What is the purpose of the tanning rack in workbench upgrades?

The tanning rack is a crucial upgrade for the workbench in Valheim, enabling players to craft advanced leather-based items and armor. It is one of the essential crafting station upgrades that expands your crafting capabilities, particularly for mid-game progression. Without the tanning rack, you cannot create items like the Troll Leather Armor, which is vital for surviving in the Black Forest biome and beyond.\n\nTo build a tanning rack, you need to first construct a workbench. The workbench is the foundation for most crafting stations in Valheim, and it requires 10 wood to build. Once the workbench is placed, you can interact with it to see the available upgrades. The tanning rack requires 10 wood, 15 flint, 20 leather scraps, and 5 deer hides. These materials are relatively easy to gather early in the game, making the tanning rack accessible even for new players.\n\nLeather scraps are obtained by hunting boars in the Meadows biome, while deer hides come from deer found in the same area. Flint can be collected along riverbanks or shorelines in the Meadows. Once you have all the required materials, place the tanning rack near your workbench. It must be within the workbench''s radius to function, so ensure it is close enough. The tanning rack does not require a roof or walls, but it must be placed on solid ground.\n\nThe primary purpose of the tanning rack is to unlock new crafting recipes, such as the Troll Leather Armor set. This armor is lightweight and provides decent protection, making it ideal for players who prefer mobility over heavy armor. Additionally, the tanning rack allows you to craft the Fine Bow, which is a significant upgrade from the basic bow and requires deer hide and core wood. Core wood is obtained by chopping down pine trees in the Black Forest biome.\n\nOne common challenge players face is gathering enough leather scraps and deer hides early in the game. To efficiently farm these materials, focus on hunting boars and deer in the Meadows. Boars can be lured with mushrooms or carrots, making them easier to hunt. Deer are more skittish, so use a bow to take them down from a distance. Flint can sometimes be tricky to find, but searching along water sources in the Meadows biome will yield plenty.\n\nAnother practical tip is to build multiple tanning racks if you have the resources. This allows you to craft multiple items simultaneously, saving time during busy crafting sessions. Additionally, always keep an eye on your inventory space when gathering materials, as leather scraps and deer hides can quickly fill up your slots. Consider building storage chests near your workbench to keep your crafting area organized.\n\nIn summary, the tanning rack is an essential upgrade for the workbench in Valheim, enabling players to craft advanced leather-based items and armor. By gathering materials like leather scraps, deer hides, and flint, you can build the tanning rack and unlock new crafting recipes. Focus on efficient hunting and resource gathering to make the most of this upgrade, and consider building multiple tanning racks for faster crafting. With the tanning rack, you''ll be well-prepared to tackle the challenges of the Black Forest and beyond.