What’s the best way to use spikes and barricades for defense?

Using spikes and barricades effectively in Valheim is crucial for defending your base against raids, especially in higher-difficulty biomes like the Plains or during events like the Fuling or Troll raids. Spikes and barricades are early-to-mid-game defensive structures that can be crafted using basic materials like wood and core wood. They are affordable, easy to place, and can significantly slow down or damage enemies, giving you time to react or reposition.\n\nTo craft spikes, you need 4 wood per unit, and they can be placed on the ground or attached to walls. Barricades, on the other hand, require 4 core wood and are taller, providing better coverage against larger enemies. Both structures deal damage to enemies that come into contact with them, but spikes are more effective for ground-based enemies, while barricades are better for blocking line of sight and funneling enemies into kill zones.\n\nWhen designing your defenses, start by identifying high-traffic areas where enemies are likely to approach. Place spikes in staggered rows around your base, ensuring there are no gaps for enemies to slip through. For example, in the Black Forest biome, Greydwarves often attack in groups, so placing spikes in a zigzag pattern can maximize their effectiveness. In the Plains biome, Fulings are faster and more aggressive, so combining spikes with barricades can create choke points that slow them down.\n\nBarricades are particularly useful for creating layered defenses. Place them in front of your walls or gates to absorb initial damage and force enemies to take longer paths. For example, during a Troll raid, barricades can prevent Trolls from reaching your walls directly, giving you time to attack them from a distance. You can also use barricades to create narrow pathways that funnel enemies into areas where you’ve placed spikes or traps.\n\nOne common challenge is balancing resource cost with effectiveness. Spikes and barricades are relatively cheap, but they can be destroyed quickly by stronger enemies like Trolls or Fuling Berserkers. To mitigate this, consider reinforcing your defenses with stone walls or earthworks. For example, digging a trench around your base and lining it with spikes can create a formidable barrier that even Trolls struggle to breach.\n\nAnother practical tip is to combine spikes and barricades with other defensive structures like stake walls or moats. Stake walls, crafted from core wood, provide a stronger barrier than regular wood walls and can be paired with spikes for added damage. Moats, created by digging trenches with a pickaxe, are an excellent way to prevent enemies from reaching your base entirely. Place spikes at the bottom of the moat to deal additional damage to any enemies that fall in.\n\nFinally, always consider the terrain when placing spikes and barricades. In mountainous biomes, use the natural elevation to your advantage by placing spikes on slopes where enemies will be forced to climb. In swamp biomes, where enemies like Draugr and Blobs are common, place barricades near water to limit their movement and create kill zones.\n\nIn summary, spikes and barricades are versatile and cost-effective tools for base defense in Valheim. Use them in combination with other structures and terrain features to create layered defenses that slow down and damage enemies. Always adapt your strategy to the biome and enemy types you’re facing, and don’t hesitate to experiment with different layouts to find what works best for your base.