Your statement about trying a new start, is me every single update.
I don't carry over my old characters to test out 'new stuff', mostly because my old characters are completely over powered and can crush pretty much anything they encounter, so nerfs to things don't feel as impactful.
However, ....
When you start a new character, you can really feel the changes. Which is why I am usually bitching and griping about stamina nerfs or armor nerfs or harvesting/crafting nerfs.
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Just some random things:
In this version Bronze was changed to an actual alloy, so you need to mine copper, tin, and some coal, to make bronze. Doesn't sound horrible until you realize that a single BRONZE pickax (or ax) now requires 12 bronze ingots to make, it used to be 3 or 4 ingots.
Don't forget that on a new character you are only gaining 1 copper/tin/coal ore per ore node 'level' that you mine. So, a copper node will only give you 3 or 4 pieces of ore.
On a 'positive' note:
Hyped buff grants +4 stamina regen, which is godly in this game. Sit down and rest for about a minute of real time and you should have the hyped buff for about 5 minutes or so to harvest/mine/chop whatever you can. Well rested is +3 and rested is +2 stamina. If you wear the rabbit mask from Isabel's tower and some soup/bread, +75 stamina can go a long ways when you are 'hyped'.
Time to dive back into the game on my new character ... I have to go hunting for Iron.