> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Configure Death Penalties & Skill Drain in Valheim

> Customize death penalties on your Valheim server by adjusting skill drain percentages, item drop behavior, and tombstone mechanics for your community.

## The Cost of Mortality: Skill Drain

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> In a standard Valheim world, death results in a 5% reduction to all of your character's skills. At higher levels, a single mistake can wipe out hours of dedicated training. Using world modifiers, you can adjust these penalties to suit your server's playstyle.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Customizing the Penalty

Add the following arguments to your **Startup** tab to change how death affects your players:

| Argument                              | Mode          | Effect                                                           |
| :------------------------------------ | :------------ | :--------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **`-modifier deathpenalty casual`**   | **Casual**    | You keep equipped gear. Skill loss is reduced to **1%**.         |
| **`-modifier deathpenalty veryeasy`** | **Very Easy** | No item loss. **No skill loss.**                                 |
| **`-modifier deathpenalty hard`**     | **Hard**      | Increased skill loss and higher item drop impact.                |
| **`-modifier deathpenalty hardcore`** | **Hardcore**  | Characters or inventories may be permanently deleted upon death. |

***

<Tip>
  ### Server Best Practice

  For public dedicated servers, the `casual` setting is highly recommended. It maintains the challenge of retrieving your grave while preventing the "progression wall" that causes players to quit after high-level deaths.
</Tip>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

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</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

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</Tip>

***

<div align="center">
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Valheim:** Death penalties configured.
</div>

***

<Note>
  ### Need Extra Help?

  If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

  * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
  * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>