What’s the most efficient way to farm Stone for large builds?

Farming Stone efficiently in Valheim is essential for large builds, especially in hardcore challenges where resources are limited and time is critical. Stone is one of the most versatile resources in the game, used for crafting, building, and upgrading structures. To maximize your Stone farming efficiency, you need to understand the game mechanics, prioritize specific biomes, and use the right tools and strategies.\n\nFirst, equip yourself with the best tools for mining Stone. The Antler Pickaxe is the starting tool, but upgrading to a Bronze Pickaxe or Iron Pickaxe significantly increases mining speed. The higher-tier pickaxes allow you to break Stone nodes faster, saving time and stamina. Always carry a backup pickaxe or repair materials, as tools degrade over time. Additionally, bring a Hammer to repair your workbench and forge on-site, ensuring uninterrupted mining.\n\nFocus on biomes rich in Stone resources. The Black Forest biome is ideal for Stone farming due to its abundance of large boulders and rock formations. These boulders yield a substantial amount of Stone when mined. The Meadows biome also has smaller rocks and stone deposits, but they are less efficient for large-scale farming. Avoid the Mountains biome early on, as the terrain is dangerous and requires advanced gear.\n\nTo optimize your farming route, scout the area beforehand. Use the map to mark clusters of boulders or rock formations. This minimizes travel time between nodes and ensures you spend more time mining. If you’re playing with friends, divide the area into sections to cover more ground efficiently. Communication is key to avoid overlapping efforts.\n\nUse the terrain to your advantage. Large boulders in the Black Forest often spawn near Troll Caves or Greydwarf nests. Clear these threats before mining to avoid interruptions. Greydwarfs are particularly annoying, as they can swarm you while mining. Carry a shield and weapon to defend yourself, or set up a temporary workbench and walls to create a safe zone.\n\nFor even greater efficiency, consider using a Cart to transport large amounts of Stone. Carts allow you to carry up to 18 stacks of resources, reducing the number of trips needed. Build a Cart early and bring it to your mining site. If the terrain is uneven, create paths using the Hoe to flatten the ground and make Cart movement smoother.\n\nAnother advanced strategy is to use the Elder power, which increases your mining speed. This is especially useful when farming Stone in large quantities. Activate the Elder power before starting your mining session to maximize efficiency. Combine this with the Eikthyr power for reduced stamina consumption, allowing you to mine longer without resting.\n\nFinally, consider setting up a Stone farming outpost near your mining site. Build a small base with a workbench, forge, and storage chests. This allows you to repair tools, store resources, and rest without traveling back to your main base. Over time, you can expand this outpost into a full-fledged mining operation.\n\nIn summary, the most efficient way to farm Stone for large builds involves using high-tier pickaxes, targeting the Black Forest biome, scouting and marking resource clusters, defending against threats, and utilizing Carts and powers for optimization. By following these steps, you can gather Stone quickly and focus on your ambitious building projects.