What are the best ways to avoid being poisoned by Serpents in the Ocean?

Avoiding poison from Serpents in Valheim''s Ocean biome requires preparation, awareness, and strategic gameplay. Serpents are dangerous sea creatures that can poison you, dealing significant damage over time. To minimize the risk, you need to understand their behavior, equip the right gear, and use effective combat strategies.\n\nFirst, always prepare before venturing into the Ocean. Craft a Karve or Longship, as these boats provide better speed and durability compared to the basic Raft. A Longship is ideal for long voyages, as it has more storage and can withstand Serpent attacks better. Additionally, bring a Finewood Bow and plenty of arrows, as ranged combat is the safest way to deal with Serpents. Stock up on health and stamina-boosting foods like Cooked Meat, Carrot Soup, or Queens Jam to ensure you can survive unexpected encounters.\n\nUnderstanding Serpent behavior is crucial. Serpents spawn during storms or at night in the Ocean biome. They are aggressive and will chase your boat if they spot you. To avoid detection, sail during calm weather and daytime whenever possible. If you must travel during a storm, stay alert and keep an eye on the water for their distinctive fins. If a Serpent appears, try to outrun it by sailing in a straight line with the wind at your back. The Longship''s speed can often outpace a Serpent, especially with favorable wind conditions.\n\nIf combat is unavoidable, use ranged attacks to keep your distance. Equip your bow and aim for the Serpent''s head, as this deals the most damage. Frost arrows are particularly effective, as they slow the Serpent down, making it easier to land shots. If the Serpent gets too close, switch to a melee weapon like an Abyssal Razor or a Blackmetal Sword, but be cautious of its poison attack. Blocking with a shield can reduce damage, but it won''t prevent poison, so prioritize dodging.\n\nTo mitigate poison damage, always carry Poison Resistance Mead. This potion reduces poison damage by 75% for 10 minutes, giving you a significant advantage in Serpent encounters. Craft it at a Fermenter using Honey, Thistle, Neck Tail, and Coal. Keep several bottles in your inventory, especially when exploring the Ocean biome. Additionally, wearing the Root Harnesk armor provides innate poison resistance, making it a great choice for ocean voyages.\n\nFinally, if you''re farming Serpents for their valuable drops like Serpent Meat or Scales, consider luring them closer to shore. Serpents cannot survive in shallow water, so you can use this to your advantage. Sail near the coastline and aggro a Serpent, then lead it into shallow waters where it will die, allowing you to collect its drops safely.\n\nIn summary, avoiding Serpent poison in Valheim requires preparation, awareness, and strategic combat. Equip a sturdy boat, bring ranged weapons, and stock up on Poison Resistance Mead. Sail during calm weather, use ranged attacks to keep your distance, and consider luring Serpents into shallow water for safer farming. With these tips, you can navigate the Ocean biome confidently and minimize the risk of poisoning.