How do I build a cart and what’s the best way to use it?

Building and using a cart in Valheim is an essential step for efficient resource gathering and transportation. Carts allow you to carry large amounts of materials, such as wood, stone, and ore, which are otherwise cumbersome to transport manually. To build a cart, you’ll need to unlock the recipe first by crafting a Bronze Nails at the Forge. Bronze Nails require 2 Bronze, which is made by combining Copper and Tin at the Forge. Once you have Bronze Nails, the cart recipe will become available in the Crafting menu under the Misc tab.\n\nTo craft a cart, you’ll need 20 Wood and 10 Bronze Nails. Wood is easily gathered from trees in the Meadows or Black Forest biomes, while Bronze Nails require a Forge and the aforementioned Bronze. Once crafted, the cart can be placed on the ground like any other structure. It has four wheels and a storage capacity of 18 slots, making it ideal for hauling heavy loads. However, the cart is not indestructible and can take damage from enemies or rough terrain, so handle it with care.\n\nUsing the cart effectively requires some planning. The cart is pulled by the player, and its movement speed is affected by the weight of its contents. The heavier the load, the slower you’ll move. To optimize your cart usage, prioritize transporting dense materials like ore, stone, and wood. Avoid overloading the cart with lighter items like feathers or resin, as these can be carried in your inventory without significantly impacting your movement speed. Additionally, the cart cannot be pulled up steep inclines, so plan your routes carefully to avoid hills or mountains.\n\nOne common challenge is navigating the cart through narrow or uneven terrain. In the Black Forest biome, for example, dense trees and rocky outcrops can make it difficult to maneuver. To solve this, clear a path by chopping down trees or breaking rocks before attempting to pull the cart through. If you encounter a steep slope, consider building a ramp or stairs using the Hammer and Wood to create a smoother path. Alternatively, you can temporarily unload the cart, carry the materials up the slope, and reload the cart on the other side.\n\nAnother practical tip is to use the cart in conjunction with portals. While carts cannot be transported through portals, you can use portals to quickly return to your base and drop off lighter items, then return to your cart to continue hauling heavy materials. This strategy is particularly useful when mining in the Swamp or Mountains biomes, where ore is abundant but far from your base. By combining cart usage with portals, you can maximize efficiency and minimize travel time.\n\nFinally, always be mindful of enemy encounters while using the cart. Draugr, Trolls, and other hostile creatures can damage the cart or knock it over, causing you to lose valuable materials. To mitigate this risk, travel during the day when fewer enemies are active, and avoid areas with high enemy density. If you’re transporting particularly valuable resources, consider bringing a friend to help defend the cart or clear the path ahead.\n\nIn summary, the cart is a powerful tool for resource management in Valheim, but it requires careful planning and execution to use effectively. By crafting Bronze Nails, gathering the necessary materials, and optimizing your routes, you can make the most of this versatile tool. Whether you’re a new player hauling your first load of ore or an experienced Viking transporting massive quantities of stone, the cart is an indispensable part of your survival toolkit.