What’s the most efficient way to store and organize coal and surtling cores?

Storing and organizing coal and surtling cores efficiently in Valheim is crucial for maintaining a smooth workflow, especially as you progress into mid-to-late game crafting and smelting. Both items are essential for crafting and fueling furnaces, kilns, and portals, so keeping them accessible and well-organized will save you time and frustration.\n\nFirst, let’s discuss the game mechanics. Coal is primarily obtained by burning wood in a charcoal kiln or by defeating enemies like Greydwarf Brutes and Shamans. Surtling cores, on the other hand, are found in burial chambers in the Black Forest biome or by defeating Surtlings in the Ashlands biome. Both items stack up to 50 in your inventory, but their storage needs differ due to their usage frequency and crafting requirements.\n\nTo optimize storage, start by building dedicated chests for coal and surtling cores near your crafting stations. Place these chests close to your kilns, furnaces, and portals to minimize travel time. For example, if you have a smelting area with multiple furnaces, place a chest labeled "Coal" directly next to them. This ensures you can quickly refill the furnaces without running back and forth.\n\nFor surtling cores, which are used less frequently but are critical for crafting portals and smelters, consider storing them in a separate chest near your portal hub or crafting bench. Label this chest clearly to avoid confusion. If you’re in the early game and have limited resources, prioritize storing surtling cores in a secure location, as they are harder to replace than coal.\n\nA common challenge is managing inventory space when mining or exploring. To address this, always carry a portal with you when venturing into the Black Forest or Ashlands. This allows you to quickly return to your base and deposit surtling cores or coal, freeing up inventory space for other valuable resources. For example, if you’re clearing a burial chamber, set up a portal outside and make frequent trips to unload your loot.\n\nAnother practical tip is to automate coal production as much as possible. Build multiple charcoal kilns near a steady supply of wood, such as a dense forest or a tree farm. This ensures you always have a surplus of coal without manually gathering it. Similarly, if you’re farming surtling cores in the Ashlands, consider building a small outpost with a portal to streamline the process.\n\nFor advanced players, consider using mods or creative building techniques to enhance storage efficiency. For instance, some players use vertical storage systems with stacked chests or shelves to save space. While this requires more resources and planning, it can significantly improve organization in larger bases.\n\nFinally, always label your chests and keep your storage area tidy. This might seem like a small detail, but it makes a huge difference when you’re juggling multiple tasks. Use signs or color-coded chests to differentiate between coal, surtling cores, and other materials. This simple step will save you time and keep your base running smoothly.\n\nIn summary, the most efficient way to store and organize coal and surtling cores involves dedicated chests near relevant crafting stations, frequent use of portals for inventory management, and automation of coal production. By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your resources are always within reach, allowing you to focus on exploring, building, and conquering Valheim’s challenges.