What’s the best way to farm Surtling Cores for boss prep?

Farming Surtling Cores is essential for boss preparation in Valheim, as they are required to craft portals, smelters, and charcoal kilns. These items are critical for efficient resource management and progression. Surtling Cores are primarily found in Burial Chambers in the Black Forest biome or dropped by Surtlings in the Ashlands biome. For solo players, focusing on Burial Chambers is the most reliable early-game method.\n\nTo begin, equip yourself with basic gear such as a Flint Axe, a Wood Shield, and a Crude Bow. Food like Cooked Meat, Grilled Neck Tail, and Raspberries will provide sufficient health and stamina for exploration. Bring a torch or craft a Campfire to light up dark areas in the Burial Chambers. These chambers are scattered throughout the Black Forest and are identifiable by their stone entrances and greenish glow.\n\nInside Burial Chambers, you’ll encounter Skeletons and Ghosts. Skeletons are weak to blunt weapons like the Club, while Ghosts are vulnerable to fire. Use your bow to pick off enemies from a distance, and always keep your shield raised to block incoming attacks. Surtling Cores are found in chests or lying on the ground in these chambers. Each chamber typically contains 2-5 cores, so explore thoroughly.\n\nA common challenge is running out of stamina during combat or exploration. To mitigate this, avoid sprinting unnecessarily and use food that boosts stamina regeneration. If you’re overwhelmed by enemies, retreat to a safe area and use your bow to thin their numbers. Always clear a path before looting to avoid being ambushed.\n\nFor mid-to-late-game players, farming Surtlings in the Ashlands biome is a faster method. Surtlings are fire-based enemies that spawn near Flame Geysers. These geysers are found in the Ashlands, a biome located in the southern part of the map. Surtlings drop Surtling Cores when killed, and Flame Geysers can be exploited for infinite spawns. To farm efficiently, dig a trench around the Flame Geyser to trap Surtlings, then kill them with ranged weapons or melee attacks.\n\nWhen preparing for boss fights, prioritize crafting portals to reduce travel time between your base and the boss arena. Portals require 2 Surtling Cores, 20 Fine Wood, and 10 Greydwarf Eyes. Fine Wood is obtained from Birch and Oak trees in the Meadows or Black Forest, while Greydwarf Eyes drop from Greydwarfs. Smelters and charcoal kilns are also crucial for producing metal and fuel, respectively.\n\nTo maximize efficiency, mark Burial Chambers and Flame Geysers on your map for future visits. If you’re struggling to find Burial Chambers, explore the edges of the Black Forest, as they are more common near biome borders. For Flame Geysers, sail south until you reach the Ashlands, but be prepared for high-level enemies.\n\nIn summary, farming Surtling Cores in Burial Chambers is ideal for early-game players, while Surtling farming in the Ashlands is better for mid-to-late-game Vikings. Always prepare with adequate gear, food, and stamina management. Use portals to streamline your farming process and focus on crafting essential items for boss preparation.\n\nPractical tips: Always carry a Hammer and Workbench materials to repair gear on the go. Use the Stagbreaker, a two-handed hammer, to clear groups of enemies in Burial Chambers. For Flame Geysers, bring Fire Resistance Mead to reduce damage from Surtlings. Lastly, consider building a small outpost near a Flame Geyser for safe farming sessions.