Top Valheim Mods for Streamlined Crafting, Mobile Building Plans, and Enhanced Exploration

The wait for my favorite Valheim mods to become compatible after the 1.0 launch wasn’t too long, and as expected, there’s a wealth of new fan-made features to explore. I’m still sifting through the latest creations, but here’s a roundup of some of the standout Valheim mods I’ve discovered so far, along with some tips on mod manager choices.

The question of which mod manager to use is a classic one, but I’ve been sticking with Gale for Valheim since it supports both Thunderstore and Hexium downloads. If you’re already using Thunderstore and prefer not to switch, that’s perfectly fine for that platform, but I appreciate Gale’s lightweight design and broader compatibility.

Most Valheim mods require BepInEx, and many others depend on Jotunn, so you’ll definitely need the first one, while the second is optional. I suggest installing both and launching Valheim before adding more mods. This approach helps you troubleshoot any basic issues—those modding best practices we all claim to follow. Download one, launch, and test it out.

Kicking off the list is Valheim Plus, which is loaded with options that can be toggled on or off, allowing for a customized experience. Returning modders might find Grantapher’s version a bit different, but it’s a community-driven fix after the original modder stopped updating, and it’s widely accepted as the go-to replacement.

While I enjoy Valheim’s randomly generated terrain and scattered ruins, I’ve always wished for a bit more variety in the landscape. Warpalicious’s mod exceeds my expectations by adding 188 custom locations, shipping ports, more NPCs, and random shrines that grant buffs.

Initially, I appreciated the extra building task, but I’ve grown tired of dedicating large areas of my base to portals. That’s where The Greatest Portal mod shines. Instead of constructing multiple portals, you only need one that provides a list of all the portals you’ve built across the world.

I’ve always wanted to plant items like berry bushes and mushrooms in Valheim, and Advize’s mod fulfills that wish by adding these options to the cultivator. I’m not concerned about how it affects resource balance; I just want a charming little bush in my garden for aesthetics.

I struggle to keep plants alive in real life, and my in-game gardening skills aren’t much better. PlantEasily helps me maintain my Valheim crops by providing a grid for optimal planting distances. I also appreciate the random rotation option, which prevents my fields from looking too symmetrical.

My favorite Valheim mod has to be PlanBuild, which allows you to create base blueprints without using any materials. You can save, relocate, and build these blueprints later, and I’m glad to see it well-maintained and updated post-1.0.

I used to use stairs and ladders as decorative elements on roofs, but I dreaded repairing those exposed to the rain. This tweak removes the hassle of climbing onto the roof to fix water-damaged items.

While I don’t usually go for custom furniture, I really enjoy the decorative barrels that add a unique touch to my Viking kitchens. They’re functional too, which is a nice bonus since I initially wanted them just for decoration.

One of my biggest frustrations with Valheim is the inability to craft directly from chests in the vanilla game. Azumatt’s mod addresses this by allowing for detailed configuration, so I can limit certain items and avoid wasting rare resources.

Valheim’s quick stack feature can be clunky, often leading to accidental chest openings while trying to merge items. This mod simplifies the process with a single button for various commands like quick stack, restock, and store all.

I appreciate the build menu update in the 1.0 launch, but the crafting benches still feel disorganized. Workbenches Plus introduces categories, sorting options, and keeps everything organized by biome.

Waiting in line for chest access can be frustrating, especially when multiple players want to use it. This mod allows several players to access a single chest simultaneously, reducing the urge to ask, “Are you done yet?”

I enjoy building in first-person and capturing scenic screenshots, but toggling console commands can be a hassle. Azumatt’s camera mod is ready for 1.0, and after a few sessions of using it the traditional way, I appreciate it more than ever.

While Valheim’s lighting is beautiful, this mod gives you more control and brightens previously dark areas. I might finally get to see what the Swamp looks like, and that alone makes it worthwhile.

Finding a ReShade preset that meets my expectations right away is rare, but this one looks fantastic. If you’re using a mod manager, you’ll need to install ReShade separately, but it’s definitely worth it for the visual enhancements. Plus, it’s a tool you can use in other games, making it my go-to tweak for modding.