What’s the fastest way to craft a longship for ocean exploration?

Crafting a longship in Valheim is essential for efficient ocean exploration, as it allows you to traverse vast distances quickly and carry large amounts of resources. To craft a longship, you will need 100 Iron Nails, 40 Fine Wood, 10 Deer Hide, and 40 Ancient Bark. These materials are gathered from specific biomes and require progression through the game''s tech tree. Below is a detailed step-by-step guide to speedrun the process of crafting a longship.\n\nFirst, you must unlock the longship recipe by obtaining Iron Nails, which are crafted at a Forge using Iron. To acquire Iron, you need to explore the Swamp biome and locate Sunken Crypts. These crypts contain Muddy Scrap Piles, which can be mined with an Antler Pickaxe or better to yield Scrap Iron. Smelt the Scrap Iron in a Smelter to produce Iron Bars, then craft Iron Nails at the Forge. Prioritize upgrading your Forge to speed up the crafting process.\n\nNext, gather Fine Wood by chopping down Birch or Oak trees in the Meadows or Black Forest biomes. These trees require a Bronze Axe or better to harvest. Fine Wood is a critical resource for many advanced crafting recipes, so stockpile it early. If you''re struggling to find Birch or Oak trees, explore the edges of the Black Forest, as they are more common there.\n\nDeer Hide is obtained by hunting Deer in the Meadows biome. Use a bow and arrows for a quick and efficient kill. Deer are skittish, so approach them carefully or use stealth to get close. Alternatively, you can trap Deer by building fences or using terrain features to corner them. Collect at least 10 Deer Hide to meet the crafting requirement.\n\nAncient Bark is gathered from Ancient Trees in the Swamp biome. These trees are large and require a Bronze Axe or better to chop down. Be cautious when exploring the Swamp, as it is filled with dangerous enemies like Draugr and Leeches. Bring healing items and a strong weapon to defend yourself while collecting Ancient Bark.\n\nOnce you have all the required materials, head to a Workbench and craft the longship. Place the longship in deep water, as it requires sufficient depth to deploy. The longship has a large storage capacity and is faster than other boats, making it ideal for long-distance exploration and resource transportation.\n\nTo optimize your speedrun, focus on efficient resource gathering. For example, prioritize upgrading your tools and weapons to Bronze-tier early in the game. This will allow you to harvest Fine Wood and Ancient Bark more quickly. Additionally, build a portal network to reduce travel time between biomes. Place portals near key resource locations, such as Swamp Crypts or Birch tree groves, to save time.\n\nA common challenge is dealing with Swamp enemies while gathering Ancient Bark. To mitigate this, bring a shield and parry incoming attacks. Alternatively, use a bow to pick off enemies from a distance. If you''re low on health, retreat to a safer area and use healing items like Cooked Meat or Honey.\n\nFinally, always prepare for ocean exploration by bringing essential supplies. Pack food, weapons, and tools to handle unexpected encounters, such as Serpents or storms. Use the longship''s storage to carry extra resources for building outposts or repairing your ship during long voyages.\n\nIn summary, crafting a longship quickly requires efficient resource gathering, strategic planning, and careful exploration. Focus on upgrading your tools, building a portal network, and preparing for combat in dangerous biomes. With these tips, you''ll be sailing the seas in no time.