How can you quickly locate and mine black metal in the Plains?

Locating and mining black metal in the Plains biome of Valheim is a critical step for progressing to endgame gear and weapons. Black metal is a high-tier resource used to craft powerful items like the Blackmetal Sword, Blackmetal Atgeir, and Blackmetal Shield. To efficiently gather black metal, you need to understand the biome, enemy behavior, and mining mechanics.\n\nFirst, you must reach the Plains biome, which is one of the most dangerous areas in Valheim. It is home to deadly enemies like Fulings, Deathsquitos, and Lox. Before venturing into the Plains, ensure you have upgraded gear, preferably from the Mountain biome, such as Wolf Armor and a Draugr Fang bow. Bring healing mead, stamina mead, and poison resistance mead to survive encounters with Fulings and Deathsquitos.\n\nBlack metal is obtained by defeating Fulings, small goblin-like creatures that roam the Plains. Fulings drop black metal scraps, which can be smelted into black metal bars at a Blast Furnace. To craft a Blast Furnace, you need Artisan Table access, which requires defeating Moder, the Mountain biome boss. This means you must progress through the game’s boss sequence before you can smelt black metal.\n\nTo quickly locate Fulings, explore the Plains biome during the day. Fulings are more active and easier to spot in daylight. They often spawn near Fuling villages, which are clusters of huts with totems and campfires. These villages are hotspots for black metal farming, as they contain multiple Fulings and sometimes Fuling Berserkers or Shamans. Approach cautiously, as Fulings can overwhelm you in groups.\n\nWhen engaging Fulings, use ranged weapons like the Draugr Fang bow to pick them off from a distance. If you’re forced into melee combat, use a shield to block their attacks and counter with a high-damage weapon like the Frostner or Silver Sword. Avoid fighting multiple Fulings at once unless you’re confident in your combat skills. Deathsquitos are another threat in the Plains; always keep an eye on the sky and dodge their attacks.\n\nOnce you’ve collected black metal scraps, return to your base and smelt them in a Blast Furnace. Each black metal scrap yields one black metal bar, which is used for crafting. If you’re speedrunning, prioritize building a portal near the Plains biome to minimize travel time. This allows you to quickly transport black metal scraps back to your base without risking long overland journeys.\n\nA common challenge is dealing with Fuling Berserkers, which deal massive damage and have high health. To counter them, use terrain to your advantage. Lure them into narrow spaces or behind obstacles to limit their movement. Alternatively, use the environment to your benefit by leading them into Lox herds, which will attack the Fulings and distract them.\n\nFor new players, it’s essential to prepare thoroughly before entering the Plains. Bring the best food available, such as Serpent Stew, Lox Meat Pie, and Blood Pudding, to maximize health and stamina. Experienced Vikings can optimize their runs by pre-building portals and setting up temporary bases near Fuling villages for efficient farming.\n\nIn summary, quickly locating and mining black metal in the Plains requires preparation, combat skill, and strategic planning. Focus on defeating Fulings, smelting their drops, and crafting powerful gear to dominate the late game. With the right approach, you can efficiently gather black metal and progress through Valheim’s endgame content.