What’s the best strategy for farming greydwarf eyes in speedruns?

Farming greydwarf eyes efficiently in Valheim speedruns requires a combination of strategic planning, biome knowledge, and combat optimization. Greydwarf eyes are essential for crafting portals, which are critical for fast travel in speedruns. These items drop from greydwarfs, which are common enemies in the Black Forest biome. To maximize your farming efficiency, you need to focus on spawn mechanics, combat strategies, and resource management.\n\nFirst, locate a dense area of the Black Forest biome. Greydwarfs spawn frequently in this biome, especially at night or in areas with high enemy activity. Look for areas with multiple greydwarf nests, as these spawn points continuously generate enemies. Setting up a small base or outpost near these nests can save time and allow you to farm eyes without traveling far. Ensure your base has a workbench and a bed for respawn purposes, as dying can waste valuable time in a speedrun.\n\nCombat efficiency is key to farming greydwarf eyes quickly. Use a weapon with high damage output and area-of-effect (AoE) capabilities, such as the bronze atgeir or a fully upgraded club. These weapons allow you to take down multiple greydwarfs at once, increasing your chances of obtaining eyes. Additionally, equip armor that balances defense and mobility, such as troll armor, to avoid being overwhelmed by large groups. Always carry healing items like cooked meat or berries to sustain yourself during prolonged farming sessions.\n\nTo optimize spawn rates, consider using a campfire or bonfire near greydwarf nests. Enemies are attracted to light sources, and this can help concentrate their spawns in a specific area. However, be cautious, as this can also attract stronger enemies like trolls. If you encounter a troll, use terrain to your advantage by kiting it around trees or rocks while focusing on greydwarfs. Alternatively, use a bow to deal with trolls from a safe distance.\n\nOne common challenge in farming greydwarf eyes is dealing with large groups of enemies. To mitigate this, use terrain to funnel greydwarfs into narrow paths or choke points. This allows you to fight them one at a time or in smaller groups, reducing the risk of being overwhelmed. Additionally, consider using the environment to your advantage by luring greydwarfs into traps or off cliffs for easy kills.\n\nFinally, prioritize inventory management to avoid wasting time. Greydwarf eyes stack up to 50, so ensure you have enough space in your inventory before starting a farming session. If your inventory fills up, drop less valuable items like wood or resin to make room for more eyes. Once you have a sufficient number of eyes, return to your base to craft portals or store them for later use.\n\nIn summary, the best strategy for farming greydwarf eyes in speedruns involves locating dense Black Forest areas, optimizing combat efficiency, and managing spawn rates. Use AoE weapons, terrain advantages, and light sources to maximize your farming speed. With these tips, you can quickly gather the eyes needed for portals and other essential crafting recipes, ensuring a smooth and efficient speedrun.