What’s the best way to store and manage rare resources like black metal?

Storing and managing rare resources like black metal in Valheim requires careful planning and organization to ensure you maximize efficiency and minimize loss. Black metal is a high-tier resource obtained primarily from defeating Fulings in the Plains biome, and it is essential for crafting powerful late-game weapons and armor. Proper storage and management of this resource are critical to maintaining your progress and preparing for future challenges.\n\nFirst, prioritize building a secure storage system. Black metal, like other rare resources, should be stored in chests within a well-protected base. Use reinforced chests or iron chests, as they offer more storage slots compared to basic wooden chests. Place these chests in a dedicated storage room or area within your base, preferably near your forge or crafting stations for easy access. Labeling chests with signs can help you quickly locate specific resources, especially as your inventory grows.\n\nTo further protect your black metal, ensure your base is fortified against raids and enemy attacks. Build stone walls or palisades around your base, and consider placing workbenches or other crafting stations to prevent enemy spawns nearby. The Plains biome is particularly dangerous, so if your base is located there, prioritize defensive structures like spike traps and ballistae to fend off Fuling raids.\n\nOrganize your black metal storage by grouping it with related resources. For example, store black metal alongside other Plains biome resources like flax, barley, and lox pelts. This makes it easier to craft items like black metal weapons, padded armor, and other Plains-specific gear. Additionally, keep a separate chest for black metal scraps, which are the raw form of black metal obtained from Fulings. These scraps must be smelted in a blast furnace, so storing them near your furnace area can save time.\n\nFor players with multiple bases or outposts, consider creating a centralized storage hub. Use portals to connect your bases and transport black metal and other rare resources to a main storage location. This reduces the risk of losing resources if one base is destroyed or overrun. Always carry portal materials like fine wood and surtling cores when exploring to quickly establish connections between locations.\n\nAnother practical tip is to limit how much black metal you carry while exploring. Black metal is heavy, and carrying too much can slow you down or leave you vulnerable in combat. Store excess black metal in your base and only take what you need for crafting or repairs. If you’re venturing into dangerous areas like the Mistlands or Mountains, prioritize carrying essential items like food, potions, and weapons over large quantities of resources.\n\nFinally, consider automating parts of your storage system. While Valheim doesn’t have built-in automation, you can use mods like Valheim Plus to enhance storage management. These mods allow for features like increased stack sizes, auto-sorting, and shared storage between chests, making it easier to manage large quantities of black metal and other resources.\n\nIn summary, the best way to store and manage black metal in Valheim involves building secure storage systems, organizing resources efficiently, and protecting your base from threats. By following these steps, you can ensure your rare resources are safe and readily available for crafting and progression.