What’s the best way to build a longship for faster ocean travel?

Building a longship in Valheim is essential for faster and safer ocean travel, especially when exploring distant biomes or transporting large amounts of resources. The longship is the fastest and most durable ship in the game, capable of carrying up to 18 inventory slots, making it ideal for long voyages. To build a longship, you’ll need to progress through the game’s crafting tiers, gather specific materials, and unlock the necessary crafting station.\n\nFirst, you must unlock the longship recipe by defeating the second boss, The Elder, in the Black Forest biome. Defeating The Elder grants you the Swamp Key, which allows access to the Swamp biome, where you’ll find Iron Scrap. Iron is a critical resource for crafting the longship, as it requires 100 Iron Nails. To obtain Iron Scrap, explore Sunken Crypts in the Swamp biome, which are unlocked with the Swamp Key. Use a Wishbone (obtained by defeating Bonemass, the third boss) to locate Muddy Scrap Piles inside the crypts, and mine them with an Antler Pickaxe or better.\n\nOnce you’ve gathered enough Iron Scrap, smelt it into Iron Bars using a Smelter. You’ll also need Fine Wood, which is obtained by chopping down Birch or Oak trees in the Meadows or Plains biomes. Fine Wood requires a Bronze Axe or better to harvest. Additionally, you’ll need Deer Hide, which is dropped by deer in the Meadows biome, and Resin, which is dropped by Greydwarfs or collected from Beech trees. These materials are used to craft the longship at a level 3 or higher Workbench.\n\nTo build the longship, place a Workbench near a body of water deep enough to accommodate the ship’s size. Open the crafting menu and select the longship, which requires 40 Fine Wood, 10 Deer Hide, 100 Iron Nails, and 40 Resin. Once crafted, the longship will spawn in the water, ready for use. Ensure you have a Hammer equipped to repair the ship if it takes damage during your voyages.\n\nWhen sailing, be cautious of storms, Serpents, and other hazards. Serpents are aggressive sea creatures that can damage your ship, so always carry a strong weapon like a Draugr Fang bow or a Blackmetal Atgeir to defend yourself. Storms can make sailing difficult, so avoid traveling during bad weather if possible. Additionally, always bring a Portal with you to establish a quick return point in case of emergencies.\n\nFor new players, focus on progressing through the game’s bosses to unlock the necessary resources and crafting stations. Experienced Vikings can optimize their longship voyages by stocking up on food, potions, and backup materials for repairs. Always plan your routes carefully, and consider building small outposts along the way for rest and resource storage.\n\nIn summary, building a longship requires defeating The Elder, gathering Iron Scrap from Swamp crypts, and crafting the ship at a Workbench near water. With proper preparation and caution, the longship will become your most reliable tool for exploring Valheim’s vast oceans and distant lands.