Of all the defining features in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the settlement of Ravensthorpe stands as the heart of the experience. It is more than just a base of operations; it is a reflection of Eivor’s journey, a home for their clan, and a source of tangible gameplay benefits. A prosperous settlement, bustling with activity and adorned with upgraded buildings, is a goal for many players. This guide will detail the comprehensive methods to boost your settlement’s prosperity, transforming Ravensthorpe from a humble riverside camp into a powerful, thriving Anglo-Saxon metropolis.
The Foundation: Raw Materials and Supplies
The two fundamental currencies for settlement expansion are Raw Materials and Supplies. Without a steady influx of these, construction is impossible.
1. Raw Materials: These are primarily obtained through the main story arc. Each region of England you ally with through completing its storyline will typically reward you with a large cache of Raw Materials upon concluding the alliance quest. These are often found in the region’s leader’s longhouse or given directly to you. It is crucial to prioritize these story arcs, as they are the primary source of the large quantities needed for major buildings like the Barracks, Trading Post, and Museum.
2. Supplies: Unlike Raw Materials, Supplies are abundant in the open world. They are found in small, yellow-colored crates scattered throughout England. You can acquire them by:
- Raiding: This is the most efficient and thematic method. Launching a raid on monasteries, military camps, and other wealth locations along rivers will yield a significant amount of Supplies. Look for the red axe icon on your map and riverbanks. Remember to sound your horn when nearby to summon your crew.
- Exploration: Simply exploring the world, looting small camps, cabins, and caves will net you a steady stream of Supplies from chests and crates.
- Conquering Raiding Posts: Some locations are designated as Raiding Posts. Completing these will often grant a substantial one-time supply bonus.
Pro Tip: Don’t ignore the smaller wealth chests while raiding; they often contain Supplies, not just silver. Always be looting.
The Engine of Growth: Wealth and Silver
Silver is the universal currency used for upgrades, purchases, and cosmetics. While not used for the initial construction of buildings, it is vital for enhancing them and for funding the raids that gather Supplies.
- Completing Questlines: Main story arcs and side quests often reward generous amounts of silver.
- Looting and Selling: Be diligent about looting weapons, shields, and gear from defeated enemies and chests. If you already own a piece of gear or it’s of a lower quality, sell it at any merchant. This is a fantastic way to accumulate silver over time.
- Fishing and Hunting: Sell hunted animal parts and fish at the merchant. While not the fastest method, it’s a reliable source of income for minimal effort.
- Treasure Hoard Maps: These maps lead to buried treasure that usually contains a sizable amount of silver and sometimes rare trinkets to sell.
Strategic Construction: What to Build First
Your initial Raw Materials are limited, so choosing the right construction order is key to efficient prosperity growth.
Tier 1: Essential Foundations
- The Hidden Ones’ Bureau: Unlocks the main assassination questline and provides access to a useful gear set.
- The Barracks: Allows you to customize your Jomsviking and recruit those from other players, generating a small passive income of silver when your Viking is recruited.
- The Stable & Aviary: Upgrading this is crucial for improving your horse and raven, making exploration significantly faster and easier.
Tier 2: Prosperity Boosters
- The Trading Post: This is your economic hub. Upgrading the Trading Post unlocks better gear, resources, and, most importantly, the ability to buy Supplies for silver. This is a game-changer. When you’re short on Supplies for a key upgrade but have ample silver, this merchant bypasses the need for another raid.
- The Cartographer: Found inside the Trading Post, this NPC sells maps that reveal the location of specific wealth, artifacts, and secrets, streamlining your collection of resources.
- The Farm & Grain Farm: These buildings generate a slow but steady passive income of Supplies and Raw Materials over time. Check back regularly to collect your resources.
Tier 3: Late-Game Enhancements
- The Museum: While not providing direct resource benefits, completing it offers a unique reward and is a satisfying completionist goal.
- The Jomsviking Hall: Further enhances your Jomsviking and the silver income from recruits.
- The Feast Table: Perhaps the most powerful prosperity booster. Initiating a feast provides a temporary but significant buff to your character’s stats and increases the level of all your settlement buildings for the duration. This means upgraded shops and better goods. Always feast before embarking on a difficult raid or quest.
The Role of Alliance Maps
Your efforts in England directly fuel Ravensthorpe’s growth. Each successful alliance forged on the map in your room not only grants Raw Materials but also unlocks new residents, quests, and services. The more alliances, the more vibrant and populated your settlement becomes. Some residents will open their own shops, offering unique tattoos, hairstyles, and longship cosmetics, all contributing to the feeling of a prosperous community.
Advanced Tips for Maximum Prosperity
- Synergize Activities: Don’t just raid for the sake of it. Plan your raids along rivers that also have synchronization points, wealth markers, or artifacts you need. Multi-purpose your journeys.
- Regular Feasting: Make it a habit to feast before any major activity. The buff is too valuable to ignore and makes resource gathering easier.
- Check In Regularly: After a long session of exploration or story missions, return to Ravensthorpe. Collect your passive income from the farms, check in with new residents, and see what new services your upgraded buildings offer.
- Complete All Wealth in a Region: Before leaving a region, use your raven to ensure you’ve collected all minor wealth (the small gold icons). These are often Supplies and silver that add up quickly.
In conclusion, boosting Ravensthorpe’s prosperity is a holistic process that integrates every aspect of Valhalla’s gameplay. It requires strategic raiding, diligent exploration, thoughtful construction choices, and active engagement with the world and its stories. By mastering the flow of Raw Materials, Supplies, and Silver, and by building with purpose, you will ensure that Ravensthorpe stands as a lasting testament to Eivor’s glory and a true home for the Raven Clan.
