If you've been anticipating an update for Valheim, you're not alone. The Valheim Ashlands update is here, and I'll tell you below how you can play it.
What is Valheim's Ashlands update?
It's been a while since we got a major Valheim update, until April 22nd when the Ashlands update went live in the Valheim public beta. This new update includes a brand new biome called Ashlands.
The biome is one of the penultimate realms in the game, bringing with it many difficult enemies and endgame content. Thus, if you haven't played in a while, or are just starting your Valheim experience, you may not want to jump right in. We've included a summary of what's included in the Ashlands update below.
Valheim Ashlands patch notes
- New Biome – Ashlands
- 30+ New weapons
- New bombs and ammunition
- 3 New armor sets
- 2 New capes
- 10+ New creatures
- 70+ New buildable items
- 5 New factory station updates
- 30+ New creative materials
- 15+ New foods and potions
- New places
- New music
- New events
- New mechanics
- Fixed Mead materials
- Standardized texts during the game
Related: Valheim weapon level list (2024)
Steps to play the Valheim Ashlands update
Currently, the Valheim Ashlands update is undergoing public testing before its release to the live version of the game. However, you can still access and play the update regardless of the platform you use to play Valheim.
How to play Valheim Ashlands update on Steam and Game Pass
- steam
- Right click on Valheim in your Steam library and enter properties
- Click betas on the left side of the box
- On the private beta box, type jesimadebackups
- After beating check codeclick on the beta participation dropdown menu and select the Ashlands update
Once you have completed this step, Steam will automatically start downloading an update for Valheim. Once the download is complete, you can launch the game and explore the brand new Ashlands update.
- Game Pass
- Install the Xbox Insider Hub application from the Microsoft Store
- After logging into it using your Xbox account, click the previews section
- Find the Valheim public test and join it
- Click open with the Xbox app and it will launch itself
Once you are taken to the Xbox app and the installation is done, you can launch the game to access the Valheim Ashlands update.
How to prepare for the Valheim Ashlands update
Before you jump in the game to play Ashlands, you want to remember that it is an endgame area. Progression from previous biomes is required to create new items or recipes, such as the item The Queen drops in the Mists. So, I highly recommend playing the rest of the game before venturing into the Ashlands.
It's also worth noting that new content and terrain only spawns in areas you haven't explored before. So, if you've already explored the Ashlands biome and don't realize the new content is coming, you should start a new game.
One more thing to keep in mind is that, as with every new update for a game, most of the mods don't work with Ashlands yet, and it will most likely take a while for them to be supported again. If you are someone who can't play without mods, I suggest you wait a bit.
For more on Valheim, be sure to check out All Valheim Cheat Codes, Commands, & Item List and How to make and use a Galdr Table in Valheim here on Pro Game Guides.
