Can I use portals to transport items like surtling cores?
In Valheim, portals are a crucial tool for fast travel, but they come with specific limitations regarding item transportation. Portals allow players to instantly travel between two connected points on the map, but they cannot transport certain items, including surtling cores. This restriction is a key gameplay mechanic designed to balance exploration and resource management.\n\nTo use portals, you must first craft them. Portals require 20 fine wood, 10 greydwarf eyes, and 2 surtling cores. Fine wood can be obtained by chopping birch or oak trees in the Meadows or Black Forest biomes. Greydwarf eyes drop from greydwarf enemies, which are common in the Black Forest. Surtling cores, on the other hand, are found in Burial Chambers in the Black Forest or by defeating surtlings in the Ashlands biome. Once crafted, place two portals and assign them the same tag to connect them.\n\nWhile portals are incredibly useful for moving yourself and certain items, they block the transportation of specific resources, including surtling cores, ores, and metals. This restriction forces players to manually transport these items by foot or boat, adding a layer of strategy to resource gathering and base building. For example, if you need to transport surtling cores from the Black Forest to your main base, you will need to carry them in your inventory and walk or sail the distance.\n\nOne common challenge players face is efficiently transporting large quantities of restricted items. To overcome this, consider building a network of bases or outposts near resource-rich areas. For instance, if you are farming surtling cores in the Black Forest, set up a small base nearby to store them temporarily. This reduces the need for frequent long-distance trips. Additionally, using a cart or longship can help you transport larger quantities of restricted items in a single trip.\n\nFor new players, it is important to plan your portal placements strategically. Place portals near key locations such as resource nodes, dungeons, or biome transitions. This minimizes the time spent traveling and maximizes efficiency. Experienced players can optimize their portal networks by creating a central hub with multiple portals, each labeled for specific destinations. This approach streamlines travel and resource management.\n\nIn summary, while portals cannot transport surtling cores or other restricted items, they remain an essential tool for fast travel and exploration. By understanding their limitations and planning accordingly, you can efficiently manage your resources and navigate the world of Valheim. Always keep a few surtling cores on hand for crafting new portals, and consider building temporary storage solutions near resource-rich areas to minimize travel time.