Can I use portals to transport items like wood and stone?

In Valheim, portals are a crucial tool for fast travel, but they come with specific limitations when it comes to transporting items. Portals cannot transport certain materials, including wood, stone, ores, and metals. This restriction is a deliberate game mechanic designed to encourage exploration and resource management. However, understanding how to work around these limitations can significantly improve your gameplay efficiency.\n\nTo craft a portal, you need to unlock the recipe by obtaining Fine Wood and Surtling Cores. Fine Wood is gathered from Birch or Oak trees in the Meadows or Black Forest biomes, while Surtling Cores are found in Burial Chambers or by defeating Surtlings in the Ashlands biome. Once you have the materials, you can craft a portal at a Workbench. Each portal requires 20 Fine Wood, 2 Surtling Cores, and 10 Greydwarf Eyes. Portals must be paired by assigning them the same tag, allowing you to travel instantly between them.\n\nWhile portals are excellent for moving yourself and certain items like food, tools, and weapons, they block the transportation of raw resources such as wood, stone, and metals. This restriction forces players to manually transport these materials, often requiring long treks or the use of carts and boats. For example, if you mine Copper in the Black Forest, you cannot portal back to your base with the ore. Instead, you must carry it or use a cart to haul it overland or transport it by boat if near water.\n\nOne practical solution to this challenge is to establish forward bases near resource-rich areas. For instance, if you are mining Silver in the Mountains biome, you can set up a small base with a Smelter and Forge to process the ore into bars. Since processed metals like Silver Bars can be transported through portals, this strategy allows you to bypass the restriction. Similarly, you can process wood into Coal at a Charcoal Kilch or stone into building materials at a Stonecutter before transporting them.\n\nAnother tip is to use carts and boats strategically. Carts are ideal for overland transport, especially when paired with roads you can build using the Hoe. Boats, such as the Karve or Longship, are essential for moving large quantities of resources across water. For example, if you are gathering Iron from the Swamp biome, you can load it onto a boat and sail it back to your main base for processing.\n\nFor experienced players, optimizing resource routes and planning ahead can save significant time. For instance, you can mark resource locations on your map and plan efficient paths for transporting materials. Additionally, using multiple portals for different purposes, such as one for exploration and another for processed goods, can streamline your gameplay.\n\nIn summary, while portals in Valheim cannot transport raw materials like wood, stone, and metals, understanding the game mechanics and employing creative strategies can help you overcome these limitations. By setting up forward bases, processing materials on-site, and using carts and boats effectively, you can maximize your efficiency and enjoy a smoother Viking survival experience.