How do you unlock the ability to craft black metal weapons?

To unlock the ability to craft black metal weapons in Valheim, you must first progress through the game''s tiers of exploration and crafting. Black metal weapons are among the strongest in the game, but they require specific materials and crafting stations that are only accessible after defeating certain bosses and exploring dangerous biomes. The process involves gathering black metal scraps, refining them into usable bars, and unlocking the necessary crafting station.\n\nFirst, you must defeat Moder, the fourth boss located in the Mountain biome. Moder drops Dragon Tears, which are essential for crafting the Artisan Table. The Artisan Table is required to build the Blast Furnace, a key station for refining black metal scraps into black metal bars. Without the Blast Furnace, you cannot progress to crafting black metal weapons. Moder is a challenging boss, so ensure you have upgraded gear, such as silver weapons and wolf armor, before attempting the fight.\n\nOnce you have the Artisan Table, you need to gather materials to build the Blast Furnace. The Blast Furnace requires 20 fine wood, 10 iron, 20 stone, and 5 surtling cores. Fine wood can be obtained from birch and oak trees in the Meadows or Plains biome, while iron is mined from muddy scrap piles in the Swamp biome. Surtling cores are found in Burial Chambers or dropped by Surtlings in the Ashlands biome. Stone is abundant and can be gathered from rocks throughout the world.\n\nAfter building the Blast Furnace, you can begin refining black metal scraps into black metal bars. Black metal scraps are dropped by Fulings, aggressive goblin-like enemies found in the Plains biome. Fulings are dangerous and often travel in groups, so approach them with caution. Equip a strong shield and a weapon like a silver sword or frostner to deal with their high damage output. Once you have enough black metal scraps, place them in the Blast Furnace along with coal to produce black metal bars.\n\nWith black metal bars in hand, you can now craft black metal weapons at the Forge. However, you must first unlock the recipes by obtaining the necessary materials. For example, the Blackmetal Sword requires 20 black metal bars, 5 linen thread, and 2 fine wood. Linen thread is crafted from flax, which is grown in the Plains biome. Flax can only be harvested from Fuling villages, so be prepared for combat when gathering it. Plant flax in your base using a cultivator to ensure a steady supply.\n\nOne common challenge players face is surviving in the Plains biome, where Fulings and other dangerous creatures like Deathsquitos roam. To mitigate this, always scout the area before engaging enemies, and consider building a small outpost nearby to respawn and store resources. Additionally, use the terrain to your advantage by luring enemies into narrow spaces or using ranged weapons to pick them off from a distance.\n\nIn summary, unlocking black metal weapons requires defeating Moder, building a Blast Furnace, gathering black metal scraps from Fulings, and refining them into bars. This process is tied to progression in the Plains biome, so ensure you are well-prepared with upgraded gear and a solid strategy. By following these steps, you can craft powerful black metal weapons to dominate your enemies in Valheim.\n\nPractical tips: Always carry healing mead and stamina mead when exploring the Plains biome. Use a bow to deal with Deathsquitos from a distance, and avoid engaging large groups of Fulings without a plan. Farming flax early will save time later, so prioritize securing a flax source as soon as you enter the Plains.