- Trollheim: Gnomes progression runs in four stages: foothold, basic crafting, shelter expansion, advanced construction.
- Resource collection first: blueberries, twigs, and common materials drive every early unlock.
- Co-op matters: dividing gathering, scouting, and building roles accelerates the whole group.
- Respect the Väsen: trolls and giant creatures are neighbors, not standard enemies.
- Game status: Early Access planned for roughly 12–18 months on Steam, so expect systems to evolve.
Progression Overview: The Four Stages
Trollheim: Gnomes is a cooperative survival crafting game set in a Nordic-inspired Dark Forest, where you play as a tiny Sprýg gnome experiencing the wilderness at a much smaller scale than its giant inhabitants. Progression follows a clear loop: secure a foothold, convert resources into supplies, expand a shared base, and take on larger construction projects. Because the game is still approaching Early Access through Steam, the exact recipes and numbers will be finalized by official updates, but the stage structure below reflects the confirmed gameplay categories.
| Stage | Category | Core Priority | Player Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Resource Collection | Gather nearby materials | Stock basic survival, crafting, and building supplies |
| 2 | Basic Crafting | Convert resources into supplies | Support exploration with a reliable crafting routine |
| 3 | Shelter Expansion | Improve the home base | Organize crafting, storage, and preparation areas |
| 4 | Advanced Construction | Larger building projects | Plan bigger structures around long-term needs |
Do not rush from Stage 1 to Stage 4. Each stage builds the resource foundation for the next, and groups that skip shelter expansion usually waste materials rebuilding storage and workspace later.
Stage-by-Stage Walkthrough
Follow this sequence whether you play solo or with up to seven friends. The steps emphasize repeatable gathering routes, short scouting trips, and one shared home base.
Establish an Initial Foothold
Pick a defensible, easy-to-reach spot near accessible resources. Build a basic shelter and storage area so short trips always have a safe return point. Keep the first base simple; its job is organization, not decoration.
Gather Nearby Resources
Collect common materials such as blueberries and twigs close to your starting area before traveling deeper. Separate building supplies from general survival items, and return to shelter regularly to store what you gather. A repeatable route beats one risky deep-forest run.
Explore in Short, Planned Trips
Expand outward gradually. Map nearby surroundings, mark landmarks and resource spots, and treat every new area as a scouting destination first. Never overextend past a reliable return route.
Improve the Shelter and Prepare for Cooperation
Upgrade essential shelter functions first, then assign clear roles: gatherers, scouts, crafters, and builders. Shared resources should live in one organized base so the whole team can restock and plan expeditions together.
Your gnome's scale changes everything. Terrain that looks passable may hide drops, and large creatures can become dangerous simply through proximity. Observe clearings before committing to a path.
Väsen Encounters and Progression Risk
Trollheim's developers have been explicit that trolls and other Väsen are part of the world's folklore-inspired ecology, not simple enemy mobs to be farmed. That design choice shapes how progression risk works: some beings may be friendly, some may attack, and many fall in between.
Trolls and Giants
- Potentially dangerous neighbors
- Watch proximity, movement, territory
- Not automatically hostile targets
Faeries and Sirens
- Nordic folklore beings
- Behavior varies by context
- Interaction may be possible
Neutral Residents
- Ambient forest inhabitants
- Observe before acting
- Leave room for non-combat outcomes
| Encounter Type | Signal to Watch | Recommended Response |
|---|---|---|
| Giant creature nearby | Movement, territory patterns | Keep distance, retreat path open |
| Unknown being | Changed sound or visibility | Pause, observe, do not engage first |
| Neutral resident | Calm ambient behavior | Pass through without provoking |
As the team behind the game explained to PC Gamer, trolls are treated as neighbors rather than enemies. Factor this into how you plan encounters during progression.
Co-op Roles and Team Progression
With support for up to eight players, Trollheim: Gnomes progression moves fastest when the group divides labor instead of everyone doing the same task. Agree on a shared starting plan before leaving the spawn area: base location, first exploration route, and priority materials.
| Role | Responsibility | Progression Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Gatherer | Building materials, food, common resources | Keeps crafting supply steady |
| Scout | Mapping routes, spotting hazards | Reduces expedition risk |
| Crafter | Tools, cooking, upgrades | Converts stock into capability |
| Builder | Shelter layout and expansion | Turns materials into a real base |
Rotate roles as needs change so no single player becomes a bottleneck, and build one cooperative home base rather than scattered private shelters that split the resource pool.
A central base gives the team a common place to store resources, plan the next expedition, and coordinate construction. Direct shared materials toward agreed priorities before starting personal projects.
Building Milestones Checklist
Use this checklist to track your group's progression through the Dark Forest. Each milestone maps to one of the four stages.
Progression Milestones:
- Establish a defensible shelter with storage near starting resources
- Build a repeatable gathering route for basics like blueberries and twigs
- Map the nearby forest with marked landmarks and return paths
- Set up organized crafting and storage areas in the shared base
- Assign rotating co-op roles for gathering, scouting, crafting, building
- Complete a larger cooperative construction project
Trollheim: Gnomes is planned to spend roughly 12–18 months in Early Access on Steam, so progression systems will keep changing. Follow the Steam Community Hub for patch notes and playtest announcements.
FAQ
Q: What is the core progression loop in Trollheim: Gnomes?
Progression moves through four stages: resource collection, basic crafting, shelter expansion, and advanced construction. Each stage builds on the resource foundation of the previous one, and the loop repeats as exploration opens new areas and materials.
Q: How many players can progress together?
The Steam page lists single-player and online co-op for up to eight players. Dividing gathering, scouting, crafting, and building roles around one shared base is the most effective team approach.
Q: Do I have to fight trolls to progress?
No. The developers describe trolls and other Väsen as neighbors within the world rather than standard enemies. Progression rewards observation, retreat paths, and non-combat interactions as much as fighting.
Q: Will progression systems change during Early Access?
Yes. The game is planned for roughly 12–18 months of Early Access, so recipes, mechanics, and progression pacing may shift. Check official Steam announcements before relying on any specific numbers.