In August 2023, Hildir’s Request arrived as another major update for Valheim. Following the epic Mistlands update the year before—which introduced a brand-new biome with magic, new enemies, and massive challenges—this time wasn’t about the next escalation of survival difficulty. Instead, the developers focused on a mix of quality-of-life improvements, fresh gameplay ideas, and a touch of tradition. At the center stood a character the game hadn’t featured before: Hildir, the sister of the well-known merchant Haldor.
This update showed that Iron Gate didn’t just want to deliver huge expansions, but also content that rounds out and enriches the experience, giving players reasons to explore beyond the big biomes. In this article, we take a detailed look at Hildir’s Request, what it brought to the game, and why it was such a welcome addition.
Hildir in Valheim: new merchant with a questline
Every player who’d spent time in Valheim knew the merchant Haldor. Hidden in the Black Forest, he sold fishing rods, the Megingjord, and other handy items that made Viking life easier. With Hildir’s Request, he got company. Haldor’s sister Hildir arrived as a merchant with a purpose all her own.
Hildir’s role differed greatly from her brother’s: she wasn’t just a vendor of niche items, but the centerpiece of a questline. Players needed to recover her lost goods, stolen by monsters and hidden in new dungeons. The update blended the concept of a merchant with classic adventuring and rewards.
- Important: Talk to Hildir to start the quest and mark the new locations on your map.
- Recommendation: Stock up on health potions, stamina potions, and solid ranged as well as melee gear.
Valheim dungeons in Hildir’s Request: how to find Hildir’s goods
The heart of the update was tracking down Hildir’s stolen belongings. New dungeon types appeared all across the world, each with her crates hidden inside. Every dungeon had its own theme and fresh challenges.
- Howling Caves: Dark caverns where wolves and other creatures lurk.
- Smoldering Tombs: Charred burial sites packed with skeletons and fire traps.
- Sealed Tower: A mysterious tower guarded by the undead and traps.
Each location felt distinct—visually and mechanically. Some dungeons called for careful exploration, while others were overrun with foes best handled with brute force. At the end of each expedition, a crate with Hildir’s goods awaited—and your rewards unlocked new recipes and items.
Practical tips:
- Bring a torch or lantern; some areas are extremely dark.
- Take resistance foods (e.g., against cold or fire) tailored to the dungeon.
- In co-op, use clear roles: tank, ranged, trap-disabler/scout.
New items, recipes, and rewards in the Hildir update
The update introduced a host of new items to collect and use. A standout: cosmetic options that, for the first time, let you dye your armor. Special dyes were added, crafted from various materials. Suddenly, you could make your character more distinctive—a feature that sparked a lot of excitement in the community.
Beyond cosmetics, there were practical additions. Hildir’s quest unlocked tools, decorations, and clothing that added variety to the game. Players who love base building or care about individuality especially found plenty to enjoy.
Pro tip: Set up a small dye workshop with chests for pigments and materials so you can quickly recreate your favorite looks.
New enemies and dungeon mechanics in Hildir’s Request
To ensure the dungeons weren’t just visual set pieces, Iron Gate added new enemy types tied closely to each dungeon theme. In the Howling Caves, you’ll face aggressive wolf packs, while the Smoldering Tombs are home to fiery skeleton hordes. Each dungeon demands different gear and strategy.
The Sealed Tower stands out in particular: heavily guarded, full of traps, and packed with tight corridors that force smart positioning. New melee and ranged enemies keep you on your toes. These dungeons truly shine in co-op, where everyone should take on a clear role.
Armor colors, dyes, and cosmetic customization
One of the most talked-about changes was the introduction of armor dyes. Until then, Valheim was strong on function but fairly limited in looks. Armor sets looked impressive, yet many players ended up wearing similar gear. Dyes finally let you stand out and make your Viking unique.
You’ll need to craft dyes, which encourages gathering and experimenting. Your Carapace armor in blazing red? Fenris gear in deep black? All possible. The community quickly shared screenshots of their colorful Vikings—seemingly a small change, but hugely impactful in making Valheim feel more personal.
Base building: new furniture, banners, and decorations
Hildir’s Request also expanded base building. New furniture, decorations, and small details broaden the ways to make a settlement feel cozy or grand, including:
- New banners in various colors
- Furniture with detailed carvings
- Additional hearths and lamps
For many, this was a highlight, since base building has been a favorite pastime in Valheim from the start. With the new decorations, halls, houses, and castles can look even more individual.
Quality of life: UI, crafting, and inventory
Alongside the headline content, Hildir’s Request delivered numerous quality-of-life improvements. These include UI tweaks, clearer crafting menus, and balance changes to certain weapons and armor.
Particularly helpful are updates to inventory and storage options, so you spend less time sorting and more time exploring and fighting. Changes like these may seem subtle, but they make the game noticeably more comfortable.
Lore and NPC design: Hildir’s role in Valheim
A compelling aspect is the introduction of Hildir as a character. She’s clearly distinct from Haldor, not only in her role but also in how she’s presented. While Haldor is known as a calm vendor, Hildir is tied to a quest, giving her a much more active presence.
Her character brings more life to the world. Until then, Valheim was relatively sparse on NPCs; most encounters were enemies. With Hildir, another neutral character enters the scene, making the world feel more welcoming and inhabited. Since then, many players have hoped for more NPCs with their own stories.
Co-op tips: dungeons, roles, and team loadouts
Hildir’s Request really shines in co-op. The dungeons are made for groups heading out on treasure hunts together. Each one offers enough enemies and rooms to challenge multiple players at once. While one player holds aggro, another can scout or disarm traps.
- Use voice/chat for coordination.
- Assign roles (tank, ranged, support, scout) and align gear and resistances.
- Set a fallback plan and place portals smartly.
The cosmetic upgrades play a role here too. Now your group can roll out with everyone wearing a different color. Many clans and guilds came up with unified color schemes and decorated their bases to match.
Community reactions and verdict on the update
The release of Hildir’s Request was met with a positive response, even if it didn’t hit the same massive hype as Mistlands. Many praised the new dungeons and especially the cosmetic options. It’s an update that may appeal less to pure hardcore survival fans, but strongly to creative and detail-oriented players.
Some noted the update felt smaller than Mistlands and didn’t introduce a completely new playstyle. But that wasn’t the goal. Hildir’s Request was meant to round out the game, not overhaul it—and it succeeds at that.
Conclusion: Why Hildir’s Request noticeably improves Valheim
Hildir’s Request isn’t a gigantic milestone like Mistlands, but it’s a valuable update for Valheim’s variety and vibrancy. With Hildir, the game gained a new character who adds a charming touch. The dungeons offer exciting adventures and new enemies, while cosmetic options and furniture make the community’s creative hearts beat faster.
It’s the update for players who don’t just want to fight in Valheim, but also create, decorate, and shape their world their way. Hildir’s Request makes it clear that Valheim isn’t only about the next boss or the toughest biome, but also about the little things that make a game feel alive.
Especially the ways to interact with other players—and NPCs—were a big reason many returned to their 4Netplayers servers. The Valheim developers showed how much they value the game’s different facets and its varied player types.
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