What’s the best way to gather stone efficiently for building projects?

Gathering stone efficiently in Valheim is essential for building sturdy structures, crafting tools, and progressing through the game. Stone is one of the most versatile resources, used for everything from foundations to crafting stations. 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 the proper tools. A pickaxe is the most efficient tool for mining stone, and you can craft one early in the game. Start with the Antler Pickaxe, which requires 10 Wood and 1 Hard Antler from defeating Eikthyr, the first boss. Later, upgrade to the Bronze Pickaxe, which requires 3 Core Wood, 10 Bronze, and 2 Leather Scraps. The Bronze Pickaxe is faster and more durable, making it ideal for large-scale stone gathering.\n\nNext, focus on the right biomes. The Meadows and Black Forest biomes are the best places to gather stone early in the game. In the Meadows, you’ll find small stone formations and boulders scattered across the landscape. These can be mined with a pickaxe for a decent amount of stone. The Black Forest biome, however, is richer in stone resources. Here, you’ll encounter larger stone formations, copper deposits, and even stone towers that can be dismantled for massive amounts of stone.\n\nTo maximize efficiency, prioritize mining large stone formations and boulders. These yield significantly more stone than smaller rocks. In the Black Forest, look for towering stone pillars or ruins. Use your pickaxe to dismantle these structures, as they can provide hundreds of stone in a single location. Additionally, keep an eye out for stone piles, which are small clusters of rocks that can be mined quickly.\n\nAnother effective strategy is to use the terrain to your advantage. If you’re mining in hilly or mountainous areas, look for exposed stone cliffs. These can be mined for large amounts of stone without requiring you to dig deep. Additionally, consider using a cart to transport large quantities of stone back to your base. Carts can be crafted with 20 Wood and 10 Bronze Nails, and they allow you to carry heavy loads over long distances.\n\nFor experienced players, consider using the Stagbreaker or Iron Sledge to break stone formations faster. These two-handed weapons have area-of-effect damage, allowing you to destroy multiple stone nodes at once. While they are less precise than a pickaxe, they can save time when clearing large areas. However, be cautious when using these weapons near your base, as they can damage nearby structures.\n\nFinally, don’t overlook the importance of inventory management. Stone is heavy, so it’s easy to become overencumbered. Use a cart or portal system to transport stone efficiently. Portals require 20 Fine Wood, 10 Greydwarf Eyes, and 2 Surtling Cores to craft, and they allow instant travel between two linked portals. Set up a portal near your mining site to quickly transport stone back to your base.\n\nIn summary, gathering stone efficiently in Valheim requires the right tools, biome selection, and strategies. Use a pickaxe to mine large stone formations in the Meadows and Black Forest, prioritize dismantling stone structures, and use carts or portals for transportation. With these tips, you’ll have plenty of stone for all your building and crafting needs.