In Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, raids play a pivotal role in acquiring resources and destabilizing enemy forces. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to effectively prepare for and execute raids, ensuring you make the most out of every encounter.

Preparing for a Raid

1. Initiate the Raid
– Begin your journey at the River Raid Dock in Ravensthorpe. Speak to Vagn and select the option “Let’s go raiding.” You will have the opportunity to choose which river to raid, an important strategic choice, and to assemble your crew of Jomsvikings.

2. Crew Selection
– Carefully select your crew. The composition of your crew can significantly influence the outcome of the raid. Ensure you have a balanced mix of abilities that complement each other, as your Jomsvikings will assist in battle and can be revived via crew rations. A strong team will increase your effectiveness and survivability during the raid.

3. Gather Crew Rations
– Before launching into the thick of the action, remember that you start each raid with zero rations. Your first target should be a civilian location so you can secure Crew Rations. Each ration is vital as it restores health and can revive fallen crew members, making it the critical first priority.

4. Stock Up on Resources
– Besides crew rations, gather berries, mushrooms, food pots, and loot from fallen enemies or wildlife prior to engaging in combat. This diverse collection of items enhances your health and stamina, which is crucial for prolonged battles.

Executing the Raid

1. Approaching the Target
– When you locate a raidable site, approach it with your longship and wait for the raid command to become available. Your Jomsvikings will automatically charge in when the command is given, engaging the enemy to secure loot.

2. Summoning Your Crew
– If you infiltrate the location and are detected or need reinforcements, use the horn to summon your crew. This feature allows you to call your Jomsvikings to your side instantly, ensuring you have backup when you need it the most.

3. Utilizing Stealth
– Where possible, utilize stealth tactics to your advantage. Sneak into enemy locations and employ stealth kills to minimize enemy numbers before summoning your allies. This approach allows you to save resources and mitigate direct confrontation, making the raid smoother.

4. Collecting Wealth
– Focus your efforts on acquiring the four critical types of Wealth during your raids:
– Crew Rations
– Foreign Supplies (essential for upgrades and trading)
– Any other valuable resources found throughout the raid, all of which contribute to enhancing your settlement and longship.

Tips for Success

– Target Civilian Locations Early
– Begin raids with civilian locations to secure necessary Crew Rations, ensuring your healing and reviving capabilities are intact throughout the operation.

– Constantly Loot
– Keep looting fallen enemies and searching your environment for additional rations. This ensures that your combat effectiveness is sustained for the duration of the raid.

– Balance Offense and Defense
– Lead your crew strategically into battle, utilizing your abilities and the terrain to your advantage. This balance between offense and defense is key to maximizing your survival.

– Upgrade Your Assets
– Use the Foreign Supplies obtained from raids to upgrade your longship and the Jomsviking Hall. These upgrades will empower your raiding capabilities over time.

By following this structured approach and maintaining a strategic mindset, you can execute successful raids in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, ensuring your resources grow and your enemies weaken in the wake of your formidable Viking endeavors.