What’s the best way to level up the Sneak skill in Valheim?

Leveling up the Sneak skill in Valheim is essential for players who want to avoid detection by enemies, hunt effectively, or engage in stealth-based combat. The Sneak skill increases your ability to move quietly and reduces the chance of being detected by enemies. To level up this skill, you need to perform actions that involve sneaking, such as moving while crouched or sneaking up on enemies. The more you use the skill, the faster it will level up.\n\nTo start leveling up the Sneak skill, you must first crouch by pressing the default key (Ctrl on PC). While crouched, your movement speed will decrease, but you will be harder to detect. Sneaking near enemies or wildlife will grant you Sneak experience. The closer you get to an enemy without being detected, the more experience you will earn. This makes it important to practice sneaking in areas with low-level enemies initially, such as the Meadows biome, where Greylings and Boars are common.\n\nOne effective method to level up Sneak is to sneak around passive creatures like Boars or Deer. These animals are less aggressive and easier to approach without being detected. For example, in the Meadows biome, you can crouch and slowly move toward a Boar. If you remain undetected, you will gain Sneak experience. Repeating this process with multiple animals in the area will help you level up faster. Additionally, sneaking up on enemies like Greylings or Necks can also provide experience, but be cautious as they may detect you more easily.\n\nAnother way to level up Sneak is to use it during combat. Sneak attacks deal bonus damage, and performing these attacks will also grant Sneak experience. To perform a sneak attack, crouch and approach an enemy from behind without being detected. Once close enough, use a melee weapon to strike. This method is particularly effective against tougher enemies like Trolls in the Black Forest biome. However, be prepared to retreat quickly if the enemy detects you.\n\nFor advanced players, the Mountains biome offers a challenging but rewarding environment to level up Sneak. Wolves and Drakes are highly sensitive to movement, making it difficult to sneak past them. However, successfully sneaking near or attacking these enemies will grant significant Sneak experience. Equipping gear that reduces noise, such as the Troll Armor set, can help you remain undetected. Additionally, using the Eikthyr power, which reduces stamina usage while running and jumping, can make sneaking more efficient.\n\nA practical tip for leveling up Sneak is to combine it with other activities, such as resource gathering or exploration. For example, while gathering wood or mining ore, crouch and move slowly to avoid attracting nearby enemies. This way, you can multitask and gain Sneak experience while completing other objectives. Another tip is to use the environment to your advantage, such as hiding behind trees or rocks to break line of sight with enemies.\n\nFinally, patience is key when leveling up the Sneak skill. It takes time and consistent practice to see significant progress. Focus on sneaking in safe areas first, then gradually move to more dangerous biomes as your skill improves. Remember that higher Sneak levels make it easier to avoid detection, which can be invaluable in late-game scenarios like infiltrating Fuling villages in the Plains biome. By following these strategies, you can efficiently level up your Sneak skill and become a master of stealth in Valheim.