How do I use a raft to explore the Meadows biome coastline?

Using a raft to explore the Meadows biome coastline in Valheim is an essential early-game strategy for discovering new areas, resources, and potential base locations. To begin, you must first craft a raft, which requires 20 Wood, 6 Leather Scraps, and 6 Resin. These materials are relatively easy to gather in the Meadows biome, as Wood can be obtained by chopping trees, Leather Scraps come from hunting Boars, and Resin is dropped by Greydwarfs or found in abandoned structures.\n\nOnce you have the materials, open your crafting menu (press Tab) and navigate to the Hammer tool. Select the raft from the Misc tab and place it in shallow water. Ensure the raft is fully in the water, as placing it too close to land can cause it to get stuck. To board the raft, simply walk up to it and press E. Once aboard, you can control the raft using the WASD keys: W to move forward, S to reverse, and A/D to turn left or right.\n\nExploring the Meadows coastline with a raft is a slow but effective way to map out the biome. The raft''s speed is limited, so patience is key. Use the raft to follow the shoreline, keeping an eye out for valuable resources like Flint, Mushrooms, and Beehives. Flint is particularly important for crafting tools like the Flint Axe and Flint Arrows, which are crucial for early-game progression. Additionally, exploring the coastline can help you locate Burial Chambers, which contain valuable loot such as Surtling Cores and Amber.\n\nOne common challenge when using a raft is dealing with hostile creatures like Greylings and Necks. These enemies can attack you while you''re on the raft, so it''s important to be prepared. Equip a weapon like a Wood Club or Flint Spear to defend yourself. If you encounter a Serpent, a dangerous sea creature, avoid engaging it directly. Instead, steer the raft toward shallow water or land, as Serpents cannot follow you there.\n\nAnother challenge is navigating around rocks and shallow areas, which can damage or destroy your raft. To avoid this, keep a safe distance from the shoreline and use the raft''s turning controls to maneuver carefully. If your raft does get stuck, you can use your Hammer to repair it by selecting the raft and pressing the repair button (default is middle mouse button). Repairing requires Wood, so always carry extra materials with you.\n\nFor new players, it''s important to note that the raft is a basic vessel and is not suitable for long ocean voyages. If you plan to explore further biomes like the Black Forest or Swamp, consider upgrading to a Karve or Longship, which offer better speed, durability, and storage capacity. However, for early-game exploration in the Meadows, the raft is a reliable and cost-effective option.\n\nFinally, always bring essential supplies like food, a weapon, and a tool for gathering resources. Food items like Cooked Meat or Berries will keep your health and stamina high, which is crucial for surviving encounters and rowing long distances. With these tips in mind, you can confidently use a raft to explore the Meadows biome coastline and lay the foundation for your Viking adventures.