Can I use portals to transport items like black metal?
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 high-tier materials, including black metal, ores, and ingots. 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 20 fine wood, 10 greydwarf eyes, and 2 surtling cores. Fine wood is obtained by chopping down birch or oak trees in the Meadows or Black Forest biomes. Greydwarf eyes drop from greydwarf enemies, and surtling cores are found in burial chambers or dropped by surtlings in the Ashlands biome. Once crafted, portals require two connected structures with matching tags to function. For example, if you name one portal ''Home'' and another ''Base,'' they will link together, allowing instant travel between them.\n\nBlack metal, a valuable resource used for crafting high-tier weapons and armor, is obtained by defeating fulings in the Plains biome. Since portals cannot transport black metal, you must manually transport it by foot or ship. This can be challenging, especially when traveling long distances or through dangerous biomes. To mitigate this, consider setting up a temporary base near the Plains biome to store black metal before transporting it in bulk. Alternatively, use a longship to carry large quantities of black metal across the ocean, as ships are not restricted by portal limitations.\n\nAnother strategy is to process black metal into weapons or armor at the source before transporting it. For example, craft black metal swords or shields at a forge near the Plains biome, as these items can be transported through portals. This approach reduces the need for multiple trips and minimizes the risk of losing resources to enemies or environmental hazards. Additionally, always carry a portal with you when exploring, so you can quickly return to your base if needed.\n\nFor new players, it''s essential to plan your resource-gathering trips carefully. Before venturing into the Plains biome, ensure you have adequate gear, food, and a safe route back to your base. Experienced players can optimize their gameplay by creating a network of portals and storage bases near resource-rich areas. This allows for efficient resource management and reduces the time spent traveling.\n\nIn summary, while portals cannot transport black metal, ores, or ingots, there are practical solutions to overcome this limitation. By crafting items at the source, using ships for bulk transport, and strategically placing portals, you can streamline your resource-gathering process. Always prioritize safety and efficiency when transporting valuable materials, and remember that preparation is key to surviving Valheim''s challenging world.