How do you gather stone in the Mountains biome safely?

Gathering stone in the Mountains biome in Valheim can be challenging due to the harsh environment and dangerous enemies. However, with proper preparation and strategy, you can safely collect this valuable resource. The Mountains biome is home to large stone deposits, silver veins, and other resources, but it also features freezing temperatures, Drakes, Wolves, and Stone Golems. To gather stone safely, you need to focus on survival, combat readiness, and efficient resource collection.\n\nFirst, prepare for the cold. The Mountains biome inflicts the Freezing debuff, which drains your health over time. To counter this, craft a Wolf Fur Cape or Lox Cape, which provide Frost Resistance. Alternatively, you can consume Frost Resistance Mead, crafted at a Fermenter using Honey, Thistle, Bloodbag, and Greydwarf Eye. Always carry a stack of this mead to survive the cold. Additionally, bring plenty of food like Cooked Meat, Sausages, and Turnip Stew to maintain high health and stamina.\n\nNext, equip yourself for combat. The Mountains biome is filled with aggressive enemies like Wolves, Drakes, and Stone Golems. Wolves are fast and deal significant damage, while Drakes attack from the air with frost projectiles. Stone Golems are slow but extremely durable and deal heavy melee damage. Bring a strong weapon like a Blackmetal Sword or Frostner, a shield for blocking, and a bow with Fire or Needle Arrows for ranged attacks. Wearing upgraded Wolf Armor or Padded Armor will provide the necessary defense.\n\nTo gather stone, look for large boulders scattered across the biome. These boulders yield a significant amount of stone when mined with a Pickaxe. The Antler Pickaxe is the starting tool, but upgrading to an Iron Pickaxe or Blackmetal Pickaxe will speed up the process. Be cautious when mining, as the noise can attract nearby enemies. Always scout the area for threats before starting to mine. If you encounter a Stone Golem, avoid engaging unless necessary, as they are tough to defeat and can waste valuable time and resources.\n\nOne practical solution to avoid combat while gathering stone is to build a small outpost near the Mountains biome. Construct a workbench, a portal, and a shelter to provide a safe retreat. This allows you to quickly escape if overwhelmed and return with full health and stamina. Additionally, you can use the Hoe to level the ground and create paths, making it easier to transport stone back to your base.\n\nFinally, consider mining during the day. The Mountains biome is more dangerous at night, with increased enemy spawns and reduced visibility. If you must mine at night, bring a Dverger Circlet or place torches to light your way. Always stay alert and listen for enemy sounds, as Wolves and Drakes can ambush you unexpectedly.\n\nIn summary, gathering stone in the Mountains biome requires careful preparation, including Frost Resistance, strong weapons, and a safe retreat plan. Focus on mining during the day, avoid unnecessary combat, and use tools like the Hoe to improve mobility. With these strategies, you can efficiently collect stone while minimizing risks.