How do I transport heavy metals like copper and iron safely?

Transporting heavy metals like copper and iron in Valheim is a critical part of progressing through the game, as these resources are essential for crafting advanced tools, weapons, and armor. However, metals cannot be teleported through portals, making their transportation a challenging task. To safely move these heavy resources, you’ll need to plan carefully and use a combination of in-game mechanics and strategies.\n\nFirst, you’ll need to gather the necessary materials to craft a Karve or Longship, which are the two primary boats for transporting metals. The Karve is the smaller and easier-to-build option, requiring 30 Fine Wood, 10 Deer Hide, 20 Resin, and 80 Bronze Nails. The Longship, which offers more storage and durability, requires 40 Iron Nails, 10 Deer Hide, 40 Fine Wood, and 40 Ancient Bark. Both boats allow you to carry large quantities of metals across water, which is the safest and most efficient method for long-distance transport.\n\nOnce you’ve built your boat, you’ll need to locate a nearby body of water. Copper is found in the Black Forest biome, often near large rock formations, while Iron is found in the Swamp biome inside Sunken Crypts. Plan your mining trips so that you can transport the metals directly from the mining site to your base via water. For example, if you’re mining copper in the Black Forest, look for a nearby river or coastline to dock your boat. This minimizes the distance you’ll need to carry the heavy metals overland.\n\nWhen mining, always bring a Cart with you. The Cart is a portable storage solution that can hold up to 18 slots of items, making it ideal for transporting large quantities of metals. To craft a Cart, you’ll need 20 Wood and 10 Bronze Nails. While the Cart is slow and cumbersome, it’s invaluable for moving metals from the mining site to your boat. Be cautious of enemies and uneven terrain, as the Cart can be difficult to maneuver in certain areas.\n\nOnce your Cart is loaded, carefully transport it to your boat. Dock the boat as close to the mining site as possible to reduce travel time. Load the metals into the boat’s storage and sail back to your base. If your base is not near water, consider building a secondary storage outpost near the coast to temporarily store the metals before transporting them further inland.\n\nFor players who prefer overland transport, you can use the Cart to move metals directly to your base. However, this method is riskier and more time-consuming, as you’ll need to navigate through potentially hostile biomes and avoid losing the Cart to enemies or environmental hazards. Always clear the path of enemies before attempting to transport metals overland.\n\nFinally, consider building a network of portals to streamline your mining trips. While portals cannot transport metals, they allow you to quickly travel between your base and mining sites, reducing the time spent on resource gathering. Use portals to bring essential supplies like food, tools, and building materials to the mining site, and then focus on transporting only the metals back to your base.\n\nIn summary, transporting heavy metals in Valheim requires careful planning and the use of boats, Carts, and strategic outposts. By leveraging these tools and methods, you can efficiently move copper and iron to your base while minimizing risks. Always prioritize safety and efficiency, and consider building a secondary storage location near water to simplify the process.