Can I use a raft to transport large quantities of wood and stone?
In Valheim, a raft is one of the earliest watercraft you can build, and while it is useful for basic transportation, it has significant limitations when it comes to transporting large quantities of wood and stone. The raft is crafted using 20 Wood, 6 Leather Scraps, and 6 Resin, which are relatively easy to gather in the early game. However, its small size and slow speed make it less than ideal for hauling heavy resources over long distances.\n\nTo use a raft for transporting wood and stone, you must first gather the materials and craft it at a Workbench. Once built, you can place the raft in shallow water and board it using the E key. The raft has a small inventory space, which means you can only carry a limited amount of resources at a time. This makes it inefficient for transporting large quantities, especially if you are moving between biomes like the Meadows, Black Forest, or Swamp, where resources are abundant but often far apart.\n\nOne of the main challenges of using a raft for resource transport is its slow speed. The raft is powered by a rudder, which requires manual steering and does not benefit from wind like the Karve or Longship. This makes long journeys tedious and time-consuming. Additionally, the raft has low durability and can be easily destroyed by sea creatures like Serpents or even rough waves during storms. This risk makes it unreliable for transporting valuable resources like stone or large stacks of wood.\n\nA practical solution to this problem is to upgrade to a Karve or Longship as soon as possible. The Karve, which requires 30 Fine Wood, 10 Deer Hide, 20 Resin, and 80 Bronze Nails, offers more storage space and better speed. The Longship, requiring 40 Iron Nails, 10 Deer Hide, 40 Fine Wood, and 40 Ancient Bark, is even more efficient for transporting large quantities of resources. Both ships are faster, more durable, and have larger inventories, making them far superior to the raft for resource transport.\n\nIf you must use a raft, consider breaking down your resource transport into smaller trips. For example, if you are gathering wood in the Black Forest, you can chop trees near the shoreline and load the raft with manageable amounts of wood. This minimizes the risk of losing resources if the raft is destroyed. Additionally, always check the weather before setting sail, as storms can make navigation more dangerous.\n\nIn summary, while a raft can technically be used to transport wood and stone, it is not the most efficient or reliable option. Upgrading to a Karve or Longship should be a priority for players looking to move large quantities of resources. For early-game players, using the raft for short, controlled trips is a viable but limited solution. Always plan your routes carefully and avoid dangerous waters to ensure your resources reach their destination safely.