How do I efficiently farm greydwarf eyes for crafting portals?

Farming greydwarf eyes efficiently in Valheim is essential for crafting portals, which are crucial for fast travel across the map. Greydwarf eyes are dropped by greydwarfs, greydwarf brutes, and greydwarf shamans, which are common enemies in the Black Forest biome. To maximize your farming efficiency, you need to understand the spawn mechanics, prepare the right tools, and choose the best locations for farming.\n\nFirst, ensure you are well-equipped before heading into the Black Forest. A bronze or iron weapon, such as a sword or mace, is ideal for dealing with greydwarfs quickly. A shield is also recommended to block their attacks. Additionally, bring a bow and arrows to handle ranged threats like greydwarf shamans. Wearing armor, such as troll hide or bronze, will provide extra protection. Always carry healing items like cooked meat or berries to sustain yourself during combat.\n\nGreydwarfs spawn frequently in the Black Forest, especially at night or during rain. To optimize farming, consider building a small outpost near a dense greydwarf spawn area. This outpost should include a workbench, a bed for respawning, and a fire to keep your rested bonus active. The rested bonus increases stamina regeneration, which is vital for prolonged farming sessions. You can also place torches or campfires around the area to deter greydwarf spawns if you need a break.\n\nOne effective strategy is to create a greydwarf farm using a spawner. Greydwarf spawners are stone structures found in the Black Forest that continuously spawn greydwarfs until destroyed. To set up a farm, locate a spawner and build a small enclosure around it using wooden walls or stakes. Leave a small opening to attack the greydwarfs as they spawn. This method allows you to farm eyes without constantly moving around the biome. Be cautious, as spawners can also summon greydwarf brutes and shamans, which are tougher enemies.\n\nIf you prefer a more active approach, explore the Black Forest during nighttime or rainy weather, as greydwarf spawn rates increase during these conditions. Use a torch or campfire to mark your path and avoid getting lost. Focus on areas with dense trees and rocky terrain, as these are common greydwarf habitats. Killing greydwarf brutes and shamans yields more eyes, so prioritize these enemies when they appear.\n\nFor players with access to higher-tier gear, consider using a stagbreaker or iron sledge to deal area-of-effect damage. These weapons are particularly effective against groups of greydwarfs, allowing you to farm eyes more quickly. Additionally, using a shield to parry greydwarf attacks can stun them, giving you an opportunity to land critical hits.\n\nFinally, remember that greydwarf eyes are not the only resource you’ll need for portals. You’ll also require fine wood and surtling cores. Fine wood can be obtained by chopping down birch or oak trees in the Meadows or Black Forest, while surtling cores are found in burial chambers or dropped by surtlings in the Ashlands biome. Plan your farming sessions to gather all necessary materials efficiently.\n\nIn summary, farming greydwarf eyes efficiently involves preparing the right gear, building a small outpost or spawner farm, and targeting high-spawn areas in the Black Forest. Use area-of-effect weapons and parry mechanics to handle groups of enemies, and always maintain your rested bonus for stamina management. With these strategies, you’ll have enough greydwarf eyes to craft portals and explore Valheim’s vast world with ease.