What’s the fastest way to gather enough Iron for mid-game gear?

Gathering Iron quickly in Valheim is essential for crafting mid-game gear like the Iron Mace, Iron Armor, and Iron Pickaxe. The fastest way to collect Iron is by exploring Sunken Crypts in the Swamp biome. These crypts contain Muddy Scrap Piles, which yield Scrap Iron when mined with an Antler Pickaxe or better. To maximize efficiency, prepare thoroughly before venturing into the Swamp.\n\nFirst, ensure you have the right tools and gear. Craft a Bronze Pickaxe or Antler Pickaxe, as these are required to mine Scrap Iron. Equip yourself with Troll Armor or Bronze Armor for protection, and bring a Finewood Bow with Flinthead Arrows for dealing with Draugr and other enemies. Stock up on healing items like Cooked Meat and Honey, as the Swamp is a dangerous biome with constant Poison and Wet debuffs.\n\nNext, locate a Swamp biome near your base or establish a forward outpost. Use a Karve or Longship to travel along the coast, as Swamps are often found near water. Once you find a Swamp, look for Sunken Crypts, which are large, greenish structures with iron gates. These crypts are the primary source of Scrap Iron. Bring a Workbench and Portal materials to set up a temporary base near the crypt entrance for repairs and quick travel.\n\nInside the crypts, you’ll encounter Muddy Scrap Piles blocking pathways. Mine these piles to collect Scrap Iron, but be prepared for frequent enemy spawns like Draugr and Blobs. Clear rooms methodically and use choke points to manage enemies. Each Muddy Scrap Pile yields 8-12 Scrap Iron, and a single crypt can provide 50-100 Scrap Iron, depending on its size.\n\nA common challenge is managing inventory space. Scrap Iron is heavy, so bring a Cart or use Portals to transport it back to your base. If you’re far from home, smelt the Scrap Iron into Iron Bars on-site using a Smelter and Charcoal Kiln. This reduces weight and allows you to craft gear immediately.\n\nFor experienced players, speedrunning Iron collection involves skipping Bronze gear entirely. Use Troll Armor and a Finewood Bow to defeat The Elder boss, then craft an Iron Pickaxe to mine Silver in the Mountains. However, this requires advanced knowledge of the game and careful planning.\n\nFinally, optimize your Iron usage by prioritizing essential items. Craft the Iron Pickaxe first to mine more efficiently, followed by the Iron Mace for combat and the Iron Sledge for crowd control. Save Iron Armor for later, as Troll Armor is sufficient for mid-game challenges.\n\nIn summary, the fastest way to gather Iron is by exploring Sunken Crypts in the Swamp biome. Prepare thoroughly, manage inventory wisely, and prioritize essential gear to maximize efficiency. With these strategies, you’ll have enough Iron for mid-game gear in no time.