Valheim Builds
Plan a stable base from site selection through structural support, roofing, smoke control, storage, defenses, expansion, and repair.
Tools, stations, and structural support
- Carry a Hammer and place the structure inside the working area of a Workbench.
- Use a Forge for most building pieces containing metal; it becomes available after you can mine and refine copper ore.
- Use a Stonecutter for stone building pieces; it becomes available after you can collect and refine scrap iron.
- Support the structure with foundations, walls, beams, or poles because pieces without enough support will collapse.
A practical base-building sequence
- Scout the coastline before committing resources so you understand the land and can choose a camp location. Berries and mushrooms can sustain this early survey.
- Establish the foundation and structural supports, keep the build within Workbench range, and put up the supported roof early when rain could interrupt a long project.
- Place a wood-fueled Campfire near the bed for sleeping, but not directly on a wood floor. Leave open space above an indoor fire so smoke can escape, and roof the fire so rain does not extinguish it.
- Add storage suited to the base. Options include Chest, Mysterious Rock, Barrel, Item Stand, Armor Stand, Reinforced Chest, Personal Chest, Black Metal Chest, Pots, Wardrobe, and Yuleklapp.
- Build defenses with placed objects or altered terrain. Creatures cannot dig through terrain walls, which can be formed with a hoe and rocks, a pickaxe, or both; extensive terrain alteration can cause stutter, so use F2 to watch the loaded instance count.
- As copper and iron progression unlocks the required stations, expand the design with Forge-dependent metal pieces and Stonecutter-dependent stone pieces.
Weather damage, durable alternatives, and repair
Wooden sections that are uncovered, disconnected from a roof, or submerged can decay to 50% durability and appear rotten. Defensive structures resist rain decay, while stone, black marble, and crystal do not decay when wet or submerged.
Repair damaged or decayed pieces with a Hammer while standing within range of the matching crafting station. Repairs consume stamina but no resources; use a Workbench for wood and a Stonecutter for stone.