Boss Stealth Opener

[!CAUTION] HIGH-RISK, EXPERIMENTAL AND NOT BROADLY TESTED.

This mod was written by OpenAI Codex (AI) for the specific needs of one player and one private mod profile. It has received static inspection and compilation checks, but it has not received a complete multiplayer test pass. Installing it in an established world, public modpack, server, or valuable save is risky. Back up worlds and characters first.

AI disclosure

The code, documentation and package artwork were created by AI (OpenAI Codex) at a player's request. A human has not performed conventional code review or maintainer-led QA. Publication is for transparent experimental use, not a claim that the mod is stable, supported or production-ready.

What version 1.1.1 does

Every player can use one special stealth opener against each boss instance. This means two hidden archers can each receive their own opener against the same boss. A hit qualifies when:

• the victim is a boss;
• the attacker is a player and is crouching when damage is resolved;
• the weapon or projectile has a backstab multiplier above 1x;
• that player has not used an opener on this boss before.

The opener does not require the boss to remain unaware. This deliberately avoids relying on Valheim boss detection, which can establish aggro almost immediately.

The effective multiplier scales with the attacker's Sneak skill:

1 + (weapon backstab multiplier - 1) * (0.25 + 0.75 * Sneak / 100)

Examples:

• A 3x bow is 1.5x at Sneak 0 and 3x at Sneak 100.
• A 6x knife is 2.25x at Sneak 0 and 6x at Sneak 100.

The mod also prevents an offering bowl from force-alerting a newly summoned boss. Normal sight and hearing still work.

Multiplayer state

Opener usage is stored in the boss's synchronized ZDO network data under a separate key for each Valheim character ID. Consequently:

• each player gets a separate opener against the boss;
• reconnecting the same character does not restore an already used opener;
• a different character counts as a different player;
• destroying that boss naturally destroys its opener state.

Install the same mod version on the host and every client. Valheim can transfer network ownership of a boss to a client; mixed or partially modded sessions are unsupported and may apply the mechanic inconsistently.

Important limitations

• Multiplayer behavior is implemented but has not received a full live test.
• For arrows, the player must still be crouching when the projectile hits.
• Bosses or damage systems extensively replaced by other mods may be unaffected.
• The mod does not reset aggro, grant invisibility, or change boss health or AI.
• Every successful opener writes Boss stealth opener applied with the player ID, boss, Sneak level and multiplier to the BepInEx log.

Configuration

[General]
Enabled = true

Installation and removal

Install and remove the package through a Thunderstore-compatible mod manager. The mod writes small boolean markers into a living boss's ordinary network data. It does not create custom world objects or character-save fields.

Reporting problems

There is no guaranteed support or maintenance commitment. Include the full BepInEx log, Valheim version, mod version, whether the reporter was host or client, and the installed AI/combat/boss mods.