How can you quickly gather stone for early-game building needs?

Gathering stone quickly in Valheim is essential for early-game building, crafting, and progression. Stone is a versatile resource used for crafting tools, building structures, and creating defensive walls. To maximize efficiency, focus on specific biomes, tools, and strategies that allow you to gather stone rapidly while minimizing risks.\n\nStart by crafting a Stone Pickaxe as soon as possible. This tool is essential for mining stone and can be crafted using 5 wood and 10 stone. If you don''t have enough stone initially, gather small rocks scattered across the Meadows biome. These rocks are abundant and can be broken with your fists or a basic club. Once you have the Stone Pickaxe, you can target larger stone formations for faster resource collection.\n\nThe Meadows biome is the safest starting point for gathering stone. Look for large boulders and rock formations, which yield significantly more stone than small rocks. These formations are common in the Meadows and can be mined quickly with a Stone Pickaxe. However, be cautious of nearby enemies like Greylings and Boars, as they can interrupt your mining. Clear the area of threats before starting to mine.\n\nFor even faster stone gathering, venture into the Black Forest biome. This biome is rich in stone resources, including large boulders and copper deposits. While copper deposits are primarily used for crafting bronze, they also yield a significant amount of stone when mined. Be prepared for tougher enemies like Greydwarfs and Trolls in the Black Forest. Bring a shield, a weapon, and some food to increase your survivability.\n\nAnother effective strategy is to use the Hoe to flatten terrain. When you flatten uneven ground, stone and other resources are automatically added to your inventory. This method is particularly useful if you''re building a base or leveling terrain, as it allows you to gather stone while working on other tasks. The Hoe requires 5 wood and 2 stone to craft, making it an accessible tool early in the game.\n\nIf you''re playing with friends, coordinate your efforts to gather stone more efficiently. Assign roles, such as one player mining while another defends against enemies. This teamwork can significantly speed up the process and reduce downtime caused by combat or resource management. Additionally, consider building a cart to transport large amounts of stone back to your base. Carts require 20 wood and 10 bronze nails to craft, making them a mid-game option for efficient resource transportation.\n\nTo optimize your stone-gathering runs, always carry a workbench with you. This allows you to repair your tools on the go, ensuring you don''t waste time returning to your base for repairs. Place the workbench in a safe location near your mining site, and dismantle it when you''re done to recover the materials.\n\nFinally, prioritize upgrading your tools as you progress. The Antler Pickaxe, crafted from Hard Antlers dropped by the first boss, Eikthyr, is a significant upgrade over the Stone Pickaxe. It mines resources faster and lasts longer, making it a valuable tool for early-game stone gathering. Once you unlock bronze, craft a Bronze Pickaxe for even greater efficiency.\n\nIn summary, gather stone quickly by starting in the Meadows biome, crafting a Stone Pickaxe, and targeting large boulders. Use the Hoe to collect stone while flattening terrain, and consider venturing into the Black Forest for richer resources. Coordinate with friends, use carts for transportation, and always carry a workbench for repairs. Upgrade your tools as soon as possible to maximize efficiency and prepare for more challenging biomes.