Valheim is a refreshing new approach to the survival genre. The game provides endless ways to customize and decorate buildings, and the controls are surprisingly intuitive. Coffee Stain Studios have produced a much needed bright spot in the gaming community.
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One of the first steps in every survival game is creating a structure for storage and safety. Gamers new to Valheim will want to plan for their first building as soon as they spawn in. This article will cover how to build a home in Valheim, as well as some beginner mistakes to avoid.
Players will need to collect the necessary materials before beginning to build a base in Valheim. Not surprisingly, the most important material for new players will be wood. Beech trees are a reliable source, yielding 20 wood once broken down. There are three specific things that players will need prior to building a starter structure:
- Workbench: Crafted with 10 wood
- Bed: Crafted with 8 wood
- Fire: Crafted
Gamers will need the workbench to begin construction. Additionally, the bed and campfire are essential for health and recovery. Once players have the three items and at least 40 wood, they are ready to begin building their first home in Valheim.
The cheapest build requiring the least amount of materials will only cost gamers 6 wood. While it is not fully enclosed, gamers will be able to set their bed and sleep in it. The build detailed below is a good option for gamers in the first hour or so of gameplay:
- 2 Thatch Roofing at 26 Degrees: 2 wood
- 2 Half Slab Walls: 4 wood
Gamers merely need to place the two half walls side by side and place the thatch roof pieces on top of them. Players should attempt to set their bed and place a campfire next to the structure.
Gamers can construct a slightly larger thatch build with just 20 wood. The items that need to be crafted and their cost are listed below:
- 4 26 degree wood beams: 8 wood
- 4 26 degree thatch rooves: 8 wood
- 2 wood beams: 4 wood
To create the structure, gamers should first place one of the wood beams on the ground. Next gamers need to attach one of the 26 degree wood beams to the back of the vertical beam. The 26 degree beam should be facing the ground. Next, players can attach another 26 degree beam, which will connect the structure to the ground. Gamers can then add the thatch roofing to the beams in a 2x2 pattern. Finally, gamers can insert the final three beams in the same manner on the other side of the structure. Again, Valheim players need to place their bed to make sure it is accessible. These structures can be spotted everywhere in Valheim, often with some slight variations.
Once players have accumulated a considerable amount of wood, they can create a basic home. The build requires seven different crafted items. Each of the items needed and their cost are listed below.
- 12 half wood walls: 12 wood
- 12 2x2 wood flooring: 24 wood
- 4 45 degree roof walls: 8 wood
- 4 45 degree roof ridges: 8 wood
- 8 45 degree thatch roofing: 16 wood
- 2 45 degree cross: 4 wood
- 2 doors or 2 gates: 8 or 20 wood, respectively
- 2 half wood walls (door only): 2 wood
To construct the simple home, gamers should first lay down the wood flooring in a 4x3 layout. Next, players need to line the long sides of the building with half wood walls and place two half wood walls on each of the shorter sides, leaving a gap in the middle to place the door. Then, gamers can attach the 45 degree wood walls next to each gap, with the wall facing outward. The goal is to create an inverted v roof structure by using the walls.
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Once all four have been placed, gamers can attach the crosses on top of where the two doorways will be located. The 45 degree roof ridges should then be placed from cross to cross down the center of the building. Once in place, gamers can use the thatch roofing on each side of the building to enclose the structure. Finally, to finish the build, gamers can opt to place doors or gates on either side of the home. Gates look better, but will require 10 additional wood. If the wooden doors are used, players will need to fill in gaps in the wall using the two additional half wood walls. Once in place, the simplest form of an enclosed home is complete.
There will still be a small gap above the door or gate, which can be an eyesore. However, the home is easy to build and has enough room for several beds and chests, as well as a workbench. Gamers should ensure their fire is set outside on the same side of the building as their bed, which will allow them to claim the bed and sleep. The only problem with the outside campfire approach is that is will be put out by rain. Players can place the campfire inside, but there are drawbacks to that strategy as well.
To place a campfire in the home, players will have to remove a floor panel and place exposed dirt in the square before placing the campfire. While an inside campfire will not be extinguished by rain, it will accumulate smoke over time. There is smoke inhalation in Valheim, and breathing in too much smoke can kill survivors. The two small holes above the doors provide some ventilation, but not enough. Gamers should set the fire outside and deal with the hassle of replacing campfires. Another option is to create a chimney, which is a little more complex to build. Players should create the building first and experiment with different methods of ventilation.