How do you craft a raft without a workbench nearby?

Crafting a raft in Valheim without a workbench nearby is a unique challenge, but it is entirely possible with the right preparation and understanding of game mechanics. A raft is one of the earliest watercraft you can build, and it is essential for exploring islands, crossing rivers, or escaping dangerous biomes like the Black Forest or Swamp. However, unlike most crafting in Valheim, the raft does not require a workbench to build. Instead, it can be crafted directly from your inventory if you have the necessary materials.\n\nTo craft a raft, you will need 20 Wood, 6 Leather Scraps, and 6 Resin. Wood is the most basic resource and can be gathered by chopping down trees in any biome. Leather Scraps are obtained by hunting boars in the Meadows biome, while Resin is dropped by Greylings or can be collected from small trees with glowing orange sap. Once you have these materials, open your inventory and navigate to the Crafting tab. The raft will appear as a craftable item if you have the required resources.\n\nOne common challenge players face is gathering Leather Scraps early in the game. Boars are the primary source, but they can be tricky to hunt without proper tools. If you are struggling to find boars, explore the Meadows biome thoroughly and listen for their distinctive grunting sounds. Once you locate a boar, use a Flint Spear or a Club to kill it efficiently. Alternatively, you can trap boars by building a small enclosure and luring them inside with food like mushrooms or berries.\n\nAnother issue players encounter is finding Resin. While Greylings are common in the Meadows, they can be dangerous for new players. To safely collect Resin, avoid engaging Greylings directly until you have better armor and weapons. Instead, focus on chopping down small trees with glowing orange sap, as these will drop Resin when destroyed. If you are in a pinch, you can also find Resin in abandoned structures or by breaking down wooden furniture in ruins.\n\nOnce you have all the materials, crafting the raft is straightforward. Open your inventory, select the Crafting tab, and click on the raft icon. The raft will appear in your inventory, and you can place it in any body of water by equipping it and clicking on the water''s surface. Be sure to choose a calm area, as rough waves or strong currents can make boarding the raft difficult. Additionally, avoid placing the raft too close to shore, as it may get stuck on land.\n\nUsing the raft effectively requires some practice. The raft is slow and not very durable, so it is best suited for short trips or calm waters. Avoid sailing in stormy weather or near hostile creatures like Serpents, which can destroy your raft quickly. If you need to transport heavy resources or travel long distances, consider upgrading to a Karve or Longship later in the game. These larger vessels require a workbench and more advanced materials but offer better speed and durability.\n\nIn summary, crafting a raft without a workbench is a simple process once you gather the necessary materials. Focus on hunting boars for Leather Scraps and collecting Resin from Greylings or glowing trees. With a bit of preparation, you can build a raft and start exploring Valheim''s vast oceans and islands. Remember to choose calm waters for sailing and avoid dangerous biomes until you are better equipped. Happy sailing, Viking!