How can you quickly gather obsidian for crafting in the Mountains?

Gathering obsidian quickly in Valheim is essential for crafting high-tier items like Frostner, Draugr Fang, and other advanced gear. Obsidian is found exclusively in the Mountains biome, a dangerous area filled with freezing temperatures, Drakes, and Stone Golems. To efficiently collect obsidian, you need to prepare properly, understand the game mechanics, and use strategic approaches to minimize risks and maximize efficiency.\n\nFirst, ensure you are well-equipped before venturing into the Mountains. You will need a Frost Resistance Mead or Wolf Armor to survive the freezing temperatures. Frost Resistance Mead is crafted at a Fermenter using Honey, Thistle, Bloodbag, and Greydwarf Eye. Alternatively, Wolf Armor provides innate frost resistance but requires Silver, which is also found in the Mountains. Bring a Pickaxe (preferably Iron or better) to mine obsidian, as it cannot be harvested with lower-tier tools.\n\nObsidian nodes are black, shiny rocks that stand out against the snowy terrain. They are often found on steep slopes or near rocky outcrops. Use the Wishbone, obtained by defeating Bonemass in the Swamp biome, to locate obsidian deposits more efficiently. The Wishbone emits a green pulse and makes a sound when you are near buried Silver or obsidian. This tool is invaluable for speedrunning, as it saves time by pinpointing resources quickly.\n\nWhen mining obsidian, be aware of environmental hazards. Drakes, flying creatures that shoot ice projectiles, are common in the Mountains. Carry a bow and arrows to deal with them from a distance. Stone Golems, massive rock creatures, can also pose a threat. Avoid engaging them unless necessary, as they are tough to defeat and can waste valuable time. Use the terrain to your advantage by mining obsidian on slopes or cliffs where enemies have difficulty reaching you.\n\nTo optimize your obsidian gathering, plan your route through the Mountains. Use a map marker to note the locations of obsidian nodes you find, as they respawn over time. This allows you to revisit productive areas in future runs. Additionally, bring a Portal with you to quickly return to your base and unload resources. Portals require Fine Wood, Greydwarf Eye, and Surtling Core to craft, so stock up on these materials beforehand.\n\nA common challenge is managing inventory space while mining obsidian. Obsidian is heavy, and your inventory can fill up quickly. To address this, bring a Cart or use a Longship to transport large quantities of obsidian. If you are speedrunning, consider setting up a temporary storage chest near your mining area to reduce trips back and forth. This strategy is especially useful if you are mining multiple nodes in a single run.\n\nFinally, always be prepared for unexpected events. Wolves, which roam the Mountains in packs, can ambush you while mining. Carry healing items like Cooked Meat or Health Mead to recover quickly. If you die, your items will drop at your death location, so mark it on your map to retrieve them later. Speedrunning requires efficiency, but safety should never be overlooked.\n\nIn summary, quickly gathering obsidian in Valheim involves preparation, strategic planning, and efficient resource management. Equip yourself with frost resistance, use the Wishbone to locate nodes, and mine safely while avoiding or defeating enemies. Plan your route, manage inventory space, and use Portals or temporary storage to streamline the process. With these tips, you can gather obsidian efficiently and progress faster in your Valheim journey.