What is the purpose of the workbench tanning rack?

The workbench tanning rack is a crucial upgrade in Valheim that enhances your ability to process leather and other animal-based resources. It is a crafting station add-on that must be placed near a workbench to function. Once built, it allows you to craft higher-tier armor, tools, and other items that require leather scraps or other refined materials. The tanning rack is essential for progressing through the game, as it unlocks access to better gear and improves your overall survival capabilities.\n\nTo build a tanning rack, you need to first construct a workbench. The workbench requires 10 wood and can be placed anywhere in your base. Once the workbench is set up, you can build the tanning rack by opening the crafting menu (press Tab) and selecting it under the Crafting tab. The tanning rack requires 10 wood, 15 flint, 20 leather scraps, and 5 deer hide. Flint can be found along riverbanks and shorelines in the Meadows biome, while leather scraps and deer hide are obtained by hunting deer and boars.\n\nOnce the tanning rack is built, it must be placed within the workbench''s radius (indicated by the yellow circle when you hover over the workbench). This ensures it functions properly. The tanning rack does not require fuel or maintenance, making it a passive upgrade that enhances your crafting capabilities. With the tanning rack, you can now craft items like the Troll Leather Armor, which provides better protection than basic armor sets and is ideal for early to mid-game exploration.\n\nOne of the key benefits of the tanning rack is its ability to process raw materials more efficiently. For example, deer hide can be turned into leather scraps, which are used in a variety of recipes. This is particularly useful for players who are struggling to gather enough leather scraps for crafting. By hunting deer and boars in the Meadows biome, you can stockpile these resources and use the tanning rack to convert them into usable materials.\n\nA common gameplay challenge is running out of leather scraps early in the game. To address this, focus on hunting deer and boars in the Meadows biome. Deer are fast and require a bow or sneaky approach, while boars can be lured with food like mushrooms or carrots. Once you have enough materials, build the tanning rack to streamline your crafting process. This will save you time and allow you to focus on other tasks, such as building or exploring.\n\nIn addition to crafting armor, the tanning rack is also used to create other essential items, such as the Finewood Bow and the Bronze Buckler. These items are critical for surviving in more dangerous biomes like the Black Forest or Swamp. By upgrading your workbench with the tanning rack, you ensure that you are well-prepared for the challenges ahead.\n\nFor experienced players, the tanning rack remains useful even in the late game. It is required for crafting higher-tier items like the Padded Armor, which is one of the best armor sets in Valheim. To craft Padded Armor, you need linen thread, which is made from flax grown in the Plains biome. The tanning rack is used to process the materials needed for this armor, making it a vital part of your crafting setup.\n\nPractical tips for using the tanning rack include placing it in a secure location within your base to prevent it from being destroyed by enemies. Additionally, always keep a stockpile of leather scraps and deer hide to ensure you can craft items when needed. If you are struggling to find flint, explore riverbanks and shorelines thoroughly, as it is a common resource in these areas.\n\nIn summary, the workbench tanning rack is an essential upgrade that enhances your crafting capabilities and prepares you for the challenges of Valheim. By building it early and using it to process materials efficiently, you can progress through the game more smoothly and tackle tougher biomes with confidence.