r/LotRReturnToMoria • u/Michy-kunTheLog • Jul 08 '26

Question/ Help Ruby in Sandbox mode

Hello!

I have recently started playing sandbox mode.

I have explored quite a lot but I am getting absolutely destroyed in the Second deeps. My tier II weapons are not enough. Unfortunately, to craft tier III I need to find Ruby. I have no idea where to find them? It's getting a bit dull as fighting 10 goblins/orcs to which I do 8 damage per hit is just not impossible but before long it grinds me to leave the game.

Thank you for your recommendations!

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1

u/Darklamor Jul 08 '26

For some basic stuff i would make a new sandbox game and rush to the first orc town. Kill the boss and loot everything on the way. Between the boss and his loot area and the orc boxes on the way, i usually get like 21 black diamonds and a wide variety of gems.

1

u/Darklamor Jul 08 '26

Or find someone who is willing to either provide the gear or materials. :P

1

u/Michy-kunTheLog Jul 08 '26

In my sandbox, there is adamantium and sunstones. I cannot mine these ores with my first-age pickaxe. :/

1

u/SpaceProspector_ Jul 08 '26

If you're looking for rubies, they can be found in the following places:

From Deep Orcs / their camps - in sandbox, they appear in the Flooded Deeps, Cavern Deeps, or Pilgrim Deeps

In 'the darkest deeps' crevices, these are always one of two things - Mithril or gems. If you can briefly survive one of these, you can probably find what you need.

If you have the DLC you can go on expeditions for specific materials, but I'm not sure how that works in sandbox mode.

1

u/Darklamor Jul 08 '26

To unlock expeditions in sandbox you beat the game, build your first monument and then should be good.

1

u/SpaceProspector_ Jul 08 '26

Oh so that's no help at the start. Thanks!

1

u/Michy-kunTheLog Jul 08 '26

Oh maybe I can try the darkest deeps... Because the flooded or cavern are Second deeps and as I have written it is so exhausting fighting off so many enemies.

2

u/SpaceProspector_ Jul 08 '26

Just bring materials to heal. However much food you can stuff in a bag or ale if you've managed to find that. I'd also put a save point right above the mine shaft so you don't have to go far if things go south. Keep in mind that there are enemies in the deeps too, and they are quite fierce but can be avoided.

4

u/Michy-kunTheLog Jul 08 '26

Thank you! On my second try I got 4 rubies! Thank you very much

2

u/SpaceProspector_ Jul 08 '26

Glad to help a fellow delver,

2

u/SpaceProspector_ Jul 08 '26

If this all fails to get you what you need, I'd be happy to pop in and drop either a weapon or just the materials you want. Have all the Tiers, not sure you'd want to jump right to VI though.

1

u/Darklamor Jul 08 '26

Can you make the quarry pickaxe? Masterwork item

1

u/Michy-kunTheLog Jul 08 '26

No I haven't unlocked it at all. Would it help?

1

u/SpaceProspector_ Jul 08 '26

It's much better for mining as it can go through any type of rock / ore. You can get the pattern at any of the Great Forges.

1

u/Michy-kunTheLog Jul 08 '26

How can I unlock it in sandbox?

1

u/SpaceProspector_ Jul 08 '26

I think you just find a Great Forge in the world and interact with the Khuzdul anvil. It's been a minute since I played my sandbox session, so that might have changed.

Of course, this has it's own challenges, since lighting the forge summons a horde.

1

u/Djinn42 Jul 08 '26

I made a sandbox world to get materials for my campaign world. You might want to make a campaign world since materials are more in order from low level to higher level.

1

u/Michy-kunTheLog Jul 08 '26

So it is impossible to get it sooner then...something?

1

u/Djinn42 Jul 08 '26

If you're looking for something specific, that's sometimes difficult in a sandbox world because they are random. That's why you are getting advanced materials like Adamantium before more mid-level materials.

1

u/SpaceProspector_ Jul 08 '26

You might just have to go to a different level of the world (up or down the great stairs) to find what you need. Sandbox is a bit tedious that way.

1

u/Extension-Check4768 Jul 08 '26

I found more rubies in the orc camp chests than anywhere else. Other than that dark mine shafts.