Valheim Deep North guide: enemies, Kall Fimbulbringer and tips
The Deep North is the new frozen biome that Valheim got with version 1.0 on 9 September 2026. According to Iron Gate's patch notes, 1.0 brings more than ten new creatures, two dungeons (Winding Tunnels and Mörkhalla) and a new boss: Kall Fimbulbringer. You can only build there once you've shovelled the snow away, on frozen seas you need to watch where you step, and there are two new production stations: the Frigid Kiln and the Frost Foundry. If you play on an existing world, the biome is only generated properly in areas that haven't been explored yet; make a backup on your server first.
An honest note up front: this is a young biome. This guide only uses what Iron Gate itself has published, in the 1.0 patch notes, patches 1.0.10 to 1.0.16 and the official 1.0 FAQ. Tactics and drop rates that haven't been reliably documented anywhere yet are left out. All names are the ones used in the patch notes.
First, the world question: new world or keep playing?
Iron Gate is clear about this in the 1.0 FAQ. Your existing world gets the new content, but the biome is only generated properly in areas that haven't been explored yet. Can you head straight to the Deep North? "You can, but it's our recommendation that you start over." If your group has never visited the far north, you can simply keep playing; what happens then is explained in Valheim 1.0 and the Deep North update. If you're unsure, start a second world alongside the old one.
Snow, ice and the Snow Shovel
The first new game mechanic in the patch notes says it all: the snow lies thick, and it has to go before you can build. That's what the Snow Shovel is for. Your fists won't do the job: since patch 1.0.10, punching no longer removes snow, although landing on snow after a jump or fall does. On frozen seas and ponds, the patch notes warn you to watch your step, especially during a fight.
For getting up and down heights there's the Grappling Hook. And you can tame a moose: the Moose is tameable and rideable, with its own Moose Saddle.
The enemies you'll run into
The 1.0 patch notes list these new enemies:
- Barka, Elaking, Eyeless One, Fallen Warrior, Gammeltroll, Hexen and Krigen.
- Three kinds of pulp: Hexahedric Pulp, Shapeless Pulp and Tiny Pulp.
- Animals: the Moose (which can also be hostile), seals with their pups, and the Writhan. Patch 1.0.15 increased how often and in how many places Writhans spawn.
- Familiar faces: patch 1.0.10 adjusted the damage and healing of the Greydwarf Shamans in the Deep North, so you'll meet them there too.
On top of that, there's the Jotun invasion. According to the patch notes, the Jotun have invaded Valheim and it's up to you to halt their advance. The patch notes also mention two new events: "The Jotun have found you" and "They emerge from below…". There are two types of Jotun warriors, and since patch 1.0.15 both of them drop the moulds for the medium and the heavy Deep North armour. So if you're after those moulds, it pays to take down Jotun warriors.
Useful for your base: since patch 1.0.14, the ballista accepts the trophies of all Deep North enemies. Are raids suddenly far too crowded? Patch 1.0.16 fixed a bug that could cause way too many enemies to spawn, especially during raids.
Materials, crafting stations and gear
The new resources include Bloodgold, Frostcore, Frostfire Essence, Thunderblood Essence, Crown Jewel and Timberwood. You can also plant Timberwood, just like the new crops Kale, Oats and Poteitr. The new production stations are the Frigid Kiln and the Frost Foundry; existing stations get extensions, such as the Smoker for the Cauldron.
- Weapons: three lines, Nord, Frostfire and Thunderblood, each ranging from sword and dagger to bow and crossbow. There are also four staffs and four shields; in total, Iron Gate mentions more than forty new weapons.
- Armour: four new sets: Protector, Vanguard, Caller and Lox Fur. Since 1.0.10 you can also repair the heavy armour.
- Ammunition: Bloodgold arrows, bolts, missiles and payloads.
- Tools: since 1.0.14, the Deep North battleaxes can chop down every tree.
Two systems reach beyond the Deep North. Idols are scattered throughout the world; bring them to a hidden forge for a chance to upgrade your gear further. And from the trader Haldor you can buy Deeper Pockets and Wider Pockets, upgrades for your inventory.
Dungeons and places to explore
The two new dungeons are called Winding Tunnels and Mörkhalla. Iron Gate also mentions new locations: an abandoned village, a stave hall, an Ice Pond, a memorial site and the Forge of Potential. What you'll find where is exactly the kind of detail players are still busy working out; set off with an empty inventory and a portal nearby.
Kall Fimbulbringer: what's confirmed
Kall Fimbulbringer is the only new boss in the 1.0 patch notes, and the Deep North is the only new biome. Patch 1.0.16 refers to the boss fight in the Deep North and shows that extra creatures appear during that fight: it fixed a bug where some of them could spawn outside the boss area. So update your server and your game before you take on the fight.
How to summon him, what his weak spots are and what he drops isn't in the patch notes or in the official 1.0 FAQ. We'd rather not guess: go in with your whole group, with the best Deep North gear you can make, and make a backup beforehand.
At the edge of the world: alternate biomes
Another new feature in 1.0: according to the patch notes, if you travel to the outer edge of the world, you can find alternate versions of earlier biomes. Here too, only unexplored areas get new content. If your group has already sailed the edge extensively, a new world is the surest way to see them.
On your server: how to prepare for the trip
- Update the server. After 1.0, Iron Gate released patches 1.0.10 through 1.0.16. They arrive a few days apart per platform, but according to Iron Gate crossplay keeps working. In our Valheim template, Auto Update is on by default: on a restart, the server fetches the latest version.
- Make a backup before your group sails north; how to do that in the panel is explained in How do I make a backup? If you loaded a world from before 1.0 for the first time, Valheim already made a backup by itself. You'll need it if items on stands lost their level, a bug that patch 1.0.12 fixed.
- Seams in the terrain? Patches 1.0.15 and 1.0.16 fixed issues with duplicated terrain and with terrain changes in the Deep North that snapped back. If seams are still visible, walk through the snow along them or fix them with a pickaxe or hoe.
No server for your group yet? A Valheim server at MC-Node starts at €3.00 per month, runs on NVMe storage with DDoS protection and can be cancelled monthly. With crossplay, players on PS5, Xbox and Switch 2 can join in too; how that works is explained in our crossplay article.
When you don't need a new server or world
If you just want a quick look around in the snow, a fresh world in co-op or single player is enough. And if your group has never visited the north, just keep playing on your current world. A new biome doesn't automatically mean you need a bigger server plan either.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to start a new world for the Deep North in Valheim?
Not necessarily. Your existing world gets the new content, but according to Iron Gate the biome is only generated properly in areas that haven't been explored yet. That's why Iron Gate recommends starting over; if you've never visited the far north, you can keep playing.
Who is the boss of the Deep North?
Kall Fimbulbringer. He's the only new boss in the Valheim 1.0 patch notes, and the Deep North is the only new biome. Extra creatures appear during the boss fight; patch 1.0.16 fixed some of them being able to spawn outside the boss area.
How do you remove snow in Valheim?
With the Snow Shovel, a new tool from 1.0. In the Deep North you have to clear the snow before you can build. Since patch 1.0.10, punching with your fists no longer removes snow.
Can you tame a moose in Valheim?
Yes. According to the 1.0 patch notes, the Moose from the Deep North is tameable and rideable. To ride it, you craft a Moose Saddle.