Originally posted by Trike:

I need a buddy for these cause I can't even get copper without getting mobbed by everything.

Black forest can be tough at first, especially when brutes or trolls spawn. Make sure you have a resting buff, eat the best three food items you can come up with, do stuff during the day only for now, don't get wet and maybe try to search the edges of black forest for copper first, only head in deeper if you really have to. Upgrade gear asap. Parrying is also super helpful in dealing with stronger enemies. But it's kinda a thin line when a shield is good enough or not, some hits will still make you stagger or a lot of damage will go through. Especially doing that with trolls is a kinda bad idea unless you're sure you have outgeared them.