Valheim multiplayer: beginner's guide

Valheim is at its best when you play it together. The fights are more exciting, the building projects more ambitious and the exploration safer with a group. But how do you get started with multiplayer? In this guide we cover everything you need to know as a beginner: from connecting to building your first base together.

Ways to play together

There are three ways to play Valheim in multiplayer:

For a serious group a rented dedicated server is the best choice. The server runs 24/7, so everyone can play whenever it suits them, without a specific person needing to be online.

Connecting

Via the server list

1. Open Valheim and click "Join Game".
2. Search for the server by name in the list (if the server is set to -public 1).
3. Click the server and enter the password.

Via IP address

1. Click "Join Game" and then "Join IP".
2. Enter the IP address and port (for example 123.45.67.89:2456).
3. Enter the password.

Via Steam Friends

If the host is playing via "Start Game", Steam friends can join directly through the Steam friends list. Click the host's name and choose "Join Game".

Your first session: tips

Spawning together

All players spawn at the same stone in the center of the map. This is your starting point. Build a first shelter together with a workbench, bed and fire.

Dividing tasks

Divide tasks for efficiency:

• Lumberjack: gathers wood for the first house and tools.
• Hunter: hunts deer and boars for food and leather.
• Builder: builds the base while others bring in resources.
• Scout: searches for flint, berries and the location of the first boss.

Surviving the first night

Before it gets dark, build a wooden shelter with a roof, a campfire and a bed. The bed sets your respawn point. Without a bed you respawn at the starting stone after death.

Fighting together: tips for groups

• Focus the same enemy: in Valheim enemies do not scale with the number of players. With multiple players you can take down enemies quickly if you work together.
• Bring food: food increases your maximum HP and stamina. Without food you are extremely vulnerable.
• Communicate via Discord: the in-game chat is limited. Voice chat makes group fights much more effective.
• Parry and block: with a shield you can block enemy attacks. Timing matters: a perfect parry stuns the enemy.

Defeating bosses together

Valheim has multiple bosses that you must defeat in a fixed order to progress to the next biome and its associated resources:

1. Eikthyr (Meadows): summon him with deer trophies. Relatively easy with a group.
2. The Elder (Black Forest): use fire arrows and ranged attacks.
3. Bonemass (Swamp): the toughest early-game boss. Bring blunt weapons and poison resistance potions.
4. Moder (Mountains): requires frost resistance and good archers.
5. Yagluth (Plains): endgame boss with heavy attacks.

After each boss you receive a trophy that activates a permanent buff when placed at the starting stone.

Death and respawn

Upon death you lose part of your skills (unless you adjust the Death Penalty modifier). Your items remain on the spot where you fell as a gravestone. A teammate can help you retrieve your gear if the area is dangerous.

Portals and travel

Portals are essential in multiplayer. Build portals at your home base and at important locations. Give each portal a recognizable tag. Note: certain resources (all metal ores) cannot be transported through portals. Use boats for metal transport.

How many players can Valheim handle?

Officially Valheim supports up to 10 players. With mods like Valheim Plus you can increase this, but keep in mind that performance decreases with more players, especially with large bases and many enemies.

Can I open my solo world for multiplayer?

Yes. You can upload your existing world to a dedicated server and continue playing with friends. Your character and progress are preserved. Copy the world files to the server and set the -world parameter to the same world name.