Valheim co-op supports 1 to 10 players in the same world, and since the 1.0 launch on September 9, 2026 you can play it with friends on PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2. One player either hosts the world from their own game or runs a dedicated server, everyone else joins with a join code, an IP address or the server list, and a dedicated server needs the -crossplay argument before non-Steam players can join.
We checked the Steam store page, Iron Gate's 1.0 FAQ, its dedicated server guide and its Steam patch notes on November 2, 2026. Anything that only comes from third-party guides is left out, and date-sensitive points are marked as of that date.
Quick facts
| Topic | What we found |
|---|---|
| Developer | Iron Gate AB, published by Coffee Stain Publishing |
| 1.0 release | September 9, 2026, with the Deep North biome |
| Players per world | 1 to 10, per the Steam page and Iron Gate's 1.0 FAQ |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, Linux (Steam, Humble, Mac App Store, Microsoft Store), Xbox, PS5, Switch 2 |
| Crossplay | Announced and supported between all platforms |
| Price on Steam | $29.99 (US) as of November 2, 2026, regional prices vary |
| Latest patch | 1.0.21, October 28, 2026 |
Hosting from your game or a dedicated server
You have two ways to run a shared world, and the player cap is the same for both: 10 at a time.
Hosting from your own game is the quickest start. One player starts the world and the others join. The catch is that the world is only online while the host is playing, so the group's schedule becomes the host's schedule.
A dedicated server keeps the world available whenever someone wants to log in. Iron Gate describes it as a great way to provide a persistent world for you and your friends, and the setup needs some cursory scripting knowledge. The basics from the official guide:
- On Steam, tick the Tools filter in your Library and install "Valheim Dedicated Server".
- Copy the start script (
start_headless_server.baton Windows,start_server.shon Linux) and edit your copy. - Set at least a server name, a port, a world name and a password with
-name,-port,-worldand-password. - Run the script. Worlds and the admin, banned and permitted lists live in the save folder.
The default ports are 2456 and 2457. On the Steam backend you must forward them on your router. On the crossplay backend you do not have to, because the server talks through a relay.
Crossplay as officially stated
Iron Gate announced "full crossplay between all the platforms" when it revealed the release date, and its FAQ answers "Will there be crossplay?" with "Yes, Valheim will support crossplay between all platforms." In the Steam patch notes for 1.0.10 the studio repeated that crossplay is fully supported.
For a dedicated server there is one rule that matters. The official guide says the -crossplay argument runs the server on the crossplay backend (PlayFab), which lets users from any platform join. Without it, the Steam backend is used, which means only Steam users can see and join. A crossplay server can be joined by public IP and port, by join code or from the server list, but not by a local or loopback IP.
Two limits to know about:
- Patches roll out per platform. Iron Gate warned that some patches take days to reach every store. Patch 1.0.20 noted that crossplay would not work between Mac App Store players and other platforms until the Mac version caught up. Check that everyone is on the same version before blaming the server.
- Saves do not travel. According to the FAQ, only Xbox and Microsoft Store PC saves can be accessed from each other. Beyond that there is no cross-platform save sync, so the world lives on the host or the server.
World modifiers
Modifiers let a group tune the challenge instead of everyone playing at the same pace. The community wiki places them on the Join World screen. The official server guide lists the presets: Normal, Casual, Easy, Hard, Hardcore, Immersive and Hammer. The community wiki describes the individual sliders:
| Modifier | What it changes |
|---|---|
| Combat | Player and enemy damage, from Very Easy to Very Hard |
| Death penalty | What you keep or lose on death, from Casual to Hardcore |
| Resource rate | How much material drops, from much less to most |
| Raids | How often enemies attack your base |
| Portals | Whether everything can be portalled, or portals are limited or off |
| Player-based raids | Raids follow each player's own progress, friendlier to mixed levels |
On a dedicated server, set them with -preset, -modifier and -setkey in the start script (player-based raids is the playerevents key). A preset overwrites earlier modifiers, so put -modifier lines after it. One side effect from the 1.0 FAQ: Hammer mode counts as a temporary cheat and blocks some achievements, so decide before the group starts chasing them.
A good default for a mixed group is a death penalty that does not punish the person who is always first through the door, plus the player-based raids option if some of you play more than others.
How to split roles in a group
Valheim has no classes, so roles come from what each person crafts and what they enjoy. A split that works for four to six players:
- Builder: designs the base, keeps the workbench, chests and portals tidy.
- Fighter: leads boss fights with the best melee gear and shield.
- Ranged support: bow or crossbow and food for the group.
- Explorer and sailor: maps biomes, finds new resource spots and captains the ship.
- Cook and farmer: keeps food stocked, because everyone fights better fed.
- Smith: upgrades gear from shared ore, so the best weapons go where they help most.
Agree on the basics before day one: who hosts, which platform each person plays on, whether to use a modifier preset, how loot is shared and what the group does when someone falls behind in progression.
Finding people to play with
If your friends do not play Valheim, you still have real options.
- In-game server list: public servers show up in the browser, and many communities describe their rules in the server name.
- Discord: the official Valheim Discord and LFG servers are the usual place to find a crew. State your platform, time zone, style (build, boss runs or relaxed) and whether you want a persistent world. Our list of LFG Discord servers in 2026 shows where to post.
- GameVerse: a desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux, with mobile coming soon. You pick Valheim and your region, write your goal in free text, and see players online now for the same game, then message them. A search holds up to 8 players, and it does not match on rank, role or schedule, so you settle those in chat. See the Valheim page or browse find players.
Common problems
- Friends cannot see the server: on a Steam-backend server, only Steam players can join. Restart it with
-crossplay. - Join works for some, not others: compare game versions, especially in the days after a patch.
- A PS5 player cannot join a crossplay server: check the "PS5 only" toggle. Patch 1.0.21 added a popup that explains this case.
FAQ
How many players can play Valheim co-op?
Up to 10 in the same world, as stated on the Steam page and in Iron Gate's 1.0 FAQ. A dedicated server or crossplay does not change that number.
Is Valheim crossplay?
Yes. Iron Gate states that Valheim supports crossplay between all platforms. A dedicated server must run with the -crossplay argument, otherwise only Steam users can join.
Do I need a dedicated server to play Valheim with friends?
No. One player can host from their own game. A dedicated server is better when you want the world online while the host is away.
Can I play Valheim split-screen?
We found no official mention of split-screen, so we cannot confirm it. Valheim is described as an online co-op game for 1 to 10 players.
Can I change world modifiers after starting?
The community wiki says modifiers can be set on the Join World screen, with a dedicated server's launch arguments or with console commands. Back up your world before changing them.
How do I find people to play Valheim with?
Use the in-game server list, a Valheim or LFG Discord server, Reddit, or GameVerse to see players online now for Valheim in your region.