How do you deal with Drakes while staying warm in the Mountains?
Staying warm in the Mountains biome while dealing with Drakes is one of the most challenging aspects of Valheim. The Mountains are a cold biome, and without proper preparation, you will suffer from the Freezing debuff, which drains your health over time. To counter this, you need to craft Frost Resistance Mead or wear Wolf Armor, both of which provide resistance to the cold. However, Drakes, the flying ice creatures in the Mountains, add another layer of difficulty as they can attack from the air and deal significant frost damage.\n\nTo stay warm, start by crafting Frost Resistance Mead at a Fermenter. This requires Honey, Thistle, Bloodbag, and Greydwarf Eye. The mead provides 10 minutes of frost resistance, allowing you to explore the Mountains without freezing. Alternatively, Wolf Armor, crafted from Wolf Pelts, Silver, and Wolf Trophies, provides permanent frost resistance but requires you to mine Silver in the Mountains first. For new players, Frost Resistance Mead is the more accessible option.\n\nWhen dealing with Drakes, prioritize ranged combat. Drakes are fast and can be difficult to hit with melee weapons. A Finewood Bow with Fire or Obsidian Arrows is highly effective, as Drakes are weak to fire damage. Always keep your distance and use the terrain to your advantage. For example, hide behind rocks or trees to avoid their frost breath attacks. If you are caught in the open, dodge-roll to evade their projectiles.\n\nAnother strategy is to build a small shelter or outpost in the Mountains. This can serve as a safe haven where you can warm up by a fire and recover health. Place a Campfire inside a small wooden structure to avoid it being extinguished by snow. This also gives you a place to store extra supplies like arrows and mead. If you are exploring deeper into the Mountains, consider setting up multiple outposts to ensure you always have a place to retreat.\n\nFor experienced players, combining Frost Resistance Mead with Wolf Armor and a Draugr Fang Bow can make the Mountains much more manageable. The Draugr Fang Bow deals poison damage, which stacks with fire arrows for even greater effectiveness against Drakes. Additionally, bringing a shield can help block their frost breath if you are forced into close combat. The Silver Shield, crafted from Silver and Fine Wood, is particularly useful due to its high block power.\n\nFinally, always be prepared for unexpected encounters. Drakes often appear in groups, and Wolves or Stone Golems may also attack you. Carry healing items like Cooked Meat or Health Mead, and keep your stamina high by eating stamina-boosting foods such as Honey or Carrot Soup. By combining frost resistance, ranged combat, and strategic outposts, you can effectively deal with Drakes while staying warm in the Mountains biome.\n\nPractical tips: Always carry extra Frost Resistance Mead in case your buff runs out. Use the Hoe to flatten terrain and create paths, making it easier to navigate the Mountains. If you are struggling to find Silver, use the Wishbone item dropped by Bonemass to locate underground deposits. Lastly, avoid exploring the Mountains at night, as visibility is low and enemies are more aggressive.