How can I gather stone without using a cart in Valheim?

Gathering stone in Valheim without using a cart is entirely possible and can be done efficiently with the right tools and strategies. Stone is one of the most essential resources in the game, used for crafting, building, and upgrading structures. To gather stone without a cart, you’ll need to focus on manual collection, inventory management, and strategic planning.\n\nFirst, equip yourself with a pickaxe, which is the primary tool for mining stone. You can craft a basic pickaxe using 10 wood and 1 hard antler, which is obtained by defeating Eikthyr, the first boss. Once you have a pickaxe, head to areas with large stone formations, such as the Meadows or Black Forest biomes. These biomes are abundant with stone deposits, which appear as large boulders or smaller rocks scattered across the terrain.\n\nTo maximize efficiency, target large boulders first, as they yield more stone per hit. Smaller rocks are quicker to break but provide less stone. When mining, aim for the base of the boulder to break it faster. Each hit will drop stone fragments, which you can pick up by walking over them. Be mindful of your inventory space, as stone is heavy and can quickly fill your slots. If your inventory is full, consider dropping less essential items temporarily to make room.\n\nAnother effective method is to gather stone from the ground. In the Meadows biome, you’ll often find small stones lying on the surface. These can be picked up directly without needing a pickaxe. While this method is slower, it’s useful for quick collection when you’re low on tools or need small amounts of stone. Additionally, stone can be found in dungeons like Burial Chambers in the Black Forest, but this method is riskier due to enemy encounters.\n\nTo avoid frequent trips back to your base, consider setting up a temporary storage chest near your mining area. This allows you to deposit stone as you gather it, freeing up inventory space for more resources. If you’re exploring far from your base, you can also build a small outpost with a workbench and chest to store your stone safely.\n\nFor experienced players, using portals can streamline the process. Craft a portal at your base and carry portal materials (20 fine wood and 2 surtling cores) with you. When your inventory is full, place a portal near your mining site and teleport back to your base to unload the stone. This method eliminates the need for a cart and saves time.\n\nFinally, always be prepared for combat while gathering stone. Enemies like greylings and trolls may attack you, especially in the Black Forest. Carry a weapon, shield, and food to maintain your health and stamina. If you’re mining in dangerous areas, consider bringing a friend for added protection.\n\nIn summary, gathering stone without a cart in Valheim requires a combination of tools, biome knowledge, and inventory management. Focus on mining large boulders, use temporary storage, and consider portals for efficient transportation. With these strategies, you’ll have plenty of stone for all your building and crafting needs.