Burglin Gnomes Early Game Crafting Guide: Best Gear to Build First

When I first started playing Burglin Gnomes, I made the same mistake many new players make: I focused on weapons. The idea seemed logical. Giant rats were chasing me, cockroaches were constantly interrupting my loot runs, and every human in the house felt like an unstoppable raid boss. Surely the answer was better combat gear, right?

Not even close.

After spending dozens of runs experimenting with different builds, I quickly realized that Burglin Gnomes rewards mobility and efficiency far more than raw combat power during the early game. The fastest way to progress isn’t defeating everything you encounter. It’s grabbing valuable loot, escaping danger, completing objectives, and returning home with as much clonk as possible.

If you’re just starting out and wondering where to spend your precious crafting resources, this guide covers the upgrades that consistently provide the biggest impact during the opening hours of the game.

Why Early Crafting Matters More Than Combat

One of the most interesting aspects of Burglin Gnomes is how enormous the world feels from a gnome’s perspective. A simple kitchen counter becomes a mountain. A loaf of bread feels like treasure. Even moving a drawer can become a major operation.

Because of this scale, every second matters.

The players who progress quickly are usually the ones who can:

• Move through the house efficiently
• Access elevated areas
• Carry heavier loot
• Escape threats without fighting
• Complete objectives faster

In my experience, early-game success comes from treating every mission like a stealthy burglary rather than a battle arena.

The First Item Every New Player Should Craft: Gnomium Gloves

If I had to recommend only one crafting item for beginners, it would be the Gnomium Gloves.

These gloves completely change how the game feels.

Before crafting them, moving furniture, opening containers, and dragging loot often feels slow and awkward. After equipping them, interactions become noticeably smoother and more efficient.

Why They’re So Powerful

The gloves improve your ability to manipulate objects, which directly affects almost every activity in the game.

Benefits include:

• Faster interaction speed
• Better hauling capability
• Easier movement of heavy objects
• Improved efficiency during loot runs

The biggest advantage isn’t even combat-related. It’s the amount of time they save.

A run that takes ten minutes without the gloves might only take six or seven minutes once you’re equipped with them. Those extra minutes can be spent collecting more valuables or completing additional objectives.

My Recommendation

Craft these as soon as the required materials become available.

Don’t wait.

Don’t save resources for a flashy weapon.

Get the gloves first.

Spring Shoes Are the Real Game-Changer

The second upgrade that completely transformed my experience was the Spring Shoes.

The houses in Burglin Gnomes are designed vertically. Valuable loot often sits on counters, tables, shelves, and elevated furniture. Reaching these areas without mobility tools can be frustrating.

Spring Shoes solve that problem instantly.

Advantages of Spring Shoes

The obvious benefit is jump height.

However, after using them extensively, I discovered that their true value comes from flexibility.

They allow you to:

• Reach elevated loot locations
• Escape dangerous situations
• Take shortcuts across rooms
• Avoid enemy patrol routes
• Recover from positioning mistakes

Many encounters that previously felt impossible suddenly become manageable once you gain reliable vertical mobility.

I’ve lost count of how many times these shoes saved a run that should have ended in disaster.

Don’t Ignore the Free Starter Weapon

Many players overlook the simple stick available at the beginning of the game.

That’s a mistake.

While it won’t turn you into a legendary warrior, it provides enough defensive capability to handle minor threats during your first missions.

When to Use It

The stick works best against:

• Small pests
• Weak insects
• Minor obstacles
• Emergency situations

What I like most is that it costs absolutely nothing.

Free equipment is always valuable during the resource-starved early game.

Instead of throwing it away immediately, keep it nearby until you’ve established a stronger foundation for your character.

Early Survival Is More Important Than Heroics

One lesson that took me longer than I’d like to admit was learning when not to fight.

Burglin Gnomes constantly presents situations where combat seems tempting. A giant rat blocks your path. A hostile creature guards valuable loot. An enemy appears vulnerable.

Most of the time, engaging is the wrong decision.

Focus on Survival First

Your primary goals should be:

1. Stay alive.
2. Gather resources.
3. Upgrade your equipment.
4. Expand your capabilities.

Everything else comes later.

Avoiding danger may seem less exciting than charging into battle, but it dramatically increases your long-term progression speed.

Recommended Early Crafting Priority

The following order consistently delivers the strongest results for new players.

A Simple Early Game Routine That Works

Whenever I start a fresh run, I follow a straightforward routine.

Step One: Check Objectives Immediately

Before wandering around the map, open the task list.

Some objectives can be completed almost effortlessly and provide quick rewards. Identifying these early gives you a clear direction.

Step Two: Loot Containers First

Drawers, cabinets, and hidden compartments are often packed with useful materials.

Many beginners focus only on visible loot.

Experienced players know that the best resources are frequently hidden.

Step Three: Upgrade Mobility

Once enough resources are collected, prioritize crafting upgrades that improve movement and efficiency.

This usually means:

• Gnomium Gloves first
• Spring Shoes second

The sooner these items are unlocked, the easier every future run becomes.

Step Four: Target High-Value Locations

After gaining improved mobility, start exploring elevated areas.

Kitchen counters, shelves, desks, and tabletops often contain significantly better rewards than floor-level locations.

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Common Beginner Mistakes

Even strong players can slow their progress by making a few avoidable errors.

Building Weapons Too Early

Combat gear looks appealing, but most early weapons provide less value than utility upgrades.

Mobility wins.

Carrying Too Much Loot

Greed ends runs.

Sometimes it’s better to secure a moderate haul than risk everything for one additional item.

Ignoring Vertical Routes

Many shortcuts are located above ground level.

Without exploring upward, you’re missing a huge portion of the map’s opportunities.

Fighting Every Enemy

Not every encounter needs to become a battle.

Running away is often the smarter strategy.

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Final Thoughts

After spending considerable time with Burglin Gnomes, I’ve become convinced that the early game revolves around one simple principle: efficiency beats aggression.

Players who prioritize movement, utility, and survival consistently progress faster than those who rush into combat-focused builds. The combination of Gnomium Gloves and Spring Shoes creates an incredibly strong foundation that improves nearly every aspect of gameplay.

Once those upgrades are secured, gathering loot becomes easier, objectives become faster to complete, and dangerous encounters become far less threatening.

So if you’re starting your next run and wondering what to craft first, my advice is simple: forget about becoming a warrior for a while. Become a better thief.

The clonk will start flowing, your upgrades will arrive much faster, and before long you’ll be stealing entire household treasures like a true master gnome.

ITEM CRAFTING!!! – Burglin’ Gnomes Demo