How can I use wooden walls to create decoy structures for enemy raids?

In Valheim, using wooden walls to create decoy structures is a clever way to divert enemy raids and protect your main base. This strategy leverages the game''s AI mechanics, where enemies prioritize attacking structures they perceive as threats or obstacles. By building decoy structures, you can draw enemies away from your valuable resources and main buildings, giving you time to prepare or counterattack.\n\nTo start, you''ll need basic building materials: wood, which can be gathered from trees in any biome. Use a workbench to craft wooden walls, floors, and other structural components. Place your decoy structures at a safe distance from your main base, ideally in an open area where enemies can easily spot them. This ensures that raiding parties will focus their attention on the decoys rather than your core buildings.\n\nWhen designing decoy structures, consider their size and complexity. Larger structures with multiple layers of walls are more likely to attract enemy attention. For example, you can build a small wooden fort with a perimeter wall and a few interior structures. Add torches or campfires inside to make the decoy appear more active and enticing to enemies. This mimics the appearance of a functional base, increasing the likelihood that raiders will target it.\n\nAnother effective tactic is to place decoy structures near natural choke points, such as narrow paths or bridges. This forces enemies to funnel into a specific area, making it easier to defend or ambush them. For instance, in the Black Forest biome, you can build decoy walls near troll caves or Greydwarf spawners. This not only diverts raids but also helps you control enemy movement during combat.\n\nTo maximize the effectiveness of your decoy structures, consider adding traps or defensive measures. Spike traps, for example, can be placed around the perimeter of your decoy fort to weaken or kill enemies as they attack. You can also station archers or other ranged units nearby to pick off enemies while they focus on the decoys. This combination of diversion and defense creates a powerful strategy for handling raids.\n\nOne common challenge is ensuring that your decoy structures are durable enough to withstand enemy attacks. Reinforce your wooden walls with additional layers or upgrade them using core wood, which is stronger than regular wood. Core wood can be obtained by chopping down pine trees in the Black Forest biome. This added durability ensures that your decoys last longer, giving you more time to deal with the raid.\n\nFinally, remember to maintain and repair your decoy structures after each raid. Damaged walls or structures may not attract enemies as effectively, reducing their usefulness. Regularly check your decoys and make repairs as needed to keep them functional. By following these steps, you can create effective decoy structures that protect your main base and give you the upper hand during enemy raids.\n\nIn summary, using wooden walls to create decoy structures is a practical and strategic way to manage enemy raids in Valheim. By understanding enemy AI behavior and leveraging basic building mechanics, you can design decoys that divert attention, control enemy movement, and provide opportunities for defense. Whether you''re a new player or an experienced Viking, this approach is a valuable addition to your survival toolkit.