How do you upgrade your base to include a portal network?

Upgrading your base in Valheim to include a portal network is a game-changing strategy that allows you to travel quickly between distant locations. Portals are essential for efficient exploration, resource gathering, and base management. To build a portal network, you must first unlock the necessary crafting recipe and gather the required materials. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, including how to overcome common challenges and optimize your portal setup.\n\nTo begin, you must first defeat the first boss, Eikthyr, in the Meadows biome. Eikthyr drops Hard Antlers, which are used to craft the Antler Pickaxe. This tool allows you to mine Tin and Copper in the Black Forest biome, which are essential for crafting Bronze. Once you have Bronze, you can craft a Forge, which unlocks the ability to craft the Portal. The recipe for a Portal requires 20 Fine Wood, 2 Surtling Cores, and 10 Greydwarf Eyes. Fine Wood is obtained by chopping down Birch or Oak trees in the Meadows or Plains biomes, while Surtling Cores are found in Burial Chambers in the Black Forest or dropped by Surtlings in the Ashlands biome. Greydwarf Eyes are dropped by Greydwarfs, which are common enemies in the Black Forest.\n\nOnce you have the materials, place two Portals in your base and name them using the same tag. For example, if you name one Portal ''Forest'' and the other ''Forest,'' they will connect automatically. This allows you to travel instantly between the two locations. To expand your network, build additional Portals in other biomes or key resource areas, ensuring each pair has a unique name. For example, you might have a ''Mountain'' Portal for mining Silver and a ''Swamp'' Portal for gathering Iron.\n\nA common challenge is running out of Surtling Cores, which are required for crafting Portals. To address this, explore Burial Chambers thoroughly or farm Surtlings in the Ashlands biome. Another issue is portal placement; ensure your Portals are protected from enemy attacks by building walls or placing them inside your base. Additionally, always carry portal materials with you when exploring, so you can set up a return Portal if needed.\n\nTo optimize your portal network, consider creating a central hub in your main base with multiple Portals labeled for different biomes or purposes. This allows you to quickly access any location without needing to rename Portals. For example, you might have Portals labeled ''Meadows,'' ''Black Forest,'' ''Swamp,'' ''Mountain,'' and ''Plains'' all connected to your hub. This setup saves time and ensures you can respond to threats or gather resources efficiently.\n\nFinally, remember that Portals cannot transport metals like Copper, Tin, Iron, or Silver. To move these resources, you must transport them manually or use a Longship for bulk transport. Plan your resource gathering trips accordingly, and consider setting up temporary bases near resource-rich areas to minimize travel time. With a well-designed portal network, you can focus on exploring, building, and conquering Valheim''s challenges with ease.