Currently, I decided to build my portals around the trader so that wherever I come from I can sell/buy. Ended up building my main base there as well, it's basically an island with 65% ocean & 35% river borders. Surtling raid had them just staring longingly across the river at my base 😂.

I had hoped to use the trader barrier as a transparent gate, but monsters walk right on through - they just won't attack you if you're inside yourself. A useful get away if all is lost I suppose, though I haven't used it for that and doubt I ever will.

Tamed boars tend to end up wherever I find them. To spend time with them so they reproduce I might also farm there too. Rarely would I use wolves or lox for attack/defence, though if they're close enough to where I want to live or something that needs attacking, why not.

Usually I keep some kind of basic presence near the sacrificial stones for portaling back to. It's a basic wooden starter building, and I added a basic stake wall just in case - if it ever gets properly raided I doubt even floor pieces will be left.

I've done multiple bases, roads, nomadic.. a lot of time wasting building - now I just run around and go home as necessary. I don't hoe the swamps, swamps are for running and jumping.

Not that I dislike building in Valheim, I spent a month or two doing nothing but building in debug mode, considering real life house designs I might like if I ever win lotto. But if I'm actually playing properly there's only so much building that needs doing.