What’s the quickest way to craft a pickaxe for mining?

Crafting a pickaxe quickly in Valheim is essential for mining resources like stone, copper, and tin, which are critical for progression. The quickest way to craft a pickaxe involves gathering specific materials and unlocking the necessary crafting station. The Antler Pickaxe is the first pickaxe you can craft, and it requires defeating the first boss, Eikthyr, to obtain its antlers. Here’s a step-by-step guide to achieve this efficiently.\n\nFirst, spawn into the world and gather basic resources like wood and stone. Use these to craft a basic axe and a hammer. The axe allows you to chop trees for wood, while the hammer is used to build structures. Focus on building a workbench, which is essential for crafting most early-game items. Place the workbench in a sheltered area, as it requires a roof and walls to function properly.\n\nNext, explore the Meadows biome to find deer. Deer drop deer trophies, which are required to summon Eikthyr. You’ll need two deer trophies to craft the Eikthyr summoning item at the sacrificial altar. While exploring, gather flint from the shores of rivers or lakes in the Meadows. Flint is used to craft a flint axe, which is more efficient for gathering wood and preparing for the boss fight.\n\nOnce you have the deer trophies, locate Eikthyr’s altar in the Meadows. Place the trophies on the altar to summon the boss. Eikthyr is a stag with lightning-based attacks, so prepare by crafting a crude bow and wooden arrows. Kiting the boss and attacking from a distance is the safest strategy. After defeating Eikthyr, you’ll receive hard antlers, which are used to craft the Antler Pickaxe.\n\nReturn to your workbench and craft the Antler Pickaxe using 10 wood and 1 hard antler. The pickaxe allows you to mine stone, copper, and tin, which are essential for crafting better tools and weapons. Prioritize mining copper and tin in the Black Forest biome to upgrade your gear. Be cautious of Greydwarfs and Trolls, as they can pose a threat while mining.\n\nA common challenge for new players is finding enough flint or deer trophies. Flint spawns near water, so explore riverbanks and lakeshores thoroughly. For deer trophies, patience is key. Deer are skittish and will flee if you approach too quickly. Use a bow to hunt them from a distance. If you’re struggling to find deer, consider exploring further into the Meadows biome or restarting in a new world with a better spawn location.\n\nExperienced players can speed up the process by optimizing their resource gathering. For example, prioritize building a shelter near a river or lake to access flint easily. Additionally, use the environment to your advantage during the Eikthyr fight. Trees and rocks can block the boss’s attacks, giving you time to recover or reposition.\n\nIn summary, the quickest way to craft a pickaxe in Valheim involves gathering wood and stone, building a workbench, hunting deer for trophies, summoning and defeating Eikthyr, and crafting the Antler Pickaxe. Focus on efficient resource gathering and safe combat strategies to minimize downtime. With the pickaxe, you’ll unlock the ability to mine valuable resources and progress further in the game.\n\nPractical tips: Always carry a bow and arrows for hunting deer and fighting Eikthyr. Build a small base near water to access flint easily. Use terrain to your advantage during boss fights to avoid taking unnecessary damage. Finally, prioritize upgrading your tools and weapons as soon as you gather enough resources to ensure smoother progression.