How do you craft a windmill, and what crops does it process?

Crafting a windmill in Valheim is an essential step for processing certain crops into more useful resources. The windmill is a late-game structure that allows you to grind barley and flax into barley flour and flax threads, respectively. These materials are crucial for crafting advanced food items and armor. To craft a windmill, you must first progress through the game and unlock the necessary materials and crafting station.\n\nTo begin, you need to defeat Moder, the fourth boss in Valheim, located in the Mountain biome. Defeating Moder grants you the ability to craft the Artisan Table, which is required to build the windmill. The Artisan Table itself requires fine wood, iron, and dragon tears, which are dropped by Moder. Once you have the Artisan Table, you can place it in your base to unlock the windmill recipe.\n\nThe windmill requires specific materials to craft: 20 stone, 30 wood, and 30 iron nails. Stone is easily gathered from the ground or mined from rocks, while wood is obtained by chopping trees. Iron nails are crafted at a forge using iron, which is mined from muddy scrap piles in the Swamp biome. Once you have all the materials, you can craft the windmill at the Artisan Table.\n\nPlacement of the windmill is critical for its functionality. The windmill must be placed in an open area with sufficient wind. If the windmill is placed in a sheltered location, such as near tall trees or structures, it may not spin effectively. To check if the windmill is functioning, look for the spinning animation. If it spins, it is working correctly. If not, you may need to relocate it to a more open area.\n\nThe windmill processes two specific crops: barley and flax. Barley is grown in the Plains biome, which is a dangerous area filled with hostile creatures like Fulings and Deathsquitos. To farm barley, you must first clear a safe area and plant barley seeds, which are obtained by looting Fuling villages. Flax is also grown in the Plains biome and is used to craft linen thread, a key material for high-tier armor like the Padded Armor set.\n\nTo process crops, place barley or flax into the windmill''s input slot. The windmill will grind the crops into barley flour or flax threads over time. Barley flour is used to craft advanced food items like bread and lox meat pie, which provide significant health and stamina boosts. Flax threads are used to craft linen, which is essential for crafting the Padded Armor set and other high-tier items.\n\nOne common challenge players face is protecting their windmill and crops from enemy raids. The Plains biome is particularly dangerous, and Fulings can destroy your windmill if left unchecked. To mitigate this, build a sturdy wall around your farm and windmill, and consider placing workbenches or other structures to prevent enemy spawns nearby. Additionally, you can use defensive structures like spike walls or ballistae to fend off attackers.\n\nIn summary, crafting a windmill in Valheim requires defeating Moder, gathering specific materials, and placing the structure in an open area with sufficient wind. The windmill processes barley and flax into valuable resources for advanced crafting. Protect your windmill and crops from enemy raids by building defenses and clearing nearby spawn points. With proper planning, the windmill becomes a cornerstone of your late-game survival and progression.\n\nPractical tips: Always scout the Plains biome carefully before setting up a farm, as it is one of the most dangerous areas in the game. Use the hoe to level the ground and create a flat area for planting crops. Consider building a portal near your farm for quick access and easy transportation of resources. Finally, keep an eye on your windmill''s spinning animation to ensure it is functioning properly.