What are the best tools for gathering stone in the Black Forest?

Gathering stone in Valheim''s Black Forest is a crucial task for building, crafting, and progressing through the game. The Black Forest biome is rich in stone resources, including regular stone, flint, and copper deposits. To efficiently gather stone, you need the right tools and strategies. The best tools for this task are the Antler Pickaxe and the Bronze Pickaxe, each suited for different stages of the game.\n\nFor early-game players, the Antler Pickaxe is the first tool you can craft to mine stone and other resources. To craft it, you need 10 Wood and 1 Hard Antler, which is obtained by defeating Eikthyr, the first boss. The Antler Pickaxe is effective for breaking small stone formations and copper deposits in the Black Forest. However, it has limited durability and is slower compared to later tools. To maximize its use, focus on gathering stone from smaller rocks and avoid wasting durability on large boulders until you upgrade your tools.\n\nOnce you progress further and unlock bronze, the Bronze Pickaxe becomes the best tool for gathering stone in the Black Forest. Crafting a Bronze Pickaxe requires 3 Core Wood, 10 Bronze, and 2 Leather Scraps. Bronze is made by smelting Copper and Tin, both of which are found in the Black Forest. The Bronze Pickaxe is significantly more durable and efficient than the Antler Pickaxe, making it ideal for mining large stone formations and copper deposits. It also allows you to gather stone faster, which is essential for building larger structures or crafting advanced items.\n\nWhen gathering stone in the Black Forest, it''s important to prioritize efficiency and safety. The biome is home to hostile creatures like Greydwarfs and Trolls, which can interrupt your mining. Always bring a weapon, such as a Flint Spear or Bronze Sword, and wear armor like Leather or Troll Hide to protect yourself. Additionally, consider building a small outpost near your mining area to store resources and rest, as this will save time and reduce the risk of losing items if you die.\n\nOne common challenge players face is running out of inventory space while gathering stone. Stone is heavy, and your inventory can fill up quickly. To solve this, bring a Cart or build a Chest near your mining site to store excess stone. Carts are particularly useful for transporting large amounts of stone back to your base. If you''re playing solo, you can also use Portals to quickly return to your base and unload resources before continuing your mining session.\n\nUnderstanding the game mechanics of stone gathering is also important. Stone formations in the Black Forest come in various sizes, and larger formations yield more stone but take longer to break. Smaller rocks are quicker to mine but provide less stone. Prioritize larger formations when using the Bronze Pickaxe to maximize efficiency. Additionally, stone can sometimes be found on the ground as loose rocks, which can be picked up without tools. Always keep an eye out for these while exploring.\n\nFor experienced players, consider using the Stagbreaker, a two-handed hammer, to clear large areas of stone quickly. While not as precise as a pickaxe, it can break multiple stone formations at once, making it useful for clearing out mining areas. However, this method is less efficient for gathering specific resources like copper.\n\nIn summary, the best tools for gathering stone in the Black Forest are the Antler Pickaxe for early-game players and the Bronze Pickaxe for mid-game progression. Always prioritize safety, manage your inventory, and use tools efficiently to maximize your stone-gathering efforts. With these strategies, you''ll have plenty of stone for building and crafting in no time.