How do you craft a Workbench and what are its requirements?

Crafting a Workbench in Valheim is one of the most essential early-game tasks, as it serves as the foundation for crafting most tools, weapons, and structures. The Workbench allows you to repair items, craft advanced gear, and unlock new recipes as you progress. To craft a Workbench, you will need to gather specific resources and meet certain requirements, which are relatively simple but crucial for your survival and progression.\n\nTo begin, you must first gather the required materials: 10 Wood. Wood is one of the most basic resources in Valheim and can be obtained by chopping down trees using a Stone Axe, which is one of the first tools you can craft. Trees are abundant in the Meadows biome, the starting area of the game. Simply equip your Stone Axe, approach a tree, and start chopping. Each tree will drop Wood, and you may also collect Fine Wood from Birch or Oak trees, though these require a Bronze Axe to chop down.\n\nOnce you have gathered 10 Wood, you can craft the Workbench. Open your inventory by pressing Tab (default key) and navigate to the Crafting tab. Look for the Workbench icon, which should be available once you have the required materials. Click on it to craft the Workbench. However, crafting the Workbench is only the first step—you must also place it in a suitable location to use it.\n\nTo place the Workbench, you need a flat and open area. Press the right mouse button to rotate the Workbench and left-click to place it. Once placed, the Workbench will have a small radius of usability, indicated by a circular outline on the ground. You can only craft and repair items within this radius. To expand this radius, you can build a roof and walls around the Workbench, as it requires shelter to function at full capacity.\n\nOne common challenge new players face is not being able to use the Workbench after placing it. This is often because the Workbench is not sheltered or is placed too close to other objects. To fix this, ensure the Workbench is placed in an open area with enough space around it. Additionally, building a simple roof using Thatch or Wood pieces will protect the Workbench from the elements and allow it to function properly.\n\nAs you progress, you can upgrade the Workbench to unlock more advanced crafting options. Upgrading the Workbench requires additional materials, such as Flint, Leather Scraps, and Bronze. Each upgrade increases the Workbench''s level, allowing you to craft higher-tier items. For example, upgrading to Workbench Level 2 requires a Chopping Block, which is crafted using 10 Wood and 10 Flint. Flint can be found along the shores of the Meadows biome, particularly near water.\n\nIn summary, crafting a Workbench in Valheim is a straightforward but vital process. Gather 10 Wood by chopping trees in the Meadows biome, craft the Workbench in your inventory, and place it in a sheltered, open area. Ensure it is protected by building a roof and walls, and consider upgrading it as you progress to unlock more crafting options. The Workbench is your gateway to survival and success in Valheim, so prioritize building and maintaining it early in your adventure.\n\nPractical tips for new players: Always carry extra Wood when exploring, as you may need to set up temporary Workbenches for repairs. If you encounter enemies near your Workbench, build a simple fence or wall to protect it. For experienced Vikings, consider building multiple Workbenches in different biomes to streamline crafting and repairs during long expeditions.