The Dig shovel you use makes all the difference. If you follow the Dig Shovel Progression, you’ll have the best shovel at the right time, allowing you to make the most out of gameplay.

Dig Shovel Progression

I’ve separated progression into early, mid, and late stages of gameplay. As you start to earn enough cash and find better treasures, you will have enough to purchase the ones in the stages above.

Early Stages

When you’re first thrown into Dig, you start with the humble Wooden Shovel. The stats it has aren’t great, but this shovel will make do until you purchase the Rock Shovel from Fox Town. This shovel costs $800 and has the following stats:

  • Control: 6.5
  • Strength: 6.5
  • Haste: 1
  • Luck: 10
  • Damage: 25

However, another great option is the Bell Shovel, which costs $14,000 from Cinder Shores. Although more costly, if you have the patience to save up, it will give you better stats.

  • Control: 5.5
  • Strength: 5.5
  • Haste: 3
  • Luck: 25
  • Damage: 12

Mid Stages

Now onto the mid-stages of gameplay! At this point, you should have enough money to purchase shovels that have abilities, which is very exciting. You’ll want to purchase the Shortcake Shovel from Tom’s Bakery for $45,000. Alongside good stats, it has a passive ability. When using this shovel, there is a 25% chance that the items you dig get the Tasty mutation. This increases the value by x2. Now, onto the stats!

  • Control: 7
  • Strength: 9
  • Haste: 4
  • Luck: 18
  • Damage: 30

Again, for a second option that costs more, the Prismatic Shovel is great. Although it costs $250,000 from the Traveling Merchant, it has a 30% chance to give something the Iridescent mutation, which increases the value by x3.5. Let’s check out the stats.

  • Control: 9
  • Strength: 8
  • Haste: 5
  • Luck: 20
  • Damage: 60

Late Game

Finally, the late game. These are the meta shovels available. For this stage, you’ll want to purchase the Glinted Shovel for $345,000 from Copper Mesa. It has a 20% chance for the Golden mutation, which increases the value by x2.5. This shovel also heals Endurance over time.

  • Control: 9
  • Strength: 7.5
  • Haste: 7
  • Luck: 25
  • Damage: 86

The Starfire Shovel is also a great choice, alongside the most expensive. It costs $600,000 from Meteor. Using this gives a 40% chance for the Celestial mutation, increasing the value by x4.

  • Control: 9
  • Strength: 10
  • Haste: 5
  • Luck: 30
  • Damage: 60

When she’s not writing about games, you can find Rachel either drawing fanart of her favourite characters, reading, or watching anime. Her all-time favourite character is William T Spears, and she’ll find any excuse to bring him into conversation or show off her tattoo of him.