What skills improve when using a raft, and how do they level up?

Using a raft in Valheim is an essential skill for early-game exploration, especially when you need to cross water bodies or reach distant islands. When you use a raft, two primary skills improve: Sailing and Swimming. Sailing increases as you control the raft, while Swimming levels up when you fall into the water and swim back to the raft or shore. Both skills are crucial for survival and exploration in Valheim.\n\nTo build a raft, you need to craft it at a Workbench. The materials required are 20 Wood, 6 Leather Scraps, and 6 Resin. Wood is easily gathered by chopping trees in the Meadows biome, while Leather Scraps are obtained from hunting Boars. Resin can be collected from Greydwarf enemies or by chopping down certain trees. Once you have the materials, open the crafting menu at a Workbench and select the raft to build it.\n\nTo use the raft, place it in shallow water near the shore. Approach it and press the interact key (default E) to board. Once aboard, you can control the raft using the movement keys (WASD). The raft moves forward when you press W, and you can steer it left or right using A and D. Pressing S will slow the raft down or reverse its direction. The raft is slow compared to other boats, but it is a reliable early-game option for crossing water.\n\nSailing skill improves as you spend time controlling the raft. The more you sail, the faster your Sailing skill will level up. This skill reduces the stamina cost of controlling the raft and increases its speed slightly. Swimming skill, on the other hand, levels up when you fall into the water and swim. This skill reduces the stamina drain while swimming, making it easier to survive in water. Both skills are passive and improve naturally as you use the raft and swim.\n\nOne common challenge when using a raft is dealing with storms or hostile creatures like Serpents. Storms can make the raft harder to control, and Serpents can attack and destroy it. To avoid these dangers, plan your trips during calm weather and stay close to the shore whenever possible. If you encounter a Serpent, try to steer the raft toward land and escape. Alternatively, you can use a bow to fight the Serpent from the raft, but this is risky.\n\nAnother challenge is running out of stamina while swimming. If you fall into deep water, your stamina will drain quickly, and you may drown. To avoid this, always keep an eye on your stamina bar and try to stay close to the raft or shore. Eating stamina-boosting foods like Raspberries or Cooked Meat before sailing can help you survive longer in the water.\n\nFor new players, the raft is a great way to explore the Black Forest biome, which often contains valuable resources like Copper and Tin. However, experienced Vikings may prefer to upgrade to a Karve or Longship for faster and safer travel. The raft is a stepping stone to more advanced boats, so mastering its use is important for progression.\n\nIn summary, using a raft in Valheim improves your Sailing and Swimming skills, which are essential for exploration and survival. Build a raft using Wood, Leather Scraps, and Resin, and use it to cross water bodies. Be cautious of storms and hostile creatures, and always monitor your stamina while swimming. With practice, you can master the raft and prepare for more advanced sailing adventures.