How do I use portals to quickly gather resources in the Meadows?

Portals in Valheim are one of the most efficient tools for fast travel and resource gathering, especially in the Meadows biome. To use portals effectively, you must first unlock the crafting recipe by defeating Eikthyr, the first boss. This grants you the ability to craft a Workbench and a Hammer, which are essential for building portals. Portals require two key resources: Fine Wood (20) and Greydwarf Eyes (10). Fine Wood is obtained by chopping down Birch or Oak trees in the Meadows, while Greydwarf Eyes drop from Greydwarf enemies in the Black Forest.\n\nTo set up a portal, you need to build two connected portals with matching tags. First, craft a portal at your base using the Hammer and place it in a secure location. Assign it a unique tag, such as ''Meadows1''. Next, gather the materials for a second portal and carry them with you as you explore. When you find a resource-rich area in the Meadows, place the second portal and assign it the same tag as the first. This instantly connects the two portals, allowing you to travel between them instantly.\n\nOne of the best uses for portals in the Meadows is gathering resources like Wood, Stone, and Berries. For example, if you find a dense forest with many Birch trees, set up a portal nearby. Chop down the trees, collect the Fine Wood, and use the portal to transport it back to your base. This saves time and avoids the risk of losing resources if you die while traveling. Additionally, portals are invaluable for farming Raspberries and Blueberries, which are abundant in the Meadows and Black Forest. Simply set up a portal near a berry patch and return periodically to harvest them.\n\nA common challenge is running out of portal materials while exploring. To avoid this, always carry extra Fine Wood and Greydwarf Eyes in your inventory. If you''re low on Greydwarf Eyes, consider farming Greydwarves in the Black Forest. Another tip is to mark resource-rich areas on your map before setting up portals. This ensures you can return to the same spot later without wasting time searching. For example, if you find a large Copper deposit near the Meadows border, mark it and set up a portal for easy access.\n\nPortals also have limitations. Certain items, like metals (Copper, Tin, Iron), cannot be transported through portals. To work around this, you can smelt the metals at the resource location and transport the bars back to your base. Alternatively, use a Cart or Longship to transport large quantities of metal. However, for non-metal resources like Wood, Stone, and Berries, portals are the fastest and safest method.\n\nFor new players, it''s important to prioritize building a portal network early in the game. Start by setting up a portal at your base and another in a resource-rich area of the Meadows. As you progress, expand your network to include portals in other biomes like the Black Forest and Swamp. Experienced players can optimize their portal usage by creating dedicated resource-gathering portals. For example, set up a portal near a large Stone tower in the Meadows for quick Stone collection.\n\nIn summary, portals are a game-changing tool for efficient resource gathering in Valheim. By understanding their mechanics and planning your portal network, you can save time and focus on progressing through the game. Always carry extra materials, mark resource locations on your map, and use portals strategically to maximize their benefits.