How do I craft a raft in Valheim and what materials are required?

Crafting a raft in Valheim is one of the first steps to exploring the vast oceans and islands of the game. A raft is a simple, early-game watercraft that allows you to traverse water bodies, which are otherwise impassable. To craft a raft, you will need to gather specific materials and unlock the necessary crafting recipe. The raft is particularly useful for new players who are just starting to explore beyond their starting biome, the Meadows.\n\nTo begin, you must first unlock the raft recipe. This is done by collecting wood, which is one of the most basic resources in Valheim. Wood can be obtained by chopping down trees using a stone axe, which is crafted from wood and stone. Once you have gathered at least 20 wood, the raft recipe will automatically unlock in your crafting menu. This recipe is accessible at the workbench, which is another essential early-game crafting station.\n\nTo craft a raft, you will need the following materials: 20 wood, 6 leather scraps, and 6 resin. Wood is easily obtained from trees, while leather scraps are dropped by boars, which are common in the Meadows biome. Resin is collected from Greydwarfs, small hostile creatures found in the Black Forest biome, or from chopping down certain trees. Once you have gathered all the required materials, head to your workbench and open the crafting menu. Select the raft from the list of available items and craft it.\n\nOnce crafted, the raft can be placed in water. To do this, approach a shoreline or any body of water and press the corresponding key to place the raft (default is E on PC). After placing the raft, you can board it by pressing E again. The raft is controlled using the WASD keys, with W moving forward, S reversing, and A and D turning the raft left and right, respectively. Keep in mind that the raft is relatively slow and not very durable, so it is best used for short trips or exploring nearby islands.\n\nOne common challenge players face when using a raft is dealing with hostile sea creatures, such as serpents. These creatures can attack and destroy your raft, leaving you stranded in the ocean. To avoid this, try to stay close to the shore and avoid venturing too far into deep water until you have a more advanced boat, such as a karve or longship. Additionally, always carry materials to repair your raft, as it can take damage from collisions with rocks or other obstacles.\n\nAnother practical tip is to use the raft to transport resources between islands. For example, if you find a valuable resource like copper or tin in the Black Forest biome but are far from your base, you can load the materials onto the raft and sail them back. However, be cautious of your inventory space, as the raft has limited storage capacity. If you need to transport larger quantities of resources, consider upgrading to a karve or longship, which offer more storage and better durability.\n\nIn summary, crafting a raft in Valheim is a straightforward process that requires wood, leather scraps, and resin. It is an essential tool for early-game exploration and resource transportation. While the raft is slow and fragile, it serves as a stepping stone to more advanced watercraft. Always be mindful of your surroundings, avoid deep water when possible, and carry repair materials to ensure a safe journey. With these tips, you will be well-prepared to navigate the waters of Valheim and expand your Viking adventures.