How do I unlock the forge to craft metal tools?

To unlock the Forge in Valheim and craft metal tools, you must first progress through the early stages of the game and gather the necessary resources. The Forge is a critical crafting station that allows you to process metals like Copper, Tin, and Iron into advanced tools, weapons, and armor. Unlocking it requires specific materials and a basic understanding of the game''s crafting mechanics.\n\nFirst, you need to build a Workbench, which is the foundation for most crafting in Valheim. To create a Workbench, gather 10 Wood and place it near your base. The Workbench allows you to craft basic tools and structures, but it cannot process metals. Once the Workbench is built, you can start gathering the materials needed for the Forge.\n\nThe Forge requires 6 Copper, 4 Wood, 4 Stone, and 10 Coal. Copper is found in the Black Forest biome, which is typically located near the starting Meadows biome. To mine Copper, you need a Pickaxe, which can be crafted at the Workbench using 10 Wood and 1 Hard Antler. Hard Antlers are obtained by defeating the first boss, Eikthyr, in the Meadows biome. Once you have a Pickaxe, head to the Black Forest and look for large, shiny Copper deposits. Mine these deposits to collect Copper Ore.\n\nAfter gathering Copper Ore, you need to smelt it into Copper Bars. To do this, you must build a Smelter, which requires 20 Stone and 5 Surtling Cores. Surtling Cores are found in Burial Chambers within the Black Forest or dropped by Surtlings in the Ashlands biome. Place the Smelter near your base and fuel it with Coal, which can be obtained by burning Wood in a Charcoal Kiln or by mining Coal deposits in the Black Forest. Once the Smelter is operational, place the Copper Ore inside to produce Copper Bars.\n\nWith Copper Bars in hand, you can now build the Forge. Return to your Workbench and select the Forge from the crafting menu. Place the Forge near your Workbench to ensure it functions properly. Once built, the Forge unlocks a wide range of crafting options, including metal tools, weapons, and armor. For example, you can craft a Bronze Axe using 8 Wood and 2 Bronze, which is made by combining Copper and Tin at the Forge.\n\nA common challenge for new players is locating the Black Forest biome. If you''re struggling to find it, explore the edges of the Meadows biome and look for dense, dark trees and hostile creatures like Greydwarfs. Another challenge is managing inventory space while mining. To solve this, consider building a Cart to transport large quantities of ore back to your base.\n\nIn summary, unlocking the Forge involves defeating Eikthyr, crafting a Pickaxe, mining Copper in the Black Forest, building a Smelter, and gathering the necessary materials. The Forge is essential for progressing in Valheim, as it allows you to craft advanced gear and prepare for tougher biomes like the Swamp and Mountains. Always ensure you have enough Coal and a secure base to protect your crafting stations from enemy raids.\n\nPractical tips: Always carry a Hammer and enough materials to build a Workbench and shelter while exploring. This allows you to repair tools and set up temporary bases near resource-rich areas. Additionally, prioritize upgrading your Forge with Forge Coolers and Anvils to unlock higher-tier crafting options and improve your gear.