How do I build a portal for fast travel between biomes?

Building a portal in Valheim is essential for fast travel between biomes, saving time and resources. Portals allow you to connect two locations, enabling instant travel between them. To build a portal, you need to unlock the recipe by obtaining Surtling Cores, which are found in Burial Chambers in the Black Forest biome or dropped by Surtlings in the Ashlands. Once you have the recipe, you can craft portals using Fine Wood, Greydwarf Eyes, and Surtling Cores.\n\nTo begin, gather the required materials. Fine Wood is obtained by chopping down Birch or Oak trees in the Meadows or Black Forest biomes. Greydwarf Eyes are dropped by Greydwarfs, common enemies in the Black Forest. Surtling Cores are the rarest of the three and require exploration of Burial Chambers or defeating Surtlings. Once you have at least 10 Fine Wood, 20 Greydwarf Eyes, and 2 Surtling Cores, you can craft a portal at a Workbench.\n\nPlace the portal in your desired location. Portals must be built on flat ground and require a clear area of at least 2x2 tiles. Once placed, you need to name the portal by interacting with it. The name is crucial because it connects two portals with the same name. For example, if you name a portal ''Home,'' you must name another portal ''Home'' to link them. This allows you to travel instantly between the two locations.\n\nA common challenge is running out of Surtling Cores early in the game. To solve this, focus on exploring Burial Chambers in the Black Forest. These dungeons often contain multiple Surtling Cores, and clearing them can provide enough resources for multiple portals. Additionally, Surtlings in the Ashlands biome drop Surtling Cores when defeated, though this biome is more dangerous and better suited for mid-to-late-game players.\n\nPortals are especially useful for connecting distant biomes, such as the Meadows, Black Forest, and Swamp. For example, you can place a portal near your base in the Meadows and another near a valuable resource node in the Black Forest. This setup allows you to quickly gather resources and return home without lengthy travel times. However, note that portals cannot transport metals like Copper, Tin, or Iron, so you will still need to transport these manually.\n\nTo optimize portal usage, consider building a network of portals at key locations. For instance, create a portal hub at your main base with multiple portals named for different biomes or resource areas. This strategy ensures you can quickly access any location without needing to rename portals constantly. Additionally, always carry portal materials when exploring new areas to set up a return portal on the go.\n\nIn summary, portals are a game-changing tool for efficient travel in Valheim. By gathering Fine Wood, Greydwarf Eyes, and Surtling Cores, you can craft and link portals to save time and streamline resource gathering. Focus on exploring Burial Chambers for Surtling Cores, and plan your portal network strategically to maximize their benefits. With these tips, you can master fast travel and conquer Valheim''s vast world with ease.