Taming the Wild: Your Guide to Boar Domination in Valheim

So, you’re running around Valheim, dodging greydwarves and building epic longhouses, and you think, “Hey, wouldn’t it be cool to have a bunch of pigs chilling in my base?” Well, friend, you’re in luck! Taming boars in Valheim is totally doable, and I’m here to walk you through it, step-by-step. It might sound tough, but trust me, with a little patience and the right setup, you’ll have a whole herd of oinkers in no time.

Why Tame Boars Anyway?

• Meat & Leather Scraps: The most obvious reason. Boars are a renewable source of meat and leather scraps. Meat is crucial for stamina and health, especially when tackling tougher bosses. Leather scraps? Essential for crafting and upgrading armor early on. Think of it as your personal piggy bank (pun intended!).
• Fertilizer (Eventually): Okay, so this isn’t DIRECTLY from the boars themselves, but having a boar farm means you can produce more food, which leads to more… waste. And that waste? Composting gold, baby!
• Just For Fun: Let’s be honest, having a bunch of boars roaming around your base is just plain fun. It adds a certain charm and makes your Viking settlement feel a bit more alive. Plus, it’s a good conversation starter when your friends come to visit. “Oh, these? Just my domesticated murder pigs. No big deal.”

The Boar Taming Basics: Patience is Key

1. The Enclosure: This is the MOST important part. You need a secure pen to keep your future pork chops contained.
   • Materials: Wood fences work perfectly fine. You can use stone walls, but wood is much easier to gather and build with early on.
   • Size: Make it big enough! A 4×4 area is a good starting point, but the bigger, the better, especially if you plan on breeding them.
   • Roof? Nah: Boars don’t fly (thank Odin!), so you don’t need a roof.
   • Gate: Crucial for getting in and out to drop food. Make sure it’s securely closed!
   • Location: Build it near your base for easy access and protection. Just don’t build it inside your house, unless you like the smell of… well, you know.
2. Luring Them In (The Tricky Part): This is where the fun (and frustration) begins.
   • Finding Boars: They’re usually found in the Meadows biome. Listen for their snorts and keep an eye out for those angry red eyes.
   • The Bait: Boars love certain foods. Here’s what works best:
     • Carrots: These are the gold standard. Easy to farm and highly effective.
     • Berries: Lingonberries and blueberries will also do the trick, especially early on.
     • Mushrooms: All types of mushrooms work, but they’re not as effective as carrots or berries.
   • The Method:
     • Clear a Path: Get rid of any obstacles between the boar and your enclosure. They’re not the smartest creatures.
     • Drop the Bait: Place the food just outside the entrance to your pen.
     • Aggro Carefully: You need to get the boar’s attention WITHOUT killing it. A single arrow shot from a distance usually does the trick.
     • Lead the Way: Slowly backpedal towards the pen, dropping more food along the way. The boar should follow, enticed by the delicious treats.
     • The Trap: Once the boar is inside, quickly close the gate!
     • Repeat: You’ll need at least two boars (male and female) to breed them. This might take some time and patience, so don’t give up!
3. Taming Time: This is where the waiting REALLY begins.
   • Stay Away!: The biggest mistake people make is hanging around the pen. Boars won’t tame if they feel threatened. Give them space!
   • Food is Key: Keep the food trough full. Carrots, berries, mushrooms – keep ’em coming!
   • The Taming Process: You’ll see a yellow percentage bar above the boar. This indicates how close it is to being tamed. The more food, the faster the process.
   • Patience, Young Viking: It can take several in-game days for a boar to fully tame. Just check on them periodically to replenish their food supply and avoid startling them.

Boar Breeding 101: Making Little Piglets

• Happy Boars: To breed, boars need to be happy and well-fed. Make sure their pen is large enough and that there’s always food available.
• The Spark: You’ll know they’re ready to breed when you see hearts floating around them. Awww!
• Little Piglets: After a while, a little piglet will appear! These little guys are adorable, but they also need protection.
• Protect the Young: Greydwarves and other creatures can attack your boars, including the piglets. Make sure your pen is well-defended.
• Boar Overpopulation: Eventually, you’ll have more boars than you know what to do with. This is where you can start… harvesting.

Advanced Boar Taming Tips and Tricks

• Star Quality: Some boars have stars next to their names. These are stronger and produce more resources when slaughtered. They’re also harder to tame.
• The High Ground: Build your boar pen on slightly elevated ground. This makes it harder for enemies to reach them.
• Automated Feeding: You can use item droppers to automatically replenish the food supply in your pen. This requires some advanced building skills, but it’s worth it in the long run.
• Boar Transportation: Need to move your boars to a new location? You can use a harpoon to drag them, but be careful! They can take damage and die if you’re not careful. A better option is to build a temporary pen near your new base and lure them over with food.
• Dealing with Aggression: If a boar escapes its pen and attacks you, don’t panic! Just back away and let it calm down. Throw some food on the ground, and it will usually lose interest in you.

Troubleshooting: When Things Go Wrong

• Boars Won’t Enter the Pen: Make sure the path is clear and that you’re using the right bait. Also, try building a wider entrance to the pen.
• Boars Escape: Double-check the integrity of your fences. Boars can sometimes glitch through walls, especially if the terrain is uneven. Reinforce your fences with extra layers if necessary.
• Boars Won’t Tame: Make sure you’re not spending too much time near the pen. Also, ensure they have a constant supply of food.
• Boars Are Being Attacked: Build a defensive wall around your pen or place torches nearby to deter enemies.

Conclusion: Become the Boar Whisperer of Valheim

Taming boars in Valheim takes time, patience, and a little bit of luck. But the rewards are well worth the effort. With your own boar farm, you’ll have a sustainable source of meat, leather scraps, and fertilizer. Plus, you’ll have a bunch of adorable (and slightly terrifying) pigs roaming around your base. So get out there, Viking, and start taming those wild boars! Just remember to bring plenty of carrots.