How do you unlock the Stonecutter for advanced building materials?

Unlocking the Stonecutter in Valheim is essential for advanced building materials, allowing you to craft stone structures, decorative pieces, and fortified bases. To unlock the Stonecutter, you must first progress through the early game and defeat the first boss, Eikthyr. This boss is found in the Meadows biome and can be summoned by placing two Deer Trophies on its altar. Defeating Eikthyr grants you the Hard Antler, a key item required to craft the Antler Pickaxe, which is necessary for mining Tin and Copper in the Black Forest biome.\n\nOnce you have the Antler Pickaxe, head to the Black Forest biome to gather Copper and Tin. These ores are found in large deposits (Copper) and smaller, shiny rocks (Tin) near water sources. Use the Antler Pickaxe to mine these resources, then smelt them in a Smelter to create Bronze. To build a Smelter, you need Surtling Cores, which are found in Burial Chambers in the Black Forest or dropped by Surtlings in the Ashlands biome. Combine 20 Stone and 5 Surtling Cores to craft the Smelter.\n\nAfter smelting Copper and Tin, combine them at a Forge to create Bronze. You need 2 Copper and 1 Tin to make 1 Bronze. Once you have Bronze, craft a Bronze Pickaxe, which is more durable and efficient for mining. With the Bronze Pickaxe, you can now mine Iron Scrap from Muddy Scrap Piles in the Swamp biome. These piles are found in Sunken Crypts, which require a Swamp Key to unlock. The Swamp Key is dropped by the second boss, The Elder, who is summoned in the Black Forest biome using Ancient Seeds.\n\nAfter gathering Iron Scrap, smelt it in the Smelter to create Iron. With Iron, you can now craft the Stonecutter. The Stonecutter requires 10 Wood, 2 Iron, and 4 Stone. Place the Stonecutter near your base to unlock advanced building options, such as stone walls, floors, and decorative pieces. The Stonecutter must be placed on a flat surface and within range of a Workbench.\n\nA common challenge players face is locating Sunken Crypts in the Swamp biome. These structures are often hidden among dense trees and water, making them difficult to spot. To find them, explore the edges of the Swamp biome and look for green torches, which mark the entrance to Sunken Crypts. Another challenge is dealing with enemies in the Swamp, such as Draugr and Leeches. Equip a strong weapon, such as a Bronze Mace, and bring healing items like Cooked Meat or Honey to survive.\n\nTo optimize your resource gathering, consider building a portal near the Swamp biome to quickly transport Iron Scrap back to your base. This saves time and reduces the risk of losing resources to enemies. Additionally, always carry a Hammer and enough materials to repair your tools while exploring. This ensures you can continue mining without interruptions.\n\nIn summary, unlocking the Stonecutter requires defeating Eikthyr, mining Copper and Tin in the Black Forest, smelting Bronze, defeating The Elder, and gathering Iron from the Swamp biome. By following these steps and preparing for the challenges of each biome, you can efficiently unlock the Stonecutter and enhance your building capabilities in Valheim.