Taming Wolves in Valheim: A Comprehensive Guide
So, you want a furry friend in Valheim, eh? A loyal companion to brave the harsh landscapes and defend your homestead? Taming wolves is a worthwhile endeavor, adding a layer of companionship and defense to your Viking adventure. Let’s dive into the specifics of how long it really takes.
The good news is that it technically doesn’t take any in-game days to tame a wolf in Valheim, as taming happens in real-time! If you meet all the requirements, you can tame a wolf in approximately 30 minutes of real-world time. Keep in mind that the game world has a day/night cycle that lasts for about 30 real-world minutes, so you can tame one star wolves if you start at night or two star wolves if you stay active near them throughout the day. However, several factors can influence this timeframe. If a creature is not hungry, the taming process will not progress. To accelerate the process, you need to fulfill the wolf’s needs.
Understanding the Taming Mechanics
The taming process in Valheim is governed by a few key mechanics. Understanding these will help you optimize your efforts and avoid common pitfalls.
- Taming Progress: Visible as a percentage when you hover over the wolf. Reaching 100% means success!
- Hunger: A hungry wolf will not tame. Keep them well-fed with raw meat (boar, deer, neck tails, or lox meat). Remember, they won’t eat wolf meat.
- Alertness: A wolf with a red exclamation mark above its head is alerted. This pauses the taming process. Maintain a safe distance and avoid actions that might scare them.
- Proximity: The area must be “active,” meaning a player must be within approximately 64 meters. This ensures the game processes the taming progress.
- Time Intervals: Taming progresses every 3 seconds if the above conditions are met and the creature is not hungry.
Factors Affecting Taming Time
While the theoretical minimum is 30 minutes, several factors can extend the taming time:
- Feeding Schedule: If you don’t provide enough food, the wolf will spend time hungry, pausing the taming process.
- Interruptions: If the wolf becomes alerted (e.g., by nearby enemies or player actions), the taming will stall.
- Despawning: Night-spawned wolves, particularly starred wolves, can despawn during the day if not properly managed. Ensure they eat at least once before dawn or stay actively near them.
- Environmental Hazards: Wolves can take collision damage while being transported, so be careful when moving them by boat.
- Star Level: This shouldn’t technically affect taming time, but finding and securing a two-star wolf adds time to the overall process.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Taming Wolves
- Preparation: Gather plenty of raw meat. Build a secure pen (stone or wood).
- Location: Find a wolf. Starred wolves (1-star or 2-star) are more desirable but can be trickier to tame.
- Containment: Lure the wolf into your pen. You can either lead it or use a harpoon (if you’re feeling adventurous). Close the gate securely.
- Feeding: Throw raw meat into the pen. Stand outside the gate and drag the meat from your inventory to throw it.
- Patience: Maintain a safe distance and monitor the taming progress. Keep feeding the wolf whenever it’s hungry.
- Protection: Defend the wolf from any threats (e.g., greydwarfs, skeletons) during the taming process.
- Completion: Once the taming reaches 100%, the wolf is yours! Give it a name and enjoy your new companion.
Transporting Your Tamed Wolves
Once tamed, you might want to move your wolves to a more convenient location. Here are a few tips:
- Boats: Use a boat for long-distance transport. Build a dock with a plank extending over the boat’s deck to encourage the wolves to board.
- Avoid Stairs: Wolves struggle with stairs. Keep paths as flat as possible.
- Portals: Unfortunately, animals cannot be transported through portals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the best food to tame wolves in Valheim?
Raw meat is the ideal food for taming wolves. Boar meat, deer meat, neck tails, and lox meat all work well. Avoid using wolf meat, as they won’t eat it.
2. Can I tame wolves with cooked meat?
No, wolves only eat raw meat during the taming process.
3. Do wolves despawn while taming in Valheim?
Night-spawned wolves, especially starred ones, can despawn during the day if certain conditions aren’t met. Make sure they eat at least once before dawn, or stay close enough to keep them actively aggroed on you until nightfall.
4. How do I know when a wolf is tamed in Valheim?
Hover your cursor over the wolf. A percentage will indicate the taming progress. When it reaches 100%, the wolf is tamed.
5. Can I breed wolves in Valheim?
Yes! Once you have at least two tamed wolves, they can breed. Make sure they are fed and in a comfortable environment.
6. What’s the difference between a 1-star and 2-star wolf in Valheim?
Starred wolves are stronger and deal more damage. A 2-star wolf is significantly larger than a 0-star or 1-star wolf.
7. Can I ride wolves in Valheim?
Currently, only tamed Lox can be ridden after creating a Lox saddle. Wolves cannot be ridden.
8. Will tamed wolves starve in Valheim?
Yes, tamed wolves will eventually starve if not fed regularly. Make sure to provide them with a consistent supply of raw meat.
9. Can I tame raid wolves in Valheim?
Yes, wolves that appear during raids can be tamed using the same methods as wild wolves.
10. Why is my taming wolf not eating in Valheim?
Several reasons: it might be daytime (for night-spawned wolves), it might not be hungry, there might be a pathfinding issue preventing it from reaching the food, or the food might be wolf meat.
11. Can wolves go through portals in Valheim?
No, animals cannot be transported through portals in Valheim. You’ll need to use a boat to move them to a new location.
12. How do I transport wolves by boat in Valheim?
Build a dock with a plank directly over the boat’s deck. Lure the wolves onto the plank, and they should walk onto the boat. Be careful, as wolves can take collision damage during transport.
13. Can I tame multiple wolves at once?
Yes, you can tame multiple wolves simultaneously. Just ensure you have enough food and space for them all.
14. Do tamed wolves fight for me in Valheim?
Yes, tamed wolves will fight alongside you against enemies. They can be valuable allies both when following you and when guarding your base. Tamed wolves will not retaliate against players when they or other wolves are attacked/killed.
15. Is it harder to tame a wolf with higher star levels in Valheim?
The star level doesn’t directly affect the time required for taming, however the creature’s willingness to eat and it’s need to be confined in a safe space does. However, starred wolves can be more challenging to find and contain due to their increased combat strength.
Conclusion
Taming wolves in Valheim is a rewarding experience that can significantly enhance your gameplay. By understanding the taming mechanics, addressing potential issues, and following the steps outlined above, you can tame your own loyal companions in about 30 minutes of real-world time. Remember to check out the Games Learning Society website for more insights into the educational aspects of gaming at GamesLearningSociety.org. Good luck, and may your wolves always stand by your side!