Valheim NPC Mods: Companions & Safe Testing

Test NPC persistence, not just appearance

1. 1
   Step 1: Create a copied world and install the NPC mod with its documented loader, dependency, and configuration; record the original save state first.
2. 2
   Step 2: Recruit or create one NPC, test its movement, combat, inventory, save, and reload behavior, and check whether the state remains after reopening the world.
3. 3
   Step 3: Disable the plugin, reload the copy, and confirm the world still opens before discussing a shared-server installation.
4. 4
   Step 4: Launch once, inspect the log and expected plugin/config path, then stop if the clean profile no longer loads.

An NPC mod is not ready because one NPC appears in the world. Test recruitment or creation, movement, combat, inventory, save/reload, and removal from the copied profile.

Use a clean profile with only the loader and the NPC dependency enabled. Spawn one NPC near a workbench, test one command or interaction, save, restart, and check whether the NPC returns in the same state. Only after that sequence works should you test compatibility with a larger mod list or a shared server.

• Record the loader, dependency, configuration, and supported version before installation.
• Use one NPC and one repeatable action before adding more content.
• Disable the plugin and reload the copy before discussing a shared-server installation.

Roll back before touching the main save

• Disable the NPC plugin and reload the copy when state is corrupted.
• Compare the loader and dependency versions.
• Keep a vanilla backup before any shared-server test.

Test the next mod safely

• mod installation guide
• client-side mod guide
• attack animation mod guide
• world file guide