How do I monitor my progress in unlocking and using new building pieces?

Monitoring your progress in unlocking and using new building pieces in Valheim is essential for expanding your base and crafting more advanced structures. The game ties building progression to exploration, crafting, and defeating bosses. To unlock new building pieces, you must first gather specific resources, craft new tools, and defeat certain bosses to gain access to advanced materials and recipes.\n\nTo begin, focus on gathering basic resources like wood, stone, and core wood. These are essential for early-game structures such as walls, floors, and roofs. As you progress, you''ll need to explore different biomes to find rarer materials. For example, the Black Forest biome provides core wood from pine trees, which is necessary for stronger building pieces like core wood beams and log poles. Always carry a workbench with you to repair tools and craft items on the go.\n\nDefeating bosses is a key step in unlocking new building pieces. The first boss, Eikthyr, drops Hard Antlers, which allow you to craft the Antler Pickaxe. This tool is crucial for mining tin and copper in the Black Forest, which are used to forge bronze. Bronze is required for crafting the Forge, a workstation that unlocks metal-based building pieces like iron-reinforced beams and stone structures. Each boss you defeat grants access to new materials and recipes, so prioritize boss fights as part of your progression.\n\nExploration is another critical aspect of unlocking building pieces. For example, venturing into the Swamp biome allows you to collect scrap iron from muddy scrap piles. This material is used to craft iron building pieces, such as iron gates and reinforced walls. Similarly, the Plains biome provides tar from tar pits, which is used for darkwood building pieces like shingles and decorative beams. Always prepare adequately for biome exploration by bringing the right gear, food, and potions.\n\nTo track your progress, regularly check your crafting menu at the workbench, forge, and other crafting stations. Each station displays a list of available building pieces, and new options will appear as you unlock the required materials and recipes. For example, once you have access to iron, you''ll see iron-reinforced beams and stone walls in the crafting menu. Keep an eye on the materials needed for each piece and plan your resource-gathering trips accordingly.\n\nA common challenge is running out of specific materials mid-build. To avoid this, stockpile resources like wood, stone, and metal in dedicated storage chests near your workbench. For example, if you''re building a large stone structure, ensure you have plenty of stone and iron bars on hand. Additionally, consider setting up resource outposts in different biomes to streamline material collection. For instance, a small base in the Black Forest can serve as a hub for mining copper and tin.\n\nFinally, use the Hammer tool to cycle through available building pieces and preview their placement. This allows you to plan your structures and experiment with different designs. If you''re unsure about a piece''s requirements, hover over it in the crafting menu to see the necessary materials. By combining exploration, resource management, and boss progression, you can steadily unlock and use new building pieces to create impressive and functional bases.\n\nPractical tips: Always carry a portal with you to quickly return to your main base for repairs and restocking. Use the Hoe to level terrain and create flat areas for building. Finally, prioritize upgrading your workbench and forge to unlock higher-tier building pieces and improve your crafting efficiency.