What’s the most efficient way to gather stone for upgrading your base?

Gathering stone efficiently in Valheim is essential for upgrading your base, crafting structures, and progressing through the game. Stone is one of the most versatile resources, used for building walls, crafting tools, and creating advanced structures like the Stonecutter. To maximize your stone collection, you need to understand the game mechanics, prioritize specific biomes, and use the right tools and strategies.\n\nFirst, equip yourself with a high-quality pickaxe. The Antler Pickaxe, crafted from Hard Antlers dropped by Eikthyr, is the earliest tool for mining stone. However, upgrading to a Bronze Pickaxe or Iron Pickaxe significantly increases mining speed and efficiency. Always repair your pickaxe at a workbench before heading out to ensure it doesn’t break mid-mining session.\n\nOne of the most efficient ways to gather stone is by mining large boulders found in the Meadows and Black Forest biomes. These boulders yield a substantial amount of stone and are easy to locate. Use your pickaxe to break them down, and you’ll collect 20-30 stone per boulder. Additionally, smaller rocks scattered across these biomes provide 1-2 stone each, making them a quick source for smaller needs.\n\nFor larger stone hauls, venture into the Mountains biome. Here, you’ll find towering stone pillars and massive rock formations that yield hundreds of stone when mined. However, the Mountains biome is dangerous, with freezing temperatures and hostile creatures like Wolves and Drakes. Prepare by crafting Frost Resistance Mead or wearing Wolf Armor to survive the cold. Bring a strong weapon and shield to fend off enemies while mining.\n\nAnother effective method is to raid Burial Chambers and Sunken Crypts in the Black Forest and Swamp biomes, respectively. These dungeons contain piles of stone and other valuable resources. While this method is slower than mining boulders, it provides additional loot like Surtling Cores and Scrap Iron, making it a worthwhile side activity.\n\nIf you’re looking for a passive way to gather stone, consider building a Greydwarf farm. Greydwarfs, found in the Black Forest, drop stone when killed. Create a spawner trap by locating a Greydwarf Nest and building walls around it. Use a campfire or other damage source to kill the Greydwarfs automatically, and collect the stone they drop. This method is ideal for players who want to multitask while gathering resources.\n\nFinally, always carry a cart or portal materials when gathering stone. Stone is heavy, and your inventory can fill up quickly. A cart allows you to transport large quantities back to your base, while a portal lets you teleport home to unload and return to your mining spot. This saves time and ensures you don’t lose progress if you die.\n\nIn summary, the most efficient way to gather stone involves using a strong pickaxe, targeting boulders in the Meadows and Black Forest, and exploring the Mountains biome for massive stone deposits. Supplement your efforts with dungeon raids and Greydwarf farms for additional stone. Always prepare for biome-specific challenges and use carts or portals to streamline transportation. With these strategies, you’ll have more than enough stone to upgrade your base and craft advanced structures.