How do you efficiently farm black metal in the Plains biome?

Farming black metal in Valheim''s Plains biome is a critical step for progressing to endgame content, as black metal is used to craft powerful weapons, shields, and tools. To efficiently gather black metal, you must focus on defeating Fulings, the goblin-like enemies that inhabit the Plains. These enemies drop black metal scraps, which can be smelted into black metal bars at a blast furnace. Here’s a detailed guide to help you maximize your black metal farming efficiency.\n\nFirst, ensure you are well-prepared before venturing into the Plains. The biome is dangerous, with enemies like Fulings, Deathsquitos, and Lox posing significant threats. Equip yourself with high-tier armor, such as padded armor or wolf armor, and bring a strong weapon like a black metal sword or atgeir. A fully upgraded bow with needle arrows is also essential for dealing with Deathsquitos and softening up Fulings from a distance. Always carry healing meads, stamina meads, and a rested buff to stay alive during combat.\n\nTo locate Fulings, explore the Plains biome thoroughly. Fuling villages are the best source of black metal, as they contain multiple Fulings and often a Fuling Berserker or Shaman. These villages are marked by wooden structures, totems, and campfires. Approach cautiously, as Fulings are aggressive and will swarm you if alerted. Use the terrain to your advantage by luring enemies into chokepoints or using elevated positions to snipe them with your bow.\n\nWhen engaging Fulings, prioritize the Shamans and Berserkers first. Shamans can heal other Fulings and summon fireballs, while Berserkers deal massive melee damage. Use your bow to take them out from a distance before engaging the rest of the group. If you’re overwhelmed, retreat to a safe distance and regroup. Fulings will eventually stop chasing you if you leave their village area.\n\nAfter clearing a Fuling village, loot all the black metal scraps from the fallen enemies. Additionally, search the village for chests, as they often contain black metal scraps and other valuable resources. If you’re farming solo, consider building a small outpost near the village to store your loot and rest between raids. This will save you time and reduce the risk of losing your items if you die.\n\nFor even greater efficiency, consider farming black metal during nighttime. Fuling camps spawn more enemies at night, increasing your chances of obtaining black metal scraps. However, be cautious, as nighttime also brings increased danger from other Plains creatures. Use a campfire or portal to return to your base if needed.\n\nOnce you’ve gathered enough black metal scraps, return to your base and smelt them into black metal bars using a blast furnace. The blast furnace requires iron, stone, and fine wood to craft, so ensure you have the necessary materials beforehand. Black metal bars can then be used to craft powerful gear like the black metal sword, black metal shield, and black metal axe.\n\nTo optimize your farming runs, consider using a Lox for transportation. Tamed Lox can carry heavy loads and provide protection while traveling through the Plains. Additionally, set up portals near Fuling villages to quickly return to your base and resupply. This will save you time and make your farming runs more efficient.\n\nIn summary, farming black metal in the Plains biome requires preparation, strategy, and careful execution. Equip yourself with strong gear, target Fuling villages, and use the terrain to your advantage. By following these steps, you’ll efficiently gather black metal and craft the powerful gear needed to conquer Valheim’s toughest challenges.