How do you craft a workbench and upgrade it to higher levels?

Crafting and upgrading a workbench in Valheim is essential for progressing through the game, as it unlocks the ability to craft better tools, weapons, and structures. The workbench is the cornerstone of your crafting capabilities, and upgrading it allows you to access more advanced recipes. To begin, you’ll need to gather basic resources like wood and stone, which are found in the Meadows biome, the starting area for most players.\n\nTo craft a basic workbench, you’ll need 10 wood. Wood can be obtained by chopping down trees using a stone axe, which is one of the first tools you can craft. Once you have the wood, open your inventory and navigate to the crafting tab. Select the workbench and place it in a suitable location near your base. The workbench requires a flat surface and enough space around it to function properly. If you try to place it in a cramped area, the game will notify you that it needs more room.\n\nOnce the workbench is placed, you can start crafting basic items like wooden clubs, bows, and building components. However, to unlock more advanced recipes and improve your crafting efficiency, you’ll need to upgrade the workbench. Upgrading the workbench requires specific crafting stations and materials. The first upgrade requires a chopping block, which is crafted using 10 wood and 10 flint. Flint can be found along the shores of the Meadows biome, particularly near water. Place the chopping block near the workbench to increase its level to 2.\n\nThe second upgrade requires a tanning rack, which is crafted using 10 wood, 15 flint, 20 leather scraps, and 5 deer hides. Leather scraps are obtained by hunting boars, while deer hides come from deer. The tanning rack must also be placed near the workbench to upgrade it to level 3. This upgrade unlocks even more advanced recipes, such as bronze tools and weapons.\n\nFor the third upgrade, you’ll need an adze, which requires 10 fine wood and 3 bronze. Fine wood is obtained by chopping down birch or oak trees, which are found in the Meadows or Black Forest biomes. Bronze is crafted by combining copper and tin at a forge, which requires you to venture into the Black Forest biome to mine these materials. Once the adze is crafted, place it near the workbench to upgrade it to level 4.\n\nFinally, the fourth upgrade requires a tool shelf, which is crafted using 10 iron, 4 obsidian, and 4 fine wood. Iron is obtained by smelting scrap iron in a blast furnace, which requires you to explore the Swamp biome and its crypts. Obsidian is found in the Mountain biome and can be mined with an iron pickaxe. Place the tool shelf near the workbench to upgrade it to level 5, the highest level available.\n\nUpgrading your workbench is a gradual process that requires exploration and resource gathering. Each upgrade not only unlocks new recipes but also improves the durability and efficiency of your crafted items. For new players, focus on gathering wood and flint first, as these are the most accessible materials. Experienced Vikings should prioritize exploring the Black Forest and Swamp biomes to gather bronze and iron, which are essential for higher-level upgrades.\n\nA common challenge players face is running out of space near the workbench for upgrades. To solve this, ensure your base has enough room for all crafting stations. You can also build multiple workbenches in different locations to spread out your crafting stations. Additionally, always keep an eye on your inventory and storage, as upgrading the workbench requires a steady supply of materials.\n\nIn summary, crafting and upgrading a workbench in Valheim is a multi-step process that requires careful planning and resource management. Start with the basics in the Meadows biome, then gradually expand your exploration to the Black Forest, Swamp, and Mountain biomes to gather the necessary materials. By following these steps, you’ll unlock the full potential of your workbench and gain access to powerful tools and weapons to aid your Viking adventures.