Before you start
This guide starts with a vanilla Valheim server. Crossplay, Steam/direct, local, and Playit routes are distinct choices. Modded profiles need their own compatibility checks.
Match the Valheim versions used by the server and players. Decide whether your group needs crossplay before setup, and keep the host PC awake while the server runs. Keep a separate copy of any existing world before importing it.
Use a Windows 10 or 11 x64 PC. Keep it on, awake, and connected while friends play, with enough memory left for Windows and your own game.
New to Tavern? Apply for the alpha. If you already have a server, keep a separate backup before linking or importing it.
Set up with Tavern
Name the server and the world
Choose Valheim and Install a new server. The public server name is what your friends recognize; the world name selects the world that loads. Choose a password of at least five characters. Public listing controls discovery, not who has permission to join.
Choose how friends will join
Use Crossplay for its relay and join-code route, or choose Steam/direct, local network, or optional Playit as appropriate. Do not assume an address from one route works for another.
Start with familiar world rules
Review the world preset and modifiers before creating the server. Keep a first-session setup simple. Changing the preset can replace modifier choices, so review the final settings before starting.
Finish the review and choose Create server. When setup is complete, start it and follow any instructions Tavern shows. Join yourself, then ask a friend to try the connection your group will use.
Bring your friends
Crossplay join code
Wait for the current join code and use Join Game > Join Code. Iron Gate documents that crossplay uses a relay and does not require router port forwarding. Joining through a local IP address is not supported by the crossplay connection.
Steam, LAN, or Playit address
Use Join IP with the address for your selected route. Steam/direct uses the pair of UDP ports shown by Tavern, normally 2456 and 2457. A Playit setup must cover both routes; a local address only serves players who can reach your home network.
Changing local ports
For custom ports, stop the selected server and open Networking > Ports. Edit its local ports, save, update any router or tunnel mappings, then start the server and use the updated address. Tavern keeps game-required adjacent ports together and checks for conflicts. These controls require a Tavern build with the Ports section.
Share the connection details from the right server in Tavern. For friends outside your home, test with someone on another network; joining from the host PC alone is not enough.
Make it your world
World modifiers
Settings > Game Config includes the world preset and modifiers such as combat, resources, raids, and portal rules. Read what the preset changes and wait for Tavern's restart instructions after saving.
Permissions are separate
A join password, public listing, and permitted-player or administrator lists do different jobs. Iron Gate notes that using the permitted list excludes everyone not listed. Keep administrative access within your trusted group.
Protect your progress
A Valheim world includes matching .db and .fwl files. Use Tavern's world/import inspection instead of moving one file in isolation. World backups protect the server world; each player should also protect their own character data. Keep vanilla and modded worlds clearly identified.
In Backups, choose Create backup for this server. Wait for Activity to report completion and check that the backup appears in the list. Do this before updates, imports, or major changes.
Restoring replaces the current world data, so keep a copy of your latest progress first. Use Tavern's stop control and wait for shutdown before turning the PC off.
If something gets stuck
The local address fails on Crossplay
Use the current join code or a supported public join route instead. Iron Gate explicitly excludes local and loopback addresses on this backend.
The wrong world appears
Stop through Tavern and review the selected world name and imported file pair. Keep the original files. Do not create a replacement world simply because an expected save is missing.
Do I need to leave my game open?
The dedicated server runs separately from your game client. The host PC, server, and selected connection route need to remain available while friends play.
Sources & testing status
Checked against Tavern's app source and the publisher resources below. Game support is in beta; your installed alpha may differ. This review did not include a new gameplay, restore, or outside-network join test.
The game's documentation may include features Tavern does not yet offer. Use the options available in your version of the app.