What is the best way to gather copper for early forge upgrades?

Gathering copper for early forge upgrades in Valheim is a critical step in progressing through the game. Copper is one of the first metals you will need to craft better tools, weapons, and armor, as well as upgrade your forge. To gather copper efficiently, you must first locate copper deposits in the Black Forest biome. These deposits appear as large, greenish rocks with copper veins running through them. They are distinct from regular rocks and can be mined using an Antler Pickaxe, which is crafted from Hard Antlers dropped by the first boss, Eikthyr.\n\nBefore heading to the Black Forest, ensure you are well-prepared. Craft a workbench and place it near your base for crafting and repairs. You will also need a Hammer to build structures and a Campfire for resting. Equip yourself with basic weapons like a Wood Club or Flint Spear, and wear Leather Armor for protection. Bring food such as Cooked Meat or Berries to maintain your stamina, as mining copper is a stamina-intensive activity. Additionally, consider crafting a Crude Bow and some Flinthead Arrows to deal with hostile creatures in the Black Forest.\n\nOnce you arrive in the Black Forest, search for copper deposits. These are often found near large rock formations or scattered across the biome. Use your Antler Pickaxe to mine the deposits. Each deposit yields a significant amount of copper ore, but it takes time to mine completely. Be prepared to defend yourself, as Greydwarfs and Trolls are common threats in this biome. If you encounter a Troll, avoid direct combat unless you are confident in your combat skills. Instead, use your bow to attack from a distance or retreat to a safer area.\n\nAfter mining the copper ore, you will need to smelt it into copper bars. To do this, you must first build a Smelter. The Smelter requires 20 Stone and 5 Surtling Cores, which can be found in Burial Chambers within the Black Forest. Once you have the Smelter, place it near your base and fuel it with Coal, which is obtained by burning Wood in a Charcoal Kiln. Load the copper ore into the Smelter, and it will produce copper bars over time. These bars are used to craft and upgrade your forge, as well as create bronze by combining them with tin.\n\nA common challenge for new players is transporting large amounts of copper ore back to their base. Copper ore is heavy, and your inventory space is limited. To solve this, consider building a Cart. The Cart requires 20 Wood and 10 Bronze Nails, which can be crafted once you have a Forge. The Cart allows you to transport large quantities of ore efficiently. Alternatively, you can set up a temporary base near the copper deposit, complete with a workbench and Smelter, to process the ore on-site.\n\nFor experienced players, optimizing copper gathering involves scouting multiple Black Forest biomes to locate dense clusters of copper deposits. This reduces travel time and increases efficiency. Additionally, consider building a portal network to quickly transport ore and resources between your base and mining sites. Portals require Fine Wood, Greydwarf Eyes, and Surtling Cores, but they are invaluable for long-distance travel.\n\nIn summary, gathering copper for early forge upgrades requires preparation, exploration, and resource management. Start by crafting an Antler Pickaxe and gathering basic supplies. Locate copper deposits in the Black Forest, mine them carefully, and defend yourself from hostile creatures. Smelt the ore into bars using a Smelter, and consider using a Cart or portal network to streamline transportation. With these steps, you will efficiently gather copper and progress through the early stages of Valheim.