Valheim: How to Craft (& Sail) a Longship

Exploration is one of the major features of Valheim, and players can sail beyond the borders of the Meadows and Black Forest in search of other islands that make up the expansive, procedurally-generated tenth Norse world. True to history, Vikings can craft and sail a wooden raft at first, but, as they find new resources and build bases with more sophisticated crafting stations, their ship technology can improve. After a raft, Vikings can sail a Karve, then finally a traditional longship. At this stage of Valheim‘s Early Access, it is the largest boat available and therefore is the fastest, has the highest HP, and includes 18 storage slots for transporting cargo to new locations. It also comes with four passenger seats, and other players can hold fast to join the journey across the Ocean.

Players will need to wait to build a longship until they have defeated the Elder, the game’s second boss, and unlocked Iron. They will also need to find and collect Ancient Bark, a resource found only in the Swamp biome. Additionally, players will need to make sure they have a Workbench within range of their building location, usually down by the water. Here’s how to build and sail a longship in Valheim.

How to Build a Longship in Valheim

The materials required to build a longship include the following:

• 100 Iron Nails
• 40 Fine Wood
• 40 Ancient Bark
• 10 Deer Hide

The longship will unlock in the Crafting menu the first time players find all the necessary materials.

Players will need a Forge and a Smelter to be able to craft Iron Nails. They will need to cook Iron Scrap into Iron in the Smelter, then use the Iron to make Nails in the Forge. Ancient Bark can be collected by chopping Ancient Trees in the Swamp with a Bronze Axe. Players will also find some in chests in Sunken Crypts. Fine Wood can be collected by chopping Birch Trees, and deer drop Deer Hide when killed.

Once players have everything they need, they will need to be in range of a Workbench. It may be a good idea to simply place a Workbench near the water if their base does not have immediate water access. It is important to note this Workbench may still require a structure around it that includes four walls and a roof.

To craft the longship, players should equip a Hammer and press F to open the Miscellaneous tab on the Crafting menu. They can navigate options using Q and E, then press the Left Mouse Button to place it. Longships need to be built in water.

To make shipbuilding and repairs easier, players should consider building a dock into the water. They can stand on the dock to make repairs or changes and avoid getting wet or being forced out of the Crafting menu to swim due to deep waters. The same technique used to build bridges over water in Valheim will work for docks.

How to Sail a Longship in Valheim

Sailing controls on a longship are not much different from those for other seafaring vessels in Valheim. Players can rely on the wind and sails or on manual paddling to keep their boat moving toward their destination.

To sail, players need to interact with the rudder by pressing E and use the W and S keys to raise or lower sails and set the ship’s speed. They will use the A and D keys to change directions.

Sailing against the wind is extremely difficult, but can be done if players change the directions of their sails and move in a constant zig-zag pattern. They can also switch to paddling, which is slower but will prevent them from stopping entirely.

Longships in Valheim are still susceptible to the same oceanic perils as the other boats. Players should look out for attacks from Sea Serpents and avoid sailing in storms if possible. As the ship takes damage, it can only be repaired when near a Workbench. Vikings cannot make repairs while sailing and will risk capsizing and dying at sea if they take too many hits.

Valheimis in Steam Early Access and is available for PC.

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