How do I monitor which crafting stations I’ve unlocked and upgraded?

Monitoring which crafting stations you’ve unlocked and upgraded in Valheim is essential for efficient progression and resource management. Crafting stations are the backbone of your Viking survival journey, enabling you to create tools, weapons, armor, and structures. Each station has specific requirements for unlocking and upgrading, and keeping track of them ensures you don’t miss critical upgrades or waste resources.\n\nTo begin, you can monitor your unlocked crafting stations by interacting with the Hammer tool in your inventory. Open the build menu and navigate to the Crafting tab. Here, you’ll see a list of all available crafting stations, including those you’ve unlocked and those still locked. Locked stations will display the required materials or progression steps needed to unlock them. For example, the Forge requires Copper and Tin, which are found in the Black Forest biome, while the Blast Furnace requires Iron and Artisan Table access.\n\nUpgrading crafting stations is equally important. Each station, such as the Workbench or Forge, can be upgraded multiple times to unlock new recipes and improve efficiency. To upgrade a station, you must build specific add-ons nearby. For instance, the Workbench requires a Chopping Block, Tanning Rack, and Adze to reach its maximum level. Similarly, the Forge needs a Bellows, Grinding Wheel, and Anvil. These add-ons must be placed within the station’s radius, which is indicated by a glowing circle when you hover over the station.\n\nA practical way to track your progress is to create a checklist of crafting stations and their upgrades. For example, list all stations (Workbench, Forge, Stonecutter, etc.) and note their current level and required add-ons. This helps you prioritize resource gathering and ensures you don’t overlook critical upgrades. For instance, if you’re preparing to craft Black Metal weapons, you’ll need a fully upgraded Forge with all add-ons and access to the Blast Furnace for refining Black Metal Scraps.\n\nCommon challenges include forgetting which add-ons you’ve built or misplacing them outside the station’s radius. To avoid this, always check the station’s upgrade level by interacting with it. If the upgrade level hasn’t increased, ensure the add-ons are correctly placed and within range. Additionally, some stations, like the Artisan Table, require access to specific biomes or bosses. For example, the Artisan Table is unlocked after defeating Moder in the Mountains biome, so tracking your boss progression is crucial.\n\nFor new players, focus on unlocking the Workbench and Forge first, as these are essential for early-game survival. Gather resources like Wood, Stone, and Copper to build and upgrade these stations. Experienced Vikings should prioritize advanced stations like the Blast Furnace and Windmill, which are necessary for late-game crafting. Always revisit your crafting stations after major milestones, such as defeating a boss or exploring a new biome, to ensure you’re fully utilizing your upgrades.\n\nIn summary, monitoring your crafting stations involves regularly checking your build menu, upgrading stations with the correct add-ons, and maintaining a checklist of progress. By staying organized and proactive, you’ll maximize your crafting potential and streamline your Valheim journey. Remember to explore biomes thoroughly, defeat bosses to unlock new recipes, and always keep an eye on your station’s upgrade levels for optimal efficiency.