Biomes
The world of Valheim is split into biomes, from the calm Meadows to the icy Deep North. Each of the eight progression biomes has its own boss and resources you cannot go on without; the Ocean has none.
The calmest biome: no special threats, so it is the best place for your first base.
Biome boss Eikthyr → Greydwarves attack in groups, and skeletons wait in the crypts. It is dark under the trees even by day.
Biome boss The Elder → Endless rain and fog, poisonous leeches and blobs. Without poison protection it is hard here.
Biome boss Bonemass → Frost: without frost-resistant gear or a frost resistance mead, your health slowly melts away. Wolves roam here by day and night, and the night packs are larger.
Biome boss Moder → Deathsquitos and Fulings hit hard even through good armor, and Lox trample the careless.
Biome boss Yagluth → Thick fog hides enemies and paths. Ordinary torches do not clear it: a Wisplight, a Wisp Torch, the Mistwalker sword and Dvergr structures push the mist back.
Biome boss The Queen → Lava, fire and armies of the Charred. You cannot survive here without fire resistance and reliable gear.
Biome boss Fader → It is freezing everywhere, day and night: freezing stops health regeneration and costs 1 health per second. You need the best armor and a stock of food.
Biome boss Kall Fimbulbringer → Sea serpents and leviathans; the resources here are loot from the sea.