Okay, so you've been grinding through the Meadows and Black Forest and now you want the big boat. The Longship is the fastest way to cross open water and the safest way to haul heavy ore back from Swamp and Mountain biomes. Here's everything you need to know.
What You Need to Build a Longship
First off, the Longship isn't crafted at a Workbench like your normal gear. You build it with your Hammer from the boat tab. Before the blueprint shows up, make sure you have these exact materials:
- 100 Fine Wood
- 10 Deer Hide
- 10 Iron Nails
- 4 Ancient Bark
Got all four? The Longship blueprint will show up in the Hammer's boat menu. Now let's break down where to find each material.
Fine Wood: The Easy Part
Fine Wood comes from Birch trees and Oak trees. Look for the pale, light-barked trees in the Meadows, and keep an eye out for Oak near villages. A stone axe or flint axe won't cut it—you need at least a Bronze Axe.
If you've already been to the Black Forest for copper and tin, you should have bronze by now. Upgrade that axe a little too, because Birch trees have a lot of health.
New player warning: Don't waste time trying to chop Birch with a flint axe. You'll just stand there hitting it and feeling dumb.
Deer Hide: Go Hunting
Deer Hide drops from deer, and you can find them all over the Meadows and sometimes in the Black Forest. Use a bow and arrow for a clean kill, because deer will bolt if you get too close.
A normal deer usually drops at least one hide, sometimes two. You need 10 total, so plan on a few hunting trips.
Tip: sneak with your bow and aim for the head. Use the wind to your advantage so they don't smell you.
Iron Nails: The Painful Part
This is the most annoying material to get. You need to go into the Swamp biome, so first grab the Swamp Key from The Elder and then explore Sunken Crypts.
Inside those crypts, look for muddy scrap piles and mine them with a pickaxe. That gives you Iron Scrap. Smelt the Iron Scrap in a Smelter to get Iron bars, then use a Forge to make Iron Nails.
The Longship only costs 10 Iron Nails, which isn't a lot. But the Swamp trip is dangerous, so don't run in unprepared.
New player warning: Bring poison resist mead, a good shield, and some healing food. Don't go alone if you can help it.
Ancient Bark: Quick But Spooky
Ancient Bark comes from the huge ancient trees in the Swamp biome. These are the giant dark trees that look dead and twisted—not the normal trees around them.
Chop them with an axe. You only need 4 pieces, so it's just a few swings. But while you're chopping, keep one eye on your health bar.
The Swamp has Leeches, Draugr, and sometimes Abominations. Don't let your guard down.
Valheim Workbench Requirements for the Longship
Do you need an upgraded Workbench? No. A basic level 1 Workbench is enough to place the Longship.
But you still need a Workbench close to the water. Most player-built structures need to be inside the Workbench's blue construction radius, and boats are no different.
If your blueprint looks red, it means there's no Workbench nearby, or the water is too shallow. Also, the Longship recipe doesn't show up in the Workbench menu—you need the Hammer's boat tab.
Workbench upgrades are only for crafting gear and tools. They won't make the boat recipe appear, so don't waste time upgrading before you build.
How to Launch a Longship: Step-by-Step
Now for the part that trips everyone up. You've got materials and a Workbench, but if you place the boat wrong, you'll be stuck.
1. Find a Flat Shoreline
Look for a long, flat coast in the Meadows—avoid rocky shores, narrow rivers, and swampy shallow water. The Longship is huge, so you need enough open water in front of you to push off and turn. If the coast is too small, the blueprint will stay red.
2. Place a Workbench Near the Water
Drop a simple level 1 Workbench on the beach. Make sure the blue construction zone covers the water where you want the boat. You can build a small roof over it if you want, but that's not required.
3. Flatten the Shoreline With a Hoe
This step saves you so much trouble later. Use a Hoe to flatten the ground right at the water line and make a gentle slope into the water. If the ground is bumpy or steep, the boat may sit on the sand and refuse to float.
New player warning: Always flatten the shoreline before placing the Longship. A stuck boat is a nightmare to fix.
4. Equip Your Hammer and Select the Longship
Open your Hammer and go to the boat tab. You should see the Longship icon there. If it doesn't show up, double-check your inventory—you're probably missing Ancient Bark or Iron Nails.
Walk into the water a little and move the ghost outline around until it turns green. If it stays orange or red, the water is still too shallow or the boat is too close to land.
5. Point the Bow Toward Open Water
The bow is the pointy front end of the Longship, so point it toward open water—not sideways at a rock. You can rotate the placement with the mouse wheel or your custom rotate key. Pointing it wrong means you'll have to hand-turn a giant ship, and that's painful.
6. Place the Longship
When the blueprint is green, press the build button. All materials get consumed at once, and the finished Longship appears. Hop aboard and start sailing.
7. Repair the Boat With Your Workbench
If the Longship takes any damage, equip your Hammer and stand next to the boat. Press the repair button to fix it back to full health.
Common Mistakes When Building a Longship
Here's what usually goes wrong on the first try. Avoid these and you'll save yourself a lot of frustration.
Building on a Slope
Don't place the Longship on a steep slope. It can slide, sit weirdly, or break if it falls onto rocks. Flatten the ground into a simple ramp first.
Not Enough Water Depth
The Longship needs deep water. If the hull rests on the ocean floor, you won't be able to push it out. Walk in until your character is almost swimming before placing the boat.
No Workbench Nearby
This one is super annoying. You load all the materials, run to the shore, and the blueprint still won't turn green. If that happens, go back and drop a Workbench closer to the water.
Using the Wrong Wood
Regular wood from Pine trees won't work. Fine Wood only comes from Birch and Oak. If you've been chopping random trees, you might have 200 regular wood and zero Fine Wood—so check your inventory before blaming the game.
Going to the Swamp Too Early
Don't rush into the Swamp for Iron Nails and Ancient Bark with just a flint shield. Wear bronze armor, bring poison resist mead, and set up a portal nearby.
The Swamp is nasty. If you die there, your Longship materials might end up lost in the mud.
Longship FAQ
Do I need an upgraded Workbench to build a Longship?
No. A level 1 Workbench is enough because the Longship doesn't have a Workbench level requirement. You just need one nearby while you place it with your Hammer.
Where can I find Ancient Bark for the Longship?
Ancient Bark comes from the huge ancient trees in the Swamp biome. Chop them with an axe, but watch out for Leeches, Draugr, and sometimes Abominations while you're down there.
Why won't my Longship place in the water?
Usually it's shallow water or no Workbench nearby. Move farther out into the water, or move your Workbench closer, and make sure the blueprint is green before you click.
Is the Longship the best boat in Valheim?
Yes. It's the fastest sailing boat in Valheim and has huge cargo capacity. It can take you across the ocean without constant repairs, making it the best choice for exploring and hauling heavy resources.
Build one, take care of it, and always watch the wind. Happy sailing.
