What are the fastest ways to gather core wood for early-game crafting in Valheim?

Core wood is a crucial resource in Valheim, especially for early-game crafting. It is used to build essential structures like the Finewood Bow, portals, and reinforced buildings. Core wood is obtained by chopping down pine trees, which are primarily found in the Black Forest biome. To gather core wood efficiently, you need a Flint Axe or better, as basic stone axes cannot cut down pine trees.\n\nTo start, craft a Flint Axe by combining 4 flint and 6 wood. Flint can be found along riverbanks or shorelines in the Meadows biome. Once you have the axe, head to the Black Forest biome, identifiable by its dense pine trees and darker atmosphere. Pine trees are tall and thin, making them easy to spot. Focus on chopping these trees first, as they yield the most core wood per tree.\n\nWhen chopping pine trees, be mindful of their falling direction. Trees can damage or kill you if they fall on you, so always position yourself to the side or behind the tree. Additionally, falling trees can knock down nearby trees, creating a domino effect. Use this to your advantage to maximize efficiency. For example, chopping one tree in a cluster can cause multiple trees to fall, saving time and stamina.\n\nStamina management is critical when speedrunning core wood collection. Bring food like cooked meat, berries, or mushrooms to keep your stamina bar high. Avoid sprinting unnecessarily, as it drains stamina quickly. Instead, walk between trees and use the time to plan your next chop. If you run out of stamina, wait a few seconds for it to regenerate before continuing.\n\nA common challenge in the Black Forest biome is dealing with hostile creatures like Greylings and Greydwarfs. These enemies can interrupt your woodcutting and drain your health. To mitigate this, clear the area of enemies before starting to chop trees. Use a basic weapon like a club or spear to fend them off. Alternatively, build a small workbench and a campfire nearby to create a safe zone, as enemies avoid firelight.\n\nOnce you’ve gathered enough core wood, transport it back to your base. If you’re far from home, consider building a cart to carry large amounts of wood. Carts require 20 wood and 10 bronze nails, but they are worth the investment for speedrunning. Alternatively, use portals to quickly transport resources if you’ve unlocked the necessary crafting recipes.\n\nFor experienced players, consider using Eikthyr’s power, which reduces stamina usage for running and jumping. This power is unlocked by defeating the first boss, Eikthyr, and can significantly speed up your woodcutting process. Additionally, teaming up with other players can make the process faster, as multiple axes can chop trees simultaneously.\n\nIn summary, the fastest way to gather core wood involves crafting a Flint Axe, heading to the Black Forest biome, and efficiently chopping pine trees while managing stamina and enemies. Use falling trees to your advantage, clear the area of threats, and transport resources using carts or portals. With these strategies, you’ll have plenty of core wood for early-game crafting in no time.