Hello Dev! Welcome to our comprehensive guide on server hosting Valheim. If you’re a passionate gamer looking for an immersive, Vikings-inspired experience, you’ve probably already heard about this exciting game. However, you may be wondering where to start when it comes to hosting your own server. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know to set up and manage a Valheim server, from choosing the right hosting provider to running mods and troubleshooting common issues.
1. Why Host a Valheim Server?
Valheim is a survival game that offers a vast open world to explore, filled with perilous creatures and legendary treasures. Playing in single-player mode can be fun, but hosting your own server offers several advantages:
- More control over gameplay settings: as the host, you can adjust various parameters, such as difficulty level, resource availability, and player permissions.
- Social experience: hosting a server allows you to play with friends or join a community of like-minded players.
- Flexibility: you can play on your own schedule, pause the game, or take breaks without losing progress.
Now that you know the benefits let’s look at how to get started with Valheim server hosting.
2. Choosing a Valheim Server Hosting Provider
The first step is to find a reliable hosting provider. While you can host a server on your own machine, it may not be practical or stable enough for optimal gameplay. Therefore, we recommend choosing a professional service that specializes in game servers. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a hosting provider:
Criteria |
Description |
|---|---|
Performance |
Make sure the provider offers low latency, high-speed servers, and enough bandwidth to support your expected number of players. |
Price |
Compare the pricing plans and features of several providers to choose the one that fits your budget and needs. Keep in mind that some providers offer discounts for longer-term commitments. |
Customer support |
Check if the provider offers responsive and knowledgeable support via different channels (e.g., email, phone, chat). |
User interface |
Ensure that the provider’s control panel or game panel is easy to use and offers sufficient customization options. |
Mod support |
If you plan to use mods, make sure that the provider allows them and provides a streamlined way to install and manage them. |
Scalability |
If you expect your player base to grow or shrink, make sure that the provider offers flexible scaling options that don’t disrupt gameplay or data. |
Some popular Valheim server hosting providers include:
- HostHavoc
- Nodecraft
- G-Portal
- Citadel Servers
- Nitrado
Once you’ve chosen a provider, follow their instructions on how to set up a Valheim server on their platform. This typically involves creating an account, choosing a server location, installing the game files, and configuring the settings.
3. Configuring Your Valheim Server Settings
Now that you have a server up and running, it’s time to tweak its settings to match your preferences and gameplay style. Here are some of the most important settings to consider:
3.1. World Generation
The world generation settings determine the size, shape, and resources of your Valheim world. You can adjust them in the ‘World’ tab of your server settings. Here are the available options:
Setting |
Description |
|---|---|
World name |
Choose a unique and descriptive name for your world. |
Seed |
Enter a random or specific seed number to generate a unique world that others can join using the same seed. Leave it blank for a random seed. |
World size |
Choose a size that fits your expected number of players and exploration needs (e.g., small for 1-2 players, medium for 3-4 players, large for 5-10 players). |
World type |
Choose between ‘Dedicated’ (the world runs even if no players are online) and ‘Stop-server’ (the world pauses when no players are online). Dedicated is recommended unless you have limited resources or want to save money. |
World seed divergence |
If you want to replay the same world but with some variations, you can increase this value (up to 1000) to introduce small changes in the terrain, biomes, and resources. |
World difficulty |
Choose a difficulty level that suits your skill and challenge preferences (e.g., Normal, Hard, or Bonemass). |
Note that some of these settings can only be changed by editing the server files directly, which requires some technical knowledge.
3.2. Server Password and Permissions
If you want to restrict access to your server, you can set a password that players need to enter to join. You can also configure different permissions for each player or group of players, such as banning, whitelisting, or promoting them to admins. Here’s how:
Setting |
Description |
|---|---|
Server password |
Enter a strong and memorable password that others can’t guess or hack. |
Players list |
See the list of players who joined the server, their online status, and their Steam names (if applicable). |
Permissions list |
See the list of players or groups of players with specific permissions, such as banning, whitelisting, or promoting them to admins. |
Admin list |
See the list of players who have admin rights, which allow them to perform certain actions (such as kicking, banning, or spawning items) that regular players can’t do. |
You can also use mods or plugins to add more advanced permission settings, such as custom roles, chat filters, or land claims.
3.3. Game Mechanics and Limits
The game mechanics settings control various aspects of gameplay, such as combat, crafting, and exploration. Here are some examples:
Setting |
Description |
|---|---|
Player count |
Choose the maximum number of players that can join the server at the same time. |
PvP |
Choose whether players can attack each other or not. If enabled, you can set a timer for peace periods or enable friendly fire. |
Crafting speed |
Choose how fast or slow the crafting and smelting processes are. |
Building destruction |
Choose whether buildings can be destroyed by players or not. If enabled, you can set a timer for raid periods or enable siege weapons. |
Item spawn rate |
Choose how often loot and resources respawn in the world. |
Again, some of these settings may require editing the server files manually or installing mods.
4. Running Mods on Your Valheim Server
If you want to customize the gameplay experience even further, you can install mods on your Valheim server. Mods are user-created modifications that add new features, items, quests, or mechanics to the game. They can be simple or complex and can range from quality-of-life improvements to total overhaul mods.
Here’s how to install mods on your Valheim server:
- Find a mod that you want to install. You can browse the official Valheim modding community on NexusMods or use other sources such as Thunderstore.io or ValheimMods.com.
- Download the mod files to your local computer.
- Extract the mod files to a folder.
- Upload the mod folder and its contents to the ‘BepInEx/plugins’ folder of your Valheim server. You can do this via FTP or the File Manager of your hosting provider.
- Edit the ‘BepInEx/config/BepInEx.cfg’ file of your Valheim server to include the mod ID (which is usually indicated in the mod description).
- Restart the Valheim server and check if the mod is working by logging in and testing its features.
Note that not all mods are compatible with each other, and some may cause conflicts or game-breaking bugs. Therefore, we recommend testing each mod thoroughly and making backups of your server files before installing new mods.
5. Troubleshooting Valheim Server Issues
Even with the best hosting provider and settings, you may encounter some issues or errors when running a Valheim server. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
5.1. Connection Issues
If players can’t connect to your server, make sure to check the following:
- Is the server online and running?
- Is the firewall or router blocking the game’s ports (2456-2458 TCP and UDP)?
- Is the server password correct and shared with the players?
- Is the server version up to date?
- Is the player’s game version up to date?
- Is the server location compatible with the player’s region and time zone?
- Is the player’s Steam profile public or visible to friends?
5.2. Performance Issues
If the server is laggy, crashing, or experiencing other performance issues, try the following:
- Is the server hardware (CPU, RAM, storage) sufficient for the expected number of players and mods?
- Is the server location close to the players’ regions?
- Is the server software up to date?
- Is the server overloaded with too many entities (e.g., animals, buildings, items)?
- Is the server logs showing any errors or warnings?
- Is the server running other programs or services that use the same resources?
5.3. Mod Issues
If a mod is causing issues or conflicts with the game or other mods, try the following:
- Is the mod compatible with the server version and other mods?
- Is the mod installed correctly and updated to the latest version?
- Is the mod causing conflicts with other mods or the game scripts?
- Is the mod conflicting with the server settings or mechanics?
- Is the mod author offering support or troubleshooting?
6. Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped you understand the ins and outs of Valheim server hosting. With the right hosting provider, settings, and mods, you can enjoy a thrilling and unique experience with your friends or community. Remember to always prioritize security, performance, and communication with your players. Good luck on your Valheim adventures!
FAQ
What is Valheim?
Valheim is a survival game developed by Iron Gate Studio and published by Coffee Stain Publishing. It is inspired by Norse mythology and Viking culture and offers an open-world, sandbox-style gameplay with crafting, building, and combat mechanics.
Can I host a Valheim server on my own machine?
Yes, you can host a Valheim server on your own machine, but it may not be optimal for performance, stability, and security. You also need to have a decent machine with enough resources and bandwidth to support the server and the players.
What is the recommended number of players for a Valheim server?
The recommended number of players for a Valheim server depends on various factors, such as the server hardware, location, mods, and gameplay settings. However, most servers can comfortably support up to 5-10 players, while larger servers may require more resources or scaling options.
Can I use mods on a Valheim server?
Yes, you can use mods on a Valheim server to customize the gameplay experience. Mods can add new items, mechanics, challenges, or quality-of-life features to the game. However, not all mods are compatible with each other or with the server version, so make sure to test each mod thoroughly and make backups of your server files.