How do you prepare for the Ashlands’ lack of passive wildlife?

The Ashlands biome in Valheim is a harsh, volcanic region with no passive wildlife, making food and resource gathering a significant challenge. To prepare for this, you must focus on sustainable food sources, efficient resource management, and advanced crafting. Start by establishing a strong base in a nearby biome, such as the Plains or Meadows, where you can farm and store resources. This base will serve as your staging area for expeditions into the Ashlands.\n\nOne of the most critical preparations is setting up a reliable food production system. Since the Ashlands lack passive wildlife, you cannot rely on hunting for meat. Instead, focus on farming crops like barley and flax in the Plains biome. Barley can be used to make bread and other high-tier foods, while flax is essential for crafting linen thread and padded armor. Additionally, cultivate carrots and turnips in the Meadows biome to create soups and stews, which provide long-lasting stamina and health boosts.\n\nAnother key aspect of preparation is stockpiling resources. The Ashlands are rich in valuable materials like Flametal and Surtling Cores, but gathering them requires advanced tools and weapons. Craft a black metal pickaxe and bring plenty of portal materials to establish quick travel points. Portals are crucial for transporting resources back to your base without overburdening your inventory. Additionally, bring a cart or longship to carry large quantities of materials, as the Ashlands are often far from your main base.\n\nCombat readiness is also essential. The Ashlands are home to dangerous enemies like Surtlings and Magma Blobs, which deal fire damage. Equip yourself with fire-resistant gear, such as the Wolf Armor set or the Root Harnesk, and bring fire resistance mead to mitigate damage. Stock up on arrows, especially frost arrows, as they are highly effective against fire-based enemies. A strong shield and melee weapon, like the black metal sword or atgeir, are also recommended for close-quarters combat.\n\nFinally, plan your expeditions carefully. The Ashlands are vast and treacherous, so always bring a map and mark key locations, such as resource nodes and safe zones. Travel with a group if possible, as teamwork can make resource gathering and combat more manageable. By following these steps, you can overcome the Ashlands'' challenges and thrive in this unforgiving biome.\n\nPractical tips: Always carry a spare portal in case your primary one is destroyed. Use the hoe to level terrain and create safe paths through the Ashlands'' uneven landscape. Lastly, keep an eye on your stamina and health bars, as the biome''s heat can drain them quickly.