How do you build a portal for quick travel between biomes?

Building a portal in Valheim is essential for quick travel between biomes, saving you time and effort when exploring or transporting resources. Portals allow you to instantly teleport between two linked locations, making them a game-changer for managing your Viking adventures. To build a portal, you need to unlock the recipe, gather the required materials, and set up the portal correctly.\n\nFirst, you must unlock the portal recipe by obtaining Surtling Cores. These are found in the Black Forest biome, typically inside Burial Chambers or dropped by Surtlings in the Ashlands. You need at least two Surtling Cores to craft a portal. Once you have the cores, interact with a Workbench to unlock the recipe for the portal, which 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 Black Forest, while Greydwarf Eyes drop from Greydwarfs in the Black Forest.\n\nAfter gathering the materials, craft the portal at a Workbench. Place the portal in a secure location, preferably near your base or a frequently visited area. To link two portals, you must name them with the same tag. For example, if you name one portal ''Home'' and another ''Forest,'' they will not link. Both portals must share the exact same name, including capitalization and spacing. This is a common mistake for new players, so double-check the names before attempting to use the portal.\n\nOnce the portals are linked, simply walk into one to teleport to the other. Portals are one-way, meaning you can only travel from the entrance to the exit. If you want to return, you must walk back into the linked portal. This mechanic is useful for setting up a network of portals across different biomes, such as connecting your base in the Meadows to a mining outpost in the Black Forest or a hunting ground in the Plains.\n\nHowever, there are limitations to portal travel. You cannot transport metals like Copper, Tin, or Iron through portals. This is a deliberate game mechanic to encourage exploration and resource management. To work around this, you can transport ores by ship or cart to your base for smelting. Additionally, portals require a clear path to function. If the exit portal is blocked or destroyed, you will not be able to travel through the entrance portal. Always ensure both portals are intact and accessible.\n\nFor new players, it’s a good idea to build a portal early in the game to connect your base to the Black Forest. This allows you to quickly gather resources like Core Wood, Surtling Cores, and Greydwarf Eyes without long treks. Experienced players can expand their portal network to include biomes like the Swamp, Mountains, and Plains, making it easier to farm rare materials or respond to threats.\n\nIn summary, portals are a vital tool for efficient travel in Valheim. By unlocking the recipe, gathering materials, and correctly naming your portals, you can create a seamless network across biomes. Remember to plan your portal locations carefully and account for the limitations on transporting metals. With these tips, you’ll be able to explore Valheim’s vast world with ease and efficiency.