What to expect from the update

Valheim had a huge success in its Early Access launch back in February 2021, selling more than 5 million copies within the first month. Since then, the game has continued to evolve with major content updates that have transformed the Viking survival experience.

Hearth & Home Update Details

The first major update, Hearth & Home, was released on September 16, 2021. This update fundamentally changed several core game mechanics and added significant content:

1. Reworked Food System

One of the most impactful changes was the complete overhaul of how food affects your character:

• Food Choices Matter: Foods now specialize in either health regeneration or stamina regeneration, not both equally. Players must choose food that matches their playstyle.
• Aggressive Builds: Focus on stamina-boosting foods like Cooked Wolf Meat for faster attacks and more mobility.
• Defensive Builds: Choose health-focused foods like Cooked Serpent Stew for survivability and tanking.
• Balanced Approach: Mix foods to maintain both health and stamina for all-around performance.

2. New Building Pieces

Iron Gate confirmed in the official Steam update that several new building pieces were added:

• Darkwood Roofs: New roofing options with distinctive dark wood aesthetics.
• Window Hatches: Functional windows that can open and close, adding realism to structures.
• Expanded Creative Options: These additions opened new possibilities for creating unique and beautiful Viking structures.

3. Cooking Station Extensions

The update introduced new cooking equipment to expand culinary options:

• Butcher Table: Prepares meat cuts and special dishes.
• Spice Rack: Allows seasoning and flavoring of dishes.
• Pots and Pans: Additional cooking implements for preparing complex meals.

4. New Food Recipes

Hearth & Home added numerous new food recipes to discover and cook:

• Eyescream: A sweet frozen treat using ingredients from the Mountain biome.
• Shocklate Smoothie: A rich chocolate-like beverage using special berries.
• Wolf Meat Recipes: Various dishes using wolf meat for high stamina regeneration.
• Onion Farming: Players can now grow onions in their farms for use in cooking.
• Undisclosed Recipes: Iron Gate hinted at hidden recipes for players to discover themselves.

Subsequent Major Updates

Since Hearth & Home, Valheim has received several substantial content updates that have expanded the game world and mechanics:

Mistlands (Dec 2022)

A complete biome overhaul that introduced the Mistlands, a dangerous new area filled with poison and dark creatures. Added the Seeker enemies, the Queen boss, new gear tiers (Carapace armor), and the formidable Seeker Soldier. This update also introduced the Eitr magic system.

Hildir's Request (Oct 2023)

Focused on quality-of-life improvements and cosmetic options:

• New Merchant: Hildir, Haldor's sister, appears in the Meadows biome.
• Cosmetic System: Dresses, tunics, hats, and scarves for character customization.
• Barber Station: Allows changing hair and beard styles at home.
• Mini-Bosses: Brenna, Geirrhafa, and Zil & Thungr with unique loot chests.
• Fireworks & Sparklers: Celebratory items for marking achievements.

Ashlands (April 2024)

The volcanic biome expansion featuring:

• Volcanic Wasteland: Dangerous lava flows, ash storms, and deadly creatures.
• New Mounts: Asksvin rideable creatures immune to lava.
• New Weapons & Armor: Flametal equipment and Ashlands-specific gear.
• Asksvin Saddle: Allows riding through lava and across dangerous terrain.
• New Resources: Smoke-puffs, Vineberries, and Flametal ore.

What's Next: Deep North (Coming 2025)

The final major biome in development, expected with Valheim's 1.0 release. Teasers show:

• Frozen Oceans: Massive icebergs and frozen sea exploration.
• Snow-Laden Forests: Expansive winter environments.
• New Enemies: Frost Giants, Polar Bears, and potentially a "Winter Child" boss.
• Game Conclusion: This biome will likely tie together the overarching story and lead to the final confrontation.

Server Compatibility

All updates are released for free to players who own the game. However, server administrators should be aware:

• Version Requirements: Servers and clients must match versions for players to join.
• Backup Before Updates: Always backup your world before installing major updates.
• Mod Compatibility: Large updates often break existing mods. Check Thunderstore for updated mod versions.
• Public Test Branch: Try upcoming content early on the Public Test branch before official release.