How do you use the harpoon to prevent a Sea Serpent from sinking?

Dealing with Sea Serpents in Valheim can be a thrilling yet challenging experience, especially when trying to prevent them from sinking after defeat. The harpoon is a crucial tool for this task, as it allows you to drag the Sea Serpent''s body to shore or your boat, ensuring you can harvest its valuable resources like Serpent Meat and Scales. To use the harpoon effectively, you must first craft it, which requires 8 Fine Wood, 3 Leather Scraps, and 2 Bronze Nails. These materials are relatively easy to obtain, making the harpoon accessible even for mid-game players.\n\nOnce you have the harpoon, equip it in your hotbar and prepare for a Sea Serpent encounter. Sea Serpents spawn in the Ocean biome, typically during storms or at night. When you spot one, approach it carefully with your boat, preferably a Longship for its durability and speed. As the Sea Serpent attacks, use your bow or melee weapons to weaken it. Once its health is low, switch to the harpoon and aim at the creature. The harpoon has a short range, so you need to be relatively close to the Sea Serpent to land a hit.\n\nWhen you successfully harpoon the Sea Serpent, it will be tethered to you, allowing you to drag it. This is where the real challenge begins. If the Sea Serpent dies while in deep water, its body will sink, and you will lose the loot. To prevent this, you must drag the creature to shallow water or onto land. Use your boat''s movement to guide the Sea Serpent toward the shore. Be cautious, as the tether can break if you move too far away or if the line becomes obstructed by terrain.\n\nOne common issue players face is the Sea Serpent breaking free during the dragging process. To avoid this, maintain a steady speed and avoid sharp turns. If the Sea Serpent does break free, quickly re-harpoon it before it sinks. Another challenge is dealing with multiple Sea Serpents or other hostile creatures like Leeches or Draugr while dragging. Always be prepared to defend yourself or retreat if the situation becomes too dangerous.\n\nOnce you successfully drag the Sea Serpent to shallow water or land, you can safely harvest its resources. Serpent Meat is a high-tier food item that provides significant health and stamina boosts, while Serpent Scales are used to craft the Serpent Scale Shield, one of the best shields in the game. This makes the effort of hunting and dragging Sea Serpents well worth it.\n\nFor new players, it''s recommended to practice harpooning smaller creatures like Greylings or Boars to get a feel for the mechanics. Experienced Vikings should consider hunting Sea Serpents during storms, as they are more likely to spawn and provide a greater challenge. Always bring healing items, stamina potions, and repair materials for your boat to ensure a successful hunt.\n\nIn summary, using the harpoon to prevent a Sea Serpent from sinking requires preparation, precision, and patience. Craft the harpoon, weaken the Sea Serpent, and drag it to shallow water or land to secure its valuable resources. With practice and the right strategy, you can master this technique and become a formidable Sea Serpent hunter in Valheim.