What is the best way to recover loot after killing a Sea Serpent?

Recovering loot after killing a Sea Serpent in Valheim can be challenging due to the open ocean biome and the risk of losing valuable items. Sea Serpents drop valuable resources like Serpent Meat and Serpent Scales, which are essential for crafting high-tier food and armor. However, their loot sinks quickly, making recovery a race against time. To successfully retrieve your loot, you need to prepare properly and act swiftly.\n\nFirst, ensure you have the right equipment before engaging a Sea Serpent. A Longship is highly recommended for its speed and storage capacity, as it allows you to chase the serpent and store loot efficiently. Bring a Harpoon, which is crafted using Fine Wood, Leather Scraps, and Chitin. The Harpoon is crucial for dragging the serpent closer to shore or your boat, making it easier to recover loot after the kill. Additionally, equip a strong weapon like a Draugr Fang bow or a Blackmetal Atgeir to deal damage quickly.\n\nWhen you encounter a Sea Serpent, focus on killing it as fast as possible to minimize the time its loot spends in the water. Use arrows or melee attacks if the serpent is close enough. Once the serpent is dead, its body will float briefly before sinking. This is your window to collect the loot. If you''re in a Longship, sail directly to the body and press E to pick up the items. If you''re in a smaller boat like a Karve, be cautious of waves tipping your vessel.\n\nIf the loot sinks before you can collect it, don''t panic. Loot in Valheim does not despawn immediately, so you have time to retrieve it. Dive into the water and swim down to the loot. However, be mindful of your stamina, as swimming in the ocean biome drains it quickly. To avoid drowning, bring stamina-boosting food like Honey or Cooked Meat. Alternatively, use the Eikthyr power to reduce stamina consumption while swimming.\n\nOne common challenge is losing loot in deep water, where it becomes difficult to retrieve. To prevent this, try to lure the Sea Serpent closer to shore before killing it. Use the Harpoon to drag the serpent toward land, making it easier to recover loot in shallow water. If you''re far from shore, mark the location on your map immediately after killing the serpent. This way, you can return with better equipment or a friend to help retrieve the loot.\n\nFor experienced players, consider building a small outpost near serpent spawn areas. These are typically found in the Ocean biome, often near the edges of other biomes like Plains or Mountains. A small dock with a portal can serve as a quick respawn point if you die during the fight. This setup also allows you to store loot safely and return to your main base without risking a long voyage.\n\nIn summary, recovering loot from a Sea Serpent requires preparation, quick action, and strategic planning. Use a Longship and Harpoon to control the fight, prioritize killing the serpent quickly, and mark the location if loot sinks. With these tips, you can efficiently gather Serpent Meat and Scales, essential for progressing in Valheim.