Valheim: The Ultimate Ashlands Survival & Mastery Guide
The Ashlands update is the most challenging expansion in Valheim's history. This volcanic biome in the deep south of Embervale introduces a relentless environment where the water boils, the land is guarded by infinite undead, and the sky rains literal fire. To survive, you must abandon your old tactics and master new technology.
1. Navigation: The Drakkar
Standard ships will melt. You must build the Drakkar using Ceramic Plates and Yggdrasil Wood. It is the only hull reinforced enough to survive the boiling southern seas.
2. Defense: Shield Generators
Meteorite showers are a constant threat. Build a Shield Generator at your base and fuel it with Bone Fragments or Charred Bones to protect your structures from fire rain.
3. Siege: The Batter
The best loot is hidden inside Charred Fortresses. You cannot break the walls with axes; you must build and pull the Batter (Siege Ram) to the front gate.
The Flametal Race
Flametal is the endgame ore required for Tier 8 gear. Harvesting it is a high-risk mechanic unique to the Ashlands:
- Sinking Spires: Flametal is found in jagged spires rising from the lava. Once you strike a spire with a pickaxe, it will begin to sink. You have approximately 45 seconds to mine as much as possible before jumping back to the stone pillars.
- Smelting: Unlike other ores, Flametal requires a Blast Furnace and high-tier fuel to refine.
Charred Fortress Sieges
Dotted across the Ashlands are massive black citadels.
- The Gate: Use the Batter to break through. Protect the ram from Charred Warriors while it works.
- The Loot: Inside, you will find Bell Fragments (required to summon the boss) and the Molten Core, used to craft advanced workstations.
- Warlocks: Always hunt the Charred Warlocks first. They can revive fallen undead and summon green fire spirits that deal massive AOE damage.
Combat: Enemies & Itemization
The Ashlands enemies are formidable. Silver weapons (Spirit damage) are highly effective against most Charred enemies.
| Enemy | Weakness | Primary Drop |
|---|---|---|
| Fallen Valkyrie | Frost / Spirit | Valkyrie Feathers (Casters) |
| Morgen | Blunt / Spirit | Morgen Sinew (Heavy Armor) |
| Asksvin | Pierce | Asksvin Tail (Best Health Food) |
| Bonemaw Serpent | Frost | Serpent Meat & Scales |
Taming and Riding: The Asksvin
You can tame the dinosaur-like Asksvin!
- Taming: Lure them with Vineberries or Smoke Puffs.
- Usage: Once tamed, you can craft an Asksvin Saddle. They are the fastest land traversal method in the Ashlands and can run across hot sand without taking damage.
Combating Ashlands Lag
The excessive number of projectiles and calculations in the Ashlands often causes severe "Rubberbanding" and desync. Mitigate this with these steps:
- Install Better Networking: This is mandatory. See our Better Networking Guide to fix the data rate cap.
- Clean Your World: Use the
optterraincommand or remove excessive loose **Grausen Rocks** near ruins. Thousands of uncollected items clog the network stream. - Spread Out: Do not have 4 players in one small chunk. Spreading out reduces the entity density the server has to send to a single client.
The Final Boss: Fader, The Eternal Flame
Fader resides in the Ancient Altar. You must sacrifice 3 Bell Fragments to summon him.
- The Fight: Fader uses sweeping bone spikes and summons legions of Ash-Hulks. You must stay mobile using the Asksvin or high-stamina foods.
- Loot: He drops the Fader Relic, which allows you to craft the Sovereign Hammer and high-end magic staves.
Pro Tip: Do not build your first Ashanti base on the shore. Move inland and find a high cliff or ruin to fortify. The shore is constantly patrolled by Bonemaw Serpents and Dvergr raids.
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