With the procedurally generated world of Valheim, there is a lot to explore and adventure through. The humble raft is an essential early-game asset and one of many tools at your disposal, that allows players to traverse large bodies of water. Knowing how to use raft Valheim properly can really boost your Valheim gameplay experience, especially when discovering new biomes or crossing dangerous waters.
Introduction to the Raft in Valheim
The raft in Valheim is the most basic vessel you can make to get you through the waters. It is slower and more fragile than later options like the Karve or Longship but is incredibly useful in the game’s early stages where resources are scarce. To build and use the raft effectively, one needs to understand how it works, how it is controlled, and how it interacts with environmental factors like wind.
How to Build a Raft in Valheim
Before you can start sailing, you have to build a raft. It is a simple process, but it requires the collection of specific items and building it close to water.
To build a raft, gather:
After you have these materials:
Controlling the Raft
At first, the controls for the raft may be a little tricky to get used to, but once you do, they become very intuitive. The vessel must be steered by interaction with the rudder. Use the following keyboard commands:
The raft has 3 speed settings: half sail, full sail, and no sail (manual paddling). Pressing W multiple times adjusts the sail and changes the arrow indicators above the compass. The compass shows the wind direction, but this is also very important. If you have favorable winds (white wind icon), you will speed up; if you have unfavorable winds (grey icon), you will need to paddle or zigzag against the breeze.
Navigating the Open Seas
Successful Valheim raft navigation involves the wind. When the wind is against you, zigzagging diagonally to your destination is called 'tacking.' By utilizing this maneuver, you can even use the wind when it is not directly favorable. Remember that the raft in Valheim itself is slow and not durable, so planning must be done beforehand to avoid any danger.
Sailing is dangerous when you're close to shorelines, as you may be attacked by enemies such as Greydwarfs while drifting along in your raft. Collisions with rocks or being beached will immobilize your raft, but strong waves won’t capsize it. If this is the case, you can get off the raft and push it back into the water.
Strategic Use of the Raft and its Limitations.
Valheim raft is slow, it’s not very durable, and it doesn’t allow for extra passengers or cargo. However, it is quite a nice early-game tool for poking around new areas and gathering resources across water barriers. You'll eventually want to get the Karve or Longship, but the raft really is a practical way to go for solo exploration.
Valheim Raft Advanced Tips and Tricks
In Valheim, steering the raft well requires some knowledge of the mechanics and a little planning. Here are some advanced tips to ensure smooth sailing:
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FAQ
Conclusion
Early Exploration and Survival in Valheim require that you Master the use of a Raft. Though the raft has its downside, understanding it and working with it opens up huge parts of the map and prepares the way for more adventurous maritime journeys. Throughout your travels, you might want to upgrade to larger, faster ships to enable you to explore more and move goods around more efficiently.
ScalaCube provides reliable and high-performance Valheim server hosting for players who wish to improve their Valheim experience. By staving off certain troubles like lag and disconnection when exploring and conquering the world of Valheim, their services allow you to do so with friends seamlessly.
Introduction to the Raft in Valheim
The raft in Valheim is the most basic vessel you can make to get you through the waters. It is slower and more fragile than later options like the Karve or Longship but is incredibly useful in the game’s early stages where resources are scarce. To build and use the raft effectively, one needs to understand how it works, how it is controlled, and how it interacts with environmental factors like wind.How to Build a Raft in Valheim
Before you can start sailing, you have to build a raft. It is a simple process, but it requires the collection of specific items and building it close to water. To build a raft, gather:
- 20 pieces of wood which you can find on trees.
- 6 leather scraps, which you can get by hunting boars in Valheim
- 10 resins, which are dropped by Greylings, Greydwarfs, or by chopping down birch trees.
After you have these materials:
- Put a workbench near the water.
- Open the build menu and go to the ‘Misc’ tab.
- Select the raft and place it in the water. The selected location will spawn your raft, which will be ready for use.
Controlling the Raft
At first, the controls for the raft may be a little tricky to get used to, but once you do, they become very intuitive. The vessel must be steered by interaction with the rudder. Use the following keyboard commands:
- W to move forward and raise the sails.
- S to reverse or lower the sails.
- A/D to steer left or right.
The raft has 3 speed settings: half sail, full sail, and no sail (manual paddling). Pressing W multiple times adjusts the sail and changes the arrow indicators above the compass. The compass shows the wind direction, but this is also very important. If you have favorable winds (white wind icon), you will speed up; if you have unfavorable winds (grey icon), you will need to paddle or zigzag against the breeze.
Navigating the Open Seas
Successful Valheim raft navigation involves the wind. When the wind is against you, zigzagging diagonally to your destination is called 'tacking.' By utilizing this maneuver, you can even use the wind when it is not directly favorable. Remember that the raft in Valheim itself is slow and not durable, so planning must be done beforehand to avoid any danger.Sailing is dangerous when you're close to shorelines, as you may be attacked by enemies such as Greydwarfs while drifting along in your raft. Collisions with rocks or being beached will immobilize your raft, but strong waves won’t capsize it. If this is the case, you can get off the raft and push it back into the water.
Strategic Use of the Raft and its Limitations.
Valheim raft is slow, it’s not very durable, and it doesn’t allow for extra passengers or cargo. However, it is quite a nice early-game tool for poking around new areas and gathering resources across water barriers. You'll eventually want to get the Karve or Longship, but the raft really is a practical way to go for solo exploration.Valheim Raft Advanced Tips and Tricks
In Valheim, steering the raft well requires some knowledge of the mechanics and a little planning. Here are some advanced tips to ensure smooth sailing:- Wind Management: How well you can travel using the raft depends a great deal on the wind direction. Check the compass to find out which way the wind is blowing before sailing. Having the wind direction favor you (white wind icon) will be beneficial to your speed (especially with the full sail). If your desired course is against the wind (grey icon), then you can tack (zigzag) your way slowly forward. Using this method, you will not be stalled if the conditions are not favorable.
- Avoiding Obstacles: Valheim's waters are full of dangers, like rocky shores and shallow water. When near coastlines, it's important to always be on your guard to avoid accidentally beaching the raft or running into submerged dangers. Carefully use the rudder when passing through tight spaces and transitioning into deeper waters.
- Handling Attacks: Greydwarfs or Draugr could attack you while traveling near shorelines. The raft is fragile itself and can be damaged easily. In such cases, avoid getting yourself close to the danger zone. If it's not too late, you can disembark and fight on solid ground to protect your vessel.
- Repairing the Raft in Valheim: It’s good practice to always carry a hammer with you if you’re planning on going sailing in Valheim. Damage done to your raft by attacks or environmental obstacles can be repaired so long as you are near a workbench. Regular maintenance means your raft will continue to function, and you won't get stranded in the middle of the water.
[img=https://res.cloudinary.com/ddbybfkod/image/upload/v1735845299/blogs/Roman/how-to-use-raft-valheim/img3_emn5q0.jpg[/img]
FAQ
What materials are necessary to make a raft?
To make the raft in Valheim, you need 20 wood, 6 leather scraps, and 10 resin. A workbench is also needed nearby.
What influence does wind have on the raft's movement?
Favourable winds increase speeds, while unfavourable winds reduce them; paddling or zigzagging is necessary to overcome such winds.
Can rafts capsize in Valheim?
Rafts can’t capsize, but they can get stuck on rocks or beaches.
Are rafts combat or transport viable?
Rafts need to be solid enough for combat or to haul large amounts of cargo. They are mainly used for early exploration.
Conclusion
Early Exploration and Survival in Valheim require that you Master the use of a Raft. Though the raft has its downside, understanding it and working with it opens up huge parts of the map and prepares the way for more adventurous maritime journeys. Throughout your travels, you might want to upgrade to larger, faster ships to enable you to explore more and move goods around more efficiently.ScalaCube provides reliable and high-performance Valheim server hosting for players who wish to improve their Valheim experience. By staving off certain troubles like lag and disconnection when exploring and conquering the world of Valheim, their services allow you to do so with friends seamlessly.