How do I build a raft quickly in the early game?

Building a raft quickly in Valheim is essential for early-game exploration, especially when you need to cross water or reach distant biomes like the Black Forest or Meadows. To start, you’ll need to gather basic resources: 20 Wood, 6 Leather Scraps, and 6 Resin. These materials are relatively easy to find in the early game, making the raft an accessible first watercraft.\n\nWood is the most straightforward resource to collect. Simply use your Stone Axe to chop down trees in the Meadows biome. Each tree yields a decent amount of Wood, so you’ll quickly accumulate enough for the raft. Leather Scraps, on the other hand, are obtained by hunting Boars. Boars are common in the Meadows and can be killed with a Flint Spear or Bow. Each Boar drops 1-2 Leather Scraps, so you’ll need to hunt a few to gather the required amount.\n\nResin is another key ingredient, and it’s collected from Greydwarf enemies or by chopping down trees. Greydwarfs are small, hostile creatures found in the Black Forest biome. They drop Resin when killed, so if you’re venturing into this biome early, you’ll likely accumulate enough quickly. Alternatively, Resin can sometimes be found on the ground near trees or in abandoned structures.\n\nOnce you’ve gathered the necessary materials, open your Crafting Menu (press Tab) and navigate to the Hammer tool. Select the Hammer and then choose the Raft from the Misc tab. Place the raft in shallow water, as it cannot be built on land. Make sure you have enough space around you to avoid placement issues. Once placed, the raft will float and be ready for use.\n\nUsing the raft is straightforward but requires some practice. To board it, simply walk up to it and press E. Once aboard, use the WASD keys to move forward, backward, and sideways. The raft is slow compared to later boats like the Karve or Longship, but it’s perfect for short trips across rivers or small bodies of water. Be cautious of storms or strong waves, as the raft can be unstable in rough conditions.\n\nOne common challenge early players face is running out of stamina while rowing. To mitigate this, always bring food like Cooked Meat or Berries to boost your stamina regeneration. Additionally, avoid venturing too far into the ocean early on, as the raft is not designed for long-distance travel and can be easily destroyed by Sea Serpents.\n\nFor new players, it’s recommended to build the raft near your starting base or a safe area. This ensures you have a reliable way to explore nearby islands or biomes without risking too much. Experienced Vikings can use the raft as a quick escape tool or for transporting small amounts of resources across water.\n\nIn summary, building a raft in Valheim is a simple yet crucial step in the early game. Gather Wood, Leather Scraps, and Resin, craft the raft using the Hammer, and place it in shallow water. Use it wisely to explore nearby areas, but avoid dangerous waters until you’ve upgraded to better boats. With these tips, you’ll be sailing the seas of Valheim in no time.