# 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Hytale
Anyone who has played *Minecraft* at any time during its 17-year journey has an advantage when diving into *Hytale*. The similarities between the two games mean that knowledge of one largely prepares you for the other. However, this also implies it can be easy to stumble over the minor details that *are* different, the elements of the blocky survival game that aren’t necessarily where you might anticipate finding them. To equip you for this transition, here are 10 insights I wish I had before I began.
## Don’t Search for Hytale on Steam
In a daring choice, developer Hypixel has opted not to distribute *Hytale* on Steam, nor on Epic or GOG. The early access game is exclusively purchasable [through the game’s website](https://hytale.com/), and runs through the game’s dedicated launcher. Why? Maybe to steer clear of those 30-percent fees? The game is also yet to be available on consoles, although that is on the roadmap.
## First and Foremost, Locate the Forgotten Temple Gateway
The wisest action to take at the onset of a new *Hytale* game is to head to the Forgotten Temple Gateway. This mystical portal is located under a dilapidated temple that transports you to the Forgotten Temple hub, a tranquil spot where you can document all the mobs you’ve encountered up to that point with a central figure. Its position is indicated on your compass at the top of your screen, and it should be fairly close by. Each creature you meet for the first time, whether it poses a threat or not, will send a blue spark known as a Memory your way. The more you collect, the more rewards you’ll receive from the statue, unlocking new craftable items on your workbenches.
## You Acquire Sticks from Trees and Bushes
In *Hytale*, sticks aren’t manufactured from wood blocks like in *Minecraft*. Instead, they drop when you cut down trees and strike bushes. These are essential for creating basic tools, arrows, and torches, and they drop abundantly. Considering how quickly crossbows consume arrows, it’s wise to gather piles of sticks by removing every bush you come across.
## Trees Are Subject to Gravity
Unlike in *Minecraft*, trees in *Hytale* do not hang in mid-air if the blocks underneath them are taken away. Felling trees is quicker since the whole tree will fall when you hit the lowest portion of the trunk. This allows for rapid collection of trunks, sticks, and sap, making the resource gathering process far more effective.
## You’re Going to Require a LARGE House for Crafting Tables
When constructing your initial dwelling, be ready for a considerable number of crafting tables. There are eight fundamental workbenches necessary for gameplay, with more that can be added later. Most have dimensions of three blocks wide and two blocks tall, so planning your home’s layout is crucial to ensure there’s enough room.
## Position Chests Right Next to Workbenches
A convenient aspect of *Hytale* is that chests nearby can feed materials to workbenches during crafting. Unlike *Minecraft*, where items must be transferred to your inventory for crafting, you can store commonly used crafting materials in nearby storage, streamlining the crafting experience. Just make sure the chests are sufficiently close for the benches to detect them.
## Repair Kits Enable Tool and Weapon Fixing on the Go
*Hytale* does not permit players to mend weapons as *Minecraft* does with anvils. Instead, it utilizes Repair Kits, which can be crafted and kept in your inventory. This handy item enables you to restore a majority of a tool’s durability while you’re exploring, making it invaluable when your pickaxe fails while deep underground. However, making a Repair Kit requires sourcing some tough-to-find materials.
## Iron is Scarce
In *Hytale*, iron is considerably less abundant than in *Minecraft*. It won’t start showing up until you dig deep underground, often in caves populated with formidable foes. This scarcity turns iron gathering into a substantial challenge, especially for newcomers. Be prepared to dig until you find lava and then watch for the characteristic silver sparkles on walls and ceilings.
## You Don’t Lose Everything Upon Death
When you perish in *Hytale*, you don’t drop your entire inventory. Instead, you retain about two-thirds of your possessions at the time of death. The remaining items will fall at the location of your demise, and a death marker will show up on your compass to guide you back, making retrieval easier compared to *Minecraft*.
## You Can Create Teleporters to Expedite Travel
In *Hytale*, you can craft Teleporters to facilitate quicker travel around the expansive world of Orbis.
