What’s the best way to use bonfires for area denial in fort designs?

Using bonfires for area denial in Valheim fort designs is a highly effective strategy to control enemy movement and protect your base. Bonfires are a mid-game crafting item that requires 5x Wood, 1x Resin, and 1x Greydwarf Eye. They emit light, provide warmth, and deal fire damage to enemies that come too close. This makes them ideal for creating defensive perimeters or choke points around your fort.\n\nTo start, identify key areas around your fort where enemies are likely to approach. These include entrances, pathways, and open spaces near your walls. Bonfires work best in areas with high enemy traffic, such as near spawn points or during raids. Place bonfires strategically to create a barrier of fire damage that enemies must pass through, slowing them down and dealing consistent damage over time.\n\nWhen placing bonfires, ensure they are spaced evenly to maximize coverage. A good rule of thumb is to place them about 4-5 meters apart, as this ensures overlapping damage zones without wasting resources. Bonfires can be placed on any flat surface, including stone floors, dirt, or wooden platforms. However, avoid placing them too close to flammable structures like wooden walls, as they can accidentally ignite and cause damage to your fort.\n\nOne practical example is using bonfires to defend against Greydwarf raids in the Black Forest biome. Greydwarves are weak to fire, making bonfires particularly effective. Place bonfires around the perimeter of your base, especially near spawn points like Greydwarf nests. This will create a defensive ring that weakens or kills enemies before they reach your walls. Additionally, bonfires can be used to block off narrow pathways or bridges, forcing enemies to take damage while funneling them into kill zones.\n\nAnother effective use of bonfires is during Fuling raids in the Plains biome. Fulings are aggressive and fast, making them difficult to handle without proper defenses. Place bonfires near your fort''s gates or along the walls to slow their advance. Combine bonfires with other defensive structures like spike traps or ballistae for maximum effectiveness. This layered defense will weaken Fulings before they can breach your fort, giving you time to counterattack.\n\nFor new players, bonfires are an accessible and cost-effective way to enhance fort defenses. They require minimal resources and can be crafted early in the game. Experienced players can integrate bonfires into more complex fort designs, such as moats or multi-layered walls. For example, dig a moat around your fort and place bonfires along the inner edge. This creates a deadly combination of fire damage and fall damage for enemies attempting to cross.\n\nTo optimize bonfire placement, consider the terrain and biome-specific challenges. In the Swamp biome, for instance, bonfires can be used to deter Leeches and Draugr. Place them near water edges or along pathways to create safe zones for resource gathering. In the Mountains biome, bonfires provide warmth and light, which are essential for surviving the cold and fending off Wolves or Drakes.\n\nFinally, always maintain your bonfires by keeping them fueled with Resin. Bonfires will extinguish over time if not refueled, rendering them useless. Stockpile Resin from Greydwarves or by chopping down trees to ensure a steady supply. Additionally, consider pairing bonfires with other light sources like torches or sconces to enhance visibility and deter enemies further.\n\nIn summary, bonfires are a versatile and powerful tool for area denial in Valheim fort designs. By strategically placing them around your base, you can create a defensive barrier that weakens or kills enemies before they reach your walls. Whether you''re a new player or an experienced Viking, bonfires are an essential addition to any fort defense strategy.