How do I build a portal network for efficient travel?

Building a portal network in Valheim is one of the most efficient ways to travel across the vast world, saving time and resources. Portals allow you to instantly teleport between two connected points, making exploration and resource gathering significantly easier. To start, you’ll need to unlock the portal recipe by defeating the first boss, Eikthyr, and obtaining Hard Antlers. These are used to craft an Antler Pickaxe, which allows you to mine Surtling Cores in the Black Forest biome.\n\nSurtling Cores are essential for crafting portals, as they are used to build both the portal itself and the Charcoal Kiln, which produces coal for smelting. You’ll need 10 Greydwarf Eyes, 20 Fine Wood, and 2 Surtling Cores to craft a single portal. Fine Wood is obtained by chopping down Birch or Oak trees in the Meadows or Black Forest biomes using a Bronze Axe or better. Once you have the materials, place the portal in a secure location, such as near your base or a resource-rich area.\n\nTo connect two portals, you must assign them the same tag. When placing a portal, you’ll see a text box where you can input a unique name. Both portals must have identical names to function. For example, if you name one portal ‘Home’ and another ‘Swamp,’ you can travel instantly between these two points. It’s a good idea to use descriptive names for your portals, such as ‘Mountain Base’ or ‘Iron Farm,’ to avoid confusion.\n\nOne common challenge is transporting metals like Copper, Tin, or Iron through portals. Valheim’s game mechanics prevent players from teleporting with ores or ingots, so you’ll need to transport these materials manually using a Longship or Cart. To work around this, consider setting up smelting and crafting stations near resource-rich areas. For example, if you’re mining Iron in the Swamp biome, build a small outpost with a Forge and Smelter to process the materials on-site.\n\nAnother tip is to create a central hub for your portal network. This hub should be located at your main base and contain multiple portals labeled for different biomes or purposes. For instance, you might have portals named ‘Swamp,’ ‘Mountain,’ ‘Plains,’ and ‘Ocean’ to quickly access key areas. This setup minimizes the need to build multiple portals in each biome and keeps your network organized.\n\nWhen exploring new areas, always carry portal materials with you. A stack of Fine Wood, Greydwarf Eyes, and Surtling Cores can be lifesaving if you need to establish a quick escape route. For example, if you’re venturing into the dangerous Plains biome, place a portal as soon as you land to ensure a safe retreat if you encounter Fulings or Deathsquitos.\n\nFinally, protect your portals from enemy attacks. Enemies like Greydwarves or Trolls can destroy your portals if left unguarded. Surround your portals with walls or place them inside a small shelter to keep them safe. You can also use Workbenches or other player-made structures to prevent enemy spawns nearby.\n\nIn summary, building a portal network requires careful planning and resource management. Gather Surtling Cores, Fine Wood, and Greydwarf Eyes to craft portals, and use descriptive names to connect them. Overcome metal transport limitations by setting up outposts, and always carry portal materials when exploring. With a well-organized portal network, you’ll save time and travel efficiently across Valheim’s vast world.