How do you quickly farm surtling cores for smelters and portals?

Surtling cores are essential for crafting smelters and portals in Valheim, and farming them quickly is crucial for speedrunning or efficient progression. These cores are primarily found in Burial Chambers within the Black Forest biome or dropped by Surtlings in the Ashlands biome. For speedrunning, the Black Forest is the most accessible and reliable source early in the game.\n\nTo begin, equip yourself with basic tools like a club, shield, and a torch. Burial Chambers are dark, so a torch is necessary for visibility. Food like cooked meat, berries, or mushrooms will help sustain your health and stamina. Once you locate a Burial Chamber, clear the area of skeletons and other enemies before entering. Inside, you''ll find Surtling cores in chests or on the ground near braziers. Be cautious of traps like spike walls and poison clouds, which can quickly drain your health.\n\nFor efficient farming, prioritize exploring multiple Burial Chambers in a single Black Forest area. Use the map to mark their locations as you discover them. This allows you to revisit them later if needed. If you''re playing with friends, divide and conquer by splitting up to cover more ground. Each Burial Chamber typically contains 2-4 Surtling cores, so clearing a few chambers should yield enough for your initial needs.\n\nIf you''re more experienced and have access to the Swamp biome, you can farm Surtling cores from Surtling spawners. These spawners are found in flame geysers, which are small, fiery pits in the Swamp. Surtlings spawn continuously from these geysers and drop cores when killed. To farm efficiently, dig around the geyser to lower the water level, causing Surtlings to die instantly upon spawning. This method is faster but requires a pickaxe and some preparation.\n\nFor speedrunning, focus on the Black Forest method early on, as it doesn''t require advanced tools or biome access. Once you have a pickaxe and access to the Swamp, transition to farming Surtling spawners for faster results. Always carry a portal with you to quickly return to your base and deposit cores, minimizing downtime.\n\nCommon challenges include running out of food or encountering tough enemies in Burial Chambers. To mitigate this, always carry extra food and healing items. If you''re overwhelmed, retreat and regroup before re-entering. For Surtling spawners, ensure you have a safe spot to stand while farming, as the Swamp is filled with dangerous enemies like Draugr and Leeches.\n\nIn summary, prioritize Burial Chambers in the Black Forest for early-game Surtling core farming. Use torches, food, and basic weapons to clear chambers efficiently. For mid-to-late game, transition to Surtling spawners in the Swamp for faster farming. Always mark your map and use portals to save time. With these strategies, you''ll quickly gather the cores needed for smelters and portals, speeding up your progression in Valheim.