If you want raw materials, a hub gives variety but it’s a constant fight against enemies and the environment, so you’ll spend more time clearing and less time collecting. Grinding one spot gives a predictable, steady stream, but you’ll hit a plateau and miss out on higher‑tier items that only show up in different biomes. The sweet spot is a hybrid: build a small base near a hub, then run a loop that hits multiple resource nodes and backtracks to the stash. Master that loop—skip the flashy shortcuts, and you’ll get a higher overall yield and a better understanding of the map’s mechanics. And if you’re skimming tutorials, you’ll miss the subtle resource spawns that only reveal themselves after a proper playthrough.

Speed is vital, but if you rush through the loop you’ll skip the micro‑details that give you that extra edge—like a hidden sapling that drops rare wood or a cave entrance that opens only when you press a button at a precise angle. A well‑timed loop is one that you’ve rehearsed until the motion feels automatic, not one you cram through because you think the tutorials are fluff. If you skip the fundamentals, you’ll end up chasing after a fast loop that actually takes longer because you’re constantly retracing steps, looking for something you didn’t notice the first time. Master the basics, optimize the path, and then you can truly outpace the “read‑tutorial‑less” crowd.