How do I efficiently farm Surtling Cores for smelters and portals?

Surtling Cores are essential resources in Valheim, used to craft smelters, portals, and other advanced tools. They are primarily found in Burial Chambers in the Black Forest biome and from Surtlings in the Ashlands biome. Efficiently farming Surtling Cores requires preparation, strategy, and knowledge of game mechanics.\n\nTo begin, equip yourself with basic tools like a pickaxe, a weapon, and armor. Burial Chambers are the most accessible source of Surtling Cores for early-game players. These dungeons are scattered throughout the Black Forest and are identifiable by their stone entrances. Inside, you’ll encounter skeletons and other enemies, so bring healing items like cooked meat or berries. Surtling Cores are often found in chests or lying on the ground in these chambers.\n\nFor mid-to-late-game players, farming Surtlings in the Ashlands biome is a more efficient method. Surtlings are fire-based enemies that drop Surtling Cores upon death. To reach the Ashlands, you’ll need a sturdy ship and enough supplies for a long journey. Once there, locate Surtling spawners, which are geysers that continuously spawn Surtlings. These enemies are weak to water, so lure them into nearby water sources or use frost arrows to defeat them quickly.\n\nA practical tip for farming Surtling Cores is to create a portal near your farming location. This allows you to quickly return to your base to store resources or repair equipment. To craft a portal, you’ll need 10 Greydwarf Eyes, 20 Fine Wood, and 2 Surtling Cores. Fine Wood can be obtained by chopping down birch or oak trees in the Meadows or Black Forest biomes.\n\nAnother strategy is to clear multiple Burial Chambers in a single trip. Mark their locations on your map and plan a route to maximize efficiency. Bring a cart to carry extra loot, as Burial Chambers often contain valuable items like coins, amber, and rubies in addition to Surtling Cores.\n\nFor players struggling with combat in Burial Chambers, consider upgrading your gear. A bronze mace or sword is effective against skeletons, and a shield can block their attacks. Alternatively, use a bow to take out enemies from a distance. If you’re farming Surtlings in the Ashlands, frost arrows are highly effective due to their water-based weakness.\n\nFinally, remember that Surtling Cores are non-renewable in Burial Chambers but renewable in the Ashlands. If you’re planning long-term resource gathering, focus on the Ashlands biome. Build a small outpost near Surtling spawners to streamline your farming process.\n\nIn summary, efficiently farming Surtling Cores involves exploring Burial Chambers in the Black Forest or hunting Surtlings in the Ashlands. Prepare adequately, use portals for convenience, and upgrade your gear to handle enemies. With these strategies, you’ll gather enough Surtling Cores to power your smelters and portals in no time.