Where can you find copper to upgrade the forge?

Copper is a crucial resource in Valheim for upgrading your forge and crafting advanced tools, weapons, and armor. To find copper, you must venture into the Black Forest biome, which is typically located near the starting Meadows biome. Copper deposits are large, dark, and rocky formations that stand out against the forest floor. These deposits are not found in the Meadows or other biomes, so exploring the Black Forest is essential.\n\nTo mine copper, you will need an Antler Pickaxe, which is crafted using Hard Antlers obtained from defeating the first boss, Eikthyr. Once you have the pickaxe, head to the Black Forest and look for copper deposits. These deposits are often partially buried, so you may need to dig around them to fully expose the ore. Each deposit yields a significant amount of copper, but mining can be time-consuming, so bring plenty of food and stamina-boosting items.\n\nOne common challenge is dealing with enemies in the Black Forest, such as Greydwarfs and Trolls, which can interrupt your mining. To mitigate this, consider building a small outpost near the deposit with a workbench and a campfire. This allows you to repair your tools and rest for stamina regeneration. Additionally, bringing a shield and weapon for defense is highly recommended. If you encounter a Troll, avoid direct combat and use the environment to your advantage, such as kiting it around trees.\n\nAfter mining the copper, you will need to smelt it into Copper Bars using a Smelter. To build a Smelter, you need 20 Stone and 5 Surtling Cores, which are found in Burial Chambers within the Black Forest. Once you have the Smelter, place it near your forge and fuel it with Coal, obtained by burning Wood in a Charcoal Kiln. Smelting copper takes time, so it’s efficient to mine multiple deposits and smelt them in batches.\n\nUpgrading your forge requires not only copper but also other materials like Tin and Leather Scraps. Tin is found near water sources in the Black Forest and is mined similarly to copper. Leather Scraps are obtained by hunting Boars in the Meadows. Combining these resources allows you to upgrade your forge, unlocking new crafting recipes and improving your gear.\n\nFor new players, it’s important to prepare thoroughly before venturing into the Black Forest. Bring a bow and arrows for ranged combat, as well as healing items like Cooked Meat or Berries. Experienced Vikings can optimize their mining trips by using a Cart to transport large amounts of ore back to their base. Additionally, consider building a portal near your mining site to reduce travel time.\n\nIn summary, copper is found in the Black Forest biome and is mined using an Antler Pickaxe. Prepare for enemy encounters, smelt the ore into bars, and gather additional materials like Tin and Leather Scraps to upgrade your forge. With careful planning and resource management, you can efficiently gather copper and enhance your crafting capabilities in Valheim.