Taming the Untamable? Lox and the Black Forest in Valheim

Can you tame Lox in the Black Forest in Valheim? No, you cannot tame Lox in the Black Forest. Lox are found exclusively in the Plains biome, and require specific conditions and food available in that biome for taming. Venturing into the Black Forest to find these majestic beasts will be fruitless, so stick to the Plains if you’re hoping to add one to your farm!

The Majestic Lox: A Valheim Taming Guide

Valheim’s world is brimming with creatures, both fearsome and docile. Among the most impressive is the Lox, a massive, woolly beast inhabiting the Plains biome. Taming a Lox is a significant achievement, offering benefits like powerful mounts and a source of valuable resources. However, the process can be tricky and requires patience and the right knowledge. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about taming Lox in Valheim, focusing on where they are found, how to tame them, and what to do with them once they’re under your care.

Locating Lox: Plains Biome Only!

Before you even think about taming, you need to find Lox. These creatures are exclusive to the Plains biome. Don’t waste your time searching in the Meadows, Black Forest, or other areas. Plains are typically characterized by vast, open fields, dangerous goblins (Fulings), and, of course, the towering Lox.

Lox often travel in herds, so once you find one, chances are there are more nearby. Be cautious, though, as they are naturally aggressive and will attack on sight. Approach with caution and be prepared for a fight. Remember, trying to find these beasts in the Black Forest will be a waste of your time.

The Taming Process: Patience is Key

Taming a Lox is a slow and deliberate process. Unlike Boars or Wolves, you can’t simply pen them up and wait.

Preparation: Before attempting to tame a Lox, gather plenty of their preferred food: Cloudberries, Barley, and Flax. Cloudberries are the easiest to obtain as they grow wild in the Plains, while Barley and Flax require cultivation.
Building a Taming Pen (Optional but Recommended): While it’s technically possible to tame a Lox without a pen, it’s significantly easier and safer with one. Build a sturdy enclosure using stone walls, ensuring it’s tall enough to prevent the Lox from escaping. You can lure them in using food.
Feeding Time: Approach the Lox (preferably within your pen) while crouching to minimize aggression. Toss the food towards the Lox. If you hover your cursor over the Lox, you’ll see a taming percentage. This indicates how far along the taming process is.
Staying Close, but Not Too Close: The taming process only progresses when you are within a reasonable distance of the Lox, known as the render distance. However, getting too close can provoke the Lox, halting the taming process or even causing it to become aggressive.
Repeat and Wait: Continue feeding the Lox regularly and maintaining a safe distance. The taming process can take roughly 30 minutes of in-game time, so patience is key.
Tamed Status: Once the taming percentage reaches 100%, the Lox will be considered tamed. It will no longer be aggressive towards you, and a heart symbol will appear above its head.

After Taming: Breeding and Riding

Once you’ve successfully tamed a Lox, the real fun begins.

Breeding: To breed Lox, you need at least two tamed individuals within close proximity (8 meters) but with no more than 4 Lox within 20 meters. Ensure they are well-fed with their preferred foods (Cloudberries, Barley, or Flax) and they are not obstructed by a roof. They need ample space to roam and feel “happy.” Baby Lox will inherit the star rating of their parents, making it worthwhile to tame high-star Lox.
Riding: To ride a Lox, you need a Lox Saddle. This is crafted at a level 2 Workbench using Lox Pelts, Black Metal, and Leather Scraps. Equip the saddle to your hotbar, approach the tamed Lox, and use the hotkey to place the saddle on its back. You can now ride the Lox! While you can’t use weapons while mounted, a sprinting Lox can trample enemies dealing heavy damage. You can remove the saddle by pressing Left-Shift + E.

Practical Uses of Tamed Lox

Transportation: Lox are faster than even the most skilled runners and aren’t slowed down by heavy armor, making them excellent for traversing long distances.
Combat: While you can’t directly attack while riding, a sprinting Lox can deal significant damage to enemies through trampling. They also have high health and resistances, making them a resilient ally.
Resource Farming: Taming Lox for their pelts is more efficient than hunting wild ones as they will no longer be aggressive toward you.
Defense: Tamed Lox can be used as guards for your base, protecting it from raids.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring Aggression: Getting too close to a Lox during the taming process will provoke it and reset the taming progress.
Starving Your Lox: Ensure your Lox are always well-fed to keep them happy and promote breeding.
Overcrowding: Lox need space to breed. Avoid keeping too many in a small enclosure.
Building Too Close: Lox won’t eat if there is a roof too close to them.
Forgetting Render Distance: The taming and breeding processes only occur when you are within render distance of the Lox.

Taming Lox in Valheim is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. With patience, careful planning, and the right resources, you can add these magnificent creatures to your homestead and enjoy the many benefits they offer. Don’t forget to explore other fascinating aspects of gaming and learning at the Games Learning Society, accessible at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can Lox go through portals?

No, Lox cannot pass through portals. Their large size prevents them from using the game’s standard teleportation system.

2. What is a Lox’s weakness?

Lox are weak against Fire damage. They are resistant to Blunt, Slash, and Frost damage, and immune to Spirit damage.

3. Why won’t my tamed Lox eat?

Lox may refuse to eat if there is a roof too close to them or if they don’t have enough space. Make sure they have ample room and a clear sky above.

4. How long does Lox taming take?

Lox taming takes roughly 30 minutes of in-game time. However, progress only occurs when you are within render distance.

5. What do tamed Lox eat?

Tamed Lox eat Cloudberries, Barley, and Flax. These are the best food options for both taming and breeding.

6. Why won’t my Lox breed?

Lox need to be happy and well-fed, within 8 meters of another Lox, and no more than 4 Lox within 20 meters to breed. Also, ensure they have enough space and no roof above them.

7. What is the easiest way to tame a Lox?

The easiest way to tame a Lox is to build a sturdy pen, lure it inside, and throw in food from a safe distance. Monitor the taming percentage and repeat until fully tamed.

8. Can you ride animals in Valheim besides Lox?

You can ride Lox after equipping them with a Lox Saddle. You cannot ride other animals.

9. Do tamed Lox reproduce?

Yes, tamed Lox reproduce if provided with the right conditions: food, proximity to another Lox, and sufficient space.

10. Will tamed Lox follow me in Valheim?

Tamed Lox will generally stay in the area where they are tamed. You can use the harpoon on smaller enemies and bring them to your tamed Lox and it will follow you to that enemy.

11. How many Lox can I have?

The game doesn’t impose a hard limit on the number of Lox you can have. However, for breeding purposes, remember the rule of no more than 4 Lox within 20 meters.

12. How many Lox pelts do I need in Valheim?

You need six Lox pelts to craft the Lox Cape, a valuable piece of armor.

13. Can you fight while riding a Lox?

You cannot directly use weapons while riding a Lox. However, a sprinting Lox can trample enemies, dealing heavy damage.

14. Can you take the saddle off a Lox?

Yes, you can remove the saddle from a Lox by pressing Left-Shift + E.

15. Do tamed Lox keep their stars and pass them on?

Yes, tamed creatures keep their stars and will pass them to their offspring. This makes taming 2-star Lox very valuable for increased combat ability.

Can you tame lox in black forest?