What’s the fastest way to build a basic shelter for rested buffs?

Building a basic shelter quickly in Valheim is essential for speedrunning or simply surviving your first night. The rested buff is crucial as it increases health and stamina regeneration, making exploration and combat more efficient. To achieve this, you need to focus on gathering resources efficiently and understanding the core mechanics of shelter construction.\n\nStart by gathering wood, which is the primary resource for building. Use your fists or a stone axe to chop down trees in the Meadows biome, the safest starting area. Aim for small trees or birch trees, as they drop wood quickly. Avoid large oak trees early on, as they take longer to chop and may attract unwanted attention from Greylings or Greydwarfs.\n\nOnce you have at least 20-30 wood, find a flat area near a water source or a safe spot away from aggressive creatures. Open your build menu (default key: TAB) and select the Hammer. Craft a workbench, which requires 10 wood. Place the workbench on the ground, as it is required to build most structures. Ensure the workbench is protected from rain, as it will degrade over time if left exposed.\n\nNext, use the Hammer to build walls and a roof. Start with a 2x2 foundation using wooden floor pieces. Then, place walls around the perimeter. A simple 2x2 structure with a roof is sufficient for the rested buff. Use the thatch roof pieces to cover the top, ensuring the shelter is fully enclosed. If you’re short on wood, you can skip the floor and build directly on the ground, but this may reduce comfort slightly.\n\nTo activate the rested buff, you need a fire inside your shelter. Craft a campfire using 5 wood and 2 stone. Place the campfire near the center of your shelter, ensuring it’s not too close to walls or the roof to avoid fire damage. Light the fire using a torch or by interacting with it. The fire provides warmth and is required for the rested buff.\n\nFinally, add a bed to your shelter. Craft a bed using 8 wood and 6 leather scraps. Leather scraps can be obtained by hunting boars in the Meadows biome. Place the bed inside your shelter and interact with it to set your spawn point. Sleeping in the bed also accelerates time, allowing you to skip dangerous nights.\n\nCommon challenges include running out of wood or encountering hostile creatures. To avoid this, always gather extra wood and stay alert while building. If Greydwarfs attack, use your fists or a crude bow to fend them off. For new players, prioritize building near the starting area to minimize risks.\n\nIn summary, the fastest way to build a basic shelter involves gathering wood, crafting a workbench, constructing a small enclosed structure, adding a campfire, and placing a bed. This setup ensures you gain the rested buff quickly, allowing you to focus on exploration and progression. For experienced Vikings, optimizing resource gathering and building placement can shave valuable minutes off your speedrun time.\n\nPractical tips: Always carry extra wood and stone for repairs, build near water for easy access to fish, and consider upgrading to a larger shelter once you’ve secured your initial survival needs. Happy building, Viking!