How can players avoid overloading the server in multiplayer?

In Valheim, multiplayer servers can become overloaded due to excessive player activity, large builds, or too many entities (like mobs, items, or structures) in the game world. Overloading can lead to lag, crashes, or even server instability. To avoid this, players should follow specific strategies to optimize server performance while maintaining a fun and engaging gameplay experience.\n\nFirst, limit the number of active entities in the game. Entities include items dropped on the ground, spawned mobs, and placed objects like furniture or crafting stations. For example, avoid leaving large amounts of resources or items scattered around your base. Instead, store them in chests or other storage solutions. This reduces the server''s workload and prevents unnecessary strain. Additionally, avoid overpopulating areas with too many torches, campfires, or other light sources, as these can also contribute to server load.\n\nSecond, optimize your builds to reduce complexity. Large, intricate structures with many overlapping pieces can strain the server. Use fewer building pieces where possible, and avoid excessive terraforming, as altering the terrain significantly can increase server load. For example, instead of creating massive underground bases, consider building above ground with simpler designs. If you must terraform, try to limit the scale of your changes and focus on smaller, more manageable areas.\n\nThird, manage mob spawns and events carefully. Events like raids or boss fights can spawn large numbers of enemies, which can overwhelm the server if not handled properly. To mitigate this, ensure your base is well-defended with walls, traps, and other defensive structures. This reduces the need for constant combat and minimizes the number of active mobs. Additionally, avoid farming too many mobs in one area, as this can lead to excessive spawns and server strain.\n\nFourth, distribute player activity across the map. If all players are concentrated in one area, the server has to process more data in that location, leading to potential overload. Encourage players to explore different biomes, such as the Meadows, Black Forest, or Plains, and establish smaller outposts instead of one massive base. This spreads the server load and reduces the risk of lag or crashes.\n\nFinally, use server commands and mods responsibly. If you''re hosting a dedicated server, consider using commands like ''save'' to manually save the game and reduce the risk of data loss during high-activity periods. Additionally, some mods can help optimize server performance, but be cautious when installing them, as poorly optimized mods can have the opposite effect. Always test mods in a controlled environment before using them on your main server.\n\nBy following these tips, players can enjoy a smoother multiplayer experience in Valheim while avoiding server overload. Focus on efficient resource management, optimized builds, and balanced player activity to keep your server running smoothly.