How do you craft a Porcupine mace and what materials are needed?

The Porcupine is one of the most powerful maces in Valheim, offering a mix of blunt and piercing damage, making it highly effective against a variety of enemies, including heavily armored foes. To craft the Porcupine, you will need to progress significantly in the game, as it requires materials from multiple biomes and a high-level crafting station. This guide will walk you through the steps to craft this formidable weapon and provide tips to overcome common challenges.\n\nFirst, you must unlock the Porcupine recipe by obtaining all the required materials at least once. The recipe requires 5 Fine Wood, 20 Iron, 10 Needles, and 5 Linen Thread. Fine Wood is obtained by chopping down Birch or Oak trees in the Meadows or Black Forest biomes. Iron is mined from Muddy Scrap Piles in the Swamp biome, which requires a Wishbone (obtained by defeating Bonemass) or by exploring Sunken Crypts. Needles are dropped by Deathsquitos in the Plains biome, and Linen Thread is crafted from Flax, which is also found in the Plains.\n\nTo gather Fine Wood, equip a Bronze Axe or better and head to the Meadows or Black Forest. Birch and Oak trees are easily identifiable by their white bark and large size, respectively. For Iron, venture into the Swamp biome with a Crypt Key (dropped by the Elder boss) to unlock Sunken Crypts. Inside, use a Pickaxe to mine Muddy Scrap Piles, which yield Scrap Iron. Smelt the Scrap Iron in a Smelter to produce Iron bars. Be prepared for tough enemies like Draugr and Blobs in the Swamp, so bring poison resistance mead and strong armor.\n\nNeedles are dropped by Deathsquitos, aggressive flying creatures in the Plains biome. These enemies are fast and deal high damage, so approach with caution. Use a bow to take them down from a distance or a shield to block their attacks. Linen Thread is crafted from Flax, which grows in Fuling villages in the Plains. Flax can only be grown in cultivated soil, so bring a Cultivator to plant and harvest it. Once you have Flax, process it into Linen Thread at a Spinning Wheel.\n\nOnce you have all the materials, you will need a level 4 Forge to craft the Porcupine. Upgrade your Forge using Forge Coolers, Anvils, and other upgrades found throughout the game. Place the required materials in your inventory and interact with the Forge to craft the Porcupine. This weapon deals 63 blunt and 45 piercing damage, making it a versatile choice for both close combat and dealing with heavily armored enemies like Fulings and Stone Golems.\n\nA common challenge players face is surviving in the Plains biome, where Deathsquitos and Fulings pose significant threats. To mitigate this, ensure you have high-tier armor like Wolf Armor or Padded Armor, and always carry healing mead and stamina-restoring items. Additionally, consider building a small outpost near the Plains to store materials and respawn if needed. Farming Flax can also be time-consuming, so prioritize clearing Fuling villages to gather as much Flax as possible in one trip.\n\nIn summary, crafting the Porcupine requires preparation, exploration, and resource management. Focus on gathering Fine Wood, mining Iron in the Swamp, defeating Deathsquitos for Needles, and farming Flax in the Plains. Upgrade your Forge to level 4 and craft this powerful mace to dominate your enemies. With its balanced damage types, the Porcupine is an excellent weapon for both mid-game and end-game content, making it a worthwhile investment for any Viking warrior.