mistria — the little patches of disturbed earth that appear across the map — which yield the artifacts that characters like Juniper and March love, and the materials you donate to the museum. Digging also unearths resources tied to quests and to opening new areas, and it is central to the archaeology skill line. Artifact spots respawn over time and show up in different places each day, so a player with a shovel has something to dig on almost every screen, every morning. Without the shovel, you are locked out of a large chunk of the game’s collectibles and gift items, which is why buying the tool early matters so much for long-term progress.
How to Upgrade the Shovel
The Worn Shovel is just the start. Upgraded shovels — the Copper Shovel and beyond — dig faster, cost less energy per hole, and are required for some advanced archaeology nodes that the basic tool cannot crack. You buy shovel upgrades from the Blacksmith rather than the General Store, and they cost significantly more than the basic 500 Tesserae, usually paired with ore requirements. Each tier of shovel makes the daily dig faster and cheaper, so upgrading is one of the most noticeable quality-of-life jumps in the game — your energy goes further, and your artifact haul grows. As you progress, the Blacksmith’s tool selection expands, so check back periodically once your mining and finances are in better shape. Until then, the Worn Shovel handles everything you need for the first few seasons, so there is no pressure to rush an upgrade before your income is steady.
Mistril Shovel and Archaeology
The top-tier tool options, like the Mistril Shovel, are purchased from the Blacksmith for around 5,000 Tesserae and are tied to your Archaeology skill progression — you will need to level archaeology before the best shovels become available. These high-end tools make late-game artifact hunting far more efficient, so think of the Mistril Shovel as a long-term goal rather than an early purchase. By the time you can afford it, your daily dig routine will already be feeding the museum steadily.
Shovel Tips
To get the most from your shovel:
- Buy the Worn Shovel at the General Store for 500 Tesserae as soon as you can.
- Check the tools tab — the shovel is not on the main shop page.
- Dig every artifact spot you see to feed the museum and your gift stockpile.
- Watch your energy — digging drains it, so upgrade the shovel when you can.
- Aim for the Mistril Shovel late game, once your archaeology skill is high.
The shovel opens up archaeology and a steady stream of artifacts, so it is one of the best early Tesserae investments you can make.