Gamers can be a lazy bunch at times— most evident in their rampant over-use of the fast travel mechanic in open-world RPGs. Need to get back to the camp? Fast travel. Need to speak with this NPC that's a five-minute walk away— maybe you'll even find a cool dungeon or building you've since missed? Nah, fast travel. It's a mechanic that players will never be able to live without, as much as they may not care to admit it. Don't worry, Valheim fans. There is a way to zip around the vast open-world.
Valheim, at first, will have players using their two legs to get around the map and collect items. However, there is a way to establish links between discovered areas to make going back-and-forth much easier. This will all be done with portals, a craftable item in Valheim. Players will have to scrounge up the necessary materials to make their portals, but their lives will become much more comfortable once they do. Here's how to craft portals and fast travel in Valheim.
Valheim - How to Fast Travel
Portals are going to be a player's best friend when it comes to fat traveling around Valheim. The early stages of the game will have them venturing around on foot. Once players reach the Bronze Age, they'll be able to craft as many portals as their heart desires. To reach the Bronze Age, players will have to defeat the game's first boss, Eikthyr, a massive black stag with electrified antlers.
After Eikthyr falls, players will enter into the Bronze Age and be on the next step of their portal-creation quest. They'll need a Pickaxe to mine ores and a Bronze Axe to farm wood. Here is the full list of materials they'll need:
- Fine Wood (20)
- Greydwarf eyes (10)
- Surtling Cores (2)
Players will find themselves in the Black Forest, where Greydwarfs are plenty. Slay them and steal their eyes (because they don't need those anymore). Players will also want to seize this opportunity to mine copper and tin from around the Black Forest to craft bronze weapons and armor. It's a classic 'two Greydwarfs, one sword' situation. Most importantly, they'll need to craft a Bronze Axe.
Using the Bronze Axe, start cutting down Birch and Oak Trees in the Black Forest to farm Fine Wood. The last thing players will need to collect are two Surtling Cores found on Surtlings in the Swamp biome. Once players have gathered the necessary resources, they'll be able to craft a portal where they stand. Portals will link between each other, so it's ideal to place them near your multiple houses, encampments, and material farming areas (like the Black Forest)
Valheim is a massive game and is only in its Early Access Beta. However, don't let the words 'Early Access' discredit this title. The current version is massive, with plenty of areas to explore, weapons to craft, and beasts to slay. Strap on that Viking helmet and stake your claim in Valheim.
Valheim is currently available on PC.