What’s the fastest way to unlock the windmill for barley processing?

Unlocking the windmill for barley processing in Valheim is a critical step for efficient food production, especially in the late game. The windmill is used to turn barley into barley flour, which is essential for crafting high-tier foods like bread and lox meat pie. To unlock the windmill, you must first defeat Moder, the fourth boss, and obtain the artisan table. This guide will walk you through the fastest way to achieve this goal, focusing on speedrunning strategies.\n\nFirst, you need to prepare for Moder by gathering the necessary resources and gear. Moder is located in the Mountain biome, so you’ll need frost resistance mead or wolf armor to survive the cold. Start by gathering silver from the Mountain biome, which requires an iron pickaxe and the wishbone obtained from defeating Bonemass. Craft wolf armor and a draugr fang bow to maximize your combat effectiveness. Stock up on poison arrows and healing mead for the fight.\n\nOnce you’re ready, locate Moder’s summoning altar. Moder’s location can be found by reading rune stones in Mountain biomes or exploring until you stumble upon the altar. Place three dragon eggs at the altar to summon Moder. These eggs are heavy and require careful planning to transport. Use a cart or portal system to move them efficiently. Moder is a challenging boss, so focus on dodging her attacks and using the terrain to your advantage. After defeating her, you’ll receive the dragon tear, which unlocks the artisan table.\n\nWith the artisan table unlocked, you can now craft the windmill. The windmill requires 20 stone, 30 wood, and 30 iron nails. Stone and wood are easy to gather, but iron nails require iron bars, which are smelted from scrap iron found in the Swamp biome. Prioritize mining crypts in the Swamp to gather scrap iron quickly. Once you have the materials, place the windmill in a flat, open area to ensure it catches the wind effectively.\n\nBarley, the crop processed by the windmill, is found in the Plains biome. This biome is dangerous, so approach with caution. Fulings and deathsquitos are common threats. Use stealth and ranged weapons to clear areas before farming. Barley can be harvested from fuling villages or grown in cultivated soil. To grow barley, you’ll need a cultivator, which requires bronze and core wood. Plant barley in the Plains biome for optimal growth.\n\nCommon challenges include managing inventory space and dealing with hostile mobs. Use portals to transport resources efficiently and avoid overloading your inventory. When farming barley, build a small outpost with walls and workbenches to deter fulings. Always carry healing items and stamina-boosting foods to survive unexpected encounters.\n\nIn summary, the fastest way to unlock the windmill involves defeating Moder, gathering resources for the artisan table, and securing barley from the Plains biome. Focus on efficient resource gathering and combat preparation to minimize downtime. With the windmill operational, you’ll have a steady supply of barley flour for advanced recipes, giving you a significant advantage in the late game.