MonsterDB

MonsterDB allows you to inspect, modify, and extend Valheim prefabs through structured YML files. All supported components and behaviors are defined and parsed based on file headers and base types.

Header

All main files start with

Prefab: string
IsCloned: bool
ClonedFrom: string
Type: BaseType

These fields determine how MonsterDB interprets and processes the rest of the file.

The fields GameVersion and ModVersion are optional and do not affect runtime behavior. They exist solely to help track compatibility with Valheim or MonsterDB updates for long-term maintainability.

How-to modify a creature

1. Use the write command to export a creature’s YML files. This includes:

   • The main creature file
   • Item files (if the creature has attacks)
   • A ragdoll file (if one exists)

2. Modify the exported YML files as needed. Many fields are omitted when they match default values (for example, 0).

3. Some components can be added or removed. When removing fields:

   • Be cautious, as removing a field may remove an entire component.
   • If you want to keep a removable component unchanged, replace its contents with {}.

4. Refer to the other files in the README folder for details on which fields and components can be safely added or removed.

5. For fields under the main containers:

   • Removing a field causes MonsterDB to ignore it during updates.
   • This allows you to delete any fields you do not intend to modify.

Examples can be found in the GitHub Wiki folder.

How-to clone a creature

1. Use the clone command to export a cloned creature’s YML file.
2. Modify the cloned file to suit your needs.

How-to

• Any item can be converted into an egg by adding the EggGrow component. The item will hatch into the specified prefab.

• Any item can be converted into a fish by adding the Fish component. This allows the item to swim and behave like a fish in water.

Special MonsterDB behaviours

Tameable Creatures

MonsterDB allows any creature to be made tameable, including animals such as Deer or Hare. This is normally impossible because they use AnimalAI. MonsterDB adds the AnimalTameable component to override this behavior and allow food searching and consumption.

Rideable Creatures

MonsterDB simplifies making creatures rideable. Instead of requiring a saddle setup, the player is attached directly to the creature’s root. You must adjust attachOffset to ensure correct visual alignment.

Player Cloning

When cloning Player, all player-specific components are removed. The prefab is converted to use the custom MonsterDB Human component, which inherits from Humanoid.

PNG

Any .png files placed in the Import folder are automatically registered by MonsterDB.

Once registered, you can reference a PNG by its filename without the .png extension.

Notes

Visuals

When modifying the visuals on a creature, you will need to do the same to it's ragdoll, if they have one, if you wish the ragdoll to look appropriate. Ragdoll scale is not always the same as the creature scale. (e.g. Neck scale: 1, 1, 1 while Neck_ragdoll scale: 0.3, 0.3, 0.3, so if you want to half their scale, Neck: 0.5, 0.5, 0.5 while Neck_ragdoll: 0.15, 0.15, 0.15)

You can use the command write_visual or clone_visual to export a prefab YML with just the Visual data, to create custom FX prefabs. Useful when modifying a creature appearance, to also target their effect prefabs.

ItemData:
  icons:
  - myCustomPNGNameWithoutExtension
Visuals:
  renderers:
  - prefab: Cube.001
    parent: Visual
    index: 1
    materials:
    - name: MountainGolem_mat
      mainTexture: myCustomPNGNameWithoutExtension

Audio

Any audio files placed in the Import folder are automatically registered by MonsterDB.

• Audio files are not synced with the server.
• Distribute them manually to all players.

Use the audio filename without its extension as the prefab value.

hitEffects:
  effectPrefabs:
  - prefab: myAudioFileNameWithoutExtension 

Commands

all commands begin with: monsterdb

use help to see this list in-game

• monsterdb export_main_tex [prefabName]: export creature main texture
• monsterdb search_tex [query]: search cached textures
• monsterdb export_tex [textureName]: export texture as png
• monsterdb write [prefabName]: write creature YML file to Save Folder
• monsterdb write_all: write all creature YML to Save Folder
• monsterdb mod [prefabName]: read creature YML file and update from Modified folder
• monsterdb revert [prefabName]: revert creature to factory settings
• monsterdb clone [prefabName][newName]: clone creature, must be a character
• monsterdb write_egg [prefabName]: write egg YML file to Save Folder
• monsterdb write_all_egg: write all egg YML to Save Folder
• monsterdb mod_egg [prefabName]: read egg YML from Modified Folder and update
• monsterdb revert_egg [prefabName]: revert egg item to factory settings
• monsterdb clone_egg [prefabName][newName]: clone egg item, must be an item
• monsterdb write_item [prefabName]: export item YML
• mosnterdb mod_item [fileName]: read item YML file and update
• monsterdb clone_item [prefabName][newName]: clone item and export YML file
• monsterdb write_fish [prefabName]: export fish YML file
• monsterdb mod_fish [fileName]: read fish YML file and update
• monsterdb clone_fish [prefabName][newName]: clone fish and export YML file
• monsterdb export_sprite [spriteName]: export sprite texture as PNG
• monsterdb search_sprite [query]: search cached sprites
• monsterdb write_visual [prefabName]: export prefab visual YML
• monsterdb clone_visual [prefabName][newName]: clone prefab and export visual YML

Examples

Visit: https://github.com/RustyMods/MonsterDB/tree/main/MonsterDB/Wiki/Reference/Import