How do you craft a Black Metal Shield for Plains combat?

Crafting a Black Metal Shield in Valheim is essential for surviving the dangerous Plains biome, where enemies like Fulings and Deathsquitos pose a significant threat. The Black Metal Shield is one of the strongest shields in the game, offering high block power and durability. To craft it, you will need to progress through the game, gather specific resources, and unlock the necessary crafting station.\n\nFirst, you must reach the Plains biome, which is home to the materials required for the Black Metal Shield. The Plains biome is identifiable by its golden grasslands, tall rock formations, and hostile creatures. Before venturing into this biome, ensure you have strong armor, weapons, and food buffs to survive encounters with Fulings and other enemies. The key resources you need are Black Metal, Fine Wood, and Chain. Black Metal is obtained by defeating Fulings, while Fine Wood comes from cutting down Birch or Oak trees in the Meadows or Plains. Chain is a rare drop from Wraiths in the Swamp biome or can be found in chests in Burial Chambers.\n\nTo craft the Black Metal Shield, you need to unlock the Artisan Table, which is a late-game crafting station. The Artisan Table requires a Blast Furnace, which in turn requires a Smelter and Surtling Cores. The Blast Furnace is used to smelt Black Metal Scraps into Black Metal, a crucial step in the crafting process. Once you have the Artisan Table, you can craft the Black Metal Shield using 10 Black Metal, 10 Fine Wood, and 3 Chain. These materials are relatively easy to gather once you have access to the Plains biome and the necessary tools.\n\nOne common challenge players face is surviving in the Plains biome long enough to gather Black Metal. Fulings are aggressive and can overwhelm unprepared players. To mitigate this, bring a strong weapon like a Frostner or Porcupine, and use a shield to block their attacks. Additionally, avoid engaging large groups of Fulings at once. Use the terrain to your advantage, such as hiding behind rocks or using elevated positions to snipe enemies with a bow. Deathsquitos are another threat, but they can be easily countered with a well-timed block or a quick arrow shot.\n\nAnother challenge is obtaining Chain, as Wraiths are dangerous enemies found in the Swamp biome. To farm Chain, equip a strong weapon and armor, and bring healing items like Mead or cooked food. Wraiths spawn at night, so explore the Swamp during nighttime for better chances of encountering them. Alternatively, you can find Chain in chests within Burial Chambers, which are scattered throughout the Black Forest biome. This method is safer but requires more exploration.\n\nOnce you have all the materials, return to your base and craft the Black Metal Shield at the Artisan Table. This shield provides excellent protection against physical attacks and is particularly useful in the Plains biome. Its high block power allows you to withstand multiple hits from Fulings and other enemies, making it a valuable asset for late-game exploration and combat.\n\nIn summary, crafting a Black Metal Shield requires preparation, resource gathering, and progression through the game. Focus on surviving the Plains biome, farming Black Metal from Fulings, and obtaining Chain from Wraiths or Burial Chambers. With the Artisan Table unlocked, you can craft this powerful shield to enhance your combat capabilities. Always prioritize safety when exploring dangerous biomes, and use the shield to block incoming attacks effectively.