Runecarved

Author: Izzemi

Built on the Jotunn mod stub by the Valheim Modding Community.

Runecarved adds rarity tiers and per-item modifiers to existing Valheim equipment, creating a more varied and unpredictable gear progression.

AI use disclosure

This mod was partially created with the assistance of generative AI (GitHub Copilot coding agents). All changes were reviewed and tested by the author. All assets, sprites, models, and artwork were created without any AI assistance.

Installation

Either:

Install from thunderstore. Requirements: BepInExPack Valheim and Jötunn (both are installed automatically if you use a mod manager).

• Install r2modman or the Thunderstore Mod Manager.
• Select Valheim, create a profile, and search for this mod.
• Click Install with dependencies, then Start modded.

Download one of the releases from the repo page.

• Install BepInEx for Valheim by extracting BepInExPack Valheim into your Valheim folder (usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Valheim). Run the game once, then close it.
• Install Jötunn by placing Jotunn.dll in Valheim\BepInEx\plugins.
• Put the .dll file in Valheim\BepInEx\plugins. A subfolder such as plugins\ModName\ also works.
• Launch Valheim through Steam.

Building

Requirements: Windows, a Valheim install with BepInEx and Jötunn installed (for example through a mod manager profile), and the .NET SDK (or Visual Studio).

1. Clone the repository.

2. Create Environment.props in the repository root (it is git-ignored) with the paths for your machine:

   <Project>
     <PropertyGroup>
       <VALHEIM_INSTALL>C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Valheim</VALHEIM_INSTALL>
       <BEPINEX_PATH>C:\path\to\BepInEx</BEPINEX_PATH>
       <MOD_DEPLOYPATH>C:\path\to\BepInEx\plugins</MOD_DEPLOYPATH>
     </PropertyGroup>
   </Project>
   

3. Build Runecarved.sln (for example dotnet build Runecarved.sln, or Build in Visual Studio). The build copies the plugin DLL into MOD_DEPLOYPATH.

4. Start Valheim.

Current features

• Magic, Rare, and Epic rarity tiers with per-item modifiers for supported weapons, bows, crossbows, shields, armour, and magic weapons.
• Custom rune items with unique sprites and models, plus an in-game rune interface for upgrading, rerolling, transferring, and sacrificing equipment; runes can drop from enemies and bosses.
• Modifier effects cover combat, defense, movement, resource use, ranged attacks, magic, summons, and skills.
• Persistent item data, modifier and rarity tooltips, rarity visuals, and preservation of item upgrades through crafting.

For modifier pools, console commands, rune effects, and drop details, see the mod description.

Not implemented yet

• Additional random effects for enemies with stars, that increase their strength and dropped rewards.
• Legendary item variants rarely dropped from enemies, each with unique effects.

Changelog

1.1.0

Added

• Runes can now be found in loot chests in the Black Forest, Swamp, Mountains, Plains, Mistlands and Ashlands. Each newly generated chest has a chance to contain a rune matching its biome.
• New world modifier, Chest Rune Rate (1x–4x), controlling how many runes appear in newly generated loot chests.
• New world modifier, Rune Drop Rate (1x–20x), controlling rune drop chances from normal enemies. Boss drops are unchanged.
• Particle effects on equipped rarity items.
• Sound and visual feedback when a rune drops.
• Hildir now sells runes.

Changed

• Adjusted rune drop rates for enemies.

1.0.0

• Initial release.