How do I craft a Longship and what materials are required?

Crafting a Longship in Valheim is a significant milestone for any Viking adventurer, as it allows you to traverse vast oceans, explore new biomes, and transport large quantities of resources. The Longship is the fastest and most durable ship in the game, making it essential for late-game exploration and resource gathering. To craft a Longship, you must first unlock the recipe by obtaining Iron and Fine Wood, which are key materials for its construction.\n\nTo begin, you need to gather the required materials: 100 Iron Nails, 40 Fine Wood, 10 Deer Hide, and 40 Ancient Bark. Iron Nails are crafted at a Forge using Iron, which is mined from Muddy Scrap Piles in the Swamp biome. Fine Wood is obtained by chopping down Birch or Oak trees in the Meadows or Plains biomes. Deer Hide is dropped by Deer, which are commonly found in the Meadows biome. Ancient Bark is harvested from Ancient Trees in the Swamp biome using a Bronze or better axe.\n\nOnce you have gathered all the materials, you need to craft the Longship at a level 2 or higher Workbench. The Workbench must be placed near water, as ships can only be built in shallow water. To ensure your Workbench is properly placed, stand in shallow water and look for the green outline indicating a valid placement area. If the outline is red, move closer to the water or adjust the placement until it turns green.\n\nAfter placing the Workbench, open the crafting menu and navigate to the Longship recipe. Click on the Longship icon to begin construction. The Longship will appear in the water, ready for use. To board the ship, simply walk up to it and press the interact key (default E). Once aboard, you can use the rudder to steer and the sail to control speed. The Longship has a storage capacity of 18 slots, making it ideal for transporting large quantities of ore, wood, or other resources.\n\nOne common challenge players face is transporting Iron from the Swamp biome to their base. The Longship is perfect for this task, as it can carry large amounts of Iron and other heavy materials. To maximize efficiency, consider building a small dock near the Swamp biome to load your Longship quickly. Additionally, always bring a Portal with you when exploring new areas, as it allows you to teleport back to your base without losing your ship.\n\nAnother tip is to use the Longship to explore the Ocean biome, where you can find Serpents and Leviathans. Serpents drop valuable Serpent Scales and Serpent Meat, which are used for crafting and cooking. Leviathans, on the other hand, provide Chitin, a rare material used for crafting the Abyssal Harpoon and Abyssal Razor. Be cautious when sailing in the Ocean biome, as storms and Serpents can pose significant threats.\n\nIn summary, crafting a Longship requires careful preparation and resource gathering. Focus on obtaining Iron, Fine Wood, Deer Hide, and Ancient Bark, and ensure your Workbench is placed near water. Use the Longship to explore new biomes, transport resources, and tackle late-game challenges. With its speed, durability, and storage capacity, the Longship is an indispensable tool for any Viking adventurer.