What’s the most efficient way to farm black metal for boss gear?

Farming black metal in Valheim is essential for crafting high-tier boss gear, such as the Blackmetal Sword, Blackmetal Atgeir, and Blackmetal Shield. 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, you need to prepare thoroughly and understand the mechanics of the Plains biome.\n\nFirst, ensure you have the right gear and tools. The Plains biome is one of the most dangerous areas in Valheim, so you’ll need strong armor like Wolf Armor or Padded Armor, as well as a powerful weapon such as a Frostner or Draugr Fang bow. Bring healing meads, stamina meads, and poison resistance meads to survive Fuling attacks. Additionally, carry a portal setup to quickly return to your base for repairs and storage.\n\nNext, locate a Fuling village or camp in the Plains biome. These settlements are densely populated with Fulings and often contain valuable loot, including black metal scraps. Approach cautiously, as Fulings are aggressive and can overwhelm you if you’re not careful. Use ranged weapons like the Draugr Fang bow to pick off enemies from a distance, or lure them into traps like Lox or Deathsquitos to thin their numbers.\n\nOnce you’ve cleared a Fuling camp, search for black metal scraps in chests and on the ground. Fulings also drop scraps when killed, so make sure to loot every enemy. If you’re farming solo, consider using stealth tactics to avoid large groups. The Troll Armor set provides a stealth bonus, allowing you to sneak past enemies or ambush them more effectively.\n\nAfter collecting black metal scraps, return to your base and smelt them into black metal bars using a Blast Furnace. The Blast Furnace requires Artisan Table access and materials like Stone, Iron, and Surtling Cores to craft. Once you have black metal bars, you can craft powerful boss gear at the Forge. For example, the Blackmetal Sword requires 20 black metal bars, 5 linen thread, and 2 fine wood.\n\nA common challenge when farming black metal is dealing with Fuling Berserkers and Shamans, which are tougher variants of Fulings. Berserkers deal massive melee damage, while Shamans can heal other Fulings and summon fire attacks. To counter these enemies, focus on the Shamans first to prevent healing, then use hit-and-run tactics against Berserkers. Frostner is particularly effective against Fulings due to its frost damage and knockback effect.\n\nFor new players, it’s important to avoid the Plains biome until you’ve progressed through earlier biomes like the Swamp and Mountains. Black metal farming is a late-game activity, so make sure you’ve upgraded your gear and skills before attempting it. Experienced Vikings can optimize their farming routes by marking Fuling camps on the map and revisiting them after a few in-game days, as enemies and loot respawn over time.\n\nFinally, consider teaming up with other players if you’re struggling with solo farming. Coordinated attacks and shared resources can make the process faster and safer. With the right preparation and strategy, you’ll have a steady supply of black metal for crafting the best gear in Valheim.