Dig Dig Die Weapons & Tools Guide
Complete guide to weapons and tools in Dig Dig Die on Steam. Learn about shovels, crowbars, sabers, the key item, two-slot system, and weapon balance from...
Tools of the Trade in Dig Dig Die
In Dig Dig Die (Steam, August 6, 2026 by Alice Games), your tools serve dual purposes: they help you dig up treasure and defend you against the monsters that hunt by sound. Understanding what each tool does — and when to use it quietly — is key to surviving graveyard raids.
Two Active Item Slots
Each player has two active item slots (added in Patch 0.35.1). This means you can carry:
- A digging tool (shovel) in one slot
- A weapon or healing item in the other
Plan your loadout based on your role in the crew.
Confirmed Weapons & Tools
Based on official patch notes, developer communications, and press coverage:
Shovel
The shovel is your primary digging tool. You use it to break open graves and dirt mounts. It also functions as a basic melee weapon. Using it creates noise that attracts monsters — so dig strategically.
Key detail: Stone coffins do NOT require a shovel — they open with the E key (Patch 0.36.1). Save your shovel for dirt.
Crowbar
The crowbar is used to pry open locked containers. Press coverage describes players as "armed with shovels, crowbars, and a collection of unreliable weapons." The crowbar likely deals more melee damage than a shovel.
Saber
The saber is a melee weapon confirmed in Patch 0.35.1, which fixed an issue with saber and key spawning. This suggests the saber is a weapon that spawns in the world or is obtainable from loot.
Key
The key is a special item confirmed in Patch 0.35.1. It likely unlocks specific doors, chests, or areas within the graveyard or ship.
Unreliable Firearms
Press coverage mentions "a collection of unreliable weapons," suggesting firearms exist but may jam, misfire, or have limited ammo. Firing a gun would generate significant noise, attracting every monster in the area.
Healing Items (Bottles)
Healing bottles are essential for survival. Key mechanics:
- After use, empty bottles can be sold on the ship for extra gold
- Don't discard them — every coin counts during long expeditions
Damage System
Patch notes reveal several damage mechanics:
| Mechanic | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage-based damage | Some attacks deal % of health | Patch 0.36.1 |
| Weapon damage adjustments | Balanced across patches | Patch 0.36.1 |
| Fall damage | Adjusted in patches | Patch 0.36.1 |
| Overboard damage | Can fall off the ship | Patch 0.36.1 |
| Damage direction indicator | Shows where attacks come from | Patch 0.36.1 |
| Damage type display | Toggle in settings | Patch 0.35.1 |
| Stun attacks | Skeleton and Hunter can stun | Patch 0.35.1/0.36.1 |
The Sound Tradeoff
Every tool creates a tension between utility and stealth:
| Tool | Primary Use | Noise Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Shovel | Digging graves | High — attracts monsters |
| Crowbar | Opening locked containers | Medium |
| Saber | Melee combat | Medium |
| Firearms | Ranged combat | Very high — alerts nearby monsters |
| Healing Items | Recovery | Low |
Choosing Your Loadout
Since you have two active slots, choose wisely:
| Loadout | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced | Shovel | Healing | General survival |
| Combat | Shovel | Saber | Monster-heavy areas |
| Loot focus | Shovel | Crowbar | Maximum container access |
| Support | Healing | Saber | Protecting the digger |
Post-Launch Database
After the game launches on August 6, 2026, this page will become a complete weapons database with:
- Damage values per weapon
- Swing/attack speed
- Durability
- Noise generation stats
- Unlock/spawn requirements
- Weapon tier list
We only publish verified in-game data from actual gameplay and official patch notes.