Oathbound

A work-in-progress Valheim mod by Lion And Otter. Version 0.13.0.

Choose from eight classes, earn EXP from enemy kills, and explore 25-node talent trees. Swap classes freely while keeping separate progress. Optional biome sieges add varied warbands, portal objectives and commanders.

Want the classes without raid changes?

Sieges are enabled by default. Turn them off to keep vanilla raids alongside every class and progression feature.

After launching once to generate the config, close Valheim normally. For a dedicated server, save and stop the server normally. Open BepInEx/config/local.warrior.rpg.cfg and change the existing setting under [Sieges] to:

[Sieges]
Enabled = false

Save the file, then restart the game or server and load the world. In multiplayer, edit the server's config, restart the server and reconnect. A client's preference cannot override the host.

This restores vanilla random raids; it does not disable vanilla raids or alter your world's raid-frequency setting. Existing Oathbound sieges end and raiders withdraw as their areas load, without victory loot. Settings apply when a world starts, not during a running raid.

Choose your oath

Warrior: close combat and blocking, with critical hits, bleeding strikes, block knockback, an extra midair jump, melee-kill healing and damage reflection.
Ranger: careful ranged shots and movement, with critical combos, bleeding and knockback shots, ricochets and dodge-and-shot stamina recovery.
Mage: build Eitr through the tree, then unlock six staff-free fire, frost and lightning spells. The first spell is reachable at level 6; full progression provides 75 Eitr before food.
Warlock: grow Eitr and unlock blood wards, skeleton summons, Siphon and Wither. Some spells require blood offerings. Spells begin at capstones, just like Mage.
Rogue: stealth, opening strikes and evasive fighting. Shields and two-handed weapons are restricted while this class is active.
Monk: develop unarmed combat and fight with your fists. Weapons and shields are restricted; armour and non-combat tools remain available.
Hunter: call a permanent wolf companion that follows and fights beside you. If it dies, resummon it after a 120-second cooldown. Talents develop both Hunter and companion.
Berserker: discover the class by successfully equipping paired axes, including Early Axes. Paired axes are its only allowed weapons; shields are restricted. Armour and non-combat tools remain available.

Each class has 25 nodes and six capstones. Early talents offer modest bonuses; capstones add distinct combat or movement effects. Only your active class grants benefits and earns EXP. Vanilla skills continue to progress.

Progression and class switching

Find the Oathstone just outside the starting sacrificial-stone circle. Use your normal interact button to open the class browser and talent tree.
Different enemies give different EXP rewards. Higher levels need more EXP. Kill credit goes to the credited killer; EXP is not shared with nearby players.
Each level after the first grants one point. Level 26 provides all 25 points for a complete tree.
Drag to pan the tree, use the wheel to zoom, and hover over square nodes for effects and requirements. The class browser supports searching and scrolling.
Switch whenever you like at the stone. A level 25 Warrior can become a level 1 Ranger and later return to all their Warrior progress. Resetting talents refunds purchases without resetting the class level.
Death removes half of the active class's unfinished level EXP, rounded up. No delevelling, lost talents or lost waiting points. Other classes are unaffected. Vanilla death consequences still apply.
A subtle class, level and XP bar sits below health. EXP notices are brief; level-ups use the native yellow skill-up burst.

Prefer a button instead of an Oathstone?

In the same config file, change the existing [Classes] setting:

[Classes]
AccessMode = MenuButton

Save and restart the game or server. This replaces the Oathstone with a Classes button below the inventory grid, opening the same panel anywhere. Progress is preserved. The default is AccessMode = Oathstone. The host also controls this setting in multiplayer.

These are standard BepInEx configuration entries. A configuration-manager mod is optional and not included. Its local values may differ from current server rules; changes apply on the next world start.

Spell and companion controls

For Mage and Warlock, hold B, click an unlocked spell, release B, then press H to cast toward the crosshair. The HUD and selector teach these controls. Both shortcuts are configurable. Casting needs no staff, and normal weapons remain usable between casts.

Mage's capstones unlock Ember Bolt, Frost Volley, Stormburst, Cinder Barrage, Frost Nova and Chain Lightning. Eitr talents add to food Eitr and regenerate naturally. Spells have costs and cooldowns; switching does not refill Eitr or reset cooldowns. Interrupted casts spend their cost. 0.13.0 fixes Mage's missing casting gesture and allows camera look during casting recovery.

For Hunter, press H to call or recall your wolf. Recalling a living wolf does not heal it. Its health and death cooldown appear in the HUD. The companion stows during portals, logout, player death or class changes and keeps its saved health; it cannot remain as an extra fighter for another class.

Optional biome sieges

Sieges use vanilla raid timing, chance and world frequency settings. Taking a portal does not itself trigger a raid.

Two assault stages lead to a named, high-star commander. Defeat the commander to resolve the siege and earn its bounded reward.
24 warbands, three per biome, mix different enemies. Successive raids choose a different available band where possible.
Danger rises with the biome. Meadows encounters cause reduced but real structure damage. Later-biome attacks can deliberately threaten poorly defended portals.
Raid areas and participating enemies appear on the map/minimap. Messages explain objectives and escalation.
A stalled commander can bring sparse, warned lightning strikes with storm effects and sound. Engage the attackers and commander instead of relying entirely on inaccessible terrain.
When everyone leaves the targeted area, the siege pauses there and resumes on return. No unattended destruction.

Defend portal approaches, intercept attackers and deal with the commander. Siege balance is a work in progress; use the opt-out above if you prefer vanilla raids.

Installation and updates

Tested with Valheim 1.0.12 and BepInExPack Valheim 5.4.2350. Back up characters and worlds before upgrading this work-in-progress mod.

Mod manager: install Oathbound into your Valheim profile. The Thunderstore package declares BepInExPack Valheim as a dependency. Launch through that profile.

Manual standalone: close Valheim, install the appropriate BepInEx loader, then merge the ZIP's BepInEx folder into your game directory. Both mod DLLs belong in BepInEx/plugins/WarriorRpg/.

Windows all-in-one: close Valheim and extract all ZIP contents directly beside valheim.exe, merging folders and replacing matching files. It includes the Windows loader. Start through Steam. Use either this route or a mod manager's dependency installation.

Use this same 0.13.0 release on the server and every client. Save and stop a server normally before replacing its DLLs, then restart. Linux servers need a Linux-compatible BepInEx loader; the Windows all-in-one is for Windows clients.

Replace both DLLs and remove duplicate Oathbound installations. The internal WarriorRpg folder and filenames are retained for compatibility. Progress carries forward, but older versions cannot read all newer class saves: keep a pre-upgrade character backup if you might downgrade. Existing config files are preserved; check the two settings above after upgrading.

Work in progress

Developed for small co-op groups. Progression, native gameplay and multiplayer checks have been exercised, but long-term balance, controller-only menus and broad mod compatibility still need player feedback. Xbox/crossplay is not verified. Native burning final hits can lose attacker attribution and may not award class EXP.

No Valheim game assets or saves are included. Oathbound uses the game's existing models, animations and effects at runtime.

Report issues through the listing or Oathbound's website. Include game/mod versions, other mods and reproduction steps. Remove personal information and server credentials from logs you share.

Oathbound is an unofficial mod by Lion And Otter, not affiliated with or endorsed by Valheim's developers. Valheim is required and sold separately.