What are the benefits of building a moat around your base?

Building a moat around your base in Valheim is one of the most effective ways to protect your home from enemy raids and wandering creatures. A moat acts as a physical barrier, preventing hostile mobs like Greydwarves, Trolls, and even Fulings from reaching your structures. This is especially useful in the early to mid-game when your defenses are limited, and you lack advanced tools or materials to build stronger walls or traps.\n\nTo create a moat, you will need a pickaxe, which can be crafted using 10 wood and 1 hard antler (dropped by the first boss, Eikthyr). Once you have a pickaxe, select a flat area around your base and start digging. The moat should be at least two meters deep and three meters wide to ensure that enemies cannot jump or climb across. You can use the hoe to level the ground around the moat for better aesthetics and functionality.\n\nOne of the key benefits of a moat is that it forces enemies to path around it, giving you more time to prepare for an attack. For example, during a Troll raid, the Trolls will attempt to destroy your walls, but with a moat in place, they will be unable to reach your structures. This gives you the opportunity to attack them from a safe distance using bows or other ranged weapons. Additionally, moats are particularly effective in the Black Forest biome, where Trolls and Greydwarves are common threats.\n\nAnother advantage of building a moat is that it can be combined with other defensive structures, such as stake walls or spike traps, to create a layered defense system. For instance, you can place spike traps at the bottom of the moat to deal damage to any enemies that fall in. This is especially useful during nighttime raids when visibility is low, and enemies are more aggressive. You can also build a bridge over the moat for easy access to your base, but make sure to remove it during raids to prevent enemies from crossing.\n\nIn the Plains biome, where Fulings and Deathsquitos pose a significant threat, a moat can be a lifesaver. Fulings are fast and deal high damage, but they cannot swim or jump across wide gaps. By surrounding your base with a moat, you can effectively neutralize their threat. However, be cautious of Deathsquitos, as they can fly over the moat. To counter this, consider building a roofed area or using walls to block their line of sight.\n\nFor new players, building a moat is a cost-effective way to secure your base without requiring advanced materials like iron or stone. It also allows you to focus on other aspects of the game, such as exploring or crafting, without constantly worrying about base defenses. Experienced players can use moats as part of larger, more complex fortifications, such as layered walls or elevated platforms for archers.\n\nIn summary, a moat is a versatile and practical defense mechanism that works in almost any biome. It requires minimal resources to build and provides significant protection against a wide range of enemies. Whether you''re a new player looking to secure your first base or an experienced Viking fortifying your Plains outpost, a moat is an essential addition to your defensive strategy.\n\nPractical Tip: When digging a moat, ensure it is wide enough to prevent enemies from jumping across. Combine it with other defenses like spike traps or stake walls for maximum effectiveness. Always remove or destroy bridges during raids to maintain the moat''s integrity.