What’s the best way to monitor my progress in building a ballista?

Monitoring your progress in building a ballista in Valheim requires a combination of resource tracking, crafting knowledge, and strategic planning. Ballistas are advanced defensive structures that require significant preparation, especially for new players. To begin, you must first unlock the ballista recipe by defeating Moder, the fourth boss in the game. This boss is found in the Mountain biome, so ensure you have Frost Resistance Mead or Wolf Armor to survive the cold.\n\nOnce the recipe is unlocked, you can start gathering the necessary materials. A ballista requires 30 Iron, 10 Wood, and 10 Bronze Nails. Iron is primarily found in the Swamp biome, inside Sunken Crypts, while Bronze Nails are crafted from Bronze at a Forge. Wood is abundant in most biomes, but you may need to venture into the Black Forest or Meadows for large quantities. Keep a checklist of these materials to track your progress efficiently.\n\nCrafting the ballista also requires a level 3 Workbench, which means you need to upgrade your Workbench with a Chopping Block, Tanning Rack, and Adze. These upgrades require additional resources like Flint, Leather Scraps, and Fine Wood. Plan ahead by gathering these items while collecting the main materials for the ballista. This ensures you don’t waste time backtracking for upgrades later.\n\nOnce all materials are gathered, you can begin crafting the ballista. Place it in a strategic location, such as near your base entrance or in a high-traffic area for enemies. Ballistas require ammunition, which is crafted from Wood and Iron. Stockpile at least 100 bolts to ensure your ballista remains operational during raids or invasions. Keep a chest nearby to store extra bolts for quick reloading.\n\nA common challenge is managing the ballista’s targeting system, as it can accidentally attack friendly players or tamed animals. To avoid this, use the ballista’s targeting lever to adjust its range and direction. Test its firing arc by placing dummy targets (like Greydwarf spawns) in its path. This allows you to fine-tune its aim without risking damage to your base or allies.\n\nFinally, monitor your ballista’s durability during attacks. Ballistas can be destroyed by powerful enemies like Trolls or Fulings, so reinforce the area with stone walls or spikes. Regularly repair the ballista using a Hammer and the required materials to keep it in top condition. By following these steps and tracking your progress methodically, you can successfully build and maintain a ballista to defend your Viking stronghold.\n\nPractical tips for new players: Start by exploring the Swamp biome early to gather Iron, as it’s a bottleneck resource for many advanced builds. For experienced Vikings, consider building multiple ballistas in overlapping firing zones to create a defensive network. Always keep a backup supply of materials in case of unexpected raids or repairs.