How do I protect my Valheim base from trolls?

Build a dry moat (2m deep, 4m wide) around your perimeter and raise earthen walls with a Hoe. Earthen walls are indestructible — trolls cannot break them. Keep structures 6+ meters from the edge.

What triggers raids in Valheim?

Killing bosses triggers new raid types. Eikthyr triggers Greydwarf raids. The Elder triggers Troll raids. Bonemass triggers Drake and Wolf raids. Raids last 2 minutes.

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Valheim Base Defense Guide — Raids, Moats & Fortifications

Protect your base from every threat Valheim throws at it. Complete list of all raid events, what triggers them, and how to build impenetrable defenses — from simple stake walls to advanced dry moats, earthen ramparts, and spawn-proofing.

A Viking warrior sitting outside a wooden longhouse in Valheim.

1. All Raid Events (& Boss Triggers)

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Raid Name	Enemies	Trigger	Duration
Eikthyr rallies the creatures of the forest	Necks, Boars	After killing Eikthyr	90s
The forest is moving...	Greydwarfs, Shaman, Brute	After killing Eikthyr	120s
A foul smell from the swamp	Draugr, Skeletons	After killing The Elder	120s
A cold wind blows from the mountains	Drakes	After killing Bonemass	120s
The horde is attacking	Fulings, Berserker, Shaman	After killing Yagluth	120s
You are being hunted	Wolves	After killing Bonemass	120s
The ground is shaking	Trolls	After killing The Elder	120s
What's up, Gjall?	Gjalls	After killing The Queen	120s

⏱️ Raid Mechanics: Raids last ~2 minutes. The timer pauses if no player is inside the red raid circle. Relocating 96+ meters away pauses the event. Starting a different raid elsewhere despawns the old one.

2. Dry Moat & Earthen Wall Design

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The dry moat is the single most effective base defense in Valheim. Enemies cannot pathfind across a trench (2+ meters deep, 4+ meters wide) dug with a Pickaxe along the perimeter. Earthen walls raised with a Hoe are indestructible — no enemy can break them.

Mark your base perimeter with wooden beams
Use the Hoe's Raise Ground to build a 2m-high earthen wall along the boundary (costs Stone)
Use a Pickaxe to dig a 2m-deep trench on the OUTSIDE of the wall
Keep structures 6+ meters from the edge — trolls with logs can reach through walls
Build a bridge with a gap for the entrance (enemies can't jump gaps)

3. Spawn-Proofing with Workbenches

Enemies cannot spawn within the radius of a Workbench (20m) or several other player-placed structures (campfires, torches, etc.). Overlapping Workbench coverage creates a spawn-proof zone. Bury Workbenches in small pits with stone lids to keep them safe. A fully spawn-proofed base means raids spawn BEHIND your outer wall — not inside your house.

4. Wall & Defense Comparison

Defense	HP	Troll-Resistant?	Cost	Best For
Roundpole Fence	100	❌ Destroyed in 1 hit	1 Wood	Boar pens only
Stakewall	400	❌ Destroyed in 3-4 hits	4 Wood	Early-game Greydwarf base
Stone Wall (1x2)	1500	🟡 Survives ~10 hits	3 Stone	Mid-game Swamp+
Earthen Wall	Indestructible	✅ Cannot be broken	Stone (per raise)	Permanent defense
Dry Moat	Uncrossable	✅ Can't path across	Pickaxe durability	Combined with walls

5. Advanced Defense Tips

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🏹 Elevated Archer Platforms: Build raised platforms behind walls. Archers can shoot down at enemies who can't reach them.

🔥 Stake Fence + Moat Combo: Enemies that fall into a moat take fall damage. Line the moat bottom with wooden spikes for extra damage.

🔄 Airlock Entrances: Use two doors with a small sealed space between them. If the outer door breaks, the inner door buys time.

🌾 Farm Safety: Tamed animals and crops are raid-vulnerable. Keep them INSIDE your defensive perimeter — not separate from your main base.

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