How do you craft and use a portal for quick biome exploration?

Portals are one of the most essential tools in Valheim for efficient exploration and travel between biomes. They allow you to instantly teleport between two linked portals, saving you time and effort when traversing the vast world. To craft and use a portal, you must first unlock the recipe by obtaining Surtling Cores, which are found in Burial Chambers in the Black Forest biome or dropped by Surtlings in the Ashlands and Swamp biomes. Once you have at least two Surtling Cores, you can craft a portal at a level 2 Workbench using 20 Fine Wood, 2 Surtling Cores, and 10 Greydwarf Eyes.\n\nTo set up a portal, place it in a secure location, such as near your base or in a cleared area. Portals require a flat surface and enough space to function properly. Once placed, you must name the portal by interacting with it. The name you choose is crucial because it links the portal to another portal with the same name. For example, if you name a portal ''Forest,'' you can link it to another portal named ''Forest'' elsewhere in the world. This allows you to travel instantly between the two locations.\n\nWhen exploring new biomes, it’s a good idea to carry portal materials with you. This way, you can set up a temporary portal to return to your base quickly. For example, if you’re venturing into the Mountains biome, you can place a portal near the base of the mountain and name it ''Mountain1.'' Then, when you return to your base, you can create another portal named ''Mountain1'' to link the two. This strategy is especially useful for transporting resources or escaping dangerous situations.\n\nOne common challenge is forgetting to bring portal materials or running out of resources while exploring. To avoid this, always carry extra Fine Wood, Surtling Cores, and Greydwarf Eyes in your inventory. Additionally, consider building a portal hub at your base with multiple portals, each named for a specific biome or purpose. This allows you to quickly travel to different areas without needing to rename portals constantly.\n\nPortals cannot transport certain items, such as metals (e.g., Copper, Iron, Silver). This limitation requires you to manually transport these resources by foot or ship. However, you can use portals to quickly return to your base for repairs, rest, or crafting before heading back to your exploration site. This makes portals invaluable for long expeditions into dangerous biomes like the Plains or Mistlands.\n\nIn summary, portals are a game-changing tool for efficient exploration in Valheim. By crafting and naming portals strategically, you can save time and resources while navigating the game’s vast world. Always carry portal materials with you, and consider building a portal hub at your base for maximum convenience. With these tips, you’ll be able to explore even the most dangerous biomes with confidence and ease.