How do you gather stone efficiently in the Plains biome?

Gathering stone efficiently in the Plains biome in Valheim requires a combination of preparation, strategy, and understanding of the biome''s unique challenges. The Plains biome is one of the most dangerous areas in the game, home to powerful enemies like Fulings, Deathsquitos, and Lox. However, it also offers abundant resources, including large stone formations and boulders that can be mined for stone. To gather stone efficiently, you need to prioritize safety, use the right tools, and optimize your mining process.\n\nFirst, ensure you are well-equipped before venturing into the Plains. Stone can be mined using a pickaxe, and the best tool for this is the Iron Pickaxe or higher, such as the Black Metal Pickaxe. These tools allow you to break stone formations quickly. Additionally, wear strong armor like Wolf Armor or Padded Armor to protect yourself from enemy attacks. Bring a shield and a strong melee weapon, such as a Blackmetal Sword or Atgeir, to defend against Fulings and Deathsquitos. Always carry healing items like Cooked Meat, Sausages, and Healing Mead to sustain yourself during combat.\n\nOnce you are prepared, locate stone formations in the Plains biome. These formations are large, gray boulders scattered across the landscape. They are easy to spot due to their size and color. Approach the stone formation and use your pickaxe to mine it. Each strike will yield multiple stone pieces, and the formation will eventually break apart, leaving behind a pile of stone that you can collect. Be mindful of your surroundings while mining, as enemies can attack you while you are focused on gathering resources.\n\nOne of the biggest challenges in the Plains biome is dealing with hostile creatures. Fulings are aggressive and often travel in groups, while Deathsquitos can deal significant damage if you are not careful. To minimize risk, consider building a small outpost near the stone formations. Use the Hoe to level the ground and create a safe area, then place a Workbench and a Portal to your main base. This allows you to quickly retreat if overwhelmed and return with minimal effort. You can also use the terrain to your advantage by mining stone near elevated areas or natural barriers that block enemy movement.\n\nAnother efficient method for gathering stone is to tame Lox. These large, docile creatures can be found roaming the Plains biome. By feeding them Cloudberries or Barley, you can tame them over time. Once tamed, Lox can be used to break stone formations by attacking them. This method is faster than using a pickaxe and allows you to gather stone while focusing on other tasks, such as defending against enemies. However, taming Lox requires patience and resources, so it is best suited for experienced players.\n\nFinally, consider using a Cart or a Longship to transport large amounts of stone back to your base. The Plains biome is often far from your starting area, and carrying stone manually can be time-consuming. A Cart allows you to store up to 18 stacks of stone, while a Longship can hold even more. If you are mining stone near the coast, you can load it onto a Longship and sail back to your base. This method is particularly useful for large-scale building projects that require significant amounts of stone.\n\nIn summary, gathering stone efficiently in the Plains biome requires preparation, the right tools, and strategic planning. Equip yourself with strong armor and weapons, use a high-tier pickaxe, and consider building an outpost or taming Lox to streamline the process. Always be aware of your surroundings and use transportation methods like Carts or Longships to move stone efficiently. With these tips, you can gather stone safely and effectively in one of Valheim''s most challenging biomes.