Black Metal Farming in Valheim — Where to Get It & What It's Used For

What Is Black Metal?

Black Metal is the primary metal resource of the Plains biome and represents a major upgrade over Iron. Black Metal weapons are faster, deal more damage, and open up a new tier of combat power that makes dealing with Plains enemies significantly easier — a deliberate game design feedback loop.

Unlike previous biome metals (Copper, Iron, Silver) that are mined from the ground or crypts, Black Metal Scrap is dropped exclusively by Fulings — the goblin-like enemies native to the Plains biome. This means farming Black Metal requires combat rather than mining. Fulings are dangerous enemies that attack in groups, so preparation is essential.

Black Metal cannot be teleported through portals and must be carried or sailed back to your base. Always bring a Karve or Longboat when doing a dedicated Plains farming run.

About Fulings & Fuling Berserkers

Fulings are small goblin-like creatures that spawn in groups of 3-10 in the Plains biome, both as roaming packs and in Fuling Villages (large camps with huts, fires, and many defenders). They are significantly more dangerous than their size suggests — they are fast, hit hard, and their numbers make them threatening to unprepared Vikings.

Fuling Berserkers are a larger, rarer variant with two-handed clubs. They deal massive damage and have high HP but drop more Black Metal Scrap than regular Fulings (approximately 4-12 Scrap vs regular Fulings' 2-6). Fuling Shaman variants summon healing circles for their allies, making them priority targets in group fights.

The most efficient Black Metal farming is from Fuling Villages — large encampments with 10-20+ Fulings. Clear a village for a large Black Metal haul, then move to the next. Villages respawn over time (in-game days), allowing repeated farming.

Fuling Village Farming Route

Steps

1. Gear up fully before entering the Plains — at minimum: fully upgraded Iron Armor (Padded Armor is better if available), good food (Wolf Meat Skewer, Blood Pudding), and either Iron or Black Metal weapons.
2. Locate a Fuling Village from a safe distance. Scout the size before engaging.
3. Eliminate Fuling Shamans first — they heal allies. Use a bow at maximum range to pick off shamans before entering melee range.
4. Engage the main group from an elevated position if possible (a hillside or rock formation). Fulings cannot climb well.
5. Focus down Fuling Berserkers next — they deal the most damage but also drop the most Black Metal.
6. Clear all remaining Fulings. Collect all Black Metal Scrap from the ground.
7. Check huts for chests — Fuling Village chests contain Black Metal Scrap, Gold Coins, Barley, Flax, and other Plains materials.
8. Return to your boat and transport all Scrap back to your Blast Furnace.

Tips

• Deathsquitos spawn in the Plains and deal massive burst damage — always be aware of them while fighting Fulings.
• Luring a small group away from the main village makes larger fights more manageable.
• Use the Atgeir weapon's block + spin attack to knock down multiple Fulings simultaneously.
• The Padded Armor set (Iron Bars + Linen Thread) has great defense and is available before Black Metal gear.

Setting Up the Blast Furnace

1. Defeat Moder (Mountain boss) to obtain Dragon Tear — required crafting material for the Artisan Table.
2. Build an Artisan Table with 2 Dragon Tear + 10 Fine Wood. This unlocks the Blast Furnace recipe.
3. Craft a Blast Furnace with 5 Surtling Cores + 20 Stone + 10 Iron Bars + 10 Fine Wood.
4. Place the Blast Furnace near your base. It requires Coal as fuel (same as Smelter).
5. Smelt Black Metal Scrap into Black Metal Bars (1:1 ratio, approximately 32 seconds each).
6. Use Black Metal Bars at the Forge to craft weapons, shields, and tools.

Black Metal Crafting Recipes

Barley and Flax — Plains Co-Resources

While farming Fuling Villages for Black Metal, also collect Barley and Flax from the village crop fields. Barley is used to make Barley Flour (in a Windmill) for Plains-tier foods like Blood Pudding and Lox Meat Pie. Flax is used to make Linen Thread (in a Spinning Wheel) needed for Padded Armor and most Black Metal weapon recipes.

These agricultural resources cannot be found elsewhere and are essential for late-game food and gear. Grab every Barley and Flax you see during Fuling Village raids — they are lightweight and valuable. Once you have seeds, you can plant your own Barley and Flax farm near your base using a Cultivator.