How do I efficiently gather frost glands from Drakes in the Mountains?

Frost glands are a crucial resource in Valheim, primarily used for crafting frost-resistant meads and frost arrows. These items are essential for surviving and thriving in the Mountain biome, where freezing temperatures and dangerous enemies like Drakes and Wolves await. Drakes, the flying ice creatures found in the Mountains, are the primary source of frost glands. Efficiently farming frost glands requires preparation, strategy, and an understanding of game mechanics.\n\nTo begin, you must first prepare for the Mountain biome. This biome is one of the most dangerous in Valheim, with freezing temperatures that can quickly drain your health if you''re unprepared. Craft a Wolf Fur Cape or Lox Cape, or brew Frost Resistance Mead to counteract the cold. Equip yourself with strong weapons like a Draugr Fang bow or a Blackmetal sword, as Drakes are agile and can be challenging to hit. Bring plenty of arrows, as ranged combat is often the safest way to deal with Drakes.\n\nOnce you''re ready, head to the Mountain biome. Drakes are commonly found flying near their nests, which are often located on high peaks or cliffs. These nests are identifiable by their icy appearance and the presence of eggs. Drakes are territorial and will attack if you get too close, so approach cautiously. Use your bow to take them down from a distance, as melee combat can be risky due to their ability to fly and breathe frost attacks.\n\nA key strategy for efficient frost gland farming is to locate multiple Drake nests in a single Mountain biome. This allows you to farm multiple Drakes in one trip, maximizing your resource yield. Use the map to mark these locations for future visits. Drakes respawn after a few in-game days, so you can return to the same nests periodically to gather more frost glands.\n\nOne common challenge is dealing with multiple Drakes at once. If you aggro more than one, they can overwhelm you with their frost breath attacks. To mitigate this, use the terrain to your advantage. Hide behind rocks or trees to block their attacks while you line up your shots. Alternatively, use a shield to block their frost breath, though this requires precise timing and stamina management.\n\nAnother tip is to bring a portal with you. Setting up a portal near the Mountain biome allows you to quickly return to your base to restock on arrows, food, or healing items. This saves time and ensures you can stay in the biome longer without needing to trek back and forth.\n\nFor experienced players, consider using a harpoon to pull Drakes closer for melee combat. This can be risky but is highly effective if you have strong armor and weapons. Additionally, using fire arrows can deal extra damage to Drakes, as they are weak to fire. However, frost arrows are also effective and can slow them down, making them easier to hit.\n\nIn summary, efficiently farming frost glands from Drakes requires preparation, strategy, and patience. Equip yourself with frost-resistant gear, use ranged weapons to take down Drakes safely, and mark multiple nests for repeated farming. Use the terrain to your advantage and consider setting up a portal for convenience. With these tips, you''ll be able to gather frost glands efficiently and craft the essential items needed to conquer the Mountain biome.\n\nPractical tips: Always carry extra arrows, use fire or frost arrows for added damage, and avoid engaging multiple Drakes at once unless you''re confident in your combat skills. Marking nests on your map and setting up a portal nearby will save you time and effort in the long run.