What is the best way to defend your shelter from enemy raids?

Defending your shelter from enemy raids in Valheim is crucial for survival, especially as you progress and attract stronger enemies. The game features a raid mechanic where hostile creatures, such as Greydwarfs, Trolls, or even Fulings, will attack your base periodically. These raids are triggered by your progress, such as defeating bosses or building in certain biomes. To protect your shelter, you need to combine strategic building, defensive structures, and proactive gameplay.\n\nFirst, choose a safe location for your shelter. Avoid building too close to aggressive biomes like the Black Forest or Plains, as these areas spawn tougher enemies. Instead, start in the Meadows biome, which is relatively peaceful. Ensure your base is near resources like wood, stone, and food, but not so close to danger that raids become overwhelming. Elevation can also help; building on a hill or near water can limit enemy access points.\n\nNext, build a sturdy perimeter around your shelter. Use wooden or stone walls to create a barrier. Wooden walls are easier to craft early on, but stone walls are more durable and resistant to Troll attacks. To craft stone walls, you’ll need a Stonecutter, which requires Iron from the Swamp biome. Surround your base with a trench or raised earth wall for added protection. Enemies cannot jump or climb, so these obstacles will force them to path around, giving you time to prepare.\n\nIncorporate defensive structures like stake walls, spikes, or even a moat. Stake walls are crafted using Core Wood from Pine trees in the Black Forest and can deal damage to enemies that touch them. Spikes, made from Wood and Resin, can be placed around your perimeter to deter attackers. A moat, dug with a pickaxe, is one of the most effective defenses, as it prevents enemies from reaching your walls entirely. Just ensure your moat is wide and deep enough to stop Trolls.\n\nLighting is another key defense. Place campfires or torches around your base to deter Greydwarfs and other creatures that fear fire. Additionally, workbenches or other crafting stations can prevent enemy spawns within their radius. Spread these around your base to create a safe zone. If you’re in the Plains biome, consider building a Lox pen nearby, as Lox can help fend off Fuling raids.\n\nFinally, always be prepared for combat. Keep a stockpile of weapons, armor, and healing items like cooked meat or potions. During a raid, prioritize taking out ranged attackers like Draugr Archers or Fuling Berserkers. Use the terrain to your advantage, such as kiting enemies into your spike traps or luring them into a narrow chokepoint. If your base is overwhelmed, retreat to a secondary shelter or portal to regroup.\n\nFor advanced players, consider building a fortified tower with arrow slits for ranged defense. You can also tame Wolves in the Mountains biome and bring them to your base; they are excellent at defending against raids. Additionally, the Ballista, unlocked in the Mistlands biome, can automatically target and kill enemies, though it requires careful placement to avoid friendly fire.\n\nIn summary, defending your shelter in Valheim requires a mix of strategic building, defensive structures, and combat readiness. Start with a safe location, build strong walls and obstacles, and use lighting and crafting stations to deter spawns. Always be prepared for raids with weapons and healing items, and consider advanced defenses like tamed Wolves or Ballistas as you progress. With these tips, your shelter will stand strong against even the toughest enemy raids.