TheGameHosting Team
To set Valheim world modifiers on a server, add launch options to the dedicated server: -preset for a ready-made difficulty, -modifier <name> <value> for single changes like combat or raids, and -setkey <key> for switches such as nomap. Restart the server and the new rules apply to that world. On TheGameHosting you add them from the panel and restart in one click.
The in-game world settings screen only works when you create a world on your PC. A dedicated server reads the same options from its start line instead. Below is every valid value, from Iron Gate's own guide, and how to combine them.
How world modifiers work on a dedicated server
Iron Gate's A Guide to Dedicated Servers lists three launch options for world settings:
| Option | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
-preset | Applies a full difficulty preset | -preset hard |
-modifier | Changes one modifier | -modifier raids none |
-setkey | Turns on one checkbox setting | -setkey nomap |
Two rules from the guide matter most. Setting a preset overwrites any modifiers set before it, and modifiers combined with a preset must come after the preset. So -preset hard -modifier portals casual works, but -modifier portals casual -preset hard loses the portal change.
Valheim server presets
The official list of presets is: Normal, Casual, Easy, Hard, Hardcore, Immersive, Hammer.
- Normal is the game as designed.
- Casual and Easy soften combat and penalties for relaxed groups.
- Hard and Hardcore make fights and deaths more punishing.
- Immersive aims at exploration without the usual helpers.
- Hammer is meant for building.
If a preset is close to what you want, start from it and adjust one or two modifiers after it.
Every Valheim world modifier and its values
These are the five modifiers and the values Iron Gate's guide accepts. Leave a modifier out to keep its normal value.
| Modifier | Valid values | What it changes |
|---|---|---|
combat | veryeasy, easy, hard, veryhard | How dangerous enemies are |
deathpenalty | casual, veryeasy, easy, hard, hardcore | What you lose when you die |
resources | muchless, less, more, muchmore, most | How many resources drop |
raids | none, muchless, less, more, muchmore | How often raids hit your base |
portals | casual, hard, veryhard | Which items can go through portals |
And the four -setkey switches: nobuildcost, playerevents, passivemobs and nomap. As the names say, they remove building costs, base raids on each player's own progress, make enemies passive until provoked, and hide the map.
How to change Valheim world modifiers on your server
- Make a backup of the world from Backups, in case you want to go back.
- Stop the server from Console.
- Open Startup and find the field for extra launch arguments, if your server shows one.
- Add your options, preset first: for example
-preset casual -modifier raids none -setkey nobuildcost. - Save and start the server.
- Join and check the effect: on a
nomapworld the map no longer opens, and with-setkey nobuildcostbuilding is free.
If your Startup tab has no field for extra arguments, open a ticket or write to us on live chat and we add the options to your start line. On your own PC, you add them to the line that starts valheim_server in your start script (start_headless_server.bat on Windows).
Example setups
| Crew | Launch options |
|---|---|
| Casual builders | -preset casual -setkey nobuildcost |
| Story run, no base raids | -modifier raids none -modifier portals casual |
| Veterans | -preset hard -modifier resources less |
| Hardcore challenge | -preset hardcore -setkey nomap |
| Solo progress per player | -modifier raids less -setkey playerevents |
You can repeat -modifier as many times as you need, one modifier each time.
World modifiers on an uploaded world
If you created your world on your PC and chose modifiers in the game menu, those choices are saved with the world. When you upload its .db and .fwl files to the server, join and check that the rules are the ones you expect. If something looks different, set the same values with launch options as above so the server and the world agree.
Uploading a world, the save folder and the -world name are covered step by step in our Valheim dedicated server setup guide.
Common problems
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Modifier has no effect | Check the spelling and put it after -preset |
| Preset wiped your custom values | A preset overwrites earlier modifiers: move the preset to the front |
| Server will not accept the password | The password needs at least five characters and cannot contain the server name |
| Crossplay friends see different rules | All players share the server's rules; restart after every change and check -crossplay is still on the line, as in our crossplay guide |
| Need admin to test | Add your ID to adminlist.txt, as in how to add an admin on a Valheim server |
Run your Valheim world on TheGameHosting
On a home PC, every change of rules means closing the server and editing a start script. With a Valheim server from TheGameHosting you change the world from the panel, keep backups before every change and let the world run 24/7 while your PC is off. Valheim starts on the 4 GB plan at $3.69 USD a month, on AMD 9950X and 7950X3D CPUs with DDR5 and NVMe, in Dallas or Amsterdam, with DDoS protection on every plan. See the plans and prices and use FULL2026 for 15% off for life.
FAQ
How do I change world settings in a Valheim server?
Add -preset, -modifier or -setkey options to the server's launch line and restart. On TheGameHosting you do it from the panel's Startup tab, or support adds them for you.
Can I change Valheim world modifiers after the world is created?
Yes. Change the launch options and restart the server. The new rules apply to the same world from that start on.
What is the hardest Valheim server preset?
Hardcore is the toughest preset in Iron Gate's list. You can push it further with -setkey nomap or -modifier resources less.
Why is my Valheim world modifier not working?
Most often the name is misspelled or the modifier comes before -preset, which overwrites it. Put the preset first and check each value against the official list.
Hosting for this game
Written by TheGameHosting Team, the people who run our servers in Dallas and Amsterdam and answer your tickets.
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