Just backup critical game files, because, while the chances a mod will harm your computer are minuscule, they can be much greater that you'll screw up something with the game. That depends on how the game handles mods, and how extensively you try to mod it. It can get complicated when using mods from the Nexus.

You won't get in trouble for modding the game. However, mods are not officially supported nor licensed in any way. That means you could potentially download malware, break the game and so on.

I suggest sticking to known mods and widely used mod managers and websites like Nexusmods and Thunderstore.

I mod any game that allows it, and most of those mods come from The Nexus. I also use the Vortex mod manager with no issues from their site as well. Yes there are risks involved with installing mods, like say breaking your game and you'll have to start again, but your account will never be touched by these mods. Easy to install, easy to uninstall and delete if need be. They always add more to a game, because to me, vanilla games get boring after the first play-through for me. The devs don't care about you using mods. lols Neither does Valve xD The same applies to any other game on Steam that can be modded--and there's so many. The Nexas has an ever-growing library of games to find mods for.

Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it.

No, Valve doesn't care about third party gaming mods. I use mods for 1/20th of my 560+ game library and have been for over a decade.

Also, IronGate developers will never respond in the Steam forums. If you want a direct response, you can try their Discord. However, they require you to verify your account for spam, by doing a one time mobile phone SMS check.

Edited for punctuation. The "No" is about Valve not caring. ^_^

Not a developer nor Valve, So you can take my answer with however much salt as you'd like.

But the answer is 'Yes'.

You also aren't likely to get an answer from the developer; And you definitely will not get a response from Valve in this topic.


For this specific game, If you trust the source from which an external mod comes from, Then it is safe to use it.

For most other games, It's GENERALLY safe to use external mods; Especially if it's a singleplayer game.

The games it wouldn't be safe or that I would be dubious of have VAC protection (Valve Anti Cheat) or some other form of cheat protection. And even in those cases, often mods are safe to use. EG: L4D2 has VAC protection but you can mod it up anyway.

Speaking generally, if there's a presence on a well known modding site like NexusMods (https://www.nexusmods.com/valheim/mods/) then it's pretty certainly safe to mod the game.

The Steam Workshop isn't really about making mods that are 'safe to use' with the game; It's about ease of access for the end user. Instead of having to fuss around with files and extracting them to the right location, etc, etc, you can just click a subscribe button and go.

The workshop also puts the file control in Valve's hands, So the risk of getting a malicious file from an untrustworthy source is heavily mitigated; Which is very useful for people that aren't computer or internet savvy.


Anywho, the TL;DR is, You're fine to mod Valheim up with external mods; Install Valheim plus and have a blast. Just make sure you can trust the source from which you get the mod and verify that the source is actually the source- Typical computer etiquette stuff.

You're not going to get in trouble for modding this game by either the Devs or Steam. You're not risking your account, either -- EXCEPT that by modding, you do run the risk (however small) of getting a virus or keylogger.

That said, Nexus is pretty thorough in the steps they take to prevent said viruses or keyloggers, and I have never had a problem with them for other games. I would recommend you take a look at the steps they (or any other mod provider) take to ensure your safety / that the files aren't infected, and make sure you're comfortable with what they're doing (and then still, run the occasional virus scan, which you should be doing anyway!).

The only real PROBLEM in modding (and this goes for workshop AND non-workshop modded games) is that when the game updates, the mods break. Mods are NOT supported by the studio (yet, possibly ever?), which means modders are not getting kits (or advance info on what's changing) to get their mods updated before a patch launches.

That results (often) in mods that are broken for a few weeks after the game patches. If your server has mods on it that don't immediately update, that means you have to wait until they're updated for you and your group to play again. Takes longer, without official support. That's all.

In terms of being allowed, mods have been discussed openly on these forums since the game came out. No moderator has ever said that the devs don't allow it. The devs do allow console commands showing that they don't mind if you customize your own experience.

There are no public servers, only private ones. If your host doesn't like them that's between you and them. If you're solo then knock yourself out.

Safe as far as your computer goes is another question. Nexus is generally regarded as safe in that regard. I've got Valheim Plus myself, and the Time Mod so the game will pause in the menu.

Safe as far as not messing up your save or conflicting with updates is one step below that and depends on how fast the modders are at getting up to date. Valheim Plus is hugely popular, so I assume the makers of it work hard to keep it running smoothly.

There are risks involved, but not to your Steam account.

Thanks for sharing your experiences all. I will check out Nexus mods. However, if anyone else has any thoughts or personal experience on this topic feel free to post. I will definitely take the time to read what you have posted.

I always modd my games (the moddeable ones of course) with mods found in the Nexus and I never had any issues with viruses or trojans or whatnot.
One time, a mod did break my game (Subnautica) but nothing irreversible.