What are the best materials for building a base that resists damage from raids?

Building a base that can withstand raids in Valheim requires careful planning and the right materials. Raids are triggered by events like the appearance of the ‘The Ground is Shaking’ or ‘A Foul Smell from the Swamp’ messages, which spawn waves of enemies that target your structures. To minimize damage, you need to prioritize durability, defensive positioning, and strategic material choices.\n\nOne of the best materials for raid-resistant bases is **stone**. Stone structures have significantly higher durability compared to wood and are resistant to most early-game enemies. To build with stone, you must first defeat the first boss, Eikthyr, to unlock the Antler Pickaxe. This allows you to mine stone and copper, which are essential for crafting the Stonecutter. Place the Stonecutter near your base to unlock stone building pieces like walls, floors, and pillars.\n\nFor additional protection, combine stone with **core wood**. Core wood is obtained by chopping down pine trees in the Black Forest biome. Core wood beams and poles are sturdier than regular wood and can be used to reinforce stone structures. For example, you can create a layered defense by placing core wood beams horizontally across stone walls to add extra durability and aesthetic appeal.\n\nAnother excellent material is **iron**, which becomes available after defeating the second boss, The Elder, and exploring the Swamp biome. Iron is used to craft reinforced gates, doors, and beams, which are nearly impervious to damage from most raid enemies. To obtain iron, you’ll need to mine muddy scrap piles in the Swamp and smelt the scrap iron in a Blast Furnace, which requires Artisan Table access.\n\nPositioning your base is just as important as the materials you use. Build your base on elevated terrain or near natural barriers like cliffs or water to limit enemy access. For example, constructing a base on a small island or peninsula can funnel enemies into a narrow choke point, making them easier to defend against. Additionally, surround your base with a **moat** or **trench** to prevent enemies from reaching your walls. Digging a trench requires a Bronze Pickaxe or better and can be done by using the hoe to level the ground around your base.\n\nTo further enhance your base’s defenses, incorporate **workbenches** and **campfires** strategically. Workbenches prevent enemy spawns within their radius, so placing them around your perimeter can reduce the number of enemies that spawn during raids. Campfires, on the other hand, deal damage to enemies that walk over them, making them a cheap and effective deterrent.\n\nFor late-game players, **black marble** from the Mistlands biome offers the highest durability for building materials. Black marble structures are resistant to almost all types of damage, including from powerful enemies like Fulings and Gjalls. To craft black marble pieces, you’ll need to mine black marble deposits using a Black Metal Pickaxe and process them at a Stonecutter.\n\nFinally, always keep a stockpile of repair materials like stone, wood, and iron. Raids can still cause minor damage even to the strongest bases, so having the resources to quickly repair walls, gates, and other structures is essential. Regularly check your base’s integrity and reinforce weak points before triggering new raids by defeating bosses or progressing through the game.\n\nIn summary, the best materials for a raid-resistant base are stone, core wood, iron, and black marble. Combine these with strategic positioning, defensive structures like moats, and tools like workbenches and campfires to create a base that can withstand even the toughest raids. With careful planning and resource management, your base will remain a safe haven in the harsh world of Valheim.