How do you use the Elder power to improve woodcutting for boss prep?

The Elder power is one of the most useful abilities in Valheim for gathering resources, especially wood, which is essential for boss preparation. When activated, the Elder power grants a 60% increase to woodcutting damage for 5 minutes, allowing you to chop down trees much faster. This power is particularly valuable when preparing for boss fights, as wood is needed for crafting weapons, shields, and structures like workbenches and portals.\n\nTo unlock the Elder power, you must defeat The Elder, the second boss in Valheim. The Elder is found in the Black Forest biome, and summoning it requires three Ancient Seeds. These seeds can be obtained by destroying Greydwarf Nests or defeating Greydwarf Brutes and Shamans. Once you have the seeds, head to The Elder''s altar, which is marked by a runestone in the Black Forest, and place the seeds to summon the boss. Defeating The Elder will grant you the Swamp Key and the Elder power.\n\nTo use the Elder power effectively for woodcutting, you need to plan your resource-gathering sessions. First, ensure you have a high-quality axe, such as the Bronze Axe or Iron Axe, as these tools deal more damage and work synergistically with the Elder power. Next, scout a dense forest area, preferably in the Meadows or Black Forest biome, where trees are abundant. Activate the Elder power by selecting it from your power menu (press F and choose the Elder icon). Once activated, you have 5 minutes to maximize your woodcutting efficiency.\n\nA common challenge players face is running out of stamina while chopping trees. To address this, bring stamina-boosting foods like Honey, Carrot Soup, or Queen''s Jam. These foods will help you maintain high stamina levels, allowing you to chop trees continuously without interruptions. Additionally, consider bringing a portal with you to quickly transport wood back to your base, as carrying large amounts of wood can slow you down.\n\nAnother practical tip is to focus on Birch and Oak trees, as they yield more wood compared to smaller trees. Birch trees are found in the Meadows biome, while Oak trees are rarer but provide a significant amount of wood. Using the Elder power, you can quickly clear entire groves of these trees, amassing large quantities of wood in a short time. This wood can then be used to craft powerful weapons like the Finewood Bow or shields like the Banded Shield, which are crucial for boss fights.\n\nFinally, remember that the Elder power has a 20-minute cooldown after use. Plan your woodcutting sessions accordingly to make the most of this ability. For example, you can use the downtime to process the wood into building materials or prepare for your next resource-gathering run. By combining the Elder power with efficient planning and the right tools, you can significantly improve your woodcutting speed and prepare effectively for any boss fight in Valheim.