How do you deal with the Ashlands’ lack of natural cover?

The Ashlands biome in Valheim is one of the most dangerous areas in the game, characterized by its barren, volcanic landscape and lack of natural cover. This makes it challenging to navigate and survive, especially when dealing with aggressive enemies like Surtlings and Magma Slugs. To overcome this, you need to rely on strategic planning, crafting, and careful movement.\n\nFirst, prepare before entering the Ashlands. Craft and equip fire-resistant gear, such as the Wolf Armor set or the Lox Cape, which reduces fire damage. Bring healing items like cooked food (e.g., Serpent Stew or Lox Meat Pie) and potions, such as Fire Resistance Barley Wine. These will help mitigate the constant fire damage from the environment and enemies.\n\nNext, bring materials to create your own cover. Since the Ashlands lack trees or rocks for natural shelter, you’ll need to craft portable structures. Bring plenty of wood, stone, and core wood to build walls, roofs, and small outposts. These structures can serve as temporary safe zones to recover health, stamina, or plan your next move. For example, a small wooden hut with a roof can block Surtling fireballs and provide a safe space to heal.\n\nWhen exploring, always move cautiously. Use the terrain to your advantage by sticking to lower ground or behind small hills to avoid being spotted by enemies. If you encounter a group of Surtlings, use a bow to pick them off from a distance before engaging in melee combat. The Draugr Fang bow with Frost or Poison arrows is particularly effective against fire-based enemies.\n\nAnother strategy is to use the environment to your advantage. While the Ashlands lack natural cover, you can use the lava flows and geysers to trap or damage enemies. Lure Surtlings into lava pools or geysers to eliminate them without direct combat. However, be cautious of your own positioning to avoid falling into these hazards.\n\nFor long-term survival, consider building a fortified base near the Ashlands border. Use stone structures and reinforced walls to create a safe haven where you can store resources, craft gear, and plan expeditions. A portal network connecting your main base to the Ashlands outpost will allow for quick travel and resource management.\n\nFinally, always be prepared for the unexpected. The Ashlands is a high-risk biome, and even experienced players can be overwhelmed by its challenges. Carry a backup set of gear, extra food, and healing items in case of emergencies. If you’re playing with friends, coordinate your efforts to cover more ground and share resources effectively.\n\nIn summary, dealing with the Ashlands’ lack of natural cover requires preparation, creativity, and caution. Craft fire-resistant gear, build portable structures, and use the environment strategically to survive. With these strategies, you can conquer the Ashlands and reap its valuable resources, such as Flametal and Surtling Cores.