How do you unlock the recipe for the Iron Mace?

To unlock the recipe for the Iron Mace in Valheim, you must first progress through the game''s crafting tiers and gather specific materials. The Iron Mace is a powerful blunt weapon that excels against enemies weak to blunt damage, such as skeletons and blobs. Unlocking its recipe requires you to have discovered iron, a mid-tier resource found in the Swamp biome. This process involves several steps, including exploring dungeons, smelting ore, and upgrading your crafting stations.\n\nFirst, you need to locate the Swamp biome, which is typically found near the Black Forest or Meadows. The Swamp is a dangerous area filled with hostile creatures like Draugr, Leeches, and Wraiths, so ensure you are well-prepared with upgraded armor, weapons, and healing items. Once in the Swamp, look for Sunken Crypts, which are dungeon-like structures marked by green torches outside. These crypts contain Muddy Scrap Piles, which can be mined with an Antler Pickaxe or better to obtain Scrap Iron.\n\nAfter gathering Scrap Iron, return to your base and smelt it into Iron Bars using a Smelter. To build a Smelter, you will need 20 Stone and 5 Surtling Cores, which are found in Burial Chambers in the Black Forest or dropped by Surtlings in the Ashlands. Once you have Iron Bars, you must upgrade your Forge to at least level 2. Upgrading the Forge requires additional materials like a Forge Cooler, which is crafted with 25 Fine Wood and 10 Copper.\n\nWith the Forge upgraded, you can now unlock the Iron Mace recipe. To craft the Iron Mace, you will need 20 Iron Bars, 3 Wood, and 4 Leather Scraps. Leather Scraps are obtained by hunting Boars in the Meadows or Black Forest, while Wood is easily gathered from trees. Once you have all the materials, interact with the Forge to craft the Iron Mace. This weapon is particularly effective in the Swamp biome, where many enemies are weak to blunt damage.\n\nA common challenge players face is locating Sunken Crypts in the Swamp. These structures can be rare and difficult to find, especially in large or densely forested Swamp biomes. To improve your chances, explore the edges of the Swamp first, as crypts are often located near the water. Additionally, using a Karve or Longship to navigate the Swamp''s waterways can help you cover more ground quickly. If you are struggling to survive in the Swamp, consider crafting Poison Resistance Mead using Honey, Thistle, and Neck Tails. This mead provides temporary resistance to poison damage, which is common in the Swamp.\n\nIn summary, unlocking the Iron Mace recipe requires exploring the Swamp biome, mining Scrap Iron from Sunken Crypts, smelting it into Iron Bars, and upgrading your Forge. This weapon is a valuable tool for tackling the Swamp and other challenging areas of Valheim. By following these steps and preparing adequately, you can efficiently unlock and craft the Iron Mace to enhance your combat capabilities.\n\nPractical tips for success include always carrying a portal setup to quickly return to your base, using the Stagbreaker or Bronze Mace to clear Muddy Scrap Piles faster, and bringing a Hoe to level the ground in the Swamp for easier navigation. With these strategies, you can streamline the process and make the most of your time in Valheim.