Valheim 1.0 / 1.0.12 :: isModded & Achievements Architecture

Technical analysis, runtime decoupling, and verification suite for Valheim 1.0 & 1.0.12 Steam achievement progression

📌 Overview

Verified and updated for Valheim 1.0.12 (and 1.0+). During the release of Valheim 1.0 (Deep North / Ashlands), an official community update noted:

"We have learned that you cannot earn achievements while playing modded."

While some quick-fix mods took lazy approaches to this problem—such as fragile bytecode transpilers or blindly resetting Game.isModded = false—they broke with the Valheim 1.0.12 update due to internal engine changes to cheat evaluation and bypass flags. IsModded was architected from day one with a clean, surgical Harmony prefix on Achievements.IsCheatedAtAll(), ensuring 100% resilience across patches without interfering with developer telemetry or genuine devcommand anti-cheat protections.

For players and server communities utilizing client-side quality-of-life plugins—such as inventory management, crafting interfaces, camera adjustments, or administrative utilities—this policy introduced an unintended suppression of Steam achievement progression.

This repository provides an open-source technical breakdown and solution:

1. Bytecode Root-Cause Analysis: Inspection of the decompiled C# IL showing why Game.isModded causes achievement suppression.
2. Interactive Architecture Model: A structured system flow compiled via Archify showing the exact engine evaluation paths.
3. Lightweight Runtime Plugin (IsModded.dll): An 11.8 KB Harmony patch that decouples Game.isModded from cheat validation while keeping genuine cheat protections active.
4. Embedded Snippet for Mod Authors: A 15-line drop-in Harmony patch that authors can incorporate directly into existing mods without requiring a separate plugin.
5. Automated Verification Suite: Standalone CLI executable (Verify-IsModded.exe), PowerShell verification script, and live in-game console command (ismodded) to inspect engine bytecode and validate runtime state.

🗺️ System Architecture

The interaction flow below is compiled directly from the formal specification using Archify:

Interactive Viewer: Open docs/valheim-ismodded.html (Live Web Preview) in any browser for the full interactive model:

• Guided Views: End-to-End Unlock Flow, Vanilla Mod Lockout, IsModded Prefix Decoupling, and Zero-Overhead Verification.
• Navigation: Dynamic pan, zoom, component metadata inspection, and dark/light theme toggle.
• Source & Vector Exports: Specification in docs/valheim-ismodded.architecture.json and standalone vector in assets/architecture-archify.svg.

📥 Installation (For Players)

To restore Steam achievement progression while running BepInEx:

1. Download IsModded.dll (11.8 KB) from the repository dist/ directory, GitHub Releases, or Thunderstore.
2. Place the file into your Valheim BepInEx plugins folder:

   <Valheim-Directory>/BepInEx/plugins/IsModded.dll
   

3. Launch the game normally. Steam achievements will record as milestones are achieved.

🔬 Technical Analysis: Root Cause in Valheim 1.0

The suppression of achievements under modded environments is not driven by an anti-cheat engine or file integrity scanning. Instead, it stems from the coupling of a legacy telemetry flag with 1.0 achievement evaluation logic.

1. The Game.isModded Telemetry Field

In early versions of Valheim, Iron Gate introduced a static boolean field in Game.cs designed to assist with customer support triage:

// Valheim assembly_valheim.dll :: Game.cs
public static bool isModded = false;

// Note in codebase:
// "While we don't officially support mods in Valheim at this time,
// we ask that you please set the following isModded value to true in your mod.
// This will place a small text in the menu to inform the player that their
// game is modded and help us solving support issues. Thank you for your help!"

2. Automatic Flagging by BepInEx

To cooperate with developer support guidelines, the BepInEx loader implemented an automated reflection helper (Chainloader.SetIsModdedTrue()) that sets Game.isModded = true whenever BepInEx initializes.

3. Achievement Evaluation in Valheim 1.0

With the introduction of Steam achievements in Valheim 1.0, an internal method Achievements.IsCheatedAtAll() was added to evaluate session eligibility. In addition to testing console cheat flags, world modifiers, and spawned items, the fallback condition evaluates Game.isModded:

// Valheim 1.0 assembly_valheim.dll :: Achievements.cs
public static bool IsCheatedAtAll()
{
    if (Time.frameCount == Achievements.m_cheatCheckFrame)
        return Achievements.m_cheatCheckCache;

    Achievements.m_cheatCheckFrame = Time.frameCount;

    // Check if player used console devcommands
    bool profileCheated = (Game.instance != null) && Game.instance.GetPlayerProfile().m_usedCheats;
    // Check if server world has cheat modifiers (passive enemies, etc.)
    bool worldCheated = Achievements.IsWorldCheated();
    // Check if player has spawned items in inventory
    bool itemCheated = (Player.m_localPlayer != null) && Player.m_localPlayer.GetInventory().AnyCheatedItem();

    if (profileCheated || worldCheated || itemCheated)
    {
        Achievements.m_cheatCheckCache = true;
    }
    else
    {
        // Evaluates Game.isModded directly as a cheat condition:
        Achievements.m_cheatCheckCache = Game.isModded; 
    }
    return Achievements.m_cheatCheckCache;
}

4. Downstream Impact on Progression

Whenever a progression milestone occurs (e.g., boss defeats, crafting, gathering), PlayerProfile.IncrementStat() evaluates the eligibility gate:

if (!Achievements.CanGetAchievements(false)) return;

Because Game.isModded is true, IsCheatedAtAll() returns true, causing CanGetAchievements() to return false. The stat increment is silently discarded, preventing any call to Steamworks.SteamUserStats.SetAchievement().

🛠️ Implementation: Harmony Prefix Decoupling

IsModded installs a lightweight Harmony Prefix on Achievements.IsCheatedAtAll().

The hook preserves authentic cheat validation (m_usedCheats, IsWorldCheated(), AnyCheatedItem()), but decouples Game.isModded from the evaluation:

[HarmonyPatch(typeof(Achievements), nameof(Achievements.IsCheatedAtAll))]
static class Achievements_IsCheatedAtAll_Patch
{
    [HarmonyPrefix]
    static bool Prefix(ref bool __result)
    {
        // 1. Evaluate genuine cheat criteria
        bool profileCheated = (Game.instance != null) && Game.instance.GetPlayerProfile().m_usedCheats;
        bool worldCheated = Achievements.IsWorldCheated();
        bool itemCheated = (Player.m_localPlayer != null) && Player.m_localPlayer.GetInventory().AnyCheatedItem();

        // 2. Decouple Game.isModded: only flag if actual cheats were used
        Achievements.m_cheatCheckCache = profileCheated || worldCheated || itemCheated;

        __result = Achievements.m_cheatCheckCache;
        return false; // Skip vanilla method execution
    }
}

For legitimate players with quality-of-life mods loaded, IsCheatedAtAll() evaluates to false, allowing CanGetAchievements() to return true and enabling standard Steam achievement triggers.

🧪 Verification Protocols

Three independent verification methods are provided to audit and confirm achievement eligibility:

Method 1: Standalone Bytecode Verifier (Verify-IsModded.exe)

A zero-dependency CLI tool built on Mono.Cecil. Run dist/Verify-IsModded.exe or tools/Verify-IsModded.ps1:

It decompiles local game assemblies live, detects the CIL instruction targeting Game.isModded, and provides an execution matrix:

================================================================================
        Valheim 1.0 :: isModded & Achievement Integrity Verifier                
================================================================================
[+] Valheim Directory : C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Valheim
[+] Valheim Version   : 1.0.12 (Latest Verified Build)

--- [STEP 1: INSPECTING VALHEIM 1.0.12 BYTECODE] --------------------------------
[OK] Found method: Achievements.IsCheatedAtAll()
Scanning instruction stream for Game.isModded access...
  -> IL_005B: ldsfld Game::isModded
  [CONFIRMED] Valheim 1.0.12 directly checks Game.isModded when evaluating cheats!
  If Game.isModded is True, the engine evaluates the session as CHEATED,
  which forces CanGetAchievements() to return FALSE.

--- [STEP 2: INSPECTING BEPINEX CHAINLOADER] ----------------------------------
[OK] Found BepInEx method: Chainloader.SetIsModdedTrue()
  -> BepInEx automatically sets Game.isModded = True on startup.

--- [STEP 3: CHECKING ISMODDED PLUGIN STATUS] --------------------------------
[PASS] Achievement bypass plugin detected: IsModded.dll
       Location: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Valheim\BepInEx\plugins\IsModded.dll
[PASS] Verified Harmony prefix hook targeting Achievements.IsCheatedAtAll

--- [STEP 4: LOG FILE INSPECTION] ---------------------------------------------
[OK] Found in LogOutput.log: [Info   :   BepInEx] Loading [IsModded 1.0.1]

================================================================================
                                FINAL VERDICT                                    
================================================================================
Simulation of In-Game Achievement Evaluation (Legitimate Player with Mods):

  Condition                    | Without IsModded          | With IsModded
  -----------------------------+---------------------------+-----------------------
  BepInEx Running              | YES (Game.isModded=True)  | YES (Game.isModded=True)
  Character Devcommands        | FALSE                     | FALSE
  World Cheat Modifiers        | FALSE                     | FALSE
  Inventory Cheated Items      | FALSE                     | FALSE
  -----------------------------+---------------------------+-----------------------
  Achievements.IsCheatedAtAll  | TRUE  (Treats mod as cheat) | FALSE (Ignores isModded!)
  Achievements.CanGet          | FALSE [BLOCKED]            | TRUE  [RESTORED!]
  Steamworks.Unlock()          | NEVER CALLED              | CALLED ON PROGRESSION
  -----------------------------+---------------------------+-----------------------

>>> STATUS: READY! Your setup is configured to earn Steam achievements with mods.

Method 2: Live In-Game Runtime Audit (ismodded)

1. In-game, press F5 to open the Valheim console.
2. Enter the audit command:

   ismodded
   

3. The engine outputs a real-time diagnostic report indicating:
   • State of Game.isModded.
   • Projected vanilla evaluation (Blocked).
   • Active runtime evaluation with the patch (Eligible & Active).

Method 3: In-Game Progression Test

1. Create a temporary character on a fresh local world.
2. Collect the first stone or wood branch (E).
3. The initial progression stat will fire, triggering the Steam achievement notification.

👨‍💻 Integration Guide (For Mod Authors)

Mod developers wishing to bundle this decoupling logic directly into existing plugins can embed the following standalone patch:

using HarmonyLib;
using UnityEngine;

[HarmonyPatch(typeof(Achievements), nameof(Achievements.IsCheatedAtAll))]
public static class DecoupleModdedAchievementsPatch
{
    [HarmonyPrefix]
    public static bool Prefix(ref bool __result)
    {
        if (Time.frameCount == Achievements.m_cheatCheckFrame) {
            __result = Achievements.m_cheatCheckCache;
            return false;
        }
        Achievements.m_cheatCheckFrame = Time.frameCount;

        bool profileCheated = (Game.instance != null) && Game.instance.GetPlayerProfile().m_usedCheats;
        bool worldCheated = Achievements.IsWorldCheated();
        bool itemCheated = (Player.m_localPlayer != null) && Player.m_localPlayer.GetInventory().AnyCheatedItem();

        // Decouple Game.isModded: preserve legitimate cheat checks only
        Achievements.m_cheatCheckCache = profileCheated || worldCheated || itemCheated;
        __result = Achievements.m_cheatCheckCache;
        return false;
    }
}

⚙️ Configuration

Configuration is managed via Valheim/BepInEx/config/djc.valheim.ismodded.cfg:

[General]
## Enable earning achievements while playing with BepInEx / mods loaded.
# Setting type: Boolean
# Default value: true
AllowWhileModded = true

## Optional: Enable earning achievements even if devcommands / cheats were used on this character or world.
# Setting type: Boolean
# Default value: false
AllowWithDevcommands = false

[Visual]
## Optional: Hide the 'Modded' watermark on the main menu.
# Setting type: Boolean
# Default value: false
HideModdedWatermark = false

❓ Technical FAQ

Does this interact with Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC)?

No. Valheim does not utilize Valve Anti-Cheat. Achievement synchronization is handled via the standard client-side Steamworks API (SteamUserStats.SetAchievement).

Does this disable cheat detection for devcommands?

No. By default (AllowWithDevcommands = false), characters or worlds that utilize developer console cheats (devcommands, god, spawn) remain ineligible for achievements according to vanilla rules. This patch exclusively decouples the Game.isModded flag.

Does this function on dedicated servers?

Yes. Achievements are client-evaluated and synced directly from the local client to Steamworks.

📜 License

This project is released under the MIT License. Permitted uses include redistribution, modification, and direct embedding within third-party plugins.