What are the best locations to place portals for efficient exploration?

Portals are one of the most valuable tools in Valheim for efficient exploration and fast travel. To craft a portal, you need to unlock the recipe by defeating the first boss, Eikthyr, and obtaining Hard Antlers. These are used to craft an Antler Pickaxe, which allows you to mine Surtling Cores in Burial Chambers. With 10 Wood, 20 Fine Wood, 2 Surtling Cores, and a Workbench, you can craft a portal. Each portal must be paired with another portal that shares the same tag name, allowing instant travel between them.\n\nWhen placing portals, prioritize key locations that serve as hubs for exploration or resource gathering. Your main base is the most important location for a portal, as it acts as your central hub. From here, you can branch out to other biomes or distant areas. Always place a portal at your base first, and ensure it is well-protected from enemy raids. This ensures you always have a safe return point no matter where you are in the world.\n\nFor exploration, place portals near biome borders or at the edge of unexplored areas. For example, when venturing into the Black Forest, place a portal at the edge of the Meadows before entering. This allows you to retreat quickly if you encounter dangerous enemies like Trolls or Greydwarfs. Similarly, when exploring the Swamp biome, place a portal on the coast or at the edge of the biome to avoid losing progress if you die in the treacherous terrain.\n\nResource-rich areas are also ideal for portal placement. For example, if you find a large Copper or Tin deposit in the Black Forest, set up a portal nearby to streamline mining and transporting ore. Since metal ores cannot be transported through portals, you will need to ferry them back manually, but having a portal nearby reduces travel time significantly. The same applies to areas with rare resources like Obsidian in the Mountains or Flax in the Plains.\n\nAnother strategic location for portals is near boss altars. Boss fights can be challenging, and having a portal nearby allows you to respawn and return quickly if you die. For example, when preparing to fight Bonemass in the Swamp, place a portal near the altar and stockpile healing items and weapons nearby. This minimizes downtime and ensures you can re-engage the boss without a long trek.\n\nFor long-distance exploration, consider setting up a network of portals along coastlines or rivers. Boats are essential for exploring distant lands, but they are slow and vulnerable to storms or sea serpents. By placing portals at key points along your sailing route, you can quickly return to your base or resupply without losing progress. For example, if you discover a new continent, place a portal on the shore and link it to your base for easy access.\n\nFinally, always carry portal materials with you when exploring. A stack of Wood, Fine Wood, and Surtling Cores can be used to craft a temporary portal in the field. This is especially useful in dangerous biomes like the Mountains or Plains, where death can mean losing valuable items. By placing a portal as soon as you arrive in a new area, you can ensure a quick escape or return if needed.\n\nIn summary, the best locations for portals include your main base, biome borders, resource-rich areas, boss altars, and key points along sailing routes. Always prioritize safety and efficiency when placing portals, and carry materials to set up temporary portals during exploration. With a well-planned portal network, you can explore Valheim''s vast world with confidence and ease.