What’s the fastest way to unlock portals for faster travel in Valheim?

Unlocking portals in Valheim is essential for efficient travel across the vast world. Portals allow you to instantly teleport between two linked points, saving time and resources. To unlock portals, you need to craft them using specific materials and unlock the necessary crafting recipe. This guide will walk you through the fastest way to unlock portals, including biome exploration, resource gathering, and crafting steps.\n\nFirst, you must defeat the first boss, Eikthyr, in the Meadows biome. Eikthyr drops Hard Antlers, which are required to craft the Antler Pickaxe. This pickaxe is crucial for mining Tin and Copper in the Black Forest biome. Without these metals, you cannot progress to crafting portals. Focus on gathering basic resources like wood, stone, and leather scraps early on to prepare for this fight.\n\nAfter defeating Eikthyr, head to the Black Forest biome to mine Copper and Tin. These ores are found in large deposits and small rocks, respectively. Smelt the ores in a Smelter to create Bronze, which is used to craft the Forge. The Forge is necessary for crafting higher-tier items, including the Portal. While in the Black Forest, also gather Fine Wood from Birch trees using a Bronze Axe. Fine Wood is a key ingredient for crafting portals.\n\nNext, you need to find Surtling Cores in Burial Chambers or by defeating Surtlings in the Ashlands biome. Surtling Cores are used to craft the Charcoal Kiln and Smelter, as well as the Portal itself. Burial Chambers are scattered throughout the Black Forest and are relatively easy to clear with basic gear. Aim to collect at least 10 Surtling Cores to ensure you have enough for crafting.\n\nOnce you have the required materials, craft a Workbench and place it near your base. Use the Workbench to craft the Portal. The recipe requires 20 Fine Wood, 2 Surtling Cores, and 10 Greydwarf Eyes. Greydwarf Eyes are dropped by Greydwarfs, common enemies in the Black Forest. If you''re short on Greydwarf Eyes, farm them by clearing Greydwarf nests or exploring the biome at night when they spawn more frequently.\n\nTo use a portal, you must link two portals with the same tag. Place the first portal at your base and the second at your desired destination. Enter a unique tag in the portal''s interface to link them. Portals cannot transport metals or ores, so plan your resource gathering trips accordingly. For example, if you''re mining in the Mountains biome, bring a cart or portal materials to set up a temporary base nearby.\n\nA common challenge is finding Surtling Cores early in the game. If Burial Chambers are scarce, consider exploring the Ashlands biome, where Surtlings spawn naturally. However, this biome is dangerous for new players, so proceed with caution. Alternatively, focus on clearing multiple Burial Chambers in the Black Forest to maximize your chances of finding Surtling Cores.\n\nIn summary, the fastest way to unlock portals involves defeating Eikthyr, mining Copper and Tin in the Black Forest, gathering Fine Wood, and collecting Surtling Cores from Burial Chambers. Craft the Portal at a Workbench and link two portals with the same tag for instant travel. Portals are a game-changer for speedrunning and general gameplay, so prioritize unlocking them early to save time and resources.\n\nPractical tips: Always carry portal materials when exploring new biomes to set up quick travel points. Use portals to transport non-metal resources like wood, stone, and food. If you''re struggling to find Surtling Cores, team up with other players to clear Burial Chambers faster. Finally, remember that portals cannot transport metals, so plan your mining trips carefully.