Can Friends Use Cheats in Valheim? A Comprehensive Guide to Valheim Cheating in Multiplayer

The burning question for many Valheim players eager to bend the Viking survival experience to their will: Can friends use cheats in Valheim? The short answer is: it depends. Out-of-the-box, without server modifications, only the server admin can use cheat commands in a multiplayer game. However, there are ways to allow friends to use cheats, requiring some administrative work and potentially the use of mods. Let’s dive deep into how cheating works in Valheim’s multiplayer environment.

Understanding Cheats in Valheim

Valheim’s console commands offer a wide range of possibilities, from spawning items and enabling god mode to manipulating the game world itself. These commands can drastically alter the gameplay experience, making it easier, faster, or simply more chaotic. However, the developers designed the game with a clear distinction between single-player and multiplayer cheat access.

Single-Player vs. Multiplayer Cheating

In a single-player game, enabling cheats is straightforward. You simply open the console (usually by pressing F5), type “devcommands” (or “developer 1” in older versions), and then enter the desired commands. But the landscape shifts when you venture into multiplayer.

• Vanilla Multiplayer: In a standard, unmodified Valheim server, only the server admin has access to cheat commands. This prevents individual players from unilaterally altering the game for everyone else.

• Modified Multiplayer: The game can be modified to allow more control of commands. One popular method is the BepInEx plugin known as “Server devcommands” allows admins to grant cheat access to other players on the server.

How to Enable Cheats for Friends (Admin Privileges)

If you’re the server administrator and want to grant cheat access to your friends, you have a few options:

1. Becoming an Admin in Vanilla Valheim

The most straightforward (but limited) approach is to make your friends admins on the server. Here’s how:

• Locate the adminlist.txt file: This file is usually located in the Valheim server’s root directory. Its exact location depends on your hosting provider or server setup.
• Add Steam64 IDs: For each friend you want to grant admin access, add their Steam64 ID to a new line in the adminlist.txt file. You can find a player’s Steam64 ID through various online tools and services.
• Save and Restart: Save the changes to the file and restart the Valheim server.

Once your friends are admins, they can open the console, type devcommands, and use the available admin commands. However, keep in mind that all actions they take will affect everyone on the server.

2. Using Server devcommands (BepInEx Plugin)

For more granular control over who can use which commands, the Server devcommands plugin is a powerful tool. This requires installing BepInEx, a popular modding framework for Valheim.

• Install BepInEx: Follow the instructions on the BepInEx website or a reputable Valheim modding guide to install BepInEx on your server.
• Install Server devcommands: Download the Server devcommands plugin and place it in the BepInEx plugins folder.
• Configure Permissions: Server devcommands allows you to configure permissions, specifying which players can use which commands. This provides much greater control than simply granting blanket admin access.

This method offers a more sophisticated approach, allowing you to customize the cheating experience for different players.

The Risks of Cheating in Multiplayer

While the allure of cheats can be strong, it’s important to consider the potential downsides:

• Ruined Experience: Overuse of cheats can diminish the sense of accomplishment and progression that makes Valheim so rewarding.
• Balance Issues: Cheats can disrupt the game’s carefully balanced economy and difficulty curve.
• Glitches and Bugs: As the original article warned, item spawning may cause unintended issues in the world.
• Social Discord: If some players are cheating while others are not, it can create resentment and conflict within the group.
• Server Instability: Overuse of certain commands can impact server performance and stability.

Before enabling cheats for yourself or your friends, discuss the potential consequences and agree on how they will be used. Remember, the goal is to enhance the fun, not to spoil it. You can also use cheats in creative ways to create fun events.

Fostering Community and Learning through Games

The appeal and use of game modifications, like cheats in Valheim, offer unique opportunities for learning. Understanding how these modifications work, how they impact the game environment, and how players interact with them provides valuable insights into game design, software engineering, and community dynamics. This connection between games and learning is a central focus of organizations like the Games Learning Society (Check them out at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use devcommands on someone else’s server?

No, typing devcommands on someone else’s server will have no effect unless you are an admin on that server or the server owner has installed modifications which grant you permission.

2. Why don’t console commands work on Valheim?

There are a few common reasons:

• You’re not an admin: Ensure you’ve been properly added to the adminlist.txt file or have the necessary permissions granted by a plugin like Server devcommands.
• devcommands not enabled: You need to type devcommands (and press Enter) in the console to enable cheat commands.
• Command is single-player only: Some commands, like god mode, are restricted to single-player games.
• Typos: Double-check the spelling of the command.

3. How do I give my friend admin on Valheim?

Edit the adminlist.txt file in the Valheim server’s root directory, adding their Steam64 ID on a new line. Save the file and restart the server.

4. How do I use admin commands in Valheim multiplayer?

Open the console (usually by pressing F5), type devcommands (and press Enter), and then enter the desired command.

5. How do I enable cheats on my multiplayer server?

The process depends on your hosting provider, but generally involves modifying a configuration file to enable cheats and restarting the server.

6. Is Valheim harder in multiplayer?

Yes, Valheim’s difficulty scales with the number of players. The more players in a game, the tougher the enemies become.

7. How do I use console commands on Valheim dedicated server?

Add -console to the launch options for Valheim on Steam, start the server, join it, press F5 to open the console, and type the command.

8. Can you use Devcommands on someone else’s server?

No, unless you have admin privileges or the server is modified to grant you permission.

9. Is it bad to cheat in Valheim?

It depends on your perspective and the preferences of the players in your group. Cheating can ruin the experience for some, but enhance it for others. Discuss it with your friends before using cheats.

10. Can I use devcommands in Valheim dedicated server?

Yes, if you are the server admin.

11. Is Valheim fun as a solo player?

Many players enjoy Valheim as a solo experience. It can be challenging, but also very rewarding.

12. Can you enable cheats after creating a world?

Yes, open the Game Menu (Esc), select Open to LAN, click “Allow Cheats: OFF” to turn it ON, and click Start LAN World. This is for single-player worlds only.

13. How does Valheim multiplayer work?

Valheim multiplayer supports up to 10 players. You can join an existing world or create your own new world specifically for your group.

14. Is there a list of all Valheim console commands?

Yes, typing help in the console will display a list of available commands.

15. What if my friends don’t want to cheat?

Respect their preferences. Consider creating a separate server or world where cheats are enabled for those who want to use them.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use cheats in Valheim is a personal one. Just make sure everyone is on the same page, and remember that the most important thing is to have fun!