What are the benefits of building near water or a coastline?

Building near water or a coastline in Valheim offers numerous strategic and practical benefits that can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. Whether you''re a new player setting up your first base or an experienced Viking optimizing your long-term survival, coastal locations provide unique advantages that are hard to ignore.\n\nOne of the primary benefits of building near water is access to essential resources. Coastal areas often border multiple biomes, such as Meadows, Black Forest, and Ocean, allowing you to gather a variety of materials without traveling far. For example, you can easily collect wood, stone, and berries from the Meadows, while also having quick access to tin and copper deposits in the nearby Black Forest. Additionally, coastal waters are rich in fish, which can be caught using a fishing rod and bait, providing a reliable food source.\n\nAnother key advantage is the ease of transportation. Water acts as a natural highway in Valheim, allowing you to use boats like the Karve or Longship to travel quickly between locations. Building a dock or harbor near your base ensures you can efficiently transport heavy resources like ore, which cannot be carried through portals. This is especially useful when mining in distant biomes like the Swamp or Mountains, as you can sail back to your base with large quantities of metal without the need for tedious overland travel.\n\nCoastal bases also offer strong defensive benefits. Water acts as a natural barrier, limiting the directions from which enemies can approach your base. This is particularly useful during raids, as you can focus your defenses on landward sides while relying on the water to protect your rear. Additionally, building on elevated terrain near the coast, such as cliffs or hills, provides a vantage point to spot incoming threats and plan your defenses accordingly.\n\nFor players looking to expand their crafting capabilities, coastal locations are ideal for setting up a smelting operation. Since metal ores like copper, tin, and iron are heavy and cannot be teleported, having a base near water allows you to transport these materials efficiently by boat. You can build a dedicated smelting area with charcoal kilns and smelters near your dock, streamlining the process of refining ores into usable metal bars.\n\nPractical examples of coastal base designs include creating a multi-level structure with a ground floor for storage and crafting, and an upper level for living quarters. You can also build a boathouse to protect your ships from storms and enemy attacks. For added security, consider constructing a palisade or stone wall around your base, with gates positioned to allow easy access to your dock.\n\nIn terms of biome-specific considerations, building near the Ocean biome is particularly advantageous for late-game players. The Ocean biome is home to valuable resources like Chitin, which is used to craft the Abyssal Harpoon and Abyssal Razor. Additionally, coastal bases near the Plains biome can provide access to barley and flax, essential crops for advanced food and crafting recipes.\n\nTo maximize the benefits of a coastal base, always prioritize building near a mix of biomes to ensure access to diverse resources. Use the terrain to your advantage by constructing elevated platforms or bridges to connect different parts of your base. Finally, invest in a sturdy dock and a fleet of boats to make resource transportation as efficient as possible.\n\nIn summary, building near water or a coastline in Valheim offers a wealth of benefits, including resource accessibility, efficient transportation, strong defensive positioning, and streamlined crafting operations. By carefully selecting your location and designing your base with these advantages in mind, you can create a thriving settlement that supports your survival and progression throughout the game.