What is the best way to gather stone for crafting a Stone Oven?

Gathering stone for crafting a Stone Oven in Valheim requires a strategic approach, as stone is a fundamental resource used in many crafting recipes. The Stone Oven, which is essential for baking bread and other advanced foods, requires 20 stone, 4 surtling cores, and 5 iron nails. While stone is abundant in most biomes, knowing where and how to gather it efficiently will save you time and effort.\n\nTo begin, you’ll need a pickaxe, which is crafted using 10 wood and 1 hard antler (obtained from defeating the first boss, Eikthyr). The pickaxe is essential for mining stone from large boulders, rocky outcrops, and other stone-rich formations. Without it, you’ll be limited to picking up small stones scattered on the ground, which is far less efficient. Once you have a pickaxe, head to the Meadows or Black Forest biomes, as these areas are rich in stone resources.\n\nIn the Meadows biome, you’ll find small stones scattered across the ground. These can be picked up by hand, but they only yield one stone each. For larger quantities, look for boulders or rocky outcrops. Use your pickaxe to mine these formations, which will yield 5-10 stones per boulder. Be sure to clear the area of enemies before mining, as interruptions from greylings or boars can slow you down.\n\nThe Black Forest biome is another excellent location for stone gathering. Here, you’ll find larger stone formations and even stone towers left by the game’s ancient inhabitants. These structures can be dismantled with your pickaxe, yielding significant amounts of stone. However, the Black Forest is more dangerous than the Meadows, with greydwarfs and trolls posing a threat. Bring a weapon, shield, and some food to ensure your safety while mining.\n\nIf you’re looking for a more efficient method, consider using a cart to transport large quantities of stone. Carts are crafted using 20 wood and 10 bronze nails, and they allow you to carry heavy loads over long distances. Simply load the cart with stone and pull it back to your base. This method is particularly useful if you’re gathering stone from a distant location or need to transport large amounts for multiple crafting projects.\n\nAnother tip is to use the terrain to your advantage. If you’re mining in hilly or mountainous areas, you can roll boulders down slopes to break them apart, saving durability on your pickaxe. This technique works well in the Mountains biome, where stone is abundant but enemies like wolves and drakes are a constant threat. Always be prepared with warm clothing and frost resistance mead when venturing into this biome.\n\nFor experienced players, consider setting up a stone-gathering outpost near a resource-rich area. Build a small shelter with a workbench and a portal to your main base. This allows you to mine stone efficiently and transport it back quickly without the need for long treks. Portals are especially useful for transporting stone, as they bypass the weight limit restrictions of other methods.\n\nFinally, remember that stone is a renewable resource. While boulders and rocky outcrops don’t respawn, small stones on the ground will reappear over time. If you’re in a pinch, revisit areas where you’ve previously gathered stone to collect these smaller deposits. With these strategies, you’ll have no trouble gathering the stone needed for your Stone Oven and other crafting projects.\n\nIn summary, the best way to gather stone for a Stone Oven is to use a pickaxe to mine boulders and rocky outcrops in the Meadows or Black Forest biomes. Use a cart for efficient transportation, and consider setting up an outpost with a portal for long-term resource gathering. Always be prepared for combat, especially in more dangerous biomes, and take advantage of terrain mechanics to maximize your efficiency.