What’s the best way to gather tar for darkwood building upgrades?

Gathering tar in Valheim is essential for upgrading your base with darkwood building materials, such as darkwood roofs, beams, and decorative pieces. Tar is a resource found in the Plains biome, specifically from tar pits. These pits are large, bubbling pools of black tar surrounded by hostile enemies called Growths. To efficiently gather tar, you’ll need to prepare properly and understand the mechanics of the Plains biome.\n\nFirst, ensure you’re well-equipped before venturing into the Plains. This biome is one of the most dangerous in Valheim, so you’ll need strong armor, such as padded armor or wolf armor, and a reliable weapon like a blackmetal sword or atgeir. Bring a bow and arrows for ranged combat, as Growths are fast and deal significant damage. Additionally, carry healing meads, stamina meads, and poison resistance meads to counter the Growths’ poison attacks.\n\nTar pits are easily identifiable by their dark, bubbling appearance and the presence of Growths nearby. Approach cautiously, as Growths are aggressive and will attack on sight. Clear the area of enemies before attempting to gather tar. Use your bow to pick off Growths from a distance, or lure them away from the pit to fight them one at a time. Once the area is safe, you can begin harvesting tar.\n\nTo gather tar, you’ll need to use a pickaxe. Equip your pickaxe and aim at the edges of the tar pit. Striking the tar will cause it to break into smaller chunks, which you can collect. Each tar pit yields a significant amount of tar, but be careful not to fall into the pit, as it slows your movement and can trap you, leaving you vulnerable to attacks.\n\nOne common challenge is dealing with the constant respawn of Growths. To mitigate this, consider building a small outpost near the tar pit. Construct a workbench and a portal to your main base for quick travel and repairs. You can also build walls or trenches around the pit to create a safe zone for harvesting. This setup allows you to gather tar efficiently without being overwhelmed by enemies.\n\nAnother tip is to bring a cart or a longship for transporting large amounts of tar. Tar is heavy, and carrying too much can slow you down. A cart can be pulled back to your base, while a longship is ideal for transporting tar across water. If you’re playing with friends, coordinate your efforts to defend the area while one person gathers tar.\n\nFinally, remember that tar is used for crafting darkwood building pieces, which require a level 2 artisan table. To unlock the artisan table, you’ll need to defeat Moder, the fourth boss, and obtain dragon tears. Once you have the artisan table, you can craft darkwood structures to give your base a sleek, modern look.\n\nIn summary, gathering tar in Valheim requires preparation, caution, and strategy. Equip yourself with strong gear, clear the area of enemies, and use a pickaxe to harvest tar from pits in the Plains biome. Build a safe outpost nearby and use carts or ships for efficient transportation. With these tips, you’ll be able to upgrade your base with darkwood materials and create a stunning Viking stronghold.