Farm coal fast in Fallout 76 with a coal-extractor CAMP in the Ash Heap, plus quick mine runs (Gauley or Burning) in Excavator PA, then smelt with Super Duper for extra yield.
Nothing kills the vibe in Fallout 76 like hitting "click" in the middle of a fight because you ran out of black powder ammo. Coal feels like junk right up until you need a pile of it, fast. I started treating it like a routine resource instead of a panic farm, and it made my loadouts way less stressful. If you're already topping up your stash through trading or grabbing extras from places like EZNPC, you'll know the real win is keeping your crafting loop steady so you're not scrambling when an event pops.
Set Up Passive Coal at Your C.A.M.P.
The easiest long-term move is planting your C.A.M.P. on a coal deposit and running an extractor. It's not exciting, but it's consistent, and consistency is what keeps you stocked. Drop the extractor, power it, and make it part of your "home" habits: fast travel in, empty it, repair if needed, then head back out. The annoying bit is the storage cap, because it'll stop once it fills up, so leaving it untouched for a day doesn't help. I keep mine right by where I spawn or next to a bench so I can't ignore it.
Where to Build Without Fighting Everyone
Ash Heap is the obvious home for coal nodes, and the Mount Blair area is usually the first place people check. That also means it's often taken. Don't overthink it: hop servers a couple times and you'll usually land a free spot. If you can swing it, build close to somewhere you already visit, like around the Burning Mine route. That way you grab your "free" coal, then roll straight into an active run without adding extra travel time. It feels small, but those little time saves add up over a week.
Active Mining Runs That Actually Pay Off
When you need coal now, go mine it. Gauley Mine is a friendly early option, quick to reach and easy to navigate, but Burning Mine is where you go when you want real volume. Before you touch a node, get into Excavator Power Armor. People skip it and tell themselves it's fine, then wonder why the haul looks sad. The bonus ore adds up fast, and the extra carry weight means you're not slow-walking to the exit after five minutes. Clear, loot, mine every vein you see, and don't be shy about a second lap if the place is quiet.
Smelt Smart and Stretch Every Craft
Back at a chemistry station, don't rush the processing. Slot Super Duper first, because those bonus procs feel like free relief when you're converting ore into usable materials. If you've got a Collectron running, that background trickle of junk won't replace mining, but it does smooth out the gaps, especially if you're crafting a lot. With a C.A.M.P. extractor ticking away, a proper Excavator run when you're low, and smarter crafting habits, coal stops being that resource you dread chasing, and it becomes something you just have—same way you'd stock up on ammo plans or reliable gear from Fallout 76 Iteams when you're tightening up a build.
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