What’s the best way to share surplus coal and surtling cores for smelting?

Sharing surplus coal and surtling cores for smelting in Valheim is essential for efficient resource management, especially in multiplayer settings. Coal is a critical resource for smelting ores like copper, tin, and iron, while surtling cores are used to craft smelters and portals. Both resources are abundant but require strategic sharing to maximize their utility.\n\nTo share coal and surtling cores effectively, start by establishing a shared storage system. Build a dedicated storage area near your smelting station, such as a chest or a series of chests labeled for specific resources. This ensures that all players can easily deposit and withdraw materials as needed. For example, place a chest labeled ''Coal'' next to the smelter and another labeled ''Surtling Cores'' near the crafting bench. This organization prevents confusion and streamlines the smelting process.\n\nWhen gathering coal, players can obtain it by burning wood in a charcoal kiln or by mining it in the Swamp biome from surtling spawners. Surtling cores, on the other hand, are primarily found in Burial Chambers in the Black Forest or dropped by surtlings in the Swamp. To maximize efficiency, assign specific roles to players, such as one person gathering wood for charcoal production while another focuses on mining coal or hunting surtlings for cores.\n\nA common challenge is ensuring that all players have access to the shared resources without hoarding. To address this, set clear rules for resource usage. For instance, players should only take what they need for immediate smelting or crafting tasks and return any surplus to the shared storage. This prevents bottlenecks and ensures that everyone can progress smoothly.\n\nAnother practical solution is to use portals for resource distribution. If your base is spread across multiple biomes, set up portals to connect key locations, such as a mining outpost in the Black Forest or a surtling farm in the Swamp. This allows players to quickly transport coal and surtling cores back to the main base for smelting. For example, a portal near a surtling spawner in the Swamp can save time and effort when collecting cores.\n\nFor new players, it’s important to understand the crafting requirements for smelting. A smelter requires 5 surtling cores and 20 stones, while a charcoal kiln requires 5 surtling cores and 20 wood. Prioritize crafting these structures early to ensure a steady supply of coal and smelted metals. Experienced players can optimize this process by building multiple smelters and kilns to handle larger quantities of resources.\n\nFinally, consider automating coal production by creating a surtling farm in the Swamp biome. Surtlings spawn naturally in flame geysers and drop both coal and surtling cores when killed. By digging out the area around a flame geyser, you can create a pit where surtlings spawn and die instantly, providing a steady supply of resources. This method is highly efficient and reduces the need for manual coal gathering.\n\nIn summary, sharing coal and surtling cores effectively requires organization, clear communication, and strategic planning. Use shared storage, assign roles, and leverage portals to streamline resource distribution. For advanced players, automating coal production through surtling farms can significantly enhance efficiency. By following these tips, your team can ensure a steady supply of resources for smelting and crafting, enabling smoother progression in Valheim.