Valheim, the breakout Viking survival game from Iron Gate and Coffee Stain Publishing, is leveling up its combat. At gamescom 2025, the studios unveiled the game’s latest update—“Call to Arms”—a sweeping overhaul of Valheim’s combat system that introduces new mechanics, enemies, armor, and weapons. The update is now live for players to try in the game’s public test branch.
Unveiled during IGN’s gamescom showcase, the announcement was accompanied by a new trailer that teased the future of Valheim’s tenth realm. The update aims to enhance the game’s blend of exploration, survival, and Norse-inspired combat while expanding customization options for players.
Adrenaline & Trinkets: Combat Gets Deeper
The headline addition is Adrenaline, a new combat resource tied to a line of craftable accessories called Trinkets. According to the developers, Trinkets allow players to accumulate adrenaline through dealing damage to enemies or avoiding their attacks. Once filled, the adrenaline bar activates the trinket’s special effect, boosting the player’s offensive capabilities.
“Adrenaline can be gained by simply attacking enemies, but also by using certain magic attacks and performing perfect blocks and dodge rolls,” Iron Gate explained. The system introduces 13 different Trinkets, each designed to complement different fighting styles. Players can tailor their loadouts depending on whether they prefer heavy, methodical strikes or fast, relentless attacks.
By layering Trinkets into Valheim’s existing arsenal of weapons and armor, Iron Gate hopes to offer players a more robust sense of buildcrafting—an aspect of RPG design that rewards experimentation and specialization.
The Bear Necessities: New Threats in the Tenth Realm
Combat is not just changing for the player—new enemies are coming for them as well. Most notably, Valheim’s newest apex predator, bears, will begin roaming the game’s lush biomes.
“Watch out vikings, the tenth realm is about to get a lot more dangerous – Bears are making their way into Valheim, and they’re here to throw hands paws,” the studios teased. Defeating these formidable creatures will reward players with crafting materials that can be used to forge a new armor set.
Alongside the bears, players can expect a host of new crafting materials, as well as a unique wooden weapon set designed for friendly sparring sessions. The update also introduces three new building pieces and a training dummy called Battle Brother, giving Vikings a safe way to practice their combat skills.
Expanding Valheim’s Legacy
Since its Early Access launch in February 2021, Valheim has built a reputation as one of the most successful indie survival games in history. Known for its cooperative gameplay, vast procedural worlds, and punishing survival mechanics, the game has sold millions of copies across PC and consoles.
“Call to Arms” is the latest in a string of major updates aimed at keeping Valheim fresh for its dedicated player base. Previous expansions have introduced new biomes, enemies, and crafting systems, but this update marks one of the most fundamental overhauls of the game’s core combat loop.
The update is available for testing now across PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Mac. Valheim can also be played via Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft Store, PC Game Pass, and Steam Early Access.
Behind the Developers
Iron Gate, based in Skövde, Sweden, is the studio behind Valheim. The team was founded by industry veterans with credits on titles including Magicka 2, Leviathan: Warships, and the Titan Quest series. Valheim is their debut project and has become a record-breaking multiplayer survival game inspired by Viking culture.
Publisher Coffee Stain, also headquartered in Sweden, is a hybrid developer, publisher, and investor. Since its founding in 2010, Coffee Stain has been responsible for hits including Goat Simulator, the Sanctum series, and Satisfactory. The publisher has also shepherded popular externally developed titles such as Deep Rock Galactic, Midnight Ghost Hunt, and, of course, Valheim.
Looking Ahead
While Iron Gate and Coffee Stain have not yet announced a full release date for the update beyond its public test branch, the Call to Arms rollout signals continued momentum for Valheim’s development pipeline. The addition of adrenaline-based combat mechanics, new threats like bears, and expanded crafting and building options are poised to give longtime players fresh challenges while inviting newcomers to experience the evolving Norse saga.
As Iron Gate put it: “Trinkets represent a new layer to Valheim’s combat that players can use to specialise in a combat role of their choice whether they’re looking to dispense methodic, mighty blows or perform flurries of quick, consecutive attacks.”
For now, Vikings worldwide can sharpen their axes, craft their Trinkets, and test their might against the newest challenges of the tenth realm.
