What’s the best way to manage inventory weight when exploring new biomes?

Managing inventory weight in Valheim is crucial when exploring new biomes, as it directly impacts your ability to gather resources, fight enemies, and survive. The game uses a weight-based inventory system, meaning each item has a specific weight, and your character can only carry a limited amount before becoming encumbered. Encumbrance slows movement and prevents running or jumping, which can be deadly in dangerous biomes like the Swamp or Mountains. To optimize your inventory, you need to prioritize essential items, plan your trips, and use storage solutions effectively.\n\nFirst, always carry only what you need for the biome you''re exploring. For example, in the Black Forest, you’ll want a pickaxe for mining copper and tin, a weapon for fighting Greydwarfs, and food for stamina and health. Avoid carrying unnecessary items like extra building materials or low-value resources. Use the cartography table to mark resource locations on your map, so you can return later with a cart or portal setup. This reduces the need to carry everything at once.\n\nPortals are one of the best tools for inventory management. Before venturing into a new biome, set up a portal at your base and carry portal materials (20 Fine Wood and 2 Surtling Cores) with you. Once you’ve explored enough to find a safe spot, place the portal and connect it to your base. This allows you to quickly return home to unload resources, repair gear, and restock supplies. For example, in the Swamp biome, you can gather iron scraps and return home to craft better gear without being weighed down.\n\nCarts are another excellent solution for transporting heavy items like ore and wood. While carts can’t be used in all biomes (e.g., Mountains or Swamps due to terrain), they are perfect for flat areas like the Meadows or Black Forest. Build a cart at your base and bring it with you when gathering large quantities of resources. For instance, after mining a copper node in the Black Forest, load the ore into the cart and pull it back to your base. This saves inventory space for other essentials like food and weapons.\n\nFood and potions are critical for survival but can take up significant inventory space. Prioritize high-value foods like cooked meat, sausages, or turnip stew, which provide more stamina and health per slot. Avoid carrying raw ingredients unless you plan to cook on the go. Similarly, only bring essential potions like healing mead or frost resistance for the Mountains. Use a fermenter at your base to craft these potions in bulk and store them for later use.\n\nFinally, always plan your trips around your inventory capacity. If you’re exploring the Plains biome, for example, prioritize gathering black metal and flax, as these are rare and valuable. Leave behind lower-priority items like stone or wood, which are abundant and easy to collect later. Use your map to mark resource locations and plan efficient routes. This minimizes backtracking and ensures you make the most of your inventory space.\n\nIn summary, managing inventory weight in Valheim requires careful planning and prioritization. Use portals and carts to transport heavy items, carry only essential gear and food, and mark resource locations on your map. By following these strategies, you can explore new biomes efficiently and avoid the frustration of being over-encumbered in dangerous areas.