What is the best way to gather black metal for forge upgrades?

Gathering black metal in Valheim is essential for upgrading your forge and crafting high-tier gear. Black metal is a late-game resource primarily found in the Plains biome, which is home to dangerous enemies like Fulings and Deathsquitos. To efficiently gather black metal, you must first prepare adequately and understand the mechanics of the Plains biome.\n\nBefore venturing into the Plains, ensure you have strong armor, weapons, and food. A fully upgraded iron or padded armor set is recommended, along with a powerful weapon like the Frostner or Blackmetal Atgeir. Bring healing meads and stamina-boosting foods such as Serpent Stew or Lox Meat Pie. Additionally, craft a portal to establish a quick escape route or respawn point near the Plains.\n\nBlack metal is obtained by defeating Fulings, small goblin-like creatures that roam the Plains. These enemies drop black metal scraps, which can be smelted into black metal bars at a blast furnace. Fulings are aggressive and often travel in groups, so approach them cautiously. Use terrain to your advantage, such as kiting them around rocks or trees, to avoid being overwhelmed.\n\nTo maximize your black metal yield, focus on Fuling camps. These are small villages with multiple Fulings and a Fuling Berserker or Shaman. Berserkers are tanky and deal heavy damage, while Shamans can heal other Fulings and summon fireballs. Clear these camps systematically, using ranged weapons like the Draugr Fang bow to pick off enemies from a distance. Once the camp is cleared, loot the chests and structures for additional black metal scraps.\n\nAnother way to gather black metal is by defeating Fuling Berserkers and Shamans, as they drop more scraps than regular Fulings. These enemies are tougher, so use crowd control weapons like the Frostner to slow them down and create openings for attacks. Always prioritize Shamans, as their healing abilities can prolong fights and make them more dangerous.\n\nOnce you have enough black metal scraps, return to your base and smelt them in a blast furnace. The blast furnace requires Artisan Table access, which is unlocked by defeating Moder, the fourth boss. Smelted black metal bars are used to craft and upgrade high-tier weapons, tools, and forge upgrades like the Blackmetal Atgeir, Blackmetal Shield, and Blackmetal Knife.\n\nA common challenge is surviving the Plains biome due to its high difficulty. To mitigate this, avoid engaging multiple enemies at once and always have an escape plan. Use the terrain to your advantage, such as building elevated platforms or trenches to funnel enemies. Additionally, consider bringing a Lox companion, as they can tank damage and distract enemies while you attack.\n\nFor new players, it’s crucial to progress through the game’s biomes in order. Attempting to gather black metal without proper gear or preparation will result in frequent deaths. Focus on upgrading your gear and defeating earlier bosses like Bonemass and Moder before tackling the Plains.\n\nIn summary, the best way to gather black metal is by defeating Fulings in the Plains biome, focusing on camps and tougher enemies like Berserkers and Shamans. Prepare with strong gear, food, and a portal, and use strategic combat tactics to maximize efficiency. Smelt the scraps into bars at a blast furnace to unlock powerful forge upgrades and gear. With careful planning and execution, you’ll master the Plains and secure the resources needed for late-game progression.