How To Make Your Valheim World Multiplayer: A Comprehensive Guide

Turning your solitary Viking adventure into a shared saga is easier than you might think. The core process of making your Valheim world multiplayer is surprisingly straightforward: From the world selection screen, simply tick the “Start Server” button. However, there are nuances to consider, particularly if you want a larger group of friends, or want your server to be continuously accessible, even when you aren’t actively playing. This guide will explore all of these aspects, ensuring your Valheim server setup is seamless and enjoyable for all your Viking brethren.

Setting Up a Basic Multiplayer Session

Local Hosting: The Simplest Method

The most accessible way to make your Valheim world multiplayer is through local hosting. Here’s how to get started:

1. Launch Valheim and Select Your Character: First things first, boot up the game and choose your character. If you’re starting a new world, this character will be the primary Viking for that adventure.

2. Create or Select a World: From the main menu, navigate to the “Select World” option. Choose an existing world, or click “New” to generate a fresh one.

3. Enable “Start Server”: This is the pivotal step. On the world selection screen, you’ll see two crucial checkboxes: “Start Server” and “Community Server”. Ticking “Start Server” instantly turns your game session into a multiplayer server. If you only want your friends to join, this is all you need.

4. Community Server Option: If you also check “Community Server”, your server will be visible on the “Join Game” screen for other players. However, it is crucial to protect your server with a password. This password needs to be shared with your friends to ensure that only they can access the server.

5. Set a Password and Launch: After ticking the appropriate checkboxes and setting your password, click “Start.” Your world will now launch as a server, ready for other Vikings to join.

Joining a Locally Hosted Server

For friends to join your locally hosted server, they’ll need to follow these steps:

1. Launch Valheim and Select Character: Each player must also launch Valheim and choose their character.

2. Navigate to “Join Game”: In the main menu, they should click “Join Game.”

3. Locate the Server: Your server should appear in the server list if you ticked the “Community Server” option. If it doesn’t, they can also search for it by name in the “Filter” text box, or manually add using the “Join Code” if you are not using the Community Server.

4. Enter Password: Enter the password, which you must provide, and then click “Connect” to join the game.

Understanding Dedicated Servers

While local hosting is convenient, it has limitations. Your server is only available when you are actively playing. This means that if you log off, everyone is kicked from the game. Dedicated servers overcome this limitation. A dedicated server is a separate instance of the game running on a machine that is continuously available. It allows players to join and play regardless of whether you’re online or not.

Setting Up a Dedicated Server

Setting up a dedicated server typically requires more technical knowledge, and will generally require an additional machine, or purchasing a server hosting package from a third party service. This article will not delve deeply into the technical aspects of this, but in brief:

1. Server Software: You will need to download the Valheim dedicated server software, and perform a number of technical steps in order to set it up. This is generally done via a command line and requires basic networking knowledge.
2. Configuration: You’ll need to configure the server’s settings, including the name, password, and any other specific rules or behaviors of your server.
3. Constant Availability: The server needs to be hosted on a machine that remains turned on at all times, with a constant internet connection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can a friend join my world in Valheim?

Yes, absolutely. Your friends can join your Valheim server via the “Join Game” screen by searching for it, or they can join using the “Join Code” provided.

2. Is Valheim open-world multiplayer?

Yes, Valheim is open-world multiplayer, but it is not an MMO. It is designed for cooperative play with a group of friends, typically with up to 10 players maximum per server.

3. How do I get my friend to join my world in Valheim?

Your friend should navigate to the “Join Game” menu, locate your server, or add it using the Join Code and use the correct password to gain entry.

4. Why can’t my friend join my Valheim world?

Common issues include having the wrong server name, the wrong password, an incorrectly set up port forward, or an issue with your friend’s internet connection. Additionally, when hosting on the local machine, your local firewall might be blocking the game.

5. Can my friend play on my Valheim server when I’m offline?

Not if you are using a locally hosted server. If you log off, your server closes. To allow play while you are offline, a dedicated server is required.

6. Where is the invite code in Valheim?

The invite code (or “Join Code“) is found in the pause menu of your server. Simply copy this code by clicking on it, and send it to your friend(s). This code can be pasted into the “Add server” dialog box found in the “Join Game” menu.

7. How do I see players on a Valheim server?

While in-game on your server, simply press the F2 key to open the list of connected players.

8. Is Valheim harder in multiplayer?

Yes, Valheim dynamically scales difficulty based on the number of players. More players mean tougher enemies, but also a higher chance of success. The developers recommend a group of 3-5 players for an optimum experience.

9. Why do all Valheim servers have passwords?

Each Valheim server has a password for privacy and security. This ensures that only the people you want on your server have access.

10. How does a Valheim dedicated server work?

A dedicated server runs on a separate machine and is always available. It allows continuous multiplayer access without needing the host player to be logged in.

11. Is Valheim fun as a solo player?

Many players find Valheim enjoyable as a solo experience. However, the game is generally designed for cooperative play, and can prove very difficult solo at times.

12. How do I find my Valheim multiplayer seed?

The world seed can typically be found in the server console logs, usually in a section titled “YOUR SERVER DETAILS.”

13. Are there public servers in Valheim?

Yes, there are many public Valheim servers. These can be found within the “Join Game” server browser in the game, or on third-party websites dedicated to listing these.

14. How do you pause Valheim multiplayer?

Valheim cannot be paused in multiplayer, due to the way the game handles servers. Each save file runs like a mini-server, so all players need to be able to interact with that world at the same time.

15. What does Crossplay mean in Valheim?

Valheim Crossplay means players on PC and Xbox platforms can play together seamlessly, enabling a larger player base.

By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll be well-equipped to transform your Valheim world into a thriving multiplayer experience. Whether you opt for simple local hosting or invest in a dedicated server, you and your friends are sure to create a grand saga together in the Viking afterlife.