What is the purpose of the Wishbone when mining silver?

The Wishbone is a critical item in Valheim for locating hidden resources, particularly silver ore, which is essential for crafting high-tier gear and tools. Once you defeat Bonemass, the third boss in the game, you will receive the Wishbone as a reward. This item allows you to detect buried silver deposits in the Mountain biome, as well as other hidden treasures like buried chests and iron scrap in other biomes. Without the Wishbone, finding silver is nearly impossible, as it is buried underground and not visible on the surface.\n\nTo use the Wishbone, equip it in your inventory and venture into the Mountain biome. As you walk around, the Wishbone will emit a faint green glow and a ping sound when you are near a buried object. The closer you get to the resource, the faster the pings and the brighter the glow. Once you are directly above the deposit, the Wishbone will stop pinging, indicating that you should start digging. Use a pickaxe to mine the ground until you uncover the silver vein.\n\nOne common challenge players face is surviving in the Mountain biome while searching for silver. The biome is extremely cold, and without proper gear, you will take constant freezing damage. To counter this, craft a Wolf Fur Cape or a Lox Cape, both of which provide frost resistance. Alternatively, you can consume Frost Resistance Mead, which temporarily grants immunity to freezing. Always carry healing items like cooked food and potions to sustain yourself during mining expeditions.\n\nAnother challenge is dealing with the hostile creatures in the Mountains, such as Drakes, Wolves, and Stone Golems. These enemies can quickly overwhelm you if you are unprepared. Bring a strong weapon, such as an iron mace or a Draugr Fang bow, and ensure your armor is upgraded. It is also wise to build a small shelter or portal near the mining area to retreat to if needed. This will save you time and resources if you die or need to repair your gear.\n\nWhen mining silver, it is important to note that each vein yields a significant amount of ore, but it requires a lot of stamina to break. Make sure to eat high-stamina foods like Serpent Stew or Turnip Stew before starting. Additionally, silver veins are often located on steep slopes, so be cautious of falling or getting stuck in tight spaces. Use the terrain to your advantage by building stairs or platforms to access hard-to-reach areas.\n\nFinally, once you have mined enough silver, smelt it in a Blast Furnace to create silver bars. These bars are used to craft powerful items like the Draugr Fang bow, Frostner, and Wolf Armor. The Wishbone can also be used to find other hidden resources, such as iron scrap in the Swamp biome or buried treasure in the Meadows. Always keep it equipped when exploring new areas to maximize your resource gathering.\n\nIn summary, the Wishbone is an indispensable tool for mining silver in Valheim. It allows you to locate hidden deposits in the Mountain biome, but requires careful preparation to survive the harsh environment and enemies. By equipping frost-resistant gear, bringing strong weapons, and planning your mining trips, you can efficiently gather silver and craft advanced gear to progress further in the game.