Can I use portals to transport carts or boats?

In Valheim, portals are a crucial tool for fast travel, allowing players to move quickly between different locations. However, they come with specific limitations, particularly when it comes to transporting items like carts or boats. Portals cannot directly transport carts, boats, or any large objects. This is a deliberate game mechanic designed to balance gameplay and encourage exploration and resource management.\n\nTo understand why carts and boats cannot be transported through portals, it’s important to know how portals work. Portals require two linked structures, each built with 20 Fine Wood, 2 Surtling Cores, and 10 Greydwarf Eyes. Once constructed, you can name them with the same tag to create a connection. While portals allow players to move instantly between locations, they only transport the player and the items in their inventory. Large objects like carts, boats, and even tamed animals are excluded from this functionality.\n\nIf you need to move a cart or boat to a new location, you’ll need to manually transport it. For carts, this means pushing or pulling them across the terrain. While this can be time-consuming, it’s often necessary for transporting large quantities of resources like ore or wood. To make this easier, consider building roads or clearing paths through forests and mountains. This reduces the risk of the cart getting stuck or tipping over, which can be frustrating and time-consuming to fix.\n\nBoats, on the other hand, require a different approach. Since they cannot be transported through portals, you’ll need to sail them to your desired location. This can be a lengthy process, especially if you’re traveling long distances. To save time, plan your routes carefully and use the map to mark key locations like harbors or safe landing spots. If you’re moving a boat from one body of water to another, you may need to dismantle it and rebuild it at the new location. This requires having the necessary materials on hand, such as Fine Wood, Bronze Nails, and Deer Hide for a Karve, or Iron Nails and Ancient Bark for a Longship.\n\nOne practical solution for transporting resources without relying on carts or boats is to use multiple portals strategically. For example, if you’re mining ore in the Black Forest or Mountains, you can set up a portal near your mining site and another near your base. This allows you to quickly transport smaller amounts of ore and other resources without needing to push a cart or sail a boat. While this method requires multiple trips, it can be more efficient in the long run, especially for solo players.\n\nFor experienced players, another strategy is to establish a network of portals across different biomes. This allows you to quickly access key resources and locations without relying on carts or boats for every trip. For example, you can set up portals near Swamp biomes for Iron, Mountain biomes for Silver, and Plains biomes for Black Metal. By combining this approach with efficient inventory management, you can minimize the need for large-scale transportation.\n\nIn summary, while portals are incredibly useful for fast travel, they cannot transport carts or boats. To move these items, you’ll need to rely on manual transportation or strategic planning. By building roads, clearing paths, and establishing a network of portals, you can streamline your resource management and exploration efforts. Remember to always carry the necessary materials for rebuilding boats and consider using multiple portals to transport smaller amounts of resources efficiently.\n\nPractical Tip: If you’re planning a long journey with a cart or boat, bring extra materials for repairs. Carts can take damage from rough terrain, and boats can be damaged by storms or sea creatures. Having repair materials on hand ensures you can complete your journey without unnecessary delays.