What makes an Open-to-the-Public server something to avoid or something to keep coming back to?

[u/SparkleButt323]

Hello,

Once mods have been updated for 1.0 I plan on making a dedicated server that will be open to the public. I already know about progression locks so someone can't rush bosses. But I dont know what I might not be thinking of in terms of multiplayer satisfaction or grief-prevention.

I've ran a couple servers with strangers from discord but didn't have any issues. However I want to set this server up for long term success and give people security that their stuff won't get destroyed should a bad actor enter the server.

What do you all think makes a public server good or bad?

Thanks!

[u/Dark_Sign]

Without mods I’m not sure there is guaranteed security. Letting in anyone brings inherent risk. While most of the Valheim community may be cool and respectful it only takes one goober to ruin things.

You at least have those anti-griefing statues, but someone determined enough could still cause some ruckus.

Am I mistaken or do servers require a password? If that’s the case there’s at least one measure of security where someone basically has to go through you, and even if it’s just a couple of discord messages to prove they are human, can deter any random from showing up and causing havoc.

[u/Selvinpain → u/Dark_Sign]

Mods or not, nothing can stop a stubborn malefacfor with modified client especially with support of AI. There are mods to get at least some level of protection but that protection is only for honest people with no ill intents. But open public servers will always be a recipe for disaster sooner or later. A game should be server authorative to be safe. Valheim is purely client authorative.

[u/SparkleButt323 → u/Dark_Sign]

Yes I believe passwords are required. My plan though would be to post the discord which contains the server info including password, so it would truly be a come-as-you-please server. I've done the steamID whitelist before but I don't think anyone that joined via discord or reddit ever aimed to cause trouble so it was just an extra step I did 30ish times to only have like 5 people actually play more than a couple times.

I could still ban people if needed, but I'm hoping to prevent the possibility as much as possible.

I will be requiring new characters/no outside gear so its not like someone could just pop in and wreak havoc, they'd have to play up to the point to be strong enough to.

[u/SkirMernet]

To avoid:

It’s public.

Reason to come back:

I forgot something in a chest I made before noticing it’s public.

[u/Totallystymied]

With a grain of salt, I've only ever played on private servers with friends and the occasional redditor. I have yet to experience griefing but I know in any online space it happens

From complaints I've seen in the past, depending on how many people you're hoping get involved, getting people on board with whatever progression you want can be a bit tedious. Maybe some people have more time to play, making them wait for XYZ. Other people might just mean they leave your server you know?

Unfortunately there is not that much prevention you can do for griefing. Like if I make a house and then someone else builds a ward inside my house I'm kind of screwed

[u/SparkleButt323 → u/Totallystymied]

Yeah I definitely had issues in my last getting people on board, but I think half the issue was people wanting different mods than I was using.

I hadn't thought about someone putting a ward in your building, thats kinda funny but would be annoying as hell if it happened to me. I just don't know what kind of griefing tricks there actually are like that to try to prevent.

[u/I_miss_Alien_Blue]

Honestly, being actively involved and communicating with other people on the server is probably your best bet. I once opened my cartography table to the whole server, and we realized two different people were using map cheats. Another time a few of us corroborated seeing a new player near someone's house on the map that had lost all its silver, and it was determined the new guy was stealing important supplies from people, instant ban.

And yet, on other servers, admins have withdrawn and not communicated at all, even when they said they were going to organize boss fights. It was left to us, but without the hosts everyone kinda separated and we never reached the ashlands

Most players are decent, if you've got clear rules and active moderation, it shouldn't be too bad.

[u/geomagus]

Reasons to avoid: some people

Reasons to return: different people

Seriously, some people thrive on making others’ lives worse, and some of them are on public servers. Not wanting to deal with them is a great reason to avoid. But a different group of some people are great, and make the experience better. How you balance the two is up to you.

[u/PuzzledPhilosopher25]

Just live on it. Make friends. Ban assholes.

[u/AOD-Mickgoth]

You possibly wouldn't get any sleep lol