What’s the best strategy to avoid wasting time on unnecessary biomes?

Speedrunning in Valheim requires efficient biome navigation to avoid wasting time on unnecessary areas. The key is to focus on biomes that provide essential resources for progression while skipping those that don''t contribute to your immediate goals. Start by prioritizing the Meadows, Black Forest, and Swamp biomes, as these contain the materials needed to craft essential tools, weapons, and armor. Avoid spending time in biomes like the Mountains or Plains early on, as they are high-risk areas with resources that are not immediately useful.\n\nTo optimize your biome exploration, use the map to mark key locations. When you spawn, immediately scout for nearby Black Forest biomes, as they contain copper and tin, which are critical for crafting bronze tools and weapons. Use the Hoe to level terrain and create paths, reducing travel time between resource nodes. Avoid venturing into the Swamp biome until you have at least bronze-tier gear, as it is filled with dangerous enemies like Draugr and Leeches.\n\nOne common mistake is over-exploring the Meadows biome. While it is safe and contains basic resources like wood and stone, spending too much time here can slow your progression. Focus on gathering just enough materials to build a basic shelter, crafting bench, and workbench. Once you have these, move quickly to the Black Forest to mine copper and tin. Use a Karve or Raft to explore coastal areas, as tin is often found near water.\n\nIn the Black Forest, prioritize mining copper and tin nodes. Use a pickaxe to gather these resources efficiently, and smelt them in a furnace to create bronze. Craft bronze tools and weapons as soon as possible, as they significantly improve your combat and resource-gathering capabilities. Avoid fighting unnecessary enemies like Trolls unless they are blocking your path to resources. Instead, use stealth or ranged weapons to bypass them.\n\nThe Swamp biome is essential for obtaining iron, which is required for mid-game progression. However, it is also one of the most dangerous biomes. Before entering, ensure you have poison resistance mead, as many enemies in the Swamp deal poison damage. Use a crypt key to access Sunken Crypts, where you can mine iron scrap. Focus on gathering enough iron to craft a full set of iron armor and weapons, then move on to the next biome.\n\nTo avoid wasting time, skip biomes like the Mountains and Plains until later in the game. These areas contain valuable resources like silver and black metal, but they are not necessary for early or mid-game progression. Instead, focus on building a strong base, upgrading your gear, and preparing for boss fights. Use portals to connect your base to resource-rich areas, reducing travel time and allowing you to quickly return to safety.\n\nPractical tips for speedrunning include using the Stagbreaker weapon to clear large groups of enemies quickly, crafting a fermenter to produce meads for buffs, and always carrying a portal with you to establish quick travel points. By focusing on essential biomes and avoiding unnecessary exploration, you can progress through Valheim efficiently and achieve your speedrunning goals.