What’s the best way to monitor my progress in upgrading my ship?

Monitoring your progress in upgrading your ship in Valheim is essential for efficient exploration and resource gathering. Ships are critical for traversing the vast oceans and reaching distant biomes like the Swamp, Plains, and Mistlands. To upgrade your ship, you must first understand the different ship types and their crafting requirements. The three main ships are the Raft, Karve, and Longship, each requiring progressively more advanced materials and crafting stations.\n\nTo begin, you must craft a Raft, which is the simplest ship and requires 20 Wood, 6 Leather Scraps, and 6 Resin. This is a good starting point for new players, but it is slow and not ideal for long voyages. Once you have access to Bronze and Fine Wood, you can upgrade to the Karve, which requires 30 Fine Wood, 10 Deer Hide, 20 Resin, and 80 Bronze Nails. The Karve is faster and has storage, making it a significant improvement. Finally, the Longship is the ultimate ship, requiring 100 Iron Nails, 40 Fine Wood, 10 Deer Hide, and 40 Ancient Bark. This ship is the fastest and has the most storage, making it ideal for endgame exploration.\n\nTo track your progress, start by gathering the necessary materials for each ship upgrade. For example, to craft a Karve, you will need to mine Copper and Tin in the Black Forest biome to create Bronze at a Forge. Fine Wood can be obtained by chopping down Birch and Oak trees in the Meadows biome. Deer Hide is dropped by Deer, which are common in the Meadows. Resin is collected from Greydwarf enemies or by chopping down trees. Keep a checklist of these materials and mark them off as you collect them.\n\nOnce you have the materials, ensure you have the appropriate crafting station. The Raft can be crafted at a Workbench, but the Karve and Longship require a level 2 Workbench and a Forge, respectively. Upgrade your Workbench using a Chopping Block and a Tanning Rack, and your Forge using a Forge Cooler, Bellows, and other upgrades. These upgrades are essential for crafting higher-tier items and ships.\n\nA common challenge is gathering enough Iron for the Longship. Iron is found in the Swamp biome, inside Sunken Crypts. You will need a Swamp Key, obtained by defeating the second boss, The Elder, to access these crypts. Inside, use a Pickaxe to mine Muddy Scrap Piles, which yield Scrap Iron. Smelt the Scrap Iron in a Smelter to create Iron Bars, then craft Iron Nails at a Forge. This process can be time-consuming, so plan multiple trips to the Swamp and bring a Karve for efficient transportation.\n\nTo stay organized, use signs or a map marker system to track your progress. For example, place a sign near your Workbench listing the materials needed for the next ship upgrade. Alternatively, use map markers to note resource locations, such as Copper and Tin deposits in the Black Forest or Sunken Crypts in the Swamp. This will help you prioritize tasks and avoid wasting time.\n\nFinally, always prepare for voyages by bringing essential items like a Hammer, Workbench, and Portal materials. This allows you to repair your ship and set up a quick return point if needed. By following these steps and staying organized, you can efficiently upgrade your ship and conquer the seas of Valheim.\n\nPractical tips: Always carry a spare set of materials for repairs, especially when exploring dangerous biomes. Use the Karve as a stepping stone to the Longship, as it is faster and more durable than the Raft. Lastly, consider building a dock near your base for easy access to your ships and storage for ship-related materials.