How do you build a portal network to minimize travel time?

Building an efficient portal network in Valheim is essential for minimizing travel time and optimizing resource management. Portals allow you to instantly travel between two connected points, saving you hours of running or sailing. To create a portal, you need to craft a Portal structure using 20 Fine Wood, 2 Surtling Cores, and 10 Greydwarf Eyes. Fine Wood is obtained by chopping Birch or Oak trees in the Meadows or Black Forest, while Surtling Cores are found in Burial Chambers or dropped by Surtlings in the Ashlands. Greydwarf Eyes are dropped by Greydwarves in the Black Forest.\n\nTo establish a portal network, start by building a central hub at your main base. This hub should contain multiple portals, each labeled with a unique name. Portal names are case-sensitive and must match exactly for the connection to work. For example, name one portal ''Swamp'' and another ''Mountain'' to designate their destinations. Always carry portal materials (Fine Wood, Surtling Cores, and Greydwarf Eyes) when exploring new areas so you can quickly set up a return portal.\n\nWhen exploring, prioritize setting up portals in key biomes such as the Black Forest, Swamp, Mountains, and Plains. These biomes contain valuable resources like Copper, Iron, Silver, and Black Metal, but they are also dangerous. Having a portal nearby ensures you can retreat quickly if overwhelmed. For example, when mining Silver in the Mountains, place a portal near the mining site to avoid long treks back to your base. Similarly, in the Swamp, place a portal near Crypts to transport Iron efficiently.\n\nA common challenge is running out of portal slots at your hub. To solve this, create a naming system that groups portals by biome or purpose. For instance, use ''Swamp1'', ''Swamp2'', and ''Swamp3'' for multiple Swamp locations. Alternatively, you can build secondary hubs in different biomes to reduce the load on your main base. For example, a Plains outpost with its own portal network can serve as a staging area for Black Metal farming.\n\nAnother tip is to use temporary portals for exploration. Carry materials for a single portal and name it ''Temp''. When you need to return to your base, place the portal, connect it to your hub, and dismantle it after use. This strategy is especially useful for sailing expeditions, as you can set up a portal on a new island and explore without worrying about losing your ship.\n\nFinally, always secure your portals. Enclose them in a small structure with walls and a roof to prevent enemies from destroying them. In the Plains, for example, Fulings can easily dismantle unprotected portals. Use stone or reinforced wood for added durability. Additionally, keep a backup portal at your base labeled ''Emergency'' in case you need to escape a dangerous situation.\n\nBy following these steps, you can create a robust portal network that minimizes travel time and maximizes efficiency. Whether you''re a new player or an experienced Viking, mastering portal mechanics is key to thriving in Valheim''s vast world.