Valheim's fully developed biomes have incredibly important positions within the game's progression. Therefore, properly understanding how the biomes impact the game is essential for any Valheim player. Despite each area being intimidating when first accessed, the secrets of each make subsequent locations much easier to navigate.
Updated on March 16, 2023: Valheim continues to be updated and altered by the game's developers giving its community new areas to explore and enemies to fight. To keep this guide relevant, this look at the biomes of Valheim has been updated.
The Meadows of Valheim
The Meadows biome needs immediate consideration, as it presents itself first to players. As a character falls from the clutches of a Valraven into the first set of runestones, there are several things to bear in mind. These summoning stones are essential, as they show players where to go to beat Valheim's first boss, Eikthyr. Further to that, the mystical boss powers of Valheim are all activated right in the middle of this stone circle.
The Meadows are not only used for boss trophy collection; as the first biome, it is often one of the best to make camp in. The best biome for bases in Valheim is a hotly debated topic within the fanbase, but the Meadows are often considered a strong place to set up a central base. The flat landscape, access to several other biomes, relatively weak enemies, and close proximity to the ocean makes for an excellent place for a homestead.
Valheim's Black Forest
The Black Forest is where things start to get a bit more deadly. Home to the game's iconic Trolls, the Black Forest contains swarms of more powerful Greydwarfs, which are incredibly important enemies.
Furthermore, players can use the Black Forest to farm Greydwarf Eyes in Valheim, which becomes an essential resource throughout the game. As a farming location, the Black Forest grants players access to the most useful construction in the entire game, the Portal.
Once players level up their skills, they will be ready to take on Valheim's Black Forest Boss, The Elder. This titanic boss looks much more imposing than it actually is and can be taken on relatively early. Once defeated, access to the crypts in the Swamp is possible, with a Swamp Key dropping from The Elder.
The Swamp
Home to lethal Oozes, hardy Draugr, and the bulbous Bonemass boss, Valheim's Swamp biome is not one to underestimate. After killing The Elder, the ability to access Swamp dungeons becomes available, which are the largest source of iron in the game. Iron can also be found among the regular swamp, but players should expect significant opposition from Oozes if mining the raw swamp itself is their goal. As is the case with most biomes, each one bestows materials required to progress into the next.
In the case of The Swamp, the reason players need to clear it is to get items that can find silver in Valheim. In this area, not only can iron be mined (which is needed for a pickaxe that can collect silver later), but the Wishbone can also be acquired from Bonemass. This Wishbone pings when buried treasure and ores are nearby, a much-needed tool for finding the higher tier ore.
Valheim's Mountains
The Mountains are where Valheim begins to get wild. Firstly, characters cannot climb the mountain without spending time crafting Valheim Frost Potions, or they will take massive amounts of cold damage. Once these Frost Potions are acquired, the Mountain biome teems with some of the game's more deadly enemies. Fighting through Drakes, Stone Golems, Werewolves, and eventually Valheim's dragon boss Moder will give players access to a whole host of loot.
This includes the coveted Silver Ore, which makes some of Valheim's best weapons, as well as the Wolf Armor, which lets players wander the mountains freely. Obsidian is also available in these frosty climes. This ore allows you to craft frost arrows, which are some of the most effective in the game. Valheim's Mountain biome means a lot of frost potions will be drunk until players can create armor more capable of handling the climate. After that, the biome can be used to get some incredible items.
The Ocean Biome
The Ocean stands mainly as a way of passage between other biomes. However, another of its current uses is as a way to find Sea Serpents. Sea Serpents are the player's key to getting the best food combinations in Valheim.
Serpent Meat is used to create Serpent Stew, which is one of the better foods in the game. Furthermore, if a player wants to acquire the unique harpoon in the game, then the Ocean is the place to go. The ocean is home to the Leviathan, and chitin exists on the back of the beast for mining. Several recipes use chitin, making the Ocean a useful farming location.
The Plains Biome of Valheim
The sixth biome here is The Plains. This biome is absolutely deadly, as can be intuited by the "Deathsquito" enemies that swarm around the area. Further, fulings, mages, and lox also roam the Plains. Despite having a deadly combination of foes, the Plains is definitely worth exploring. Precious Blackmetal can be acquired in the Plains. This allows for the highest tier of weaponry to be crafted using a Blast Furnace. It seems like the Fulings in the Plains biome have an actual society, unlike other mobs in the game.
This makes the Plains particularly interesting because it implies that the monsters that exist in the Viking afterlife are able to organize a kind of civilization. Perhaps future expansions will take advantage of this. Valheim vendor inventory expansion has already been promised in future updates. Buying and selling with Fulings would be fantastic, as the creatures would likely stock some unique items.
The Mistlands Biome of Valheim
The most challenging biome in the game, the Mistlands is not for the faint of heart. Firstly, this is the only biome to date that is basically impenetrable for those that haven't managed to create a Wisplight. Even with the ability to clear the mist, the Mistlands contains Seekers, Seeker Soldiers, Gjalls (floating creatures that hurl fireballs), and Ticks. These aggressive creatures are some of the more powerful in the game, and even Padded Armor won't be enough to withstand their attacks.
This biome is the only way for players to gain access to Valheim's new magic system, however, and is worthy of a visit from any player. Only by creating Refined Eitr and gathering ingredients unique to this area are weapons like the Staff of Embers and Staff of Frost possible. The Mistlands are also the home of Dvergrs, a neutral race of people that can be found battling the creatures of the mist.
Valheim is available on PC and Xbox.