How do I build a portal and what materials are required?

Building a portal in Valheim is a crucial step for efficient travel across the vast world. Portals allow you to instantly teleport between two linked locations, saving time and resources. To build a portal, you must first unlock the recipe by obtaining Surtling Cores, which are found in Burial Chambers in the Black Forest biome or dropped by Surtlings in the Ashlands. Once you have the recipe, you can craft a portal using specific materials and place it in your desired location.\n\nTo craft a portal, you will need the following materials: 20 Fine Wood, 2 Surtling Cores, and 10 Greydwarf Eyes. Fine Wood is obtained by chopping down Birch or Oak trees in the Meadows or Black Forest biomes. Surtling Cores are rare but can be found in Burial Chambers or by defeating Surtlings. Greydwarf Eyes are dropped by Greydwarfs, common enemies in the Black Forest. Once you have gathered these materials, open your crafting menu and select the portal to craft it.\n\nAfter crafting the portal, you need to place it in your desired location. Choose a flat, open area to ensure the portal is accessible and safe from enemy attacks. Once placed, the portal will be inactive until you assign it a tag. To activate the portal, interact with it and enter a unique name (tag) in the text box. This tag will be used to link two portals together. For example, if you name your portal ''Home,'' you must name the second portal ''Home'' as well to create a connection.\n\nTo link two portals, build a second portal in another location and assign it the same tag as the first portal. Once both portals are tagged identically, they will automatically connect, allowing you to teleport between them instantly. Note that portals only transport you and your equipped items; they do not transport ores, metals, or other heavy resources. This limitation is intentional to balance gameplay and encourage exploration.\n\nOne common challenge players face is finding Surtling Cores early in the game. If you''re struggling to locate Burial Chambers, explore the Black Forest biome thoroughly and look for stone structures with glowing red entrances. Alternatively, you can venture into the Ashlands biome, where Surtlings spawn near fire geysers. Be cautious, as the Ashlands are dangerous for unprepared players. Another tip is to use the Stagbreaker, a two-handed hammer, to detect hidden Burial Chambers by hitting the ground and listening for a hollow sound.\n\nPortals are incredibly useful for connecting distant bases, resource-rich areas, or dangerous biomes. For example, you can place a portal near a Swamp biome to quickly return home after gathering Iron or other valuable resources. Additionally, portals can serve as emergency escape routes during combat or harsh weather conditions. Always carry portal materials with you when exploring to set up temporary connections and avoid long treks back to your base.\n\nIn summary, building a portal in Valheim requires gathering Fine Wood, Surtling Cores, and Greydwarf Eyes. Once crafted, place the portal, assign it a unique tag, and link it to another portal with the same tag. Portals are essential for efficient travel and resource management, but remember they cannot transport heavy materials. Use portals strategically to enhance your survival and exploration experience in Valheim.