How do you design a base to protect against Stone Golems?

Designing a base to protect against Stone Golems in Valheim requires a combination of strategic planning, understanding game mechanics, and utilizing the right materials and structures. Stone Golems are powerful enemies found in the Mountain biome, and their high health and devastating attacks make them a significant threat to unprepared players. To safeguard your base, you need to focus on defensive structures, terrain manipulation, and combat readiness.\n\nFirst, choose a location for your base that minimizes the risk of Stone Golem encounters. While the Mountain biome is rich in resources like Silver and Obsidian, it is also the primary habitat for Stone Golems. Consider building your base at the edge of the biome or in a nearby safer biome like the Meadows or Black Forest. This reduces the likelihood of Stone Golems wandering into your base while still allowing access to Mountain resources.\n\nNext, focus on building strong defensive walls and structures. Stone Golems deal massive damage to wooden structures, so prioritize using stone for your walls, gates, and other defensive elements. Stone walls are much more durable and can withstand multiple hits from a Stone Golem. To craft stone structures, you will need a Stonecutter, which requires Iron and Stone. Place the Stonecutter near your building site to enable stone construction.\n\nTerrain manipulation is another effective strategy. Digging a deep moat around your base can prevent Stone Golems from reaching your structures. Use a pickaxe to dig a trench at least two meters deep and three meters wide. This creates a barrier that Stone Golems cannot cross, as they are unable to jump or climb steep slopes. Ensure the moat is continuous and surrounds your entire base to eliminate weak points.\n\nIn addition to moats, consider building elevated platforms or walls with overhangs. Stone Golems have a limited vertical reach, so structures with high walls or platforms can keep them at bay. Use stairs or ladders to access these elevated areas while ensuring Stone Golems cannot follow. This design also provides a safe vantage point for ranged attacks if you need to defend your base.\n\nCombat readiness is crucial when dealing with Stone Golems. Equip yourself with strong weapons like the Iron Mace or Frostner, as these are effective against their high health pool. Stock up on healing items like Cooked Meat and Health Mead, and wear armor such as Wolf Armor or Iron Armor for added protection. If a Stone Golem breaches your defenses, focus on dodging its attacks and striking during its recovery animations.\n\nFinally, consider using workbenches or other player-made structures to prevent Stone Golem spawns near your base. These structures create a no-spawn zone within a certain radius, reducing the chances of encountering a Stone Golem unexpectedly. Place multiple workbenches around your base to maximize coverage.\n\nBy combining these strategies, you can create a base that is well-protected against Stone Golems. Focus on strong stone structures, terrain manipulation, and combat readiness to ensure your base remains safe in the dangerous Mountain biome.