What is the best way to gather stone for a stone wall?

Gathering stone for a stone wall in Valheim requires a strategic approach, as stone is one of the most essential resources for building durable structures. Stone walls are particularly useful for fortifying your base against enemy raids, as they are much stronger than wood walls. To gather stone efficiently, you need to understand the game mechanics, tools, and locations where stone is abundant.\n\nFirst, you will need the right tools to gather stone effectively. The most basic tool for gathering stone is the Antler Pickaxe, which is crafted using Hard Antlers from the first boss, Eikthyr. However, as you progress, you should upgrade to a Bronze Pickaxe, which is faster and more durable. To craft a Bronze Pickaxe, you need to smelt Copper and Tin in a Smelter to create Bronze Bars. Once you have the pickaxe, you are ready to start gathering stone.\n\nStone can be found in several forms across different biomes. The most common sources are small rocks scattered across the Meadows biome, which can be broken with a pickaxe or even your fists. However, for larger quantities of stone, you should focus on mining boulders or rock formations. These are found in the Meadows, Black Forest, and Mountains biomes. Boulders yield a significant amount of stone, often 20-30 units per boulder, making them a highly efficient source.\n\nAnother excellent source of stone is the Black Forest biome, where you will find large rock towers and stone deposits. These deposits are often clustered together, allowing you to gather hundreds of stone in a single trip. Be cautious, though, as the Black Forest is home to dangerous enemies like Greydwarfs and Trolls. Bring a weapon, shield, and some food to ensure your safety while mining.\n\nFor experienced players, the Mountains biome offers the most efficient way to gather stone. Here, you will find massive stone pillars and rock formations that yield hundreds of stone when mined. However, the Mountains biome is extremely dangerous due to freezing temperatures and powerful enemies like Wolves and Drakes. To survive, you will need Frost Resistance Mead or Wolf Armor, as well as strong weapons and shields.\n\nOne common challenge players face is transporting large amounts of stone back to their base. Stone is heavy, and carrying too much will slow you down significantly. To solve this, consider building a Cart, which can be crafted using 20 Wood and 10 Bronze Nails. The Cart allows you to transport large quantities of stone and other resources efficiently. Alternatively, you can use Portals to quickly move stone between locations, but this requires setting up a Portal network in advance.\n\nTo maximize your stone-gathering efficiency, always bring a repair kit or materials to repair your pickaxe on the go. Stone mining can quickly wear down your tools, and running out of durability mid-trip can be frustrating. Additionally, consider building a small outpost near your mining site with a Workbench and a Chest to store excess stone temporarily.\n\nIn summary, the best way to gather stone for a stone wall is to use a Bronze Pickaxe or better, focus on mining boulders and rock formations in the Meadows, Black Forest, or Mountains biomes, and use a Cart or Portal system to transport the stone efficiently. Always prepare for biome-specific dangers and bring repair materials to ensure a smooth gathering process. With these tips, you will have no trouble building sturdy stone walls to protect your base.