What is the best way to gather obsidian for forge upgrades?

Obsidian is a crucial resource in Valheim for upgrading your forge and crafting high-tier items like the Obsidian Arrow. It is found exclusively in the Mountain biome, making it a mid-to-late-game material. To gather obsidian efficiently, you must prepare for the harsh conditions of the Mountains, including freezing temperatures and hostile creatures like Drakes and Wolves.\n\nBefore venturing into the Mountains, ensure you have Frost Resistance Mead or Wolf Armor to survive the cold. Frost Resistance Mead is crafted at a Fermenter using Honey, Thistle, Bloodbag, and Greydwarf Eye. Alternatively, Wolf Armor provides innate frost resistance but requires Silver, which is also found in the Mountains. Bring a Pickaxe (preferably Iron or better) to mine obsidian, as it cannot be harvested with lower-tier tools.\n\nObsidian appears as dark, shiny rocks scattered across the Mountain biome. These rocks are often found near cliffs or rocky outcrops. Use your Pickaxe to mine them, yielding 4-6 Obsidian per node. Be cautious of your surroundings, as Drakes and Wolves are common threats. Drakes can be particularly dangerous due to their ranged ice attacks, so carry a Bow and Fire Arrows to deal with them effectively.\n\nOne common challenge is locating obsidian in the vast Mountain biome. To make this easier, explore during the day when visibility is better, and use the Hoe to flatten terrain for easier navigation. Additionally, building a small outpost near the Mountain biome can serve as a respawn point and storage area, reducing the need for long treks back to your main base.\n\nFor experienced players, consider taming Wolves to accompany you. Tamed Wolves can help fend off enemies, making obsidian gathering safer. If you have access to Moder''s Forsaken Power (from defeating the fourth boss), use it to summon a strong tailwind, speeding up your travel to and from the Mountains.\n\nOnce you have gathered enough obsidian, return to your forge to craft upgrades like the Forge Cooler, which increases the forge''s level and unlocks new crafting recipes. Obsidian is also used to craft the Obsidian Arrow, a powerful ammunition type that deals significant damage to enemies.\n\nIn summary, gathering obsidian requires preparation, including frost resistance gear, a strong Pickaxe, and combat readiness. Explore the Mountain biome carefully, mine obsidian nodes, and manage threats like Drakes and Wolves. With these steps, you can efficiently gather obsidian and upgrade your forge to unlock advanced crafting options in Valheim.