How do you unlock the Stone Oven for baking?

Unlocking the Stone Oven in Valheim is a multi-step process that requires exploration, resource gathering, and crafting progression. The Stone Oven is essential for baking advanced foods like bread, which provide significant stamina and health boosts, making it a valuable addition to your base. To unlock it, you must first progress through the game''s crafting tiers and acquire specific materials and knowledge.\n\nTo begin, you need to defeat the second boss, The Elder, in the Black Forest biome. This boss drops a Swamp Key, which grants access to the Swamp biome. The Swamp is crucial because it contains Iron Scrap, a key resource for crafting the Stone Oven. Once you have the Swamp Key, venture into the Swamp biome and locate Sunken Crypts. These crypts are filled with muddy scrap piles that yield Iron Scrap when mined with a Bronze Pickaxe or better.\n\nAfter gathering enough Iron Scrap, return to your base and smelt it into Iron using a Smelter. Iron is required to craft the Artisan Table, which is the workstation needed to build the Stone Oven. To craft the Artisan Table, you will also need Fine Wood and Core Wood, which can be obtained by chopping down Birch and Pine trees in the Meadows and Black Forest biomes, respectively. Once you have the Artisan Table, place it in your base to unlock advanced crafting options.\n\nWith the Artisan Table in place, you can now craft the Stone Oven. The recipe requires 20 Stone, 4 Iron, and 4 Surtling Cores. Stone is abundant and can be gathered from the ground or mined from large rocks. Surtling Cores are found in Burial Chambers in the Black Forest or dropped by Surtlings in the Ashlands biome. If you''re struggling to find Surtling Cores, consider exploring multiple Burial Chambers or farming Surtlings in the Ashlands.\n\nOnce you have all the materials, interact with the Artisan Table to craft the Stone Oven. Place it in your base near other cooking stations for convenience. The Stone Oven requires fuel, such as Wood or Coal, to operate. To bake bread, you will need Barley Flour, which is made by processing Barley in a Windmill. Barley is found in the Plains biome, so you will need to explore this dangerous area and gather seeds from Fuling villages or farm patches.\n\nA common challenge players face is surviving in the Plains biome to gather Barley. To mitigate this, ensure you have high-tier armor, such as Iron or Wolf Armor, and bring plenty of healing items. Additionally, consider building a small outpost near the Plains to store resources and respawn if needed. Once you have Barley, plant it in cultivated soil in the Plains biome, as it cannot grow elsewhere.\n\nIn summary, unlocking the Stone Oven involves defeating The Elder, gathering Iron Scrap in the Swamp, crafting the Artisan Table, and collecting materials like Stone and Surtling Cores. Once built, the Stone Oven allows you to bake advanced foods, significantly enhancing your survival capabilities. Focus on progressing through the game''s biomes and crafting tiers to unlock this valuable tool.\n\nPractical tips: Always carry a portal when exploring dangerous biomes like the Swamp or Plains to ensure a quick escape. Use the Cartography Table to mark resource locations on your map, making it easier to return to valuable areas. Finally, prioritize upgrading your gear before venturing into high-level biomes to increase your chances of survival.