How do you unlock the cultivator tool for farming in Valheim?

Unlocking the cultivator tool in Valheim is essential for farming and growing crops, which are critical for sustaining your Viking adventures. The cultivator allows you to till soil, plant seeds, and cultivate crops like carrots, turnips, and barley. To unlock this tool, you must first progress through the game''s early stages and gather specific resources.\n\nTo begin, you need to defeat the first boss, Eikthyr, in the Meadows biome. Eikthyr drops Hard Antlers, which are required to craft the Antler Pickaxe. This pickaxe is crucial for mining Tin and Copper in the Black Forest biome, as these metals are necessary for crafting bronze. Without bronze, you cannot create the forge, which is required to craft the cultivator.\n\nOnce you have a forge, you need to gather bronze by combining two Copper and one Tin at the forge. Bronze is used to craft the cultivator, but you also need Core Wood, which is obtained by chopping down Pine Trees in the Black Forest. Core Wood is a thicker type of wood that requires a Bronze Axe or better to harvest. With bronze and Core Wood in hand, you can craft the cultivator at the forge.\n\nCrafting the cultivator requires 5 Bronze and 5 Core Wood. Once crafted, equip it in your hotbar and use it to till soil. Tilled soil is necessary for planting seeds, which can be found in the wild or purchased from Haldor, the merchant in the Black Forest. For example, carrot seeds are found in the Meadows biome, while turnip seeds are located in the Swamp biome. Planting and harvesting these crops will provide you with a sustainable food source.\n\nA common challenge for new players is locating Tin and Copper in the Black Forest. Tin is found near water sources, often appearing as small, shiny deposits along riverbanks or coastlines. Copper, on the other hand, is found in large, rocky deposits that require significant mining effort. To efficiently mine these resources, bring a cart or portal materials to transport heavy ores back to your base.\n\nAnother tip is to create a dedicated farming area near your base. This ensures easy access to your crops and reduces the risk of losing them to raids or environmental hazards. Additionally, always replant seeds after harvesting to maintain a steady supply of food. Over time, you can expand your farm to include barley and flax, which are essential for late-game crafting.\n\nIn summary, unlocking the cultivator involves defeating Eikthyr, mining Tin and Copper, crafting bronze, and gathering Core Wood. With the cultivator, you can till soil, plant seeds, and grow crops to sustain your Viking journey. Focus on creating a sustainable farming system to ensure long-term survival and success in Valheim.