How do you craft the Iron Shield, and what are its stats?

The Iron Shield is one of the most reliable mid-game shields in Valheim, offering excellent protection and parrying potential. To craft it, you must first progress to the Swamp biome, where you can gather Iron from Muddy Scrap Piles in Sunken Crypts. This biome is dangerous, so ensure you are well-prepared with poison resistance mead, a Bronze or better weapon, and decent armor before venturing in.\n\nTo craft the Iron Shield, you need a Forge, which is unlocked after defeating the second boss, The Elder. The Forge requires materials like Coal, Copper, and Wood to build. Once your Forge is ready, gather the following materials: 10 Iron, 4 Fine Wood, and 3 Leather Scraps. Iron is smelted from Scrap Iron in a Smelter, Fine Wood is obtained by chopping Birch or Oak trees with a Bronze Axe or better, and Leather Scraps are dropped by Boars or found in chests.\n\nThe Iron Shield has a base block power of 60 and a parry force of 40, making it highly effective against most mid-game enemies. Its parry bonus multiplier is 2x, meaning it can stagger enemies when timed correctly. This shield is particularly useful against Draugr, Skeletons, and even Trolls, as it can mitigate significant damage and create openings for counterattacks.\n\nTo maximize the Iron Shield''s effectiveness, practice parrying. Parrying involves blocking an attack at the exact moment it lands, which staggers the enemy and leaves them vulnerable. This is especially useful against fast or heavy-hitting enemies like Draugr Elites or Abominations. Dodging is another key mechanic to master; rolling away from attacks can save you from taking damage entirely, especially when facing multiple enemies or bosses like Bonemass.\n\nOne common challenge players face is managing stamina while using the Iron Shield. Blocking and parrying consume stamina, so always keep an eye on your stamina bar. To mitigate this, consider eating stamina-boosting foods like Carrot Soup or Turnip Stew. Additionally, upgrading the Iron Shield at the Forge using more Iron and Fine Wood increases its block power, making it even more durable.\n\nFor new players, the Iron Shield is a significant upgrade from the Bronze Buckler or Wood Shield. It provides better protection and allows you to tackle tougher enemies with confidence. Experienced Vikings can use the Iron Shield as a stepping stone to even stronger shields like the Silver Shield or Black Metal Shield, which are unlocked later in the game.\n\nIn summary, the Iron Shield is a versatile and powerful tool for surviving Valheim''s mid-game challenges. Craft it by gathering Iron, Fine Wood, and Leather Scraps, and use it to block, parry, and dominate your foes. Pair it with good stamina management and strategic combat techniques to become an unstoppable Viking.