Updated September 10, 2026
Valheim 1.0 is finally here, and it is much more than a version-number change.
The full release adds the Deep North, Valheim's final major biome and the culmination of its main progression, alongside new weapons, armor, creatures, building pieces, crafting materials, food, dungeons, events and progression systems. It also introduces several changes outside the new biome, including upgradeable pockets, a new draw-distance setting, alternate biome variants, achievements, new cinematics and additional quality-of-life improvements.
If you're starting Valheim for the first time, returning after years away, or bringing an established Viking into 1.0, this guide explains what to do first, how the Deep North progression works, how Bloodgold and Nord crafting fit together, and how to reach Kall Fimbulbringer.
Quick Answer
The most important things to know about Valheim 1.0 are:
- Deep North is Valheim's final major biome, completing the main biome progression.
- 1.0 adds 40+ weapons, four armor sets, two capes, two trinkets, new tools, 10+ creatures, 80+ building pieces, 30+ crafting materials and 20+ food items.
- The Deep North introduces a new progression centered around Petrified Tissue, Bloodgold, moulds, casts and the Frost Foundry.
- Gammeltrolls are an important source of Petrified Tissue, which is processed into Bloodgold.
- The Grappling Hook is one of the most useful tools to have before tackling the deepest parts of the Deep North.
- Winding Tunnels provide important materials and progression items.
- The Intricate Key is required to enter the locked section of the Gates of Mörkhalla.
- Mörkhalla leads into the Jotun Advance progression and the hunt for Malicious Blood.
- You need three Malicious Blood to summon Kall Fimbulbringer, the final boss.
- Valheim 1.0 has 53 achievements, including 16 hidden achievements.
- Existing worlds and characters remain usable, but Iron Gate recommends starting a new world for the best 1.0 experience.
📋 Table of Contents
- Should You Start a New World for Valheim 1.0?
- What to Do Before Entering the Deep North
- How Deep North Progression Works
- Gammeltrolls, Ember Charges and Petrified Tissue
- How to Get Bloodgold
- Frost Foundry and Frigid Kiln
- Nord Weapons and Armor
- How to Get the Grappling Hook
- Winding Tunnels
- How to Craft the Intricate Key
- Gates of Mörkhalla
- The Jotun Advance and Malicious Blood
- Kall Fimbulbringer: The Final Boss
- New Building Pieces in Valheim 1.0
- Other 1.0 Changes You Should Know
- Achievements in Valheim 1.0
- Best Way to Approach Valheim 1.0
- Valheim 1.0 FAQ
- Final Thoughts
Should You Start a New World for Valheim 1.0?
You don't have to, but starting fresh is the best way to experience 1.0.
Your existing worlds and characters remain playable after the update. New content can be experienced in an existing world, but newly generated biome content works best in areas that have not already been explored.
Iron Gate has recommended starting a new playthrough for the best overall 1.0 experience, while also recognizing that many returning players will want to take an established character straight toward the Deep North.
A fresh world is particularly useful because the 1.0 progression now stretches from the Meadows all the way through the Deep North.
Start a new world if you want:
- the complete intended progression;
- new boss cinematics and progression moments;
- fresh biome generation;
- the full 1.0 crafting journey;
- to discover the Deep North naturally;
- a clean achievement run.
Keep your existing world if:
- you've already completed most of the previous biome progression;
- you want to reach Deep North quickly;
- you have a large established base;
- you're playing with friends on an established server.
There is no requirement to abandon an old save.
For returning players with hundreds of hours invested in a world, continuing that save and exploring the new content is perfectly reasonable.
What to Do Before Entering the Deep North
The Deep North is the final major biome, so preparation matters more than simply carrying your strongest weapon.
You should arrive with enough infrastructure to support repeated expeditions rather than planning one trip and hoping everything goes perfectly.
Before heading north, prioritize:
- high-quality food;
- upgraded late-game weapons;
- strong armor;
- healing and stamina supplies;
- spare equipment;
- portal infrastructure;
- a safe base or forward outpost;
- enough storage;
- upgraded crafting stations;
- the Grappling Hook.
The last item deserves special attention.
The Deep North contains steep terrain and large vertical structures, and the Grappling Hook becomes particularly useful when dealing with locations such as the Gates of Mörkhalla.
Don't forget your Ashlands progression
The new Ember Charge progression depends on the Ember Monument, so your Ashlands progression still matters when preparing for the final biome.
If you're entering Deep North after completing the previous biome, make sure you have access to the Fader-related progression needed to generate Embers.
You should also have enough late-game infrastructure to support repeated trips between the Deep North and your main base.
How Deep North Progression Works
Deep North progression is more involved than simply finding a new ore and turning it into stronger equipment.
The basic progression looks like this:
Gammeltroll → Petrified Tissue → Bloodgold → moulds → casts → Frost Foundry → upgraded equipment → Intricate Key → Mörkhalla → Jotun Advance → Malicious Blood → Kall Fimbulbringer
That is the progression chain you should keep in mind when exploring the biome.
Several resources have a specific purpose, and some of the new equipment requires multiple crafting steps.
Instead of:
resource → weapon
you'll frequently be working through:
resource → processing → mould → cast → special crafting station → finished item
This is why exploring the Deep North thoroughly is more important than simply rushing toward the largest structures.
The new crafting loop is one of the biggest differences between Deep North progression and the earlier biome tiers.
Gammeltrolls, Ember Charges and Petrified Tissue
One of the most important early Deep North encounters is the Gammeltroll.
These enormous creatures are more than another enemy type.
When defeated, a Gammeltroll becomes petrified.
You can then use Ember Charges to destroy the petrified remains and obtain Petrified Tissue. That tissue becomes the raw material for the next major resource in the Deep North progression: Bloodgold.
How the Gammeltroll progression works
- Find and defeat a Gammeltroll.
- Wait for its remains to petrify.
- Use Ember Charges on the petrified remains.
- Collect Petrified Tissue.
- Process the tissue into Bloodgold.
The important part is that killing the Gammeltroll is only the first step.
If you leave the petrified remains behind, you haven't completed the resource-gathering process.
How to make Ember Charges
Ember Charges require Embers and Seal Pelts.
You obtain Embers through the new Ember Monument, while Seal Pelts come from seals found around the Deep North.
Once you have both resources, Ember Charges become your primary tool for breaking down Petrified Gammeltroll remains.
This also means your Deep North preparation begins before you even start farming Bloodgold.
How to Get Bloodgold
Bloodgold is one of the key materials in the new Deep North crafting system.
The progression is:
Petrified Gammeltroll → Petrified Tissue → Bloodgold
Petrified Tissue is processed in a Blast Furnace to produce Bloodgold.
Bloodgold then becomes a critical ingredient in the casting system.
That makes your first Gammeltroll encounters particularly valuable.
Don't spend Bloodgold casually
Once you begin collecting it, think of Bloodgold as an endgame crafting material rather than ordinary loot.
You'll need it for:
- casts;
- Deep North equipment;
- the Intricate Key;
- other advanced crafting progression.
The exact amount depends on what you're crafting, so it is better to establish a reliable Bloodgold supply before committing to a complete gear overhaul.
Frost Foundry and Frigid Kiln
The Frost Foundry is one of the defining pieces of the Deep North crafting system.
The new crafting process uses moulds to create casts, which are then processed through the Frost Foundry.
The Frigid Kiln produces the Liquid Frost needed by the foundry.
This creates a multi-step crafting loop:
Mould + materials → Cast → Frost Foundry + Liquid Frost → finished item
The Intricate Key is a good example of how this system works.
Frost Foundry
The Frost Foundry is where the final stage of the new casting process takes place.
You don't simply place raw Bloodgold into it.
Instead, you first create the appropriate cast at the Black Forge using the relevant mould and materials. The cast is then placed in the Frost Foundry and completed using Liquid Frost.
Frigid Kiln
The Frigid Kiln processes Ice into Liquid Frost.
Once you have both systems operating, you can complete casts that cannot simply be finished at your normal crafting stations.
This is why finding the materials for the Frost Foundry and Frigid Kiln should be one of your early Deep North priorities.
The Winding Tunnels are especially important because they provide the Frostcores needed for this new crafting infrastructure.
Nord Weapons and Armor
The new Nord equipment represents one of the major Deep North crafting tiers.
However, collecting a Nord mould does not automatically mean you can craft the corresponding item.
Your Black Forge must reach Level 4, using the Smith's Aprons upgrade, before you can properly work with the new Nord moulds.
The basic Nord crafting process
- Explore the Deep North.
- Find Nord moulds.
- Upgrade the Black Forge.
- Use the required Bloodgold and materials to create the appropriate casts.
- Process the casts through the Frost Foundry.
- Craft the finished Nord equipment.
This makes the new gear progression substantially more involved than a conventional biome upgrade.
Why you should prioritize moulds
A mould is effectively the recipe key for the new equipment system.
When exploring Deep North structures, don't simply search for finished weapons.
Look for the moulds that unlock your next equipment options.
The Winding Tunnels and Gates of Mörkhalla both become important parts of this progression, with deeper exploration providing access to more advanced equipment options.
Nord is not the only new weapon progression
The 1.0 weapon expansion is considerably larger than the Nord tier alone.
Iron Gate added more than 40 weapons overall, along with new bombs, ammunition, tools and other equipment. The Deep North therefore represents a broader endgame equipment expansion rather than a single replacement tier.
How to Get the Grappling Hook
The Grappling Hook is one of the most useful new traversal tools in Valheim 1.0.
You should obtain it before attempting the deeper stages of the Deep North.
Its biggest advantage becomes obvious when you encounter structures and terrain that cannot be approached efficiently from ground level.
The Grappling Hook is useful for:
- steep terrain;
- vertical shortcuts;
- difficult dungeon entrances;
- recovering from awkward terrain;
- reaching elevated structures;
- navigating the Gates of Mörkhalla.
The Mörkhalla entrance is particularly important.
The structure is a huge fortress-like location without a normal ground-level entrance, so you need to reach the upper section and work your way inside. The Grappling Hook is one of the most useful ways to make that approach.
If you're preparing for Deep North, don't treat the Grappling Hook as optional utility gear.
Winding Tunnels
The Winding Tunnels are one of the first major dungeon types you should explore in the Deep North.
They are important because they provide materials required for your new crafting infrastructure as well as progression items and moulds.
You should search them thoroughly rather than simply moving through them as quickly as possible.
Look for:
- Frostcores;
- equipment moulds;
- Intricate Key moulds;
- Deep North resources;
- progression materials;
- additional routes and rooms.
The Winding Tunnels help establish the crafting infrastructure you'll need before you can properly advance toward the Gates of Mörkhalla.
Don't assume every useful reward is sitting in an obvious chest. Thorough exploration matters because the new crafting system depends heavily on finding physical moulds.
How to Craft the Intricate Key
The Intricate Key is one of the most important progression items in the Deep North.
It is required to open the locked entrance inside the Gates of Mörkhalla.
The crafting process demonstrates the new mould-and-cast system particularly well.
You need:
- 5 Bloodgold
- Mould: Intricate Key
- a Black Forge
- a Frost Foundry
- a Frigid Kiln
- Ice for producing Liquid Frost
At the Black Forge, combine the Bloodgold and Intricate Key mould to create:
Cast: Intricate Key
Place that cast in the Frost Foundry.
Then use Liquid Frost produced by the Frigid Kiln to complete the process.
The finished Intricate Key can then be used on the locked doors inside the Gates of Mörkhalla.
The important lesson
Don't confuse the mould with the finished key.
The mould gives you the ability to create the cast.
The Frost Foundry is what completes the process.
Gates of Mörkhalla
The Gates of Mörkhalla are one of the most imposing locations in the Deep North.
From outside, the structure looks more like a fortress than a conventional dungeon.
There is no straightforward entrance at ground level.
How to enter
- Use the Grappling Hook or another suitable traversal method to reach the upper section.
- Once inside, descend through the structure until you reach the chained entrance.
- Use the Intricate Key to open it.
What is inside?
Mörkhalla contains some of the tougher Deep North enemies and important progression rewards.
You'll encounter enemies such as:
- Krigen
- Hexen
- Hexahedric Pulp
You should expect a much more dangerous environment than the earlier Winding Tunnels.
The deeper you go, the more important your Nord equipment, food preparation and recovery plan become.
Reach the bottom
Your immediate objective inside Mörkhalla is to reach the deepest section.
At the bottom, you'll find Malicious Ice.
Destroying it triggers the Jotun Advance and moves the progression beyond the dungeon itself.
This is the point where the Deep North begins connecting directly to a world-level threat.
The Jotun Advance and Malicious Blood
The Gates of Mörkhalla are not the end of the progression.
Once you've reached the bottom of the structure and destroyed the Malicious Ice, the Jotun Advance begins.
A Jotun invasion then appears elsewhere in the world.
This is an important change in how the final progression works.
You don't simply remain in the Deep North and collect everything you need.
Instead, the game sends you back into the older biomes to deal with the Jotun threat.
How the progression works
After triggering the Jotun Advance:
- Find the Jotun Invasion marker on the map.
- Travel to the affected area.
- Fight the Jotun enemies.
- Reach the Malicious Ice at the center of the invasion.
- Destroy it.
- Collect Malicious Blood.
- Return to the Deep North boss progression.
You need three Malicious Blood to summon Kall Fimbulbringer.
That means the Mörkhalla progression is not a one-time trip.
You need to repeat the required progression until you have all three pieces of Malicious Blood.
The final progression chain
Keep this sequence in mind:
Mörkhalla → Malicious Ice → Jotun Advance → Jotun Invasion → Malicious Ice → Malicious Blood
Repeat the necessary cycle until you have:
3 Malicious Blood
Then you're ready to summon Kall.
This is one of the most important things to understand before starting the final stretch because the final boss is not unlocked simply by completing Mörkhalla once.
Kall Fimbulbringer: The Final Boss
Kall Fimbulbringer is the final boss at the end of Valheim's main biome progression.
The final summon requires:
3 Malicious Blood
Offer the three Malicious Blood at Kall's altar to begin the final encounter.
This is the point where the entire Deep North progression comes together.
You've gone from:
Gammeltrolls → Bloodgold → advanced crafting → Nord gear → Mörkhalla → Jotun Advance → Malicious Blood
and finally arrive at the game's final boss.
Before summoning Kall
Don't make the final summon immediately just because you have three Malicious Blood.
Before starting the fight, make sure you have:
- your preferred endgame weapons fully upgraded;
- strong armor;
- multiple high-quality food options;
- healing supplies;
- stamina supplies;
- elemental resistance where appropriate;
- a nearby recovery route;
- spare equipment.
Kall is the culmination of the game's progression, so your preparation should reflect that.
Kall's rewards
Defeating Kall provides:
- Sacrificial Blood
- Crown Jewel
These are the rewards for completing the final boss encounter.
And importantly, defeating the final boss does not mean you have to stop playing.
Valheim remains a sandbox survival game after the main progression is complete.
New Building Pieces in Valheim 1.0
If combat isn't your main reason for returning, the building additions are significant.
Valheim 1.0 adds 80+ new buildable pieces, along with five new crafting-related building pieces.
The additional pieces give builders more freedom to create:
- larger halls;
- fortified settlements;
- northern strongholds;
- elaborate roofs;
- decorative structures;
- specialized crafting areas.
The Deep North also introduces new environmental considerations for building.
Snow changes building
In the Deep North, heavy snow can accumulate and needs to be cleared before you can build in certain areas.
Frozen surfaces also create a different movement problem, with ice-covered seas and ponds becoming slippery.
That means the final biome isn't simply a snowy visual replacement for the Plains or Ashlands.
The environment itself affects how you move and build.
Other 1.0 Changes You Should Know
The Deep North is the headline feature, but Valheim 1.0 changes much more.
Upgradeable Pockets
Inventory capacity can now be expanded through Deeper Pockets and Wider Pockets upgrades available through Haldor.
For long expeditions, this is one of the most practical additions in the entire update.
More carrying capacity means fewer unnecessary trips back to base and more room for Deep North materials.
New Draw-Distance Setting
Valheim 1.0 adds a dedicated Draw Distance setting.
This gives players additional control over how far environmental simulation is rendered, which can be useful when exploring large open areas.
Alternate Biome Variants
The outer edges of the world can now contain alternate versions of earlier biomes.
That means exploration remains less predictable even after you've already learned Valheim's original biome layouts.
Mysterious Idols and the Forge of Potential
1.0 also introduces mysterious idols that can be taken to the hidden Forge of Potential.
These provide another layer of late-game item progression outside the basic biome crafting chain.
Jotun Invasion
The Jotun aren't only part of the final dungeon progression.
The 1.0 update introduces new events connected to their invasion of Valheim.
This makes the final stage feel more like a world-wide threat rather than simply another biome to clear and leave behind.
More Character Customization
All hairstyles and beard styles are available from the start, making character customization less restrictive for new characters.
New Cinematics
1.0 adds new cinematics to the progression.
For returning players, this helps make the journey feel more like a complete adventure rather than a sequence of disconnected biome updates.
New Snow and Ice Mechanics
The Deep North adds environmental mechanics that affect everyday movement and construction.
Snow can interfere with building, while frozen seas and ponds can become slippery.
These details make preparation more important than simply equipping your strongest armor.
More World Locations and Events
The update also adds new locations, music, events, dreams, runestones and other world content.
Iron Gate's 1.0 notes confirm the broader addition of new locations, music, events, mechanics and achievements alongside the Deep North itself.
Achievements in Valheim 1.0
Valheim 1.0 has 53 achievements, including 16 hidden achievements.
They cover much more than boss progression.
You'll find achievements related to:
- exploration;
- bosses;
- combat;
- crafting;
- building;
- cooking;
- fishing;
- survival;
- gathering;
- difficult challenges;
- unusual deaths and discoveries.
Some achievements will unlock naturally as you play.
Others require deliberately stepping outside the normal progression.
Achievement tracking starts with 1.0
One important rule for returning players is that the achievement system starts tracking your statistics when you install 1.0.
Previously completed actions do not simply unlock every corresponding achievement retroactively.
So if you're trying to complete the achievement list, don't assume that an old character automatically has everything covered.
Be careful with cheats
Cheated items are visibly marked, and certain cheats and world modifiers can prevent achievements from being earned.
If achievement completion matters to you, the safest approach is to use a clean character and world from the beginning.
Steam currently lists 53 Steam achievements, while the 1.0 achievement breakdown identifies 16 as hidden.
Best Way to Approach Valheim 1.0
You don't need to rush straight to the Deep North.
For a new character, the best approach is still to follow Valheim's natural progression.
Early game
Focus on:
- food;
- shelter;
- basic tools;
- early weapons;
- Eikthyr;
- Black Forest progression.
Mid game
Build your infrastructure around:
- upgraded food;
- better armor;
- portals;
- transport;
- upgraded crafting stations;
- biome-specific preparation.
Late game
Before Deep North, make sure you have:
- strong late-game equipment;
- reliable food;
- spare gear;
- healing supplies;
- portal infrastructure;
- a good storage setup;
- Ember Monument access;
- Grappling Hook.
Deep North
Once you arrive:
- Establish a safe foothold.
- Explore the biome carefully.
- Hunt seals and collect materials.
- Find and defeat Gammeltrolls.
- Use Ember Charges on their petrified remains.
- Collect Petrified Tissue.
- Process it into Bloodgold.
- Explore the Winding Tunnels.
- Collect Frostcores and moulds.
- Build the Frost Foundry and Frigid Kiln.
- Upgrade the Black Forge for Nord crafting.
- Craft the equipment you need.
- Create the Intricate Key.
- Enter the Gates of Mörkhalla.
- Descend to the Malicious Ice.
- Trigger the Jotun Advance.
- Travel to the Jotun Invasion.
- Destroy the Malicious Ice there.
- Collect Malicious Blood.
- Repeat the progression until you have three.
- Prepare for the final encounter.
- Offer the three Malicious Blood and summon Kall Fimbulbringer.
This approach gives you a clear progression path without forcing you to blindly explore the final biome.
Is Valheim 1.0 Worth Starting Over For?
For new players, absolutely.
For returning players, it depends on how far you got before leaving Valheim.
If you stopped during the early-access years, 1.0 is a much more complete experience. The game now has a definitive final major biome, a final boss, a deeper endgame crafting system, new exploration mechanics, additional building options and a large achievement system.
Existing players don't need to abandon their old worlds, either.
If your base represents hundreds of hours of work, continuing that world and heading toward the Deep North is completely reasonable.
But if your previous save is years old and you want to experience the progression exactly as intended, a fresh world is the better choice.
Valheim 1.0 FAQ
Is Valheim 1.0 a free update?
Yes. Existing owners receive the 1.0 version as an update rather than purchasing the game again.
Do I need to start a new world?
No. Existing worlds remain playable.
However, Iron Gate recommends starting a new world for the best 1.0 experience, and newly generated biome content is best experienced in unexplored areas.
What is the Deep North?
The Deep North is Valheim's final major biome and the endgame region added with version 1.0.
What do I need before entering the Deep North?
Bring strong late-game equipment, high-quality food, healing and stamina supplies, spare gear, portal infrastructure and preferably the Grappling Hook.
How do you get Bloodgold?
Defeat a Gammeltroll, destroy its petrified remains with Ember Charges to obtain Petrified Tissue, then process the tissue in a Blast Furnace to produce Bloodgold.
What is the Frost Foundry?
The Frost Foundry is a new Deep North crafting station used to turn casts into finished items using Liquid Frost.
What is the Frigid Kiln?
The Frigid Kiln processes Ice into Liquid Frost, which is then used by the Frost Foundry.
How do you craft the Intricate Key?
Use 5 Bloodgold and the Intricate Key mould at the Black Forge to create a Cast: Intricate Key. Put the cast in the Frost Foundry and supply Liquid Frost from the Frigid Kiln to complete the key.
Where do you use the Intricate Key?
Use it on the locked entrance inside the Gates of Mörkhalla.
What are the Winding Tunnels?
Winding Tunnels are a new Deep North dungeon type containing important materials and progression items, including resources needed for the new crafting infrastructure.
What are the Gates of Mörkhalla?
The Gates of Mörkhalla are a major Deep North fortress-like dungeon. You need to reach the upper part, enter the structure and use the Intricate Key on its locked interior entrance.
What happens inside Mörkhalla?
You descend through the dungeon and eventually encounter Malicious Ice. Destroying it triggers the Jotun Advance and begins the progression toward Malicious Blood.
How many Malicious Blood do you need for Kall?
You need 3 Malicious Blood to summon Kall Fimbulbringer.
Who is the final boss in Valheim 1.0?
The final boss is Kall Fimbulbringer, encountered at the end of the Deep North progression.
How many achievements are in Valheim 1.0?
There are 53 achievements, including 16 hidden achievements.
Can I earn achievements on my old character?
Yes, but 1.0 achievement tracking has specific rules. Previously completed actions do not simply unlock every corresponding achievement retroactively.
Can cheats affect achievements?
Yes. Cheated items are marked, and certain cheats and world modifiers can block achievement progress.
Can I play Valheim 1.0 with friends?
Yes. Valheim supports 1–10 players.
Does Valheim 1.0 support crossplay?
Yes. Valheim 1.0 supports crossplay across its supported platforms, including PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2.
Can I continue playing after defeating Kall?
Yes. Defeating the final boss does not turn Valheim into a finished save-state. You can continue exploring, building, crafting and completing achievements in your world.
Final Thoughts
Valheim 1.0 finally gives the game a true endgame destination.
The Deep North isn't simply another snowy biome with stronger enemies.
Its progression introduces a new crafting loop built around Petrified Tissue, Bloodgold, moulds, casts, the Frost Foundry and Nord equipment.
The Grappling Hook changes how you approach vertical exploration. The Winding Tunnels provide the resources needed to establish your final crafting infrastructure. The Intricate Key opens the way into the Gates of Mörkhalla, where the progression shifts toward the Jotun Advance and Malicious Blood.
And eventually, three Malicious Blood lead you to Kall Fimbulbringer, the final boss.
But you don't need to rush there.
Build your hall. Upgrade your food. Expand your storage. Set up your portals. Hunt the Gammeltrolls. Learn the new crafting system. Explore the frozen north one dangerous expedition at a time.
Then, when you're ready, climb the walls of Mörkhalla and see what waits beyond the final gate.
Valhalla can wait.
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