What’s the fastest way to craft a fully upgraded Iron Mace?

Crafting a fully upgraded Iron Mace in Valheim requires careful planning, resource gathering, and efficient progression through the game''s mechanics. The Iron Mace is a powerful weapon, especially effective against enemies weak to blunt damage, such as Bonemass, the Swamp biome boss. To craft and fully upgrade it, you''ll need to gather specific materials, unlock crafting stations, and progress through the game''s tiers.\n\nFirst, you must reach the Iron Age, which requires defeating the second boss, The Elder, in the Black Forest biome. This boss drops the Swamp Key, granting access to Sunken Crypts in the Swamp biome. These crypts are the primary source of Scrap Iron, the key material for crafting the Iron Mace. Before venturing into the Swamp, ensure you have a Bronze or better weapon, a shield, and poison resistance mead, as the biome is filled with dangerous enemies like Draugr and Blobs.\n\nTo craft the Iron Mace, you need 20 Iron, 4 Wood, and 3 Leather Scraps. Iron is obtained by smelting Scrap Iron in a Smelter, which requires Surtling Cores and Coal. Coal can be produced in a Charcoal Kiln using Wood, while Surtling Cores are found in Burial Chambers in the Black Forest or dropped by Surtlings in the Ashlands biome. Leather Scraps are obtained by hunting Boars in the Meadows biome. Once you have the materials, craft the Iron Mace at a Forge, which requires 6 Copper, 4 Coal, 10 Wood, and 2 Stone to build.\n\nUpgrading the Iron Mace to its maximum level (level 4) requires additional resources. Each upgrade level demands more Iron and Wood. For example, upgrading to level 2 requires 10 Iron and 2 Wood, while level 4 requires 20 Iron and 4 Wood. Ensure your Forge is upgraded to at least level 3, as higher-tier upgrades require a higher-level Forge. To upgrade the Forge, add Forge improvements like the Anvils, Tool Shelf, and Bellows, which require materials like Fine Wood, Bronze, and Chains.\n\nA common challenge is efficiently gathering Scrap Iron in the Swamp biome. Sunken Crypts are filled with muddy scrap piles, which yield Scrap Iron when mined with an Antler Pickaxe or better. However, these crypts are often guarded by Draugr and Blobs. To mitigate this, bring healing mead, stamina mead, and a strong shield to block attacks. Additionally, clear out enemies before mining to avoid interruptions. If you''re struggling with inventory space, consider building a portal near the crypt entrance to quickly transport materials back to your base.\n\nFor speedrunning purposes, prioritize efficiency in resource gathering and progression. Start by rushing to the Black Forest to gather Copper and Tin for Bronze tools, then defeat The Elder as quickly as possible. Once in the Swamp, focus on clearing Sunken Crypts and transporting Scrap Iron back to your base. Use portals to minimize travel time and keep your inventory organized. If you''re playing with friends, divide tasks like mining, smelting, and upgrading to save time.\n\nFinally, practical tips for crafting and upgrading the Iron Mace include always carrying a backup weapon in case your durability runs low, using the Stagbreaker (a two-handed hammer) to clear groups of enemies in the Swamp, and building a secure base near the Swamp biome to reduce travel time. With careful planning and efficient resource management, you can craft and fully upgrade the Iron Mace in record time, making it a formidable weapon for your Viking adventures.