Valheim might be in early access, but it has a good chunk of content and places for you to explore. This game has different biomes you’ll have to get through if you want to keep progressing during your gameplay.
Each ecosystem has new resources and threats you’ll need to collect or defeat to craft better gear, unlock new places, or just learn new recipes. There are six explorable biomes, and three that are there but aren’t really developed in the game’s current state. So before you take a guess at which biome you should explore first, here’s all of them ranked by difficulty.
7 Not Developed Biomes
These biomes are in the game and look like they have a lot of potential to become a place where your survival skills will be put to the test. However, while you can explore these biomes already, there aren’t any significant enemies or unique resources you’ll find in the place. So going there won’t be beneficial at all. These are the not-developed biomes:
6 Meadows Biome
This one is the starting location for all Valheim players. The Meadows biome looks very peaceful, with flowing rivers, grassy areas, hills, and even some beaches. You can recognize this biome on the map because it looks like a grassy land with a few forests here and there.
This biome is packed with all the resources you need to get the hang of the game. You’ll find here primary resources like trees, stones, flint, mushrooms, and raspberries. Since it is the first place you’ll be in, this biome is the less dangerous one. Here you’ll find the occasional boar (which you can tame), Greylings, and their adult version, Greydwarfs.
5 Black Forest Biome
The Black Forest is the second biome you’ll get to explore. It is in this biome where you’ll find essential resources you’ll need to craft major updates and finally start making some progress in your adventures. Here you’ll find pine and fir trees, tin and copper (which you can use to craft bronze). Also, this is the only place where you’ll be able to find the Valheim merchant.
This biome shares forest parts with the Meadows, and you’ll be able to differentiate the Black Forest in your map because the forest gets denser and darker. In this biome, you’ll find creatures like the Greydwarfs, skeletons, and trolls. On the same note, this is the biome where you’ll have to fight the game’s second boss, The Elder. Finally, this is the only place where you’ll be able to find the Valheim merchant.
4 Swamp Biome
You’ll encounter the Swamp biome, which you’ll recognize as brown areas on your map. This one will really challenge your skills as there are lots of things trying to attack you. The Swamp has leeches and blobs that will poison you, you’ll have to make your way through fire geysers and fallen trees, and you’ll encounter undead Draugrs, which will attack you using axes and bows.
However, all of this trouble is worth it in the end, as you’ll be able to find Scrap Iron, which you can later use to upgrade your armor, weapons, and tools into more durable items.
3 Mountains Biome
This biome looks like snow-covered mountains on your map, so it is very easy to spot. Not only does this biome has a fair amount of dangerous creatures you’ll have to deal with (like tamable wolves and flying drakes), but you’ll have to survive the harsh conditions of the mountain. So you see, it is best to attempt to explore these Mountains once you crafted the proper gear to survive the coldness.
Still, there are some excellent resources in the Mountains you’ll want to get your hands on, like obsidian and silver ore.
2 Ocean Biome
The ocean biome is every body of water that surrounds the islands in Valheim. You’ll have three main creatures to look out for in this biome: fishes (which are passive), Leviathans (huge passive creatures that look more like an island than a living thing), and Serpents (a big serpent that will attack both Vikings and boats. Keep in mind that you will need first to learn how to sail before you can begin exploring the Ocean.
1 Plains Biome
This biome is super misleading. Once you finally arrive on the Plains, you’ll encounter a beautiful land filled with yellow grass and sprawling hills. Surely nothing dangerous can be lurking in such a serene place, right?
Well, it turns out that the Plains are the most dangerous biome in Valheim. In this place, you’ll encounter lox (big aggressive creatures you can tame), villages filled with Fulings ( goblin-like creatures), and the worst of them all, the Deathsquitos (flying creatures that can deal 70 damage with just one blow).
NEXT: Valheim: Eikthyr Boss Guide
