> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.wasabihosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Valheim Server Hosting — Getting Started

> Learn the basics of Valheim server hosting with Wasabi Hosting — dedicated server benefits, world persistence, BepInEx mods, crossplay, and how to launch your Viking world.

Valheim is a co-op Viking survival game best experienced with friends — building longhouses, sailing to new biomes, and getting flattened by trolls together. A dedicated server takes the experience further: your world runs 24/7, nobody depends on the host being online, and up to **10 players** can explore the same persistent world.

Your Valheim server at Wasabi Hosting is managed through the [Wasabi Hosting Game Panel](https://panel.wasabihosting.com) with a live console, File Manager, Backups, Schedules, and Startup parameter editing — plus SFTP access for moving world files around.

## Why Run a Dedicated Server?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Always online" icon="clock">
    Friends can play anytime — the world doesn't disappear when the "host" logs off, and there's no host-migration pain.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Persistent world" icon="floppy-disk">
    Your world saves live on the server (`.db`/`.fwl` files) with automatic saves and configurable backups.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Up to 10 players" icon="users">
    The dedicated server supports up to 10 concurrent Vikings — the practical maximum for Valheim's networking.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Better connection quality" icon="network-wired">
    No peer-to-peer relaying through Steam — everyone connects directly to a low-latency datacenter server.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Vanilla, Modded, or Crossplay?

* **Vanilla** — the game as Iron Gate ships it. Zero maintenance beyond updates, and the only option that keeps full crossplay support.
* **Modded** — Valheim has a huge modding scene built on the **BepInEx** mod loader (via Thunderstore): quality-of-life tweaks, new items, epic loot systems, and building expansions. Most gameplay mods must be installed on both the server and every player's client. See [installing mods](/games/valheim/install-mods).
* **Crossplay** — adding the `-crossplay` startup flag lets Xbox and Microsoft Store players join via a join code. Note that crossplay and BepInEx mods generally don't mix — modded servers should run Steam-only.

## World Persistence

Your world is stored as a pair of files (`WorldName.db` and `WorldName.fwl`) in the server's `worlds_local` folder. You can upload an existing world from your PC to the server (or download the server world to play it locally) using the File Manager or SFTP — the [server configuration guide](/games/valheim/server-configuration) shows exactly how. Automatic backups on the panel add an extra safety layer ([backups guide](/server/backups)).

## Valheim Server Guides

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Join Your Server" icon="plug" href="/games/valheim/join-server">
    Connect via the Steam server browser, Join IP, or crossplay join code.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Server Configuration" icon="gears" href="/games/valheim/server-configuration">
    Startup parameters, world files, passwords, ports, and save behavior.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Install Mods" icon="puzzle-piece" href="/games/valheim/install-mods">
    Set up BepInEx and manage server-side and client-synced mods.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Admin Commands" icon="shield-halved" href="/games/valheim/admin-commands">
    Adminlist, whitelist, bans, and the in-game console.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Quick Start

<Steps>
  <Step title="Order and deploy">
    Order your server — it deploys automatically about 2 minutes after payment.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set name, world, and password">
    In the panel's **Startup** tab, set your server name, world name, and a password (minimum 5 characters).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start and join">
    Start the server from the Console page, then [join it](/games/valheim/join-server) via Join IP or Steam favorites.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add admins">
    Put your SteamID64 in `adminlist.txt` — see [admin commands](/games/valheim/admin-commands).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Why Host Valheim with Wasabi?

Valheim's server is famously single-thread bound — world simulation runs on one core, so raw per-core CPU speed directly determines how smooth your server feels with a full crew and a mega-base.

* **AMD Ryzen 7950X3D / 9950X CPUs** with DDR5 RAM — top-tier single-core performance where Valheim needs it.
* **NVMe SSDs** — fast world saves with no lag spikes on autosave.
* **DDoS protection included** (GCore, 200+ Tbps) on our own network (AS215370) at no extra cost.
* **Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Ashburn (US East)** — pick the location closest to your crew.
* **Deployed in \~2 minutes** after payment; upgrades keep all your files; 24/7 support.

<Card title="Order Your Valheim Server" icon="rocket" href="https://wasabihosting.com/game-servers/valheim">
  Valheim server hosting from **€7.49/month** — Ryzen X3D performance, NVMe storage, DDoS protection, and 24/7 support. Deployed in about 2 minutes.
</Card>

New to the panel? Start with the [getting started guide](/getting-started), or hop into our [Discord](https://discord.wasabihosting.com) if you need a hand.