What’s the most efficient way to gather core wood for early-game crafting?

Gathering core wood efficiently in Valheim is crucial for early-game crafting, as it is used to build essential structures like the Fine Wood Bow, portals, and reinforced chests. Core wood is obtained by chopping down pine trees, which are primarily found in the Black Forest biome. Unlike regular wood, core wood requires a bronze axe or better to harvest, so players must first progress to the Bronze Age by smelting copper and tin to craft the necessary tools.\n\nTo begin, you’ll need to locate the Black Forest biome, which is typically adjacent to the Meadows, your starting area. Look for tall, dark pine trees with a distinct appearance compared to the smaller birch and oak trees in the Meadows. Once you’ve identified the Black Forest, ensure you have a bronze axe. Crafting a bronze axe requires 4 wood, 8 bronze, and 2 leather scraps. Bronze is made by combining copper and tin at a forge, so prioritize mining these ores in the Black Forest and smelting them at your base.\n\nWhen chopping pine trees, aim for the base of the trunk to fell the tree efficiently. Pine trees drop both regular wood and core wood, so you’ll need to gather a significant amount to meet your crafting needs. One practical tip is to focus on areas with dense clusters of pine trees to minimize travel time between trees. Additionally, be cautious of enemies like Greydwarfs and Trolls in the Black Forest, as they can interrupt your gathering. Bring a shield and weapon for defense, and consider building a small outpost nearby to store resources and recover stamina.\n\nA common challenge is managing inventory space while gathering core wood. Since core wood stacks up to 50, it’s easy to fill your inventory quickly. To address this, bring a cart or build a temporary storage chest near your gathering site. Carts are particularly useful for transporting large quantities of wood back to your base, but they require a workbench and 20 wood to craft. If you’re playing solo, consider making multiple trips or using portals to streamline resource transportation.\n\nFor experienced players, optimizing core wood gathering can involve using the environment to your advantage. For example, felling multiple trees in a way that causes them to collide can create a domino effect, saving time and effort. Additionally, upgrading your bronze axe at a forge will increase its durability and chopping speed, making the process more efficient. If you’re venturing into the Black Forest at night, bring a torch or campfire to avoid freezing and to deter Greydwarfs.\n\nIn summary, the most efficient way to gather core wood in Valheim’s early game involves preparing a bronze axe, locating the Black Forest biome, and strategically chopping pine trees while managing inventory and defending against enemies. By following these steps and utilizing tools like carts and portals, you can streamline the process and ensure a steady supply of core wood for your crafting needs.