How do you craft Frostner, and is it useful against The Elder?
Frostner is a powerful two-handed mace in Valheim that combines frost, spirit, and blunt damage, making it a versatile weapon for both early and mid-game combat. To craft Frostner, you need to unlock its recipe by obtaining specific materials and upgrading your Forge to level 3. The crafting process requires 10 Ancient Bark, 30 Silver, 5 Ymir Flesh, and 5 Freeze Glands. Ancient Bark is obtained by chopping Ancient Trees in the Swamp biome, Silver is mined in the Mountains biome using a Wishbone (dropped by Bonemass), Ymir Flesh is purchased from Haldor the Merchant in the Black Forest, and Freeze Glands are dropped by Drakes in the Mountains.\n\nTo craft Frostner, you must first gather these materials. Start by exploring the Swamp biome to collect Ancient Bark. This biome is dangerous, so ensure you have poison resistance mead and decent armor. Next, venture into the Mountains biome to mine Silver. Use the Wishbone to locate Silver deposits underground, and bring a pickaxe to mine them. Drakes, which drop Freeze Glands, are also found in the Mountains, so be prepared for aerial attacks. Finally, locate Haldor the Merchant in the Black Forest to purchase Ymir Flesh for 120 coins each.\n\nOnce you have all the materials, upgrade your Forge to level 3 using a Forge Cooler, Anvils, and other upgrades. This is essential because Frostner requires a high-level Forge to craft. Place the materials in your inventory, interact with the Forge, and select Frostner from the crafting menu. The weapon will be added to your inventory, ready for use.\n\nFrostner is particularly effective against enemies weak to frost and spirit damage, such as Draugr and Skeletons. However, its usefulness against The Elder, the second boss in Valheim, is limited. The Elder is resistant to frost damage, so Frostner''s primary damage type is less effective. Instead, The Elder is weak to fire damage, making weapons like the Fire Arrow or Fire Arrows with a Finewood Bow a better choice for this fight.\n\nDespite its limited effectiveness against The Elder, Frostner is still a valuable weapon for general gameplay. Its frost damage slows enemies, making it easier to manage crowds or kite stronger foes. Additionally, its spirit damage is effective against undead enemies, which are common in the Swamp biome. Frostner is also a great weapon for exploring the Plains biome, as its frost damage can slow down Fulings and other fast-moving enemies.\n\nFor new players, crafting Frostner can be a challenging but rewarding goal. Focus on progressing through the biomes in order: Meadows, Black Forest, Swamp, and Mountains. Upgrade your gear and prepare for each biome''s unique challenges. Experienced players can use Frostner as a mid-game weapon to complement their arsenal, especially when dealing with undead or frost-vulnerable enemies.\n\nIn summary, Frostner is a powerful weapon that requires significant effort to craft but offers great utility in combat. While it is not the best choice for fighting The Elder, it excels in other areas of the game. Use Frostner to slow and damage enemies, and pair it with other weapons to handle specific threats. Always prepare thoroughly for biome exploration and boss fights to maximize your chances of success.