Getting Started

This page covers installing Fifth Edition Fantasy, setting up your first character and what is different from vanilla Valheim.

Installing

With a mod manager (recommended)

1. Install r2modman or the Thunderstore Mod Manager.
2. Select Valheim and search for Fifth Edition Fantasy.
3. Click Download. BepInExPack_Valheim and Jotunn are installed automatically as dependencies.
4. Start the game with Start modded.

Manual install

1. Install BepInExPack_Valheim into your Valheim folder by following its own instructions.
2. Install Jotunn into BepInEx/plugins.
3. Put FifthEditionFantasy.dll into BepInEx/plugins.
4. Start Valheim.

Checking that it loaded

• Open Settings > Keyboard & Mouse. A Fifth Edition Fantasy section should appear below the vanilla key list.
• In game, press L to open the character sheet.
• Interact with a trader such as Haldor. You should get the mod's vendor dialog, with a Shop button for the normal store.

If none of this happens, see the Troubleshooting section of the Multiplayer & FAQ page.

Your first character

A new or existing character starts with no race picked (plain vanilla Human), no class, level 1 and one unused feat pick. Everything is chosen on the character sheet, and the first pick costs nothing.

1. Open the character sheet

Press L. You can also use the character sheet tab button in the inventory screen, next to the vanilla tabs. Until you pick anything, the Character tab reads: "No race picked yet - visit the Race tab to choose one and get started."

Closing the inventory also closes the character sheet. The next time you open it, it starts on the Character tab with nothing selected.

2. Pick a race

1. Go to the Race tab.
2. Hover over or click a race to read its traits and abilities.
3. Click Change Race.

Your first race pick is free. After that it's locked: to choose a different race, use Reset Race, Class & Feats at a trader (200 coins). "Human" is on the list if you want the vanilla baseline with no racial traits. See the Races page.

3. Pick a class

1. Go to the Class tab.
2. Hover over or click a class to read what its abilities do.
3. Click Change Class.

Your first class pick is free, like race, and then locked until a trader reset. Picking a class opens Session Zero, where you set your ability scores. See the Classes page and Fifth Edition Rules.

4. Pick a subclass (when unlocked)

On the Class tab, click Choose Subclass. A window lists the subclasses for your current class. Click the Choose button under the one you want.

Your first subclass pick is free and then locked until a trader reset. A subclass only works while you have its class and have reached its unlock level.

5. Take a feat

1. Go to the Feats tab. The top line shows how many feat picks you have used (for example Feat picks: 0/1 used).
2. Click a feat to preview it. Hovering also shows its description and whether you meet its prerequisite.
3. Click Take This Feat.

The button only works if you have an unused pick, meet the prerequisite and don't already have the feat. Feats are permanent. The only way to remove them is the paid reset at a trader (see the Vendors & Appearance page). You get more picks at levels 4, 8 and 12. See the Feats page.

6. Check your spells

Open the Spells tab. Spells you already know are highlighted green. Click any spell to see what it does, its recast cooldown, and which classes, races, subclasses or feats grant it. You don't choose spells: you learn them automatically from your class, subclass, race and feats as you level.

If you know more spells than you use, select a known spell and click Toggle on/off. Spells that are off are skipped when you press O, and you can turn them back on the same way. See the Spells page.

First steps in the world

• Cast spells: press O to step through your known spells (Shift+O steps back) and P to cast the selected one. The spell list appears in the lower left of the screen, and the selected spell's icon sits next to your hotbar.
• Race abilities: press H. The Fairy and the Aesborn also have a second ability on J.
• Class abilities: press Z. Some classes also use X.
• Fly: if your race can fly, press F to take off. Hold Space to climb and Left Ctrl to descend.
• Spell slots and rests: cantrips only have a short cooldown. Leveled spells use spell slots (shown under the spell bar). Sit by a fire for 60 seconds for a short rest (heal with hit dice, some abilities come back) and sleep in a bed for a long rest (everything comes back). See Fifth Edition Rules.
• Level up: land at least one hit on a boss or miniboss, or be within 60 m when it dies, to earn a level. See the Leveling & Character Sheet page.

What changes compared to vanilla

• Traders: interacting with Haldor, Hildir or any other trader opens the mod's vendor dialog first. Click Shop to reach the normal store.
• Race traits: your race can change your size, carry weight, stealth, damage resistances and movement, and some races have restrictions (for example on heavy weapons). A character with no race picked plays like vanilla.
• Levels: your character has a level from 1 to 12. It is separate from Valheim's skill levels, which work as normal.
• Flight: some races can fly. Flying costs stamina while you move, and you can't fly while wearing heavy armor, carrying too much, swimming, sitting or inside a dungeon.
• New keys: the mod uses L, H, J, O, P, Z, X, F, N, M, B and Y by default. Rebind them if they clash with another mod. See the Controls & Settings page.
• Everyone in a multiplayer game needs the mod. See the Multiplayer & FAQ page.