The Black Forest is Valheim’s second biome and your first taste of real danger after the cosy Meadows. It’s where you mine your first metal and craft a proper arsenal. This guide covers how to survive and progress the Black Forest.
Key resources
- Copper & Tin — smelt together into Bronze, your first metal for weapons, armor and the Cultivator. Copper comes from large deposits you mine with the antler pickaxe; tin from shiny nodes along the water’s edge.
- Core Wood — from pine trees, used for the smelter, charcoal kiln and strong building beams.
- Ancient Seeds & trophies — for summoning the boss.
Dangers
The Black Forest is home to Greydwarves (and their Brutes and Shamans), Skeletons in Burial Chambers, and Trolls — huge enemies that can flatten your early base and one-shot you. Trolls are weak to arrows; kite them. Greydwarves swarm at night, so a workbench perimeter around your base keeps them from spawning inside.
Explore the dungeons
Seek out Burial Chambers for Surtling Cores (needed for smelters and portals), Ancient Seeds and loot. You’ll also likely find Haldor the trader here — see our Haldor guide.
The boss: The Elder
Gather 3 Ancient Seeds and take on The Elder, who’s weak to fire. He drops the Swamp Key for the next biome.
Progress with a crew
A Valheim dedicated server keeps your world online 24/7 so your group can mine copper and clear dungeons together. See the full progression guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get bronze in Valheim?
Smelt copper and tin together in a smelter. Copper comes from large deposits, tin from shoreline nodes.
How do you kill Trolls in Valheim?
Use a bow and kite them — they’re slow and weak to arrows. Keep your base away from where they roam.
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