What’s the best way to share and use the black metal shield for team combat?

The black metal shield is one of the most powerful shields in Valheim, offering excellent blocking power and durability. It is crafted using black metal bars, fine wood, and chains, making it a late-game item best suited for players who have progressed to the Plains biome. Sharing and using this shield effectively in team combat requires coordination, understanding of game mechanics, and strategic planning.\n\nTo craft the black metal shield, you will need 10 black metal bars, 6 fine wood, and 5 chains. Black metal bars are obtained by smelting black metal scraps dropped by Fulings in the Plains biome. Fine wood is gathered by chopping birch or oak trees in the Meadows or Plains, and chains are typically found in chests in the Swamp biome or dropped by Wraiths. Once crafted, the shield provides 90 block power and 10% movement speed reduction, making it ideal for tanking and protecting teammates.\n\nIn team combat, the black metal shield is best used by a designated tank or frontliner. This player should focus on blocking incoming attacks from powerful enemies like Fuling Berserkers or Lox, allowing other team members to deal damage safely. To share the shield, the crafting player can drop it from their inventory or place it in a shared chest at your base. Ensure that the shield is fully repaired before handing it over, as durability is critical in prolonged battles.\n\nEffective use of the black metal shield requires understanding its mechanics. Holding right-click raises the shield, blocking incoming damage based on the shield''s block power. Stamina management is crucial, as blocking consumes stamina. Players should pair the shield with high-stamina foods like bread, lox meat pie, or serpent stew to maximize their ability to block attacks. Additionally, the shield''s knockback resistance is high, making it ideal for holding ground against aggressive enemies.\n\nA common challenge in team combat is coordinating shield usage with other players. For example, if multiple players have black metal shields, they should stagger their blocking to avoid all running out of stamina simultaneously. Communication is key—use voice chat or in-game signals to coordinate who blocks and when. Another challenge is dealing with ranged enemies like Fuling Shamans or Deathsquitos. In these situations, the shield user should prioritize blocking projectiles while teammates focus on eliminating the ranged threats.\n\nPractical examples of team combat with the black metal shield include raiding Fuling villages or defending against Plains biome events. In a Fuling village, the shield user can draw aggro from multiple enemies, allowing archers and melee fighters to pick off targets safely. During events like the Fuling raid, the shield user can protect the base by blocking incoming attacks while others repair structures or deal damage.\n\nTo maximize the shield''s effectiveness, consider pairing it with high-defense armor like the Padded Armor set, also crafted in the Plains biome. This combination provides excellent survivability for the tank. Additionally, practice parrying with the shield to stagger enemies, creating openings for your team to deal critical damage. Parrying requires precise timing but can turn the tide of battle in your favor.\n\nIn summary, the black metal shield is a powerful tool for team combat in Valheim. Craft it using black metal bars, fine wood, and chains, and assign it to a dedicated tank. Coordinate with your team to manage stamina and aggro, and use the shield to block and parry effectively. With proper planning and communication, the black metal shield can make your team nearly unstoppable in the Plains biome and beyond.