So you’ve just defeated The Elder and received a Swamp key. This means it is about time you graduated out of that Bronze armor into Iron equipment. Unsurprisingly, the Swamp key is used in the Swamp biome to gather Scrap iron. At this point, you should absolutely prioritize getting Iron armor as Bronze will not cut it against the upcoming bosses.

What You’ll Need

  • Antler pickaxe (or Bronze pickaxe)
  • Scrap iron (makes Iron)
  • Smelter
  • Charcoal kiln
  • A boat (for ferrying Iron back)

First, head to the Swamp biome and look for the dungeons called Sunken Crypts. Enter using your Swamp key, and start mining at the Muddy scrap piles. It may seem counterintuitive, but if you haven’t made the Bronze pickaxe yet, skip it. Since Scrap iron cannot be transported through a Portal, you won’t be able to maneuver easily between your main base and the Sunken Crypts. Unless you build a Forge in the Swamps, you won’t be able to repair your Bronze pickaxe. You can; however, repair your Antler pickaxe at a regular Workbench, making this a much better option for collecting Iron.

Take the Scrap iron to a Smelter. Place it in the Smelter and fill the Smelter with Coal. You can gain Coal from putting Wood into a nearby Charcoal kiln.  You’ll need 2 Coal for every piece of Scrap iron you are refining. After a brief wait, Iron will pop out of your Smelter and you’ll be ready to make new Iron equipment.

What Iron Makes

  • Ancient Bark Spear
  • Banded Shield
  • Battleaxe
  • Huntsman Bow
  • Iron Atgeir
  • Iron Axe
  • Iron Longsword
  • Iron Mace
  • Iron Nails
  • Iron Pickaxe
  • Iron Greaves
  • Iron Helmet
  • Iron Scale Mail
  • Iron Sledge
  • Iron Tower Shield
  • Ironhead Arrow
  • Forge Toolrack
  • Reinforced chest

There are plenty of items to choose from. We suggest you prioritize making the Iron pickaxe as well as the Iron armor. The Iron pickaxe is required for mining both Silver and Obsidian whereas Iron armor is necessary to progress in the next fights and explore the next areas.

Other Valheim Guides

  • The Fastest Way to Level Weapon Skill
  • How to Defeat Moder
  • How to Summon The Elder