BetterCrossbows

Enhanced crossbow mechanics for Valheim with configurable reload times, movement freedom, and stamina management. Features ServerSync for multiplayer compatibility.

Features

🏹 Crossbow Enhancements

• Configurable Reload Time: Adjust crossbow reload speed (1-10 seconds, default 4)
• Reload While Running: Removes movement restrictions, allowing reloading while running, jumping, or performing other actions
• Stamina Management: Option to disable stamina drain during reload

🧠 Smart Reload System

• Movement Freedom: When enabled, crossbows can reload while running
• Stamina Control: Toggle stamina consumption during reload on/off
• Immediate Application: Changes apply instantly to all crossbows

Installation

Install with your mod manager, or drop BetterCrossbows.dll into BepInEx/plugins.

Configuration

ServerSync Settings

• Lock Configuration: When enabled, only server admins can change settings

Crossbow Settings

• Crossbow Enabled: Main functionality toggle
• Crossbow Loading Time: Reload duration in seconds (1-10, less = faster)
• Reload While Running: Remove movement restrictions to allow reloading while running/jumping
• Reload Stamina Drain: Toggle stamina consumption during reload

Recommended Mods

Pair BetterCrossbows with SaveCrossbowState by Azumatt for a better crossbow experience. SaveCrossbowState saves crossbow loaded state when switching weapons, preventing unnecessary reloads.

Compatibility

• Built against Valheim 1.0 (build 25185596).
• Requires BepInExPack Valheim 5.4.2350 or newer.
• Install on both the client and the server. Settings are synchronized with ServerSync, and the server's values take precedence while Lock Configuration is enabled.

Changelog

See CHANGELOG.md for version history.

Credits

• ServerSync - server-authoritative configuration syncing, merged into the plugin DLL.

License

This mod is provided as-is for the Valheim community.

Changelog

[1.1.0] - 2026-09-09

Changed

• Updated for Valheim 1.0 (requires BepInExPack Valheim 5.4.2350 or newer)
• Bundled ServerSync updated to v1.20, recompiled for Valheim 1.0.
• Renamed the Reload While Moving setting to Reload While Running, which is what it actually controls. The old entry is left behind in existing config files and the new one starts at its default, so re-apply it if you had changed it.

Fixed

• Crossbow reload threw on Valheim 1.0. The reload queue and equipped-item lookups reached for members that are not public in the shipped game, which threw as soon as a crossbow was equipped.
• Changing any setting in-game logged an error and stopped the change syncing to other players.

[1.0.1] - 2025-01-31

Updated

• Mod icon

[1.0.0] - 2025-01-31

Added

• Crossbow Enhancements

  • Configurable reload time (1-10 seconds)
  • Reload while moving functionality
  • Stamina management during reload
  • Automatic crossbow detection

• Smart Reload System

  • Movement freedom during reload
  • Configurable stamina consumption
  • Immediate application of changes
  • Crossbow-specific optimizations

• ServerSync Integration

  • Multiplayer configuration synchronization
  • Server admin control with lock functionality
  • Automatic config syncing between server and clients

• Configuration Options

  • Independent toggles for all features
  • Real-time application of configuration changes
  • BepInEx Configuration Manager integration