What is the best way to find copper for forge upgrades?

Finding copper in Valheim is essential for upgrading your forge and crafting stronger tools, weapons, and armor. Copper is primarily found in the Black Forest biome, which is the second biome you will encounter after the Meadows. To begin your search, you will need a pickaxe, which can be crafted at a workbench using 10 wood and 1 hard antler. Hard antlers are obtained by defeating the first boss, Eikthyr, so make sure to prepare for this fight early in the game.\n\nOnce you have a pickaxe, head to the Black Forest biome. Copper deposits appear as large, greenish rocks with a distinct copper vein texture. These deposits are often partially buried, so you may need to dig around them to fully expose the ore. Use your pickaxe to mine the copper, but be prepared for a lengthy process as each deposit yields a significant amount of ore. A single copper deposit can provide 30-50 copper ore, so it’s worth the effort.\n\nWhile mining, be cautious of the dangers in the Black Forest. This biome is home to hostile creatures like Greydwarfs, Skeletons, and Trolls. Trolls, in particular, can deal massive damage and destroy your mining progress if they attack the deposit. To mitigate this risk, consider building a small shelter or workbench nearby to repair your pickaxe and store your loot. Additionally, bring food like cooked meat or berries to maintain your health and stamina during mining sessions.\n\nAfter collecting copper ore, you will need to smelt it into copper bars at a smelter. To build a smelter, you will need 20 stone and 5 surtling cores. Surtling cores are found in Burial Chambers within the Black Forest or dropped by Surtlings in the Ashlands biome. Once your smelter is operational, place the copper ore and coal (made by burning wood in a charcoal kiln) into the smelter to produce copper bars. These bars are used to craft and upgrade forge-related items, such as the forge itself, anvils, and advanced tools.\n\nA common challenge for new players is locating enough copper deposits. If you’re struggling to find copper, explore deeper into the Black Forest or use a map seed with a high concentration of this biome. Experienced players can also use the Wishbone, obtained by defeating the third boss, Bonemass, to detect buried copper deposits more efficiently. The Wishbone emits a green pulse and sound when near buried treasure or ore, making it a valuable tool for resource gathering.\n\nIn summary, the best way to find copper for forge upgrades is to venture into the Black Forest biome with a pickaxe, mine exposed or partially buried copper deposits, and smelt the ore into bars using a smelter. Stay vigilant against hostile creatures, and consider building a temporary base nearby for safety and convenience. With these steps, you’ll have a steady supply of copper to upgrade your forge and progress through the game.