How do you craft a workbench and upgrade it to level 5?

Crafting and upgrading a workbench to level 5 in Valheim is essential for progressing through the game, as it unlocks advanced crafting recipes and improves your ability to repair and upgrade gear. The workbench is one of the first structures you’ll build, and upgrading it requires gathering specific resources and meeting certain conditions. Here’s a detailed guide to help you craft and fully upgrade your workbench.\n\nTo craft a basic workbench, you’ll need 10 wood. Wood can be easily obtained by chopping down trees in the Meadows biome, the starting area of the game. Once you have the wood, open your crafting menu (press Tab) and select the workbench from the list of available structures. Place the workbench in a suitable location, preferably indoors or under a roof, as it requires shelter to function. This is a key mechanic in Valheim: many crafting stations, including the workbench, must be protected from the elements to operate.\n\nOnce your workbench is placed, you can begin upgrading it. Upgrading the workbench requires adding specific attachments, each of which increases its level by one. The first upgrade requires a chopping block, which is crafted using 10 wood and 10 flint. Flint can be found along the shores of the Meadows biome, particularly near water. After crafting the chopping block, place it near the workbench to increase its level to 2. This upgrade unlocks new crafting recipes and allows you to repair higher-tier tools and weapons.\n\nThe second upgrade requires a tanning rack, which is crafted using 10 wood, 15 flint, 20 leather scraps, and 5 deer hides. Leather scraps are obtained by hunting boars, while deer hides come from deer. Both animals are common in the Meadows biome. Place the tanning rack near the workbench to increase its level to 3. This upgrade further expands your crafting options and improves your ability to repair and upgrade gear.\n\nThe third upgrade requires an adze, which is crafted using 10 fine wood and 3 bronze. Fine wood is obtained by chopping down birch or oak trees, which are found in the Meadows and Black Forest biomes. Bronze is crafted by combining 2 copper and 1 tin at a forge. Copper and tin can be mined in the Black Forest biome using a pickaxe. Once you’ve crafted the adze, place it near the workbench to increase its level to 4.\n\nThe final upgrade requires a tool shelf, which is crafted using 10 iron, 4 obsidian, and 4 fine wood. Iron is obtained by smelting scrap iron, which is found in the Swamp biome inside Sunken Crypts. Obsidian is mined in the Mountain biome using a pickaxe. Once you’ve gathered the required materials, craft the tool shelf and place it near the workbench to increase its level to 5. This is the highest level for the workbench and unlocks the most advanced crafting recipes.\n\nUpgrading your workbench can be challenging, especially when gathering rare resources like iron and obsidian. To make the process easier, ensure you have the appropriate tools and gear for each biome. For example, bring a bronze pickaxe to the Black Forest for mining copper and tin, and a poison resistance mead when exploring the Swamp biome. Additionally, building a portal near resource-rich areas can save time and reduce the risk of losing items during travel.\n\nIn summary, crafting and upgrading a workbench to level 5 in Valheim requires gathering specific resources and meeting certain conditions. Start by crafting the basic workbench with wood, then upgrade it using a chopping block, tanning rack, adze, and tool shelf. Each upgrade increases the workbench’s level and unlocks new crafting options. Be prepared to explore different biomes and face challenges, but with the right tools and strategy, you’ll have a fully upgraded workbench in no time.