What’s the most efficient route to gather surtling cores for portals?

Surtling cores are essential for crafting portals, which allow fast travel across the vast world of Valheim. These cores are primarily found in Burial Chambers within the Black Forest biome or by defeating Surtlings in the Ashlands biome. For speedrunning, the most efficient route focuses on Burial Chambers, as they are more accessible early in the game and provide a reliable source of cores.\n\nTo begin, you’ll need to locate the Black Forest biome, which is typically adjacent to the Meadows where you start. Equip yourself with basic tools like a club, a shield, and a torch. Food such as berries or cooked meat will help sustain your health and stamina. Once you’ve prepared, explore the Black Forest for Burial Chambers, which are stone structures with green torches outside. These are your primary targets for surtling cores.\n\nInside Burial Chambers, you’ll encounter skeletons and other enemies. Use your shield to block attacks and your club to deal damage. Surtling cores are found in chests or on pedestals within these dungeons. Each Burial Chamber typically contains 2-5 cores, so clearing multiple chambers will quickly stockpile the 10 cores needed for two portals (5 cores per portal).\n\nA common challenge is the limited inventory space. To maximize efficiency, bring a cart or leave non-essential items at your base. Focus on collecting cores, ancient wood, and other valuable resources like yellow mushrooms. If you encounter a particularly difficult Burial Chamber, consider retreating and returning later with better gear or more food.\n\nFor experienced players, the Ashlands biome offers an alternative method. Surtlings, fire-based enemies, drop surtling cores when killed. However, the Ashlands are far from the starting area and require advanced preparation, including fire-resistant gear and strong weapons. This method is less efficient for speedrunning but can supplement core collection if you’re already exploring the biome.\n\nTo optimize your route, mark Burial Chambers on your map as you explore. This allows you to revisit areas efficiently and avoid redundant exploration. Additionally, consider building a small outpost near the Black Forest to store resources and rest between dungeon runs. This saves time and reduces the risk of losing progress if you die.\n\nFinally, prioritize crafting a portal as soon as you have 5 cores. Place one portal at your base and carry materials for the second portal. This allows you to quickly return home to deposit cores and resupply, minimizing downtime. With these strategies, you can efficiently gather surtling cores and establish a portal network to streamline your Valheim adventures.