Valheim is Iron Gate Studio's Viking survival game where you're a fallen warrior sent to the 10th Norse world to prove yourself by defeating five forsaken bosses. Built on a stylized low-poly aesthetic with stunning lighting, the game emphasizes exploration and boss progression through five biomes. Its building system is one of the best in any survival game, with structural stability physics and a massive catalog of building pieces. The game is designed for 1-10 player co-op and has sold over 12 million copies.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary equipment | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your build's key synergies |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary equipment | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
Meadows
Key resources: Eikthyr antler (Antler Pickaxe), Deer Hide armor, basic resources Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Draugr Fang upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Black Forest
Key resources: Bronze tools/weapons, Surtling Cores, Elder power (faster wood chopping) Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Draugr Fang upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Swamp
Key resources: Iron gear, Bonemass power (damage resistance), Withered Bones Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Draugr Fang upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Mountains
Key resources: Silver weapons/armor, Wolf Cape, Moder power (favorable winds) Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Frostner max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Plains
Key resources: Black Metal gear, Padded Armor, Lox taming, Yagluth power (element resistance) Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Frostner max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Meadows — Black Forest)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials — you'll need them later
- Focus on Draugr Fang once accessible
Mid Game (Swamp)
- Push Draugr Fang to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Frostner
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Mountains — Plains)
- Max out Frostner — this is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary equipment for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple equipment — Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials — Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear — Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Swamp farming — This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early — Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Food determines your max health and stamina entirely. Always eat three foods before combat — even tier 1 food is better than nothing.
- Farm Swamp during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build — some classes farm faster in certain areas
More Valheim Guides
- Valheim Valheim Overview
- Valheim Best Builds
- Valheim Tier List
- Valheim Walkthrough
- Valheim Beginner's Guide
- Valheim Tips & Tricks
- Valheim Weapons Guide
- Valheim Combat Guide
- Valheim Boss Guide
- Valheim Maps & Locations
- Valheim Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Valheim, check out these related guides:
- Palworld Crafting Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
- Rust Crafting Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
- ARK: Survival Evolved Crafting Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
