Valheim beginner guide: your first shelter, food and repairs

Gather Wood and Stone, make a Hammer, and put a Workbench under a roof. Eat before exploring and repair your gear before heading out again. You can build the grand hall later. First, get a small camp working.

Gameplay details checked against Valheim 1.0.12 on September 13, 2026.

Build a working camp

These materials cover the initial craft. Special upgrade costs come later.

The Campfire cannot be placed directly on wood. Keep its smoke outlet clear rather than enclosing the fire tightly. The building and smoke guide explains the checks that can stop a camp working.

Why is a recipe missing?

Having a chest full of materials does not necessarily unlock a recipe. Your character may need to discover the ingredients and the required crafting-station level first. Most recipes require every listed material, while some accept alternatives. Special upgrade ingredients depend on the station mode.

Use the acquisition and recipe explorer to inspect the exact product and its requirements. The item's page lists where to get it, its station and its ingredients. If someone else defeated a boss, you may still need to discover the materials yourself.

Repair before replacing gear

Open an appropriate usable crafting station and use its repair control. Each activation repairs one eligible worn item to its current maximum durability without consuming crafting ingredients. Keep using it until the items you need are repaired.

If an item will not repair, check that the station is usable, matches its crafting or repair station, and meets its minimum level. Some items cannot be repaired. You do not need to upgrade a repairable item just to restore its durability.

Eat and rest before exploring

You can have up to three active foods. Repeating the same food refreshes it when the game permits another serving; it does not fill another slot with a second identical effect. Choose different foods using the food planner, which shows health, stamina and eitr over time.

A sheltered resting spot can gain comfort from nearby furnishings. Furniture in the same comfort group usually competes for one bonus. The comfort planner shows which pieces count and how long Rested will last. You still need a usable resting spot in the game.

Ready for the first boss?

Progression spoiler. Eikthyr is the recommended first boss. Bring two Deer Trophies to its offering site. The boss page covers the summon, attacks, rewards and where the altar can appear.

As you progress, use the progression explorer to check what unlocks next. Some steps are recommendations; others require a particular key, item or recipe.

Plan the next expedition

Pick one goal for the next trip. If you need a new material, look up its sources in the acquisition explorer. If an enemy keeps killing you, check its resistances in the combat calculator and pack food you can replenish from the food planner.

The progression reference covers the route beyond your first camp and contains spoilers. Check individual biome, enemy and station pages when you get stuck. Older beginner guides can still help, but their recipes and stats may have changed.