How do I unlock the blast furnace to smelt black metal?

To unlock the Blast Furnace in Valheim, you must first progress through the game''s crafting tiers and defeat specific bosses. The Blast Furnace is essential for smelting Black Metal, a late-game resource used to craft powerful weapons and armor. This process requires exploration, resource gathering, and boss fights, so it’s important to prepare thoroughly.\n\nFirst, you need to defeat Moder, the fourth boss located in the Mountain biome. Moder drops Dragon Tears, a key item required to craft the Artisan Table, which unlocks advanced crafting stations like the Blast Furnace. To summon Moder, you must collect three Dragon Eggs from the Mountain biome and place them on her altar. Dragon Eggs are heavy and require careful planning to transport, so consider using a cart or portal to make the process easier.\n\nOnce you’ve defeated Moder and obtained Dragon Tears, return to your base and craft the Artisan Table. This requires 10 Wood, 2 Dragon Tears, and a Forge. Place the Artisan Table near your Forge to unlock new crafting options, including the Blast Furnace. The Blast Furnace itself requires 20 Fine Wood, 10 Iron, 5 Surtling Cores, and 5 Chains to craft. Fine Wood can be obtained from Birch or Oak trees in the Meadows or Plains, while Iron is mined from Muddy Scrap Piles in the Swamp biome. Surtling Cores are found in Burial Chambers or dropped by Surtlings in the Ashlands, and Chains are obtained from Wraiths in the Swamp or by breaking down certain structures.\n\nAfter gathering the necessary materials, place the Blast Furnace near your Forge and Artisan Table. The Blast Furnace is used to smelt Black Metal Scraps, which are dropped by Fulings in the Plains biome. Fulings are aggressive enemies, so ensure you have strong armor and weapons before venturing into the Plains. Once you’ve collected Black Metal Scraps, smelt them in the Blast Furnace to create Black Metal, which can then be used to craft high-tier gear.\n\nA common challenge is surviving in the Plains biome, as Fulings and Deathsquitos are deadly. To mitigate this, bring a strong shield, health potions, and food with high stamina and health bonuses. Additionally, consider building a small outpost near the Plains to store resources and respawn if needed. Another tip is to use the Blast Furnace efficiently by smelting multiple Black Metal Scraps at once, as it has a larger capacity than the standard Smelter.\n\nIn summary, unlocking the Blast Furnace involves defeating Moder, crafting the Artisan Table, and gathering specific resources. Focus on preparing for the Mountain and Plains biomes, as they are key to progressing. With the Blast Furnace, you’ll be able to smelt Black Metal and craft some of the best gear in Valheim, making it a crucial step in your Viking journey.