In August 2023, Valheim received another substantial update with Hildir’s Request. After the epic Mistlands update the previous year—which introduced a whole new biome with magic, new enemies, and massive challenges—this one didn’t push the survival envelope to the next dimension. Instead, the devs focused on a blend of comfort features, fresh gameplay ideas, and a touch of tradition. At the center stood a character Valheim players hadn’t seen before: Hildir, the sister of the well-known merchant Haldor.
This update showed that Iron Gate wasn’t only aiming for huge expansions, but also content that rounds out the game, enriches it, and gives players reasons to explore beyond the big biomes. In this article, we take a close look at Hildir’s Request—what it brought to the game and why it was such a welcome addition.
Hildir in Valheim: a new merchant with a questline
Every veteran Valheim player 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. His sister Hildir arrived as a merchant too, but with a very different purpose.
Hildir’s role differed greatly from her brother’s: she wasn’t just a vendor of niche items, but the focal point of a questline. Players had to retrieve her lost goods, stolen by monsters and stashed away in new dungeons. The update connected the idea 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: Bring healing potions, stamina potions, and a solid ranged and melee loadout.
Valheim dungeons in Hildir’s Request: how to find Hildir’s wares
At the heart of the update was the hunt for Hildir’s stolen belongings. New dungeon types appeared across the world, each hiding her chests. Every dungeon had its own theme and offered fresh challenges.
- Howling Caves: Dark caverns where wolves and other creatures lurk.
- Smoldering Tombs: Charred burial sites filled with skeletons and fire traps.
- Sealed Tower: A mysterious tower guarded by the undead and traps.
Each of these places is unique—not just visually, but in gameplay. Some dungeons require careful exploration, others are overrun by enemies that call for raw force. At the end of each expedition awaits a chest with Hildir’s wares—and as a reward, access to new recipes and items.
Practical tips:
- Take a torch or lantern; some areas are extremely dark.
- Bring resistance food (e.g., against cold or fire) suited to the dungeon.
- In co-op, use role distribution: tank, ranged, and a trap-disarmer/scout.
New items, recipes, and rewards in the Hildir update
The update added a host of items to collect and use. Especially popular: cosmetic options that, for the first time, let you dye armor. Special dyes were introduced, crafted from various materials. Suddenly, it was possible to make your character more individual—a feature that delighted the community.
Beyond cosmetics came practical additions. Hildir’s quest unlocks tools, decorations, and clothing that make the game more varied. Players who love base building or care about individuality will find a lot to enjoy here.
Pro tip: Set up a small dye workshop with chests for pigments and materials so you can quickly reproduce your favorite looks.
New enemies and dungeon mechanics in Hildir’s Request
To make the dungeons more than a visual treat, Iron Gate added new enemy types tied closely to each dungeon theme. In the Howling Caves you’ll face especially aggressive wolf packs, while the Smoldering Tombs are inhabited by fiery skeleton hordes. Each dungeon demands different gear and strategy.
The Sealed Tower stands out in particular: heavily guarded, full of traps, and tight corridors that force smart positioning. New melee and ranged foes keep you on your toes. In co-op, these dungeons become exciting endeavors where everyone should have a clear role.
Armor dyes and cosmetic customization
One of the most talked-about changes was the introduction of dyes for armor. Until then, Valheim was strong on function but limited visually. Every armor set looked impressive, yet many players ended up wearing similar outfits. Dyes offered a way to stand out and make your Viking truly unique.
You’ll need to craft dyes, encouraging you to gather resources and experiment. Your Carapace armor in bright red? Fenris gear in deep black? All possible. The community immediately shared screenshots of their colorful Vikings—a small but hugely important step in making Valheim feel more personal.
Base building: new furniture, banners, and decorations
Hildir’s Request also expanded base building. New furniture pieces, decorations, and small details enrich your ability to make a settlement cozy or grand, including:
- New banners in various colors
- Furniture with detailed carvings
- Additional fireplaces and lamps
For many players, this is a highlight, as base building has been a favorite Valheim pastime from the start. With the new decorations, halls, houses, and castles can look even more individual.
Quality of life: UI, crafting, and inventory
Beyond the obvious content, Hildir’s Request brought numerous quality-of-life improvements. These include adjustments to the user interface, cleaner crafting menus, and balance tweaks to certain weapons and armor.
Especially important are the revisions to some inventory and storage options, so you spend less time sorting and more time exploring and fighting. Changes like these can seem subtle but noticeably improve comfort and flow.
Lore and NPC design: Hildir’s role in Valheim
Introducing Hildir as a character is a compelling touch. She differs clearly from Haldor—not only in her role, but in presentation. While Haldor is known as a calm vendor, Hildir is woven into a quest, giving her a much more active significance.
Her character brings more life to the world. Valheim had been rather sparse with NPCs; most encounters were enemies. With Hildir, another neutral character joins the cast, making the world feel friendlier and more lived-in. Many players have hoped for more NPCs with their own stories ever since.
Co-op tips: dungeons, roles, and team loadouts
Hildir’s Request really shines in co-op. The dungeons are tailor-made for groups going on treasure hunts together. Each one offers enough enemies and rooms to challenge multiple players at once. While one teammate holds aggro, another can scout the area 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 additions play a role here too. Suddenly, a group can roll out with everyone in different colors. Many clans and guilds devised coordinated color schemes and decorated their bases to match.
Community reactions and update verdict
The release of Hildir’s Request met with a positive reception, even if it didn’t generate Mistlands-level hype. Many praised the new dungeons and especially the cosmetic options. It’s an update that may appeal less to hardcore survival fans, but strongly to creative and detail-oriented players.
Some criticized it as smaller than Mistlands and not introducing a completely new playstyle. But that wasn’t the goal. Hildir’s Request set out to round off the game, not reinvent it—and it succeeds very well at that.
Conclusion: why Hildir’s Request meaningfully improves Valheim
Hildir’s Request isn’t a giant milestone like Mistlands, but it’s a valuable update for Valheim’s variety and vibrancy. With Hildir came a new character that adds a friendly, charming note. 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 to their taste. Hildir’s Request shows that Valheim isn’t only about the next boss or the toughest biome—it’s also about the little things that make a game feel alive.
The increased opportunities to interact—with other players and with NPCs—were a great reason many fired up their servers again with 4Netplayers. The Valheim developers showed how much they value the game’s different facets and diverse player types.
Rent your own Valheim server now.
