How do I craft a portal to pair with my Karve’s destination?

Crafting a portal to pair with your Karve’s destination in Valheim is a crucial step for efficient exploration and resource management. Portals allow you to quickly travel between two points, saving time and reducing the risk of losing valuable items during long journeys. To craft a portal, you’ll need to gather specific resources and understand the game’s mechanics for portal pairing.\n\nFirst, you’ll need to unlock the portal recipe by obtaining Fine Wood and Greydwarf Eyes. Fine Wood is gathered by chopping down Birch or Oak trees in the Meadows or Black Forest biomes using a Bronze Axe or better. Greydwarf Eyes drop from Greydwarfs, common enemies in the Black Forest. Once you have these materials, you can craft a portal at a Workbench.\n\nTo craft a portal, you’ll need 20 Fine Wood, 2 Greydwarf Eyes, and 10 Surtling Cores. Surtling Cores are found in Burial Chambers in the Black Forest or by defeating Surtlings in the Ashlands biome. Place the portal at your base or near your Karve’s docking point. Ensure you have enough space for the portal structure, as it requires a 2x2 area.\n\nNext, you’ll need to pair the portal with another one at your destination. To do this, both portals must have the same tag. Interact with the portal and assign a unique name (e.g., "KarveBase"). Then, craft and place a second portal at your desired destination, assigning it the same tag. Once both portals are active and share the same tag, you can travel instantly between them.\n\nA common challenge is running out of Surtling Cores or Fine Wood. To address this, explore multiple Burial Chambers in the Black Forest or farm Greydwarfs for their eyes. If you’re struggling to find Birch trees for Fine Wood, explore the edges of the Meadows biome, as they often spawn near water. Additionally, consider setting up a small outpost near your Karve’s destination to store materials and craft the second portal on-site.\n\nPortals are especially useful when sailing the Karve, as they allow you to quickly return to your base to repair equipment, store loot, or craft new items. For example, if you’re exploring a distant island and find valuable resources like Silver or Iron, you can set up a portal to transport them back to your base without risking a long voyage. This strategy is particularly helpful in dangerous biomes like the Swamp or Mountains.\n\nRemember that portals cannot transport metals like Copper, Tin, or Iron. To move these materials, you’ll need to sail your Karve back to your base. However, you can use portals to quickly gather other resources, such as wood, stone, or food, and return to your Karve’s location without losing progress.\n\nFinally, always carry portal materials with you when exploring. This allows you to set up a temporary portal if you find a valuable location or need to escape a dangerous situation. By mastering portal mechanics and pairing them with your Karve, you’ll streamline your exploration and make the most of your Viking adventures.\n\nPractical tip: If you’re planning a long voyage, set up a portal at your base and carry the materials for a second portal in your Karve’s storage. This way, you can establish a connection as soon as you reach your destination, ensuring a safe and efficient return trip.