Ocean is the largest body of water in Valheim and separates the game’s islands and landmasses. It can only be crossed by boat, since attempting to swim across it quickly drains stamina and leads to drowning. Ocean travel is therefore a core part of long-distance exploration and sea trade, but it also exposes players to dangerous encounters.
The biome can contain Serpents, Leviathans, tuna, coral cod, and pufferfish. Serpents commonly appear during storms and are the main hostile threat on open water, with smaller craft being especially vulnerable. The game also simulates tide changes along coastlines and shorelines, which affects the look and feel of the sea near land.
Weather changes wave behavior in the Ocean, increasing both their size and frequency:
Clear weather: 2.5 waves per minute, average height 0.5 m, maximum 1.5 m
Rain: 2.5 waves per minute, average height 2 m, maximum 3 m
ThunderStorm: 5 waves per minute, average height 3 m, maximum 5 m
Items and loot dropped in the Ocean do not all behave the same way. Some objects float while others sink depending on their weight. Floating examples include wood and some trophies, while nails, pelts, scales, and coins sink below the surface and may become unreachable. If a player dies in the Ocean biome, a floating headstone is created. If a boat is destroyed, its cargo is transferred into floating crates.
