What’s the fastest way to craft a Portal for early-game travel?

Crafting a Portal in Valheim is one of the most efficient ways to travel across the map, especially in the early game. To build a Portal, you need two key resources: Fine Wood and Surtling Cores. Fine Wood is obtained by chopping down Birch or Oak trees in the Meadows biome, while Surtling Cores are found in Burial Chambers in the Black Forest biome. Both resources are essential, and gathering them quickly is the key to early-game Portal travel.\n\nTo start, you need a Bronze Axe to chop down Birch or Oak trees, as these trees cannot be harvested with a basic Flint Axe. Crafting a Bronze Axe requires Bronze, which is made by combining Copper and Tin at a Forge. Copper is mined from large deposits in the Black Forest, while Tin is found along the shores of the same biome. Once you have a Bronze Axe, head to the Meadows and locate Birch or Oak trees. These trees are taller and have a distinct appearance compared to regular Beech trees. Chop them down to collect Fine Wood.\n\nNext, you need Surtling Cores, which are found in Burial Chambers scattered throughout the Black Forest. Burial Chambers are dungeon-like structures with skeletons guarding the loot inside. Bring a weapon, shield, and plenty of food to survive the encounters. Each Burial Chamber typically contains 2-4 Surtling Cores, so you may need to explore multiple chambers to gather enough for a Portal. Be cautious of traps and enemies, as they can quickly overwhelm unprepared players.\n\nOnce you have at least 10 Fine Wood and 2 Surtling Cores, you can craft a Portal at a Workbench. Place the Workbench in a safe location, preferably near your base or a temporary shelter. Open the crafting menu and select the Portal. You will also need to assign a tag to the Portal, which acts as its identifier. For example, naming one Portal ''Home'' and another ''Exploration'' allows you to link them for fast travel. Remember, Portals must share the same tag to function, so plan your naming system carefully.\n\nA common challenge early-game players face is the lack of Surtling Cores. If you''re struggling to find Burial Chambers, explore the Black Forest thoroughly. Look for stone structures and torches, as these often mark the entrance to a Burial Chamber. Additionally, Surtling Cores can sometimes be found in chests or dropped by Surtlings in the Ashlands biome, though this is less reliable for early-game players. Prioritize Burial Chambers for a steady supply.\n\nAnother tip is to build a temporary base near the Black Forest to reduce travel time. This allows you to store resources and respawn nearby if you die during exploration. Once you have enough Surtling Cores, you can dismantle the temporary base and relocate your Portal to a more permanent location. This strategy saves time and ensures you don''t lose progress.\n\nFinally, remember that Portals cannot transport metals like Copper, Tin, or Iron. If you''re planning to gather these resources, you''ll need to transport them manually or use a Cart. However, Portals are perfect for quick travel between biomes, retrieving forgotten items, or escaping dangerous situations. By following these steps, you can craft a Portal early in the game and significantly improve your mobility and efficiency in Valheim.