Valheim Ashlands update: how to play and what’s new

The desolate Ashlands undergoes a dramatic transformation in the new Valheim update, introducing fresh perils across the terrain. Even seasoned explorers will encounter unique points of interest that have been revamped for the latest version. If you’re eager to dive into the unknown, here’s a glimpse of what’s in store with the Valheim Ashlands update and how to play it. 

How to play Valheim Ashlands update

While the Valheim Ashlands update is not yet part of the base game, players have a unique chance to get a sneak peek by participating in the Public Test version. As per the Valheim official page, here’s how you can get in on the action:

1. Open Steam
2. Go to your Steam library
3. Right-click on Valheim and select ‘Properties’
4. Select ‘Beta’
5. Type in ‘yesimadebackups’

If you have a Microsoft or PC Game Pass, you can still join the Valheim Ashlands Public Test through the Xbox Insider Hub app. Simply navigate to ‘Previews’ and select ‘Valheim Public Test’ to join. You must complete the registration process to download the required Beta patch.

Since both versions are a part of the Public Test, you may encounter bugs or other problems while Valheim Ashlands is in its Beta stage. More patches will likely arrive before its Live version to improve it for the final rendition. 

What’s new in the Valheim Ashlands update?

Get ready for an exhilarating adventure in the Valheim Ashlands update, packed with a plethora of new features. From powerful weapons to formidable creatures and innovative crafting tools, there’s something for every player. Without giving away any spoilers, here’s what to expect:

• 10+ New creatures
• 30+ New weapons
• New bombs and ammunitions
• 70+ New buildable items
• 5 New crafting station upgrades
• 30+ New crafting materials
• 3 New armour sets
• 2 New capes
• 15+ New food items and potions
• New locations
• New music
• New events
• New mechanics

The biggest stars of the show are the new creatures and weapon builds, which will bring on some challenging feats. Some of the latest features, including armor, enemies, and locations, were shown in the Valheim: Ashlands Gameplay Trailer:

Iron Gate suggests starting a new game if you’ve previously explored the Ashlands before the update. This is due to a terrain change that can significantly impact your previous world. For example, houses built in the Ashland base game version may no longer be accessible as the ocean floors rise and the terrain lowers. 

The developers also recommend backing up any files and defeating the Queen in the Mistlands. These suggestions ensure a better experience for the Valheim Ashlands update, whether you are just starting out or are a veteran player. Nevertheless, beginners should familiarize themselves with the game’s world since Ashlands is regarded as one of the most challenging biomes, especially with the new update. 

If you don’t mind seeing spoilers, you can check out the official patch notes for the Valheim Ashlands update:

Valheim Ashlands patch notes

Mechanics:
* Beware the skies! Cinders rain down from above in the Ashlands, causing damage to those who are unprotected
* Wooden build pieces can now catch fire in the Ashlands – and the fire spreads!
* A new world modifier that allows fire to spread outside of the Ashlands as well (part of the immersive preset)
* Deadly lava takes up large parts of the landscape; traverse it with your very own platforms
* Lay claim to Charred Fortresses with two new Siege Machines
* New plantable Ashvines will grow on the walls of your base
* Combine your Flametal weapons with gems (Bloodstone, Iolite & Jade) in order to upgrade them to magical weapons (giving them blood, storm and nature based effects respectively)
* The waters in and around the Ashlands are boiling hot, and only the sturdiest of ships can sail them

Creatures:
* Enemy: Fallen Valkyrie
* Enemy: Charred Warrior
* Enemy: Charred Archer
* Enemy: Charred Warlock
* Enemy: Charred Twitcher
* Enemy Turret: Skugg
* Enemy: Morgen
* Enemy: Bonemaw Serpent
* Enemy/creature: Asksvin (tameable & rideable)
* Creature: Asksvin Calf
* Enemy: Volture
* Enemy: Lava Blob
* NPC/Enemy: Redbeard Dvergr
* Boss: Fader
* Miniboss: Lord Reto
* Spawner: Monument of Torment
* Spawner: Effigy of Malice

Crafting:
* Material: Majestic Carapace (previously Queen Drop)
* Material: Fader Relic (placeholder item)
* Material: Asksvin Hide
* Material: Asksvin Bladder
* Material: Asksvin Tail
* Material: Morgen Heart
* Material: Morgen Sinew
* Material: Celestial Feather
* Material: Bonemaw Scale
* Material: Bonemaw Meat
* Material: Bonemaw Tooth
* Material: Volture Meat
* Material: Volture Egg
* Material: Charred Skull
* Material: Charred Bone
* Material: Pot Shard
* Material: Bell Shard
* Material: Dyrnwyn Fragments x3
* Material: Bloodstone
* Material: Jade
* Material: Iolite
* Material: Flametal Ore (previous Flametal is now obsolete)
* Material/craftable: Flametal (previous Flametal is now obsolete)
* Material: Sulfur
* Material: Ashwood
* Material: Grausten
* Material: Charcoal Resin
* Material: Proustite Powder
* Material: Asksvin Neck
* Material: Asksvin Skull
* Material: Asksvin Ribcage
* Material: Asksvin Pelvis
* Material: Charred Cogwheel
* Material: Molten Core
* Material/craftable: Ceramic Plate
* Materia/craftable: Shield Core
* Plantable: Ashvine Seeds
* Artisan Table extension: Artisan Press
* Galdr Table extension: Feathery Wreath
* Cauldron extension: Rolling Pins and Cutting Boards
* Black Forge extension: Metal Cutter
* Black Forge extension: Gem Cutter
* Craftable: Bell
* Resource location: Lavaiathans
* Misc: Asksvin Egg

Craftable Items:
* Weapon: Dyrnwyn (sword)
* Weapon: Slayer (greatsword)
* Weapon: Brutal Slayer (greatsword)
* Weapon: Scourging Slayer (greatsword)
* Weapon: Primal Slayer (greatsword)
* Weapon: Nidhögg (sword)
* Weapon: Nidhögg the Bleeding (sword)
* Weapon: Nidhögg the Thundering (sword)
* Weapon: Nidhögg the Primal (sword)
* Weapon: Flametal Mace
* Weapon: Bloodgeon (mace)
* Weapon: Storm Star (mace)
* Weapon: Klossen (mace)
* Weapon: Berserkir Axes
* Weapon: Bleeding Berserkir Axes
* Weapon: Thundering Berserkir Axes
* Weapon: Primal Berserkir Axes
* Weapon: Ash Fang (bow)
* Weapon: Blood Fang (bow)
* Weapon: Storm Fang (bow)
* Weapon: Root Fang (bow)
* Weapon: Ripper (crossbow)
* Weapon: Wound Ripper (crossbow)
* Weapon: Storm Ripper (crossbow)
* Weapon: Root Ripper (crossbow)
* Weapon: Splitnir (spear)
* Weapon: Splitnir the Bleeding (spear)
* Weapon: Splitnir the Storming (spear)
* Weapon: Splitnir the Primal (spear)
* Shield: Flametal Shield (with multiple styles!)
* Shield: Flametal Tower Shield (with multiple styles!)
* Weapon: Trollstav (blood magic)
* Weapon: Staff of the Wild (elemental magic)
* Weapon: Dundr (elemental magic)
* Weapon: Staff of Fracturing (elemental magic)
* Armour Set: Flametal Breastplate, Flametal Greaves, Flametal Helmet
* Armour Set: Robes of Embla, Trousers of Embla, Hood of Embla
* Armour Set: Breastplate of Ask, Trousers of Ask, Hood of Ask
* Cape: Asksvin Cloak
* Cape: Ashen Cape
* Misc: Asksvin Saddle
* Bomb: Basalt Bomb
* Bomb: Smoke Bomb
* Ammunition: Grausten Payload
* Ammunition: Explosive Payload
* Ammunition: Charred Arrow
* Ammunition: Charred Bolt
* Ammunition: Flametal Missile

Build pieces & furniture:
* Building Pieces: 25 Ashwood Pieces (Ashwood Wall, Ashwood Half Wall, Ashwood Quarter Wall, Ashwood Arched Wall, Ashwood Decorative Wall, Ashwood Decorative Window, Ashwood Divider, Ashwood Floor 2×2, Ashwood Floor 1×1, Ashwood Decorative Floor, Ashwood Arch, Ashwood Beam 1m, Ashwood Beam 2m, Ashwood Pole 1m, Ashwood Pole 2m, Ashwood Beam 26°, Ashwood Roof Cross 26°, Ashwood Beam 45°, Ashwood Roof Cross 45°, Ashwood Wall 26°, Ashwood Wall 26° Inverted, Ashwood Wall 45°, Ashwood Wall 45° Inverted, Ashwood Stair, Ashwood Door)
* Building Pieces: 26 Grausten Pieces (Grausten Steep Stairs, Grausten Stairs, Grausten Floor 1×1, Grausten Floor 2×2, Grausten Floor 4×4, Grausten Small Pillar, Grausten Medium Pillar, Grausten Tapered Pillar, Grausten Tapered Pillar Inverted, Grausten Small Beam, Grausten Medium Beam, Grausten Small Arch, Grausten Medium Arch, Grausten Wall Arch, Grausten Wall Arch Inverted, Grausten Wall 1×2, Grausten Wall 2×2, Grausten Wall 4×2, Grausten Window 2×2, Grausten Window 4×2, Grausten Roof, Grausten Roof Corner, Grausten Arched Roof (2), Grausten Arched Roof, Grausten Arched Roof Corner (2))
* Building Piece: Flametal Gate
* Defence: Ashwood Stakewall
* Stack: Ashwood Stack
* Stack: Grausten Pile
* Stack: Pile of Skulls
* Stack: Bone Stack
* Furniture: Ashwood Bed
* Furniture: Bone Throne
* Furniture: Lava Lantern
* Furniture: Asksvin Rug
* Furniture: Straw
* Furniture: Small Green Pot
* Furniture: Medium Green Pot
* Furniture: Large Green Pot
* Furniture: Ashwood Bench
* Furniture: Asksvin Skeleton
* Siege Machine: Catapult
* Siege Machine: Battering Ram
* Ship: Drakkar
* Misc: Shield Generator
* Misc: Portal – Stone

Food & Potions:
* Food: Cooked Volture Meat
* Food: Cooked Bonemaw Meat
* Food: Cooked Asksvin Tail
* Food: Fiddlehead
* Food: Fiery Svinstew
* Food: Marinated Greens
* Food: Mashed Meat
* Food: Piquant Pie (cooked/uncooked)
* Food: Roasted Crust Pie (cooked/uncooked)
* Food: Scorching Medley
* Food: Sizzling Berry Broth
* Food: Smoke Puff
* Food: Sparkling Shroomshake
* Food: Spicy Marmalade
* Food: Vineberry Cluster
* Mead: Lingering Healing Mead
* Mead: Lingering Eitr Mead

Misc:
* Location: Ruins (multiple)
* Location: Redbeard Dvergr Outposts
* Location: Putrid Hole
* Location: Charred Fortress
* Event: “The undead army marches”
* Event: “The dead have been summoned”
* Lore: New stones
* Lore: New dreams
* Lore: New Munin dialogue
* New music
* New forsaken power
* Terrain changes for Ashlands (Ashlands is now cut off from other biomes, only accessible by sea)

Fixes & Improvements:

* Fixed Major Healing Mead material
* Fixed Minor Eitr Mead Material
* Standardised texts throughout the game
* Updated names for old Flametal items
* The popup for unlocking new things is displayed longer

The Valheim Ashlands patch notes give you a better idea of what to anticipate before diving into the latest features. They also provide an update on general fixes and improvements for those who have experienced problems in the base game.