Originally posted by Nascarman:

Originally posted by snugginz:

I take it back :)
I wish there was a less grindy mode where the game could be completed in about 50% less time, making it more 'about average' for RGP games, and then those who spent a little more time grinding could do a 'hardcore' no death pass.

As it is, it's pretty super grindy. And the amount of grind you'll do in most games for a hardcore pass still won't be enough for a many deaths pass in Valheim. So death is required many times basically.

And if you die it feels too demoralizing because you walk half way back across the planet and may well die getting there. And if you have extra gear to help you get there, then it's even more grindy, yet still not doable hardcore.

I love the game. Just think that a few new difficulty modes could be fleshed out to appeal to a wider range of preferences.

Death is absolutely not required, not sure where you generated this misconception.

There’s 3 easy steps to not die and not waste extra time:

1. Always have enough hp to take a few hits when away from your base, in the wild I’d make sure your food is replenished well before it runs out, if near danger or in a place where you don’t feel safe as soon as food starts to blink you better reapply it, I’d recommend 2 hp foods and 1 stamina food

2. Only fight mobs one at a time, aka only break defensive stance and attack when the only monster that can hit you is the one you are trying to kill

3. When fighting mobs that pose a threat, always let them attack first so you can parry them and prevent them from counterattacking you at all, you are practically guaranteed at least one safe swing at them before they recover and on 90% of mobs you can do a 3 hit combo before the parry wears off which typically kills them

It's not a 'misconception' that death is all but required. That's my opinion. And the majority opinion of the respondents that I happen to agree with. You're tips are welcome. But I still disagree that many deaths are not required for completion by most players.

And I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with that. Just that this balance and speed of progression to get powerful is more than a little slow for my preferences. I'm just scratching the surface and burning out at the same time. With 20 hours invested I'd prefer to be at least half way through by now. That's just my opinion.