Iron is the wall that separates early Valheim from real Valheim, and it is hidden in a way that catches everyone out. You will not find a single iron rock lying on the ground. It all comes from one place.
Iron comes from sunken crypts
Specifically, from muddy scrap piles inside the stone crypt buildings scattered across the Swamp. You need the swamp key from The Elder to open the doors.
- Sail or walk to a swamp and look for stone structures with a sealed door.
- Open it with the swamp key.
- Inside, mine the muddy scrap piles with a pickaxe.
- Carry the scrap home and smelt it into iron bars.
One good crypt can hold a lot of scrap. Bring a pickaxe with durability to spare and expect to make several trips.
What iron unlocks
- Iron armour, which you want before the mountains
- An
Iron mace, which is the answer to Bonemass - The Iron pickaxe, for silver later
- Stronger building pieces, including iron reinforcements for bigger halls
Do not stop at one trip
Almost everyone under-farms iron on their first run and then has to go back. Iron is used in gear, tools, building and the next tier of crafting stations, so if you are already in a crypt and it is going well, fill up.
Happy mining!
