Valheim Change your Valheim world modifiers (combat difficulty, resource rates, raid frequency, portal rules) by setting modifier flags on the Server Options page or by installing the Server Devcommands mod. On a dedicated server you cannot do this the way singleplayer does it, and that trips a lot of people up.
Here’s the catch most guides skip: the modifier commands (setkey, setworldmodifier, setworldpreset) only work once devcommands is active, and stock Valheim devcommands does not run on a dedicated server. So you have two working paths, below.
Option 1: Set Modifiers in Server Options (Recommended)
We recommend this route because the flags go straight into your startup command, so the modifier applies cleanly on the next server start. No console commands that can fail quietly.
- In the Game Panel, go to Server Options
- Find the [ADVANCED] Server Modifiers field
- Enter the modifier flags you want to append to the startup command, for example
-modifier combat hard -modifier resources more - Leave the field blank for default settings
- Click Save
- Restart the server to apply the change
Option 2: Change Modifiers In-Game (Server Devcommands Mod)
Prefer to manage modifiers yourself in-game? You’ll need the Server Devcommands mod. Stock devcommands won’t work on a dedicated server, so this mod is what actually unlocks the modifier commands for admins.
- Install the Server Devcommands mod following our Valheim mod installation guide
- Add your SteamID64 to the server’s admin list (the mod commands only work for admins)
- Add
-consoleto your Steam launch options, then join your server - Press F5 to open the console
- Type
devcommandsand press Enter - Run your modifier command, for example
setworldmodifier portals casual
Common Modifiers
Use setworldmodifier <category> <value>:
| Category | Valid Values | Controls |
|---|---|---|
Combat | veryeasy, easy, hard, veryhard | Damage enemies deal and take |
DeathPenalty | casual, veryeasy, easy, hard, hardcore | What you lose on death |
Resources | muchless, less, more, muchmore, most | Drop and gather rates |
Raids | none, muchless, less, more, muchmore | How often raids occur |
Portals | casual, hard, veryhard | Whether you can carry ore through portals |
Toggle keys use setkey <key> to enable and removekey <key> to disable:
| Key | Effect |
|---|---|
nomap | Disables the map |
nobuildcost | Free building (you still have to discover materials first) |
passivemobs | Enemies don’t attack |
playerevents | Raid events trigger per-player |
The Reset Caveat
Decide what you want before you start tweaking. Once you change a modifier away from normal through the console, the only known way back to normal is resetting the overall mode or preset to normal. Running setworldmodifier portals normal does not work. This is a Valheim quirk, not a server limitation.
Checking Active Modifiers
Press F2 in-game at any time to see the live modifier list. Any player can view this screen, no admin status required, so it’s the quickest way to verify a change took effect.
Next Steps
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Stock devcommands does not work on a dedicated Valheim server. You need the Server Devcommands mod, or set the modifier flags on the Server Options page.
Preset and modifier changes made through the startup command apply when a new world is generated. An existing world may need a reset for some changes to take effect.
In the Game Panel, go to Configuration → Server Options and use the [ADVANCED] Server Modifiers field to append modifier flags to the startup command.