Valheim’s progression is signposted by its bosses, each a deadly challenge that must be overcome for the next tier of play to be reached. However,Valheim’s lore hints at how the player’s journey forges a narrative parallel to the menagerie of antagonists that must be slain.
Valheim’s Ashlands update will be shaking upthe hierarchy of progression with a new boss and miniboss. Outside those participating in the Ashlands' public test, players can expect 6 bosses in a linear order. These enemies are especially brutal when compared to rank-and-file monsters, and with good reason;Valheim’s lore, told in the game’s opening and through etchings in stone, calls these bosses foes of Odin. The tenth realm is not only a gauntlet to test the mettle of slain vikings, but a prison for the nemeses of the Allfather.
Valheim’s Bosses Mirror The Player’s Story
The respective stories ofthe player and theValheim’s bossesrun in parallel. Both the player andValheim’s bosses are in the tenth realm because of Odin. In addition, both parties are confined; the bosses can’t escape, and the player’s acceptance into Valhalla hinges on their success. The similarities run deeper and deeper the more the game is inspected, forcing fans to question the game’s progression, the monsters that safeguard it, and their own allegiances.
Similarities Between The Player And The Bosses
Both the player andValheim’s bosses are effectively trappedin the plane. Moreover, just as there are multiple bosses, there are multiple vikings—not only in terms of multiplayer, but in terms of the realm’s history. Vikings who have been tested before in the tenth realm are the ones leaving behind the runestones that impart some vital lore to the player, with these carvings attributed to names like Ulf, Harald, Astrid, and more. Since boss trophies like Eikthyr’s say lines such as ‘So you were my death?’ suggest that the foe was finally slain by the player, it would imply that those before have failed. However, the existence of runestones referring to progression post-Eikthyr implies that these bosses must have been slain before only to rise again, just as the player does.
The Tragedy of Valheim’s Bosses
Through this lense, it’s easy to see the tragedy surroundingsome ofValheim’s bosses. Many creatures and bosses found withinValheimare said to be in the prison plane for their pride—a sin that, in the eyes of the gods, warrants imprisonment within the tenth realm. Moreover, the game’s opening text crawl phrases the continued existence of Valheim with the line ‘But it did not die’, suggesting that Odin may have expected the realm to die often after it was unbound from the world tree. The implication that this imprisonment was meant to be an execution is exceptionally ruthless.
Valheim’s first boss, Eikthyr, is the epitome of this tragedy. This stag’s name is similar to that of the mythological Eikthyrnir, who is said to be a stag from Valhalla. Eikthyr’s fall is also explicitly referenced in-game, with the in-game trophy menu noting him as being ‘Once the king of the forest’. When Eikthyr’s trophy is mounted, it will sometimes say ‘Tell Odin he may have broken this form, but the wilderness will never submit to his rules…’, which really puts the Allfather’s goals into question.
The bosses ofValheimfell to the tenth realm, while the player’s goal is to rise from it. However, both are struck there against their will. Considering how the seven bosses hinted at in runestones are already in the game (with Ashlands bringing the seventh), the final biome slated for the title may hold something different. PerhapsValheim’s lore is priming the playerfor a confrontation with Odin or one of his agents.
Valheim
WHERE TO PLAY
Valheimis a brutal exploration and survival game for 1-10 players set in a procedurally-generated world inspired by Norse mythology. Craft powerful weapons, construct longhouses, and slay mighty foes to prove yourself to Odin!EXPLORE THE TENTH WORLDExplore a world shrouded in mystery. Discover distinct environments with unique enemies to battle, resources to gather and secrets to uncover! Be a viking, sail the open seas in search of lands unknown, and fight bloodthirsty monsters.BUILD MIGHTY HALLSRaise viking longhouses and build bases that offer reprieve from the dangers ahead. Customise buildings, both inside and out, with a detailed building system. Progress through building tiers to upgrade, expand and defend your base.GATHER, CRAFT AND SURVIVEStruggle to survive as you gather materials and craft weapons, armor, tools, ships, and defenses. Decorate your hearths and sharpen your blades, grow crops and vegetables, prepare food, brew meads and potions, and progress as you defeat more difficult bosses and discover new recipes and blueprints.
