How do you gather stone for crafting a stone staircase?

Gathering stone in Valheim is essential for crafting various structures, including stone staircases. Stone is one of the most abundant resources in the game, found in multiple biomes and through various methods. To craft a stone staircase, you will need 20 stone per step, so gathering a significant amount is necessary. This guide will walk you through the most efficient ways to collect stone, including biome-specific strategies and tools required.\n\nFirst, you need to understand where stone can be found. Stone is scattered across all biomes, but the Meadows biome is the most beginner-friendly location to start gathering. Look for small gray rocks on the ground, which can be picked up by hand. These rocks yield 1-2 stone each and are plentiful in the Meadows. While this method is simple, it is time-consuming for large-scale projects like building stone staircases.\n\nFor more efficient stone gathering, you will need a pickaxe. Crafting a pickaxe requires 10 wood and 1 hard antler, which is obtained by defeating Eikthyr, the first boss. Once you have a pickaxe, you can mine larger stone formations, such as boulders and rock outcrops. These formations are found in the Meadows, Black Forest, and other biomes. Mining a boulder yields 10-20 stone, making it a much faster method than picking up small rocks.\n\nIn the Black Forest biome, you will find even more stone resources. This biome is rich in large stone towers and rock formations, which can be mined for significant amounts of stone. However, the Black Forest is also home to dangerous enemies like Greydwarfs and Trolls, so ensure you are well-equipped with armor, weapons, and food before venturing here. Bringing a portal with you can also help transport stone back to your base efficiently.\n\nAnother excellent source of stone is mining copper deposits in the Black Forest. While the primary goal is to gather copper ore, mining these deposits also yields a substantial amount of stone as a byproduct. This dual-purpose mining makes it a highly efficient method for gathering both resources simultaneously. Be sure to bring a cart or use a portal to manage the weight of the stone and copper.\n\nIf you are in the late game and have access to the Plains biome, you can gather stone from the large rock pillars found there. These pillars yield a massive amount of stone when mined, but the Plains biome is extremely dangerous, with enemies like Fulings and Deathsquitos. Only attempt this method if you have high-tier gear and are confident in your combat skills.\n\nTo craft a stone staircase, you will need to unlock the stonecutter. The stonecutter requires 10 wood, 2 iron, and 4 stone to build. Iron is obtained by smelting scrap iron, which is found in the Swamp biome. Once you have the stonecutter, you can craft stone staircases using 20 stone per step. Place the stonecutter near your building site for convenience.\n\nA common challenge players face is managing the weight of stone. Stone is heavy, and carrying too much can slow you down. To solve this, use a cart to transport large quantities of stone or build a portal near your mining site to quickly return to your base. Another tip is to store excess stone in chests near your building projects to avoid frequent trips.\n\nIn summary, gathering stone for crafting a stone staircase involves a combination of picking up small rocks, mining boulders, and utilizing biome-specific resources. Equip yourself with a pickaxe, explore the Black Forest for efficient mining, and consider late-game options in the Plains biome. Always plan for weight management and use portals or carts to streamline the process. With these strategies, you will have plenty of stone to build impressive structures in Valheim.