How can you quickly gather Chitin in the Ocean biome?

Gathering Chitin in Valheim''s Ocean biome is a crucial task for crafting powerful items like the Abyssal Harpoon and Abyssal Razor. Chitin is obtained by breaking Barnacle-covered rocks found on the backs of Leviathans, massive creatures that spawn in the Ocean biome. To efficiently gather Chitin, you''ll need to prepare properly and understand the mechanics of the Ocean biome and Leviathans.\n\nFirst, you must locate a Leviathan. These creatures are rare and appear as large, turtle-like islands in the Ocean biome. They are stationary and do not move, but they will submerge if you mine too much Chitin from their backs. To find them, sail your Karve or Longship across the Ocean biome, keeping an eye out for their distinct shape. Leviathans are more common in deeper waters, so venture far from shore for the best chances of encountering one.\n\nOnce you''ve found a Leviathan, dock your boat nearby and climb onto its back. The Barnacle-covered rocks are scattered across its shell and can be mined using an Antler Pickaxe or better. However, be cautious: mining too many rocks will cause the Leviathan to submerge, potentially leaving you stranded in the ocean. To avoid this, limit yourself to mining only a few rocks at a time before returning to your boat.\n\nA practical strategy is to bring a Portal with you. Before setting sail, place a Portal at your base and name it. Carry the materials for a second Portal in your inventory, and once you find a Leviathan, place the second Portal on its back. This allows you to quickly return to your base to repair your pickaxe or drop off Chitin, then teleport back to continue mining. This method minimizes the risk of losing progress if the Leviathan submerges.\n\nAnother challenge is the Ocean biome''s hostile creatures, such as Serpents. These creatures can attack your boat or you while you''re mining. To mitigate this, bring a strong weapon like an Iron Mace or Draugr Fang bow to defend yourself. Additionally, consider sailing during the day, as Serpents are more active at night or during storms. If you encounter a Serpent, use your bow to attack from a distance or lure it away from the Leviathan before engaging.\n\nFor new players, it''s important to note that Chitin gathering requires a Karve or Longship, which are crafted using Bronze Nails and Fine Wood. Ensure you have the necessary resources and a workbench to build these boats before venturing into the Ocean biome. Experienced players can optimize their Chitin runs by bringing a fully upgraded pickaxe, such as the Iron Pickaxe, to speed up mining.\n\nFinally, always be prepared for the unexpected. Carry extra food, healing mead, and stamina-boosting items like Honey or Carrot Soup to sustain yourself during the journey. If you''re playing with friends, coordinate your efforts: one player can mine while the other keeps watch for Serpents or repairs the boat.\n\nIn summary, quickly gathering Chitin in the Ocean biome requires preparation, strategy, and caution. Locate Leviathans in deep waters, use Portals to streamline your runs, and defend against Serpents while mining. With these tips, you''ll efficiently collect Chitin and craft powerful tools and weapons to aid your Viking adventures.