How do I set up a portal network to save time traveling between biomes?

Setting up a portal network in Valheim is one of the most efficient ways to save time traveling between biomes. Portals allow you to instantly teleport between two connected points, bypassing the need for long and dangerous journeys. To create a portal network, you must first unlock the necessary crafting recipe by defeating the first boss, Eikthyr, and obtaining Hard Antlers. These are used to craft the Antler Pickaxe, which allows you to mine Tin and Copper in the Black Forest biome. Once you have these materials, you can craft a Forge and smelt Bronze, which is required to craft the Portal.\n\nTo craft a Portal, you will need 20 Fine Wood, 2 Surtling Cores, and 10 Greydwarf Eyes. Fine Wood is obtained by chopping down Birch or Oak trees in the Meadows or Black Forest biomes. Surtling Cores are found in Burial Chambers in the Black Forest or dropped by Surtlings in the Ashlands biome. Greydwarf Eyes are dropped by Greydwarfs, which are common enemies in the Black Forest. Once you have the materials, craft the Portal at a Workbench and place it in your desired location.\n\nEach Portal must be paired with another Portal to function. To connect two Portals, you must give them the same tag. When you place a Portal, you will see a text box where you can input a tag. This tag can be any combination of letters or numbers, but it must match the tag of the Portal you want to connect to. For example, if you name one Portal ''Home'' and another Portal ''Home,'' they will be linked. You can only have one active connection per tag, so plan your network carefully.\n\nA common challenge when setting up a portal network is managing limited resources, especially Surtling Cores. Early in the game, Surtling Cores are rare, so prioritize exploring Burial Chambers in the Black Forest to gather enough for your first few Portals. Another challenge is ensuring your Portals are placed in safe locations. Avoid placing Portals in areas with high enemy activity or near spawn points for hostile creatures. Instead, build a small shelter or wall around your Portals to protect them.\n\nTo maximize the efficiency of your portal network, consider creating a central hub. This hub can be located at your main base and serve as the starting point for all your travels. From there, you can create Portals to key locations such as the Black Forest, Swamp, Mountains, and Plains. Label each Portal clearly with its destination, such as ''Swamp1'' or ''MountainBase,'' to avoid confusion. This system allows you to quickly travel to any biome and return home without wasting time.\n\nOne practical tip is to always carry portal materials with you when exploring. This includes Fine Wood, Surtling Cores, and Greydwarf Eyes. If you discover a new biome or resource-rich area, you can quickly set up a Portal to connect it to your network. Additionally, consider building a backup Portal at your main base in case your primary Portal is destroyed. This ensures you always have a way to return home.\n\nFinally, remember that certain items cannot be transported through Portals, such as metals (Copper, Tin, Iron, etc.). To work around this, you will need to transport these materials manually or use a Longship to sail them back to your base. Plan your resource-gathering trips accordingly, and use your portal network to minimize travel time for non-metal items. With a well-organized portal network, you can focus on exploring, building, and conquering Valheim''s challenges with ease.