You're standing in Hopeport, looking at a patch of dirt, and realizing you can’t actually do anything because you're missing one basic tool. It’s frustrating. Brighter Shores, the new grid-based MMO from Andrew Gower (the mind behind RuneScape), doesn't always hold your hand. Honestly, that’s part of the charm, but when you just want to get your Foraging level up, wandering around aimlessly isn't exactly "fun gameplay." If you are looking for a hand rake in Brighter Shores, you aren't alone in your confusion.
Most players assume they can just buy every tool at a general store or find them sitting in a chest during the tutorial. That isn’t how this game works. Brighter Shores uses a room-based profession system where specific tools are tied to specific vendors, and often, those vendors aren't where you’d expect them to be.
Where the Hand Rake Actually Hides
Stop checking the weapon shop. You won't find it there. To get your hands on a hand rake in Brighter Shores, you need to head over to the Forager's Warehouse. This is located in the Hopeport district. Specifically, you’re looking for a character named Lucille. She’s basically the gatekeeper for early-game Foraging equipment.
💡 You might also like: PS5 Spider-Man Miles Morales: Why This "Spin-off" Still Beats Most Full Sequels
The warehouse is situated in the eastern portion of the town. If you’ve reached the stone bridge, you’ve gone a bit too far. Backtrack toward the central plaza and look for the greenery icons on your map. Once you step inside the warehouse, Lucille will sell you the basic rake for a few copper coins. It’s cheap. Like, "pick up a few scraps off the ground" cheap. But without it, the Foraging profession is effectively locked for you.
You might think you can skip the rake and just pick plants by hand. Nope. The game distinguishes between "picking" and "tending" or "clearing." The hand rake is specialized. It’s used primarily for dealing with soil and specific types of ground-based resources that require more than just a firm tug.
Why Foraging Matters Early On
Foraging isn't just a side hobby here. It’s the backbone of your early economy. In Brighter Shores, professions are "circular." You forage ingredients, you use those ingredients in Apothecary to make potions, and you sell those potions to fund your combat gear. If you don't have that rake, you’re breaking the chain. You’re stuck.
I’ve seen people spend an hour trying to find a "drop" for this item. Let me save you the time: it doesn't drop from goblins. It doesn't spawn on a table in the middle of the woods. You buy it. This reflects the game's design philosophy where "Preparation" is its own phase of gameplay. You gear up in town, then you head out.
Common Mistakes with the Hand Rake
The biggest mistake? Buying the wrong tier. Brighter Shores uses a leveled equipment system. If you see a "Sturdy Hand Rake" or a "Professional Hand Rake" and you're only level 2 in Foraging, don't waste your money. You can't use them yet. Stick to the basic version Lucille offers until you've put in the hours at the nearby gardens.
Another weird quirk of the interface—make sure the rake is actually in your "Tools" belt and not just sitting in your general backpack. The game is usually good about auto-detecting tools, but occasionally, if you have a full inventory, things get wonky.
📖 Related: Why Ship of Fools is the Co-op Roguelite You’re Probably Sleeping On
- Check your level requirement before purchasing.
- Ensure you have at least 20 copper—prices can fluctuate slightly based on regional taxes if that mechanic is active in your current zone.
- Talk to Lucille twice; sometimes her dialogue tree resets if you haven't finished the introductory "Welcome to Hopeport" tasks.
Finding the Foraging Spots
Once you have the rake, where do you go? Most people head straight for the tall grass, but that’s for scythes. For the hand rake in Brighter Shores, you want the "allotment" style patches. There’s a prime spot just north of the warehouse. Look for the brown, tilled earth.
Using the rake is simple. Click the resource node. Your character will pathfind over and start the animation. Unlike some modern MMOs where gathering is instant, Brighter Shores takes a "tick-based" approach. You’ll see your character working the soil. This is the perfect time to check your map or plan your next move toward the Apothecary.
The Logistics of Tool Management
One thing nobody tells you is that your inventory is precious. Carrying around a rake, a scythe, a fishing rod, and a spear leaves you with very little room for the actual loot. You've got to be strategic.
If you're heading out for a dedicated Foraging session, leave your combat gear in the bank. You don't need a heavy chestplate to rake some dirt. Being "light" allows you to stay out longer and gather more materials before needing to trek back to the merchant.
Is it Worth Upgrading?
Eventually, Lucille—or other vendors in the deeper reaches of the map like the Cloven Inlet—will offer better versions of the hand rake. These "Brighter" versions of tools (pun intended) reduce the number of "ticks" required to harvest a node.
✨ Don't miss: August 8 Wordle: Why Everyone is Frustrated With the Vowels
Is it worth the gold? Absolutely. In the mid-game, time is your most valuable currency. If a basic rake takes 6 seconds to clear a patch and a Reinforced Rake takes 4, you’re increasing your experience-per-hour by 33%. That adds up when you’re grinding for Level 20 or 30 to unlock the next major area.
Troubleshooting the "Tool Not Found" Error
Sometimes, even with the hand rake in Brighter Shores sitting right there in your bag, the game says you don't have it. This usually happens because of a "Profession mismatch."
Each area in Brighter Shores is often tied to a specific "Episode." If you are in Episode 1 (Hopeport), your tools work fine. If you transition into a later Episode area, you might find that your old tools are considered "low quality" or "invalid" for the higher-tier plants. Always check the item description. If it says "Hopeport Only," it means exactly that. You’ll need to find a new vendor in the new region to upgrade your kit.
Actionable Steps for New Players
- Head to the East Side of Hopeport: Locate the Forager's Warehouse near the town's perimeter.
- Speak with Lucille: Buy the basic Hand Rake for a handful of copper coins.
- Equip to Tool Belt: Open your character sheet and ensure the tool is slotted properly to save inventory space.
- Target Brown Earth Patches: Avoid the tall grass (that’s for scythes) and look for tilled soil nodes.
- Bank Your Ingredients: Don't sell the raw plants immediately; take them to the Apothecary to level up a second profession simultaneously.
- Watch the Level Bar: As soon as you hit the next tool tier (usually every 10 levels), return to a vendor to see if an upgraded rake is available.
Getting your tools sorted is the first real "test" in Brighter Shores. It rewards players who actually read the map and talk to the NPCs rather than those who just click on the first shiny thing they see. Grab your rake, hit the dirt, and start your path toward being the best Forager in Hopeport. It’s a grind, but it’s a rewarding one once those copper coins start turning into silver.