What are the best strategies for farming black metal in multiplayer?

Farming black metal in Valheim is a crucial step for progressing into the late game, especially in multiplayer. Black metal is primarily obtained by defeating Fulings, the goblin-like enemies found in the Plains biome. These enemies drop black metal scraps, which can be smelted into black metal bars at a blast furnace. To efficiently farm black metal in multiplayer, coordination, preparation, and strategy are key.\n\nFirst, ensure your group is well-equipped before venturing into the Plains. The Plains biome is one of the most dangerous areas in Valheim, so having high-tier gear is essential. Equip yourself with padded armor or wolf armor for maximum protection. Weapons like the black metal sword, atgeir, or bow with needle arrows are highly effective against Fulings. Additionally, bring healing meads, stamina meads, and poison resistance meads to handle the tough encounters.\n\nNext, locate a Plains biome with a high concentration of Fuling villages or camps. These areas are marked by wooden structures, totems, and large bonfires. Fuling villages are the best source of black metal scraps, as they spawn multiple Fulings, including Berserkers and Shamans. In multiplayer, divide roles among your team: some players can focus on melee combat, while others provide ranged support or healing. This division of labor ensures efficiency and reduces the risk of being overwhelmed.\n\nWhen attacking a Fuling village, start by eliminating Shamans first. Shamans can heal other Fulings and summon fireballs, making them a high-priority target. Use ranged weapons like bows or spears to take them out from a distance. Berserkers, with their high health and damage output, should be handled carefully. Kite them away from the group and focus on dodging their attacks while dealing damage. Regular Fulings can be dealt with using melee weapons or crowd control abilities like the atgeir''s spin attack.\n\nAfter clearing a village, loot all black metal scraps and other valuable items like coins and totems. Be cautious of Lox and Deathsquitos, which also inhabit the Plains. Lox can be tamed and used as mounts, while Deathsquitos should be avoided or killed quickly due to their high damage. In multiplayer, one player can act as a lookout to alert the group of incoming threats.\n\nTo maximize efficiency, consider setting up a small outpost near the Plains biome. Build a portal to connect the outpost to your main base, allowing quick access for repairs and restocking supplies. A blast furnace can also be placed at the outpost to smelt black metal scraps on-site, reducing the need for multiple trips. In multiplayer, assign one player to manage the outpost while others focus on farming.\n\nA common challenge in multiplayer is managing inventory space. Black metal scraps are heavy, so ensure your group has enough storage capacity. Use carts or ships to transport large quantities of scraps back to your main base. Alternatively, smelt the scraps into bars at the outpost to reduce weight. Communication is key in multiplayer; coordinate with your team to avoid duplicating efforts or missing valuable loot.\n\nFinally, consider farming black metal during the day. Fulings are more active and easier to spot in daylight, reducing the risk of ambushes. At night, the Plains biome becomes even more dangerous due to increased enemy spawns and reduced visibility. If you must farm at night, bring torches or place workbenches to create safe zones with reduced enemy spawns.\n\nIn summary, farming black metal in multiplayer requires preparation, teamwork, and strategy. Equip your group with high-tier gear, target Fuling villages, and set up an outpost for efficiency. Divide roles, communicate effectively, and manage inventory space to maximize your farming efforts. With these strategies, your group will quickly amass black metal and progress further into Valheim''s late game.