How can I gather wood in the Meadows biome without a workbench?

Gathering wood in the Meadows biome without a workbench is a fundamental skill in Valheim, especially for new players who have yet to craft their first workbench. The Meadows biome is the starting area of the game, and it is abundant with trees, making it an ideal place to collect wood for early-game crafting and building. Without a workbench, you cannot use tools like the axe, but there are still effective ways to gather wood using basic mechanics.\n\nOne of the simplest methods to gather wood without a workbench is by using your fists to punch trees. While this may seem inefficient, it is a viable option early in the game. To do this, approach a tree in the Meadows biome and press the left mouse button to punch it. Each punch will deal a small amount of damage to the tree, and after several hits, the tree will fall. Once the tree is down, you can collect the wood by walking over the logs or pressing the ''E'' key to pick them up.\n\nAnother method to gather wood without a workbench is by breaking fallen branches or small logs scattered on the ground. These can be found throughout the Meadows biome and do not require any tools to collect. Simply walk up to a branch or log and press the ''E'' key to pick it up. While this method provides smaller amounts of wood compared to felling trees, it is a quick and easy way to gather resources without any tools.\n\nIf you are looking for a more efficient way to gather wood without a workbench, you can use the environment to your advantage. For example, you can lure Greylings or other creatures to attack trees. When these creatures hit a tree, they will damage it, and over time, the tree will fall. This method requires patience and careful positioning, but it can save you time and effort compared to punching trees manually.\n\nOnce you have gathered enough wood, you can use it to craft a workbench, which will unlock more advanced tools like the stone axe. To craft a workbench, you will need 10 wood and a flat area to place it. Once the workbench is built, you can craft a stone axe using 5 wood and 4 stone. The stone axe is a significant upgrade over punching trees, as it allows you to fell trees much faster and more efficiently.\n\nIn summary, gathering wood in the Meadows biome without a workbench is entirely possible using basic mechanics like punching trees, collecting fallen branches, or using creatures to damage trees. These methods are especially useful for new players who are just starting their journey in Valheim. Once you have enough wood, prioritize crafting a workbench and a stone axe to make wood gathering faster and more efficient. With these tools, you can quickly gather the resources needed to build shelters, craft weapons, and progress further in the game.\n\nPractical tips for new players: Always keep an eye out for fallen branches and logs, as they provide a quick source of wood. If you are punching trees, focus on smaller trees first, as they require fewer hits to fell. Additionally, avoid punching oak trees or other large trees early on, as they take significantly more effort to bring down without an axe. Finally, once you have a workbench, prioritize upgrading your tools to make resource gathering easier and more efficient.