Valheim raids (random events)
A raid is a wave of monsters the game sends at a player who is at their base. Every 46 minutes the game has a 20% chance to start one of the raids your world has unlocked, so with a raid available one starts about every 3 hours 50 minutes of play on average. It only targets a player standing within 20 m of at least 3 base pieces, such as a workbench, fire or bed, and it lasts 1 minute 20 seconds to 2 minutes 30 seconds.
- 20% every 46 min raid check at the default raid rate
- 3 base pieces within 20 m of you
- 18 raids unlocked by kills, 3 more by Hildir’s quests
- From the game files Valheim 1.0.21
How raids work
Read from the game’s random event system.
A roll every 46 minutesWhile the world runs, the game rolls every 46 minutes with a 20% chance. When it succeeds it picks one raid at random from those your world has unlocked and that a player can get right now. The Raid Rate world modifier multiplies the wait by its value and divides the chance by it; at a rate of 0 the game skips the roll.
Only at a baseA raid can only target a player standing within 20 m of at least 3 base pieces, in one of the raid’s biomes. The exception is the wolf hunt, which can find you anywhere in Mountains and Plains.
Boss kills decide which raidsEach raid needs certain bosses dead, and the bosses’ own armies stop once that boss is killed. The world’s progress counts, not yours, unless the world uses player based raids. The 3 quest raids (Brenna's raid, Geirrhafa's raid and Zil and Thungr's raid) need no kill: each becomes possible once you hand its chest back to Hildir.
1 minute 20 seconds to 2 minutes 30 seconds, paused when you leaveThe raid area is 96 m around the player it picked. The timer only runs while a player is inside it, so running away pauses the raid instead of ending it.
Raiders hunt you, then leaveRaid creatures go straight for players. Most spawn without stars; Tick, Skeleton, Skeleton (Meadows), Rancid Remains, Fenring, Cultist, Fuling and Fuling Berserker can roll up to 2 stars. When the raid ends they stop hunting, and once they have no target they walk away and vanish.
What each raid message means
The message that appears in the middle of your screen when a raid reaches you.
Every raid, in boss order
When each raid becomes possible, when it stops, where it can happen and what it sends.
Eikthyr's army
“Eikthyr rallies the creatures of the forest”
-
Possible oncethe world starts, until
Eikthyr is dead
Until Eikthyr
- Where Meadows and Black Forest, at a base At a base
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 1 minute 30 seconds
-
NeckUp to 2 at a time.
×2
-
BoarUp to 2 at a time.
×2
With player based raids: hits players who have not yet found
Antler Pickaxe,
Bronze Pickaxe,
Iron Pickaxe,
Hard Antler or
Eikthyr Trophy
The Elder's army
“The forest is moving...”
-
Possible once
Eikthyr is dead, until
The Elder is dead
Until The Elder
- Where Meadows, Swamp, Black Forest and Plains, at a base At a base
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 2 minutes
-
GreydwarfUp to 6 at a time, in groups of 1–3.
×6
-
GreylingUp to 4 at a time, in groups of 1–3.
×4
-
Greydwarf ShamanUp to 1 at a time.
×1
-
Greydwarf BruteUp to 1 at a time.
×1
With player based raids: hits players who have found
Antler Pickaxe,
Bronze Pickaxe,
Iron Pickaxe,
Hard Antler or
Eikthyr Trophy and not yet found
The Elder Trophy or
Swamp Key
Bonemass's army
“A foul smell from the swamp...”
-
Possible once
The Elder is dead, until
Bonemass is dead
Until Bonemass
- Where Meadows, Swamp, Mountains, Black Forest and Plains, at a base At a base
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 2 minutes 30 seconds
-
DraugrUp to 3 at a time.
×3
-
SkeletonUp to 6 at a time.
×6
With player based raids: hits players who have found
The Elder Trophy or
Swamp Key and not yet found
Bonemass Trophy or
Wishbone
Troll attack
“The ground is shaking”
-
Possible once
Troll and
The Elder are dead
For good
- Where Meadows, Swamp, Black Forest and Plains, at a base At a base
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 1 minute 20 seconds
-
TrollUp to 2 at a time.
×2
With player based raids: hits players who have found
The Elder Trophy or
Swamp Key
Bat swarm
“You stirred the cauldron”
Blob attack
“A foul smell from the swamp...”
-
Possible once
Bonemass is dead
For good
- Where Meadows, Swamp, Black Forest and Plains, at a base At a base
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 2 minutes
-
BlobUp to 5 at a time, in groups of 1–3.
×5
-
OozerUp to 2 at a time.
×2
With player based raids: hits players who have found
Bonemass Trophy or
Wishbone
Ghosts and wraiths
“You feel a chill down your spine...”
-
Possible once
Bonemass is dead
For good
- Where Meadows, Swamp, Mountains, Black Forest and Plains, at a base At a base
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 2 minutes 30 seconds
-
GhostUp to 3 at a time.
×3
-
WraithUp to 2 at a time.
×2
With player based raids: hits players who have found
Bonemass Trophy or
Wishbone and not yet found
Moder Trophy or
Dragon Tear
Moder's drakes
“A cold wind blows from the mountains”
-
Possible once
Bonemass is dead, until
Moder is dead
Until Moder
- Where Meadows, Swamp, Mountains, Black Forest and Plains, at a base At a base
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 2 minutes 30 seconds
-
DrakeUp to 3 at a time.
×3
With player based raids: hits players who have found
Bonemass Trophy or
Wishbone and not yet found
Moder Trophy or
Dragon Tear
Skeleton surprise
“A skeleton surprise!”
-
Possible once
Bonemass is dead
For good
- Where Meadows, Swamp, Mountains, Black Forest, Plains and Mistlands, at a base At a base
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 2 minutes
-
SkeletonUp to 20 at a time, in groups of 4–6.
×20
-
Rancid RemainsUp to 1 at a time.
×1
With player based raids: hits players who have found
Bonemass Trophy or
Wishbone
Surtling attack
“There's a smell of sulfur in the air...”
-
Possible once
Surtling and
Bonemass are dead
For good
- Where Meadows, Swamp, Black Forest and Plains, at a base At a base
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 2 minutes
-
SurtlingUp to 4 at a time.
×4
With player based raids: hits players who have found
Bonemass Trophy or
Wishbone
Wolf hunt
“You are being hunted...”
-
Possible once
Bonemass is dead
For good
- Where Mountains and Plains, anywhere Anywhere
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 2 minutes
-
WolfUp to 6 at a time.
×6
With player based raids: hits players who have found
Wishbone or
Bonemass Trophy
Fuling horde
“The horde is attacking!”
-
Possible once
Moder is dead, until
Yagluth is dead
Until Yagluth
- Where Meadows, Black Forest and Plains, at a base At a base
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 2 minutes
-
FulingUp to 8 at a time, in groups of 1–4.
×8
-
Fuling BerserkerUp to 2 at a time.
×2
-
Fuling ShamanUp to 1 at a time.
×1
With player based raids: hits players who have found
Dragon Tear or
Moder Trophy and not yet found
Yagluth Trophy or
Torn Spirit
Gjall attack
“What's up, Gjall?!”
-
Possible once
Yagluth is dead, until
The Queen is dead
Until The Queen
- Where Mistlands, at a base At a base
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 1 minute 30 seconds
-
GjallUp to 1 at a time.
×1
-
TickUp to 4 at a time, up to 2 ★.
×4
With player based raids: hits players who have found
Torn Spirit,
Wisplight or
Wisp and not yet found
Majestic Carapace
Seeker army
“They sought you out”
-
Possible once
Yagluth is dead, until
The Queen is dead
Until The Queen
- Where Black Forest, Plains, Ashlands, Deep North and Mistlands, at a base At a base
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 1 minute 30 seconds
-
SeekerUp to 3 at a time.
×3
-
Seeker BroodUp to 8 at a time.
×8
With player based raids: hits players who have found
Torn Spirit,
Wisplight or
Wisp and not yet found
Majestic Carapace
Charred army
“The undead army marches”
-
Possible once
The Queen is dead, until
Fader is dead
Until Fader
- Where Black Forest, Plains, Ashlands, Deep North and Mistlands, at a base At a base
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 1 minute 30 seconds
-
Charred WarriorUp to 2 at a time.
×2
-
Charred TwitcherUp to 3 at a time.
×3
-
Charred MarksmanUp to 3 at a time.
×3
Monuments of Torment
“The dead have been summoned”
-
Possible once
The Queen is dead, until
Fader is dead
Until Fader
- Where Black Forest, Plains, Ashlands, Deep North and Mistlands, at a base At a base
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 1 minute 30 seconds
- Monument of TormentUp to 3 at a time. ×3
-
Charred TwitcherUp to 3 at a time.
×3
Elaking uprising
“They emerge from below...”
-
Possible once
Eyeless One is dead, until
Kall Fimbulbringer — phase 3 is dead
Until Kall Fimbulbringer — phase 3
- Where Deep North, at a base At a base
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 1 minute 30 seconds
-
Eyeless OneUp to 2 at a time.
×2
-
ElakingUp to 10 at a time.
×10
-
Elaking — LanternUp to 3 at a time, at night.
×3
Krigen army
“The Jotun have found you”
-
Possible once
Krigen is dead, until
Kall Fimbulbringer — phase 3 is dead
Until Kall Fimbulbringer — phase 3
- Where Meadows, Swamp, Mountains, Black Forest, Plains, Deep North and Mistlands, at a base At a base
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 1 minute 30 seconds
-
KrigenUp to 3 at a time.
×3
-
ElakingUp to 3 at a time.
×3
Brenna's raid
“She's hot on your tail!”
-
Possible onceyou have returned
Hildir's Brass Chest to Hildir
For good
- Where Meadows, Swamp, Mountains, Black Forest, Plains, Ashlands, Deep North, Ocean and Mistlands, at a base At a base
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 1 minute 30 seconds
- BrennaUp to 1 at a time. ×1
-
SkeletonUp to 4 at a time, up to 2 ★, in groups of 1–2.
×4
-
Skeleton (Meadows)Up to 3 at a time, up to 2 ★, in groups of 1–2.
×3
-
Rancid RemainsUp to 1 at a time, up to 2 ★.
×1
With player based raids: hits players who have found
Hildir's Brass Chest
Geirrhafa's raid
“You get the chills...”
-
Possible onceyou have returned
Hildir's Silver Chest to Hildir
For good
- Where Meadows, Swamp, Mountains, Black Forest, Plains, Ashlands, Deep North, Ocean and Mistlands, at a base At a base
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 1 minute 30 seconds
- GeirrhafaUp to 1 at a time. ×1
-
FenringUp to 3 at a time, up to 2 ★, in groups of 1–2.
×3
-
CultistUp to 1 at a time, up to 2 ★.
×1
With player based raids: hits players who have found
Hildir's Silver Chest
Zil and Thungr's raid
“They were bros, man”
-
Possible onceyou have returned
Hildir's Bronze Chest to Hildir
For good
- Where Meadows, Swamp, Mountains, Black Forest, Plains, Ashlands, Deep North, Ocean and Mistlands, at a base At a base
- LastsCounted only while a player is within 96 m. 1 minute 30 seconds
- Zil & ThungrUp to 1 at a time. ×1
-
FulingUp to 4 at a time, up to 2 ★, in groups of 1–2.
×4
-
Fuling BerserkerUp to 1 at a time, up to 2 ★.
×1
With player based raids: hits players who have found
Hildir's Bronze Chest
What counts as a base
A raid needs a player within 20 m of at least 3 of these pieces. Walls, floors and chests do not count; fires, crafting stations, beds and lights do. Planning one? See your first base.
-
Artisan Table -
Ashwood Bed -
Ballista -
Bed -
Black Forge -
Blast Furnace -
Blue Standing Brazier -
Bonfire -
Campfire -
Charcoal Kiln -
Dragon Bed -
Dvergr Pole Lantern -
Dvergr Wall Lantern -
Eitr Refinery -
Eternal Pyre -
Fermenter -
Forge -
Frigid Kiln -
Frost Foundry -
Galdr Table -
Hanging Brazier -
Hearth -
Hooded Lantern -
Iron Fire Pit -
Lava Lantern -
Obliterator -
Portal -
Portal – Stone -
Resin Candle -
Sap Extractor -
Sconce -
Shield Generator -
Smelter -
Snow Lantern -
Spinning Wheel -
Standing Blue-burning Iron Torch -
Standing Brazier -
Standing Green-burning Iron Torch -
Standing Iron Torch -
Standing Wood Torch -
Stone Oven -
Stonecutter -
Ward -
Windmill -
Wisp Fountain -
Wisp Torch -
Workbench
8 world objects you cannot build count too, such as the campfires at the traders’ camps.
How to avoid or stop raids
What the game code allows; none of these needs mods.
Be away from your baseA raid only picks a player who is near 3 or more base pieces when the roll succeeds. Out exploring or at a small camp with fewer pieces, base raids cannot start on you.
Leave the area to pause itMoving more than 96 m from where it started pauses the timer. It resumes when someone comes back, so it does not end the raid.
Kill the boss to end its armyEikthyr’s, the Elder’s, Bonemass’s and Moder’s raids and the Fuling horde stop for good once their boss is dead. Later bosses unlock other raids instead.
Change the Raid RateThe Raid Rate world modifier (“Governs how often enemies may raid your base”) multiplies the 46-minute wait by its value and divides the 20% chance by it, and a rate of 0 skips the roll. The game’s Casual and Hammer presets say there are no raids on your base. None: No raids; Much Less: Raid checks every 92 minutes at a 10% chance; Less: Raid checks every 69 minutes at a 13.3% chance; Normal: every 46 minutes at 20%; More: Raid checks every 27.6 minutes at a 33.3% chance; Much More: Raid checks every 13.8 minutes at a 66.7% chance. All world modifiers
Questions
How often do raids happen in Valheim?
At the default raid rate the game rolls every 46 minutes with a 20% chance, so once a raid is possible one starts about every 3 hours 50 minutes of play on average. Nothing happens unless a player is at a base when the roll succeeds.
What does “The ground is shaking” mean?
It is the troll attack: up to 2 trolls come for your base. It is possible once a troll has been killed and The Elder is dead, and it lasts 1 minute 20 seconds.
What counts as a base for raids?
At least 3 base pieces within 20 m of you: fires, crafting stations, beds, portals, wards and lights. Walls, floors and storage do not count.
Can raids happen when nobody is home?
No. A raid starts at a player’s position, and its timer only runs while a player is within 96 m of it.
Do raid monsters have stars?
Mostly no. Tick, Skeleton, Skeleton (Meadows), Rancid Remains, Fenring, Cultist, Fuling and Fuling Berserker can roll up to 2 stars; every other raid creature spawns without stars.
How do you stop raids in Valheim?
Stay away from your base when you can, kill the boss whose army keeps coming, or lower the Raid Rate world modifier. Leaving the area only pauses a raid that has started.
Raids, messages, biomes, durations and spawns come from the RandEventSystem in the main scene of game build 26249040; base pieces from each build piece’s PlayerBase area. The 46-minute roll, the base rule, the pause and the despawn come from the game code (assembly 9f959c03…).

