Patch-tracked guide
Valheim Mods (1.0) — Best Mods & How to Set Up
How Valheim modding works in 1.0: the BepInEx loader, mod managers, the main mod categories, and the crossplay tradeoff — with links to our setup guides.
By Valheim Field Guide Editorial Team
Modding Valheim in 1.0
Valheim mods are the community add-ons loaded through the BepInEx framework; they range from quality-of-life tweaks to full gameplay overhauls, and split into client-side and server-side.
Valheim has no official mod support, but the community mod scene is large and mature. Two things decide your experience: which loader you install, and whether your mods are client-side or server-side — that second point is what determines if you can still play with friends on crossplay.
Verified (1.0): this hub links to our own setup and status guides, which track the 1.0 update’s effect on the mod ecosystem. We keep those pages current as mods adapt.
Step 1 — install the loader
The whole mod scene runs on BepInEx, a plugin framework that hooks into the game. Install it once,
then mods drop into its plugins folder. Full walkthrough, including the most common first plugins:
Step 2 — pick a manager
You can manage mods by hand, but a manager handles installs, updates and conflicts:
- r2modman / Thunderstore — the most common community manager, profile-based so you can swap mod sets per world.
- Vortex — the Nexus Mods client, familiar if you mod other games.
- Manual — drop files into the BepInEx folders yourself; fine once you know what you are doing.
The main mod categories
| Category | What it changes | Safe with crossplay? |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of life | maps, stamina bars, stack sizes, quick-deposit | Usually yes (client-side) |
| Building & terrain | extra pieces, snap points, terraform tools | Mostly yes (client-side visuals/UX) |
| Servers & admin | whitelists, raid control, moderation | Depends — server-side ones affect everyone |
| Looks | armor variants, weather, camera | Yes (client-side) |
| Big gameplay changes | new biomes, classes, systems | Often no — logic changes desync |
For a deeper look at what runs after 1.0 and which mods broke:
The crossplay tradeoff
This is the part most new modders miss. A mod is either:
- Client-side — only changes your own game (UI, camera, local QoL). Safe to run while playing with unmodded friends.
- Server-side — changes shared game state. Everyone in the session must have it, or the game desyncs.
The exact split, and who has to install what, is covered in:
A popular all-in-one example is Valheim+, which bundles many QoL and admin tweaks behind config flags — see our Valheim+ intro for install and configuration basics.
What to do next
- New to modding? Start at BepInEx setup
- Running a server? Read server vs client mods before inviting friends
- Want the current state? Post-1.0 mod status
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Buy me a coffeeFrequently asked questions
- What loader do I need to mod Valheim?
- The community mod scene runs on BepInEx, a plugin framework that loads into the game. You install it once, then drop mods (plugins) into its folders. Our BepInEx setup guide walks through the install and the most common plugins.
- Do mods break Valheim crossplay?
- They can. Client-side mods (visuals, QoL) are usually safe with crossplay, but anything that changes game logic can desync a session shared with unmodded players. The split between server-side and client-side mods decides who has to install what — see our server vs client mods guide.
- Do Valheim mods still work after 1.0?
- Many do, but 1.0 was a large update and some mods broke. The state of each major mod varies, so check our post-1.0 mod status guide before relying on a specific one.
Related guides
- BepInEx for Valheim — Setup & Common Plugins
The loader that runs every Valheim mod: how to install BepInEx through a mod manager on 1.0, the BepInExPack dependency, and a short list of well-maintained plugins to start from.
Verified Valheim 1.0 - Modded Multiplayer — Compatibility & Troubleshooting
Why a friend cannot join your modded world: the crossplay/PlayFab hard block, the server-vs-client desync, and the ordered checklist to work through before you think a mod is broken.
Verified Valheim 1.0 - The Mod Ecosystem After 1.0 — What Is Adapted, What Is Not
The state of the Valheim mod scene after the 1.0 launch: which categories of old mods adapted quickly, which are still lagging, and how to check a specific mod before you commit to it.
Verified Valheim 1.0
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