Diving into The Forge caves for rare ores? Those enemies lurking in the dark can end your run fast if you don't know their moves.
Note: Winter Update (Dec 25, 2025) adds Third Island with icy enemies like Ice Crystal Bug, frozen spiders, Ice Orcs, Spears, Viking armor, new ores/bosses: check in-game for details.
First things first:
- Early enemies in Stonewake’s Cross: Zombies (Zombie, Elite Zombie, Delver Zombie, Brute Zombie) and Bombers.
- Mid-game threats in Forgotten Kingdom: Skeletons (Skeleton Rogue, Axe Skeleton, Deathaxe Skeleton, Elite Rogue Skeleton, Elite Deathaxe Skeleton), Slimes (Slime, Blazing Slime, Blight Pyromancer), and the deadly Reaper.
- Top threats include Reapers (deep/volcanic zones, boss-tier) and Elite Deathaxe Skeletons.
- Universal tip: parry attacks with the F key to block and counter.
Starting out in Stonewake’s Cross, here’s what bites first
Zombies that swarm you early on
| Image | Enemy | Health | Damage | Level | Gold | EXP | Drops |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Zombie | 20 - 52 | 6 - 11.2 | 1 - 5 | 5 - 10 | 10 - 20 | None |
 |
Elite Zombie | 70 - 295 | 20 | 1 - 10 | 5 - 10 | 10 - 20 | Rare loot chance |
 |
Delver Zombie | 40 - 175 | 12 - 30.4 | 1 - 10 | 10 - 20 | 20 - 40 | Minor Shard rune |
 |
Brute Zombie | 220 - 370 | 28 - 47.5 | 5 - 10 | 32.5 - 45 | 43.33 - 60 | High-tier loot |
 |
Bomber | 60 - 120 | ~70 | 1 - 5 | 5 - 10 | 10 - 20 | Explosive death blast and bombs; drops Blast Chip rune. Keep mid-range from Bombers: Sidestep their explosions to stay safe. |
These zombies swarm in groups, so I learned to circle them to dodge swings. Using rocks and boulders for high ground is a lifesaver, letting me pick off enemies safely. The Delver Zombies are priority targets because their Minor Shard rune helps upgrade gear early. For more on runes and their uses, see our detailed runes guide.
Moving deeper: Forgotten Kingdom’s skeletons and slimes
Skeleton lineup
| Image | Enemy | Health | Damage | Level | Gold | EXP | Drops |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Skeleton Rogue | 150 - 195 | 30 - 76 | 1 - 10 | 17.5 - 75 | 37.5 - 75 | Basic runes |
 |
Axe Skeleton | 125 - 215 | 15 - 38 | 1 - 10 | 25 - 50 | 48.5 - 97 | Better runes |
 |
Deathaxe Skeleton | 150 - 420 | 35 - 76 | 1 - 10 | 40 - 80 | 58.5 - 117 | Rare loot |
 |
Elite Rogue Skeleton | 250 - 295 | 45 - 114 | 1 - 10 | 45 - 90 | 67.5 - 135 | Top-tier runes |
 |
Elite Deathaxe Skeleton | 300 - 570 | 50 - 123.5 | 1 - 10 | 60 - 120 | 90 - 180 | Best loot and essences |
Slimes and the Reaper
| Image | Enemy | Health | Damage | Level | Gold | EXP | Drops |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Slime | 300 - 570 | 30 | 1 - 10 | 43 - 86 | 43 - 86 | None |
 |
Blazing Slime | 600 - 870 | 45 | 1 - 10 | 65 - 130 | 110 - 255 | Fire-related runes |
 |
Blight Pyromancer | 300 - 500 | 45 - 70 | 1 - 5 | 50 - 100 | 95 - 190 | Magic caster with fire attacks; kite and parry ranged spells, prioritize if grouped with slimes. Blight Pyromancers cast fire spells: stay mobile and interrupt with parries.[1] |
 |
Reaper | Very high (~340+) | 60+ | 12 | 55 | 80 | Rare essences and runes; found in deep caves/volcanic zones[1] |
Skeletons require respect for their attack arcs. Rogue skeletons dash and strike fast, so sidestepping is key. Axes have wide swings: circle or block to avoid damage. Elite enemies drop the best runes and essences, so prioritize them. For tips on upgrading your gear to survive these threats, check out our armor crafting guide.
Slimes are slow but tanky. I like to kite them into chokepoints and use vertical terrain to my advantage, playing the long game. The Blazing Slime’s fire attacks mean potions are handy here.
The Reaper is a boss-level threat: very high health and damage. Use all your tricks: parry with F, keep distance, and use your best weapons.
Tricks and tips that saved my runs
- Parry with F: Master this to block and counter enemy attacks.
- Circle enemies: Avoid getting hit by swinging attacks, especially zombies and skeletons.
- Use terrain: Rocks and boulders give you high ground and safety.
- Races like Angel or Demon boost survivability (community tip)[9].
- Equip strong weapons: Dragon Slayer or Skull Crusher paired with runes like Rot Stitch, Ward Patch, and Rage Mark increase damage and defense.
- Manage stamina: Don’t run out mid-fight; control your attacks and dodges.
- Control crowds: Focus on Delvers, Brutes, and elites first to reduce damage.
- Keep mid-range from Bombers: Sidestep their explosions to stay safe.
- Sidestep Rogue dashes: Timing your movement avoids their quick strikes.
- Respect axe arcs: Block or circle to avoid heavy swings.
- Use potions: They give you the edge in tough fights.
Post-Winter Update: Spears and Viking-inspired heavy armor add new combat options and defense for icy foes.
I got wrecked by a Brute Zombie early on because I rushed in without parrying or circling. After learning to control angles and use my environment, runs got way smoother.
Gear up, parry smart, and those caves are yours.
With these enemy stats, locations, and tricks in mind, you’ll be carving through The Forge like a pro. Remember, patience and positioning beat brute force every time! For a full progress overview, consider using the The Forge checklist to track your quests, ores, and upgrades.
