- Trollheim: Gnomes co-op gameplay supports solo play and online multiplayer with up to 8 players.
- The game is listed on Steam as Coming Soon, with a planned Early Access cycle of 12–18 months.
- Teamwork revolves around shared bases, divided gathering roles, and coordinated Dark Forest exploration.
- Trolls and other Väsen are treated as neighbors, not simple enemies — coordinate before engaging.
- Communication and a shared starting plan prevent wasted effort in the early game.
What Trollheim: Gnomes Co-op Gameplay Includes
Trollheim: Gnomes is a cooperative survival crafting adventure set in a Nordic-inspired Dark Forest. You play as a tiny Sprýg gnome gathering resources like blueberries and twigs, crafting tools, building treetop shelters, and encountering folklore creatures called Väsen — trolls, faeries, and sirens among them. According to the Steam store page, the game supports both solo play and online co-op with up to eight players.
The development team describes trolls as neighbors rather than pure enemies, which shapes how co-op groups should approach encounters. The core co-op loop combines exploration, construction, resource gathering, and creature interaction into a shared group experience.
Trollheim: Gnomes is currently listed as "Coming Soon" on Steam with a planned Early Access period of roughly 12–18 months. Features and co-op details may evolve, so follow the Steam Community Hub for the latest updates.
Core Co-op Elements at a Glance:
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Player count | Solo or up to 8 players online |
| Genre | Co-op survival crafting, PvE |
| Setting | Nordic Dark Forest, gnome-scale perspective |
| Creatures | Trolls, faeries, sirens and other Väsen |
| Platform | PC via Steam |
| Status | Coming Soon / Early Access planned |
Co-op Team Roles and Division of Labor
A well-organized group progresses far faster than players who scatter randomly. Because Trollheim: Gnomes blends gathering, crafting, building, and exploration, splitting responsibilities keeps every system moving in parallel.
Gatherer
- Collects blueberries, twigs, wood
- Runs repeatable resource routes
- Stocks shared storage
Builder
- Plans the shared treehouse base
- Handles bridges and vertical paths
- Manages building material needs
Scout
- Explores in short planned trips
- Marks caves and landmarks
- Watches for Väsen activity
Crafter
- Turns materials into tools and arrows
- Handles cooking and food supplies
- Prioritizes gear for expeditions
Rotate roles as the group's needs change. Locking players into a single job causes bottlenecks when a project suddenly needs more builders or the food supply runs low before a long expedition.
Recommended Role Balance by Group Size:
| Group Size | Gatherers | Builders | Scouts | Crafters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 players | 1 | 1 | Shared | Shared |
| 4 players | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 8 players | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Step-by-Step: Starting a Co-op Session
Agree on a Starting Plan
Before leaving the starting area, agree on a temporary base location, a short exploration route, and which materials the group needs first. This keeps the opening organized and prevents players from scattering too far apart.
Establish an Initial Foothold
Choose a defensible, easy-to-reach spot for a basic shelter and storage area. Keep the first base close to accessible resources so gatherers can restock without risk.
Build a Repeatable Gathering Route
Collect common materials near the starting area, separate building supplies from survival items, and return to shelter regularly to store resources. A dependable route beats risky deep-forest trips.
Explore in Short, Planned Trips
Expand outward gradually. Map nearby surroundings, keep the shelter as a return point, and travel as a group through unfamiliar woodland so discoveries support future building.
Expand the Shared Base
Use gathered materials to upgrade the group's living space, assign clear expedition roles, and keep shared resources organized so the whole team benefits.
Treat every new area as a scouting destination first. Pause at clearings, read changes in visibility, sound, and vegetation, and always keep an open retreat path back to base.
Shared Base Building and Crafting Progression
One central cooperative base gives the team a common place to store resources, plan expeditions, and expand construction. Coordinate building projects so materials flow toward shared priorities instead of scattered personal structures.
Co-op Progression Stages:
| Stage | Category | Team Priority | Building Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Resource Collection | Gather nearby materials | First shelter and storage area |
| 2 | Basic Crafting | Convert resources into supplies | Functional layout with expansion room |
| 3 | Shelter Expansion | Improve the shared base | Crafting, storage, and prep zones |
| 4 | Advanced Construction | Larger group projects | Treehouses, bridges, vertical access |
The Steam page confirms crafting ranges from arrows to musical instruments, so crafters have plenty of options for supporting both survival and group morale. Because specific recipes may change during Early Access, verify current crafting data against the official Steam page before planning builds.
Coordinate building projects around accessibility, organization, and long-term survival needs. A single well-planned treehouse base serves an eight-player team better than eight scattered huts.
Co-op Väsen Encounters and PvE Tactics
The Väsen — trolls, faeries, sirens, and other Nordic folklore beings — may be friendly or hostile depending on context. Co-op groups should agree on encounter rules before meeting large creatures, because a single careless teammate can turn a neutral neighbor into a threat.
Co-op Encounter Reference:
| Encounter Type | Behavior | Co-op Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Trolls and giants | Potentially dangerous neighbors | Observe from distance, respect territory |
| Faeries | Situational, folklore-rooted | Approach calmly, avoid provoking |
| Sirens | Environmental hazard risk | Keep group together, watch water areas |
| Neutral residents | Vary by context | Observe before acting, allow non-combat interaction |
The developers explicitly frame trolls as part of the world's community rather than targets to defeat. In co-op, proximity, movement, and territory are encounter signals — communicate before anyone attacks.
Group Encounter Rules:
- Call out large creature sightings before approaching
- Agree on a retreat signal for the whole group
- Observe behavior for at least a minute before acting
- Never split the party near unknown Väsen territory
- Log encounter locations for future routes
Co-op Session Goals and FAQ
First Co-op Session Goals:
- Agree on base location and starting roles
- Build a basic shelter with shared storage
- Establish a repeatable gathering route
- Complete one group scouting expedition
- Stock food supplies for the next session
Good communication and clear responsibilities help a group make steady progress without duplicating effort. A five-minute planning talk before spawning saves hours of scattered work.
Q: How many players can join Trollheim: Gnomes co-op gameplay?
The Steam page lists support for solo play and online co-op with up to 8 players, making it suitable for both small duos and larger friend groups.
Q: Is Trollheim: Gnomes released yet?
No. As of October 2026, the game is listed as Coming Soon on Steam, with a planned Early Access period of roughly 12–18 months. Follow the Steam Community Hub for release and playtest news.
Q: Can we fight trolls in co-op?
Trolls are not presented solely as combat targets. The developers describe them as neighbors within the world's folklore-inspired ecology, so co-op groups should observe and communicate before engaging rather than attacking on sight.
Q: What is the best team size for co-op?
Groups of 2–4 players can cover all core roles (gathering, building, scouting, crafting) with less coordination overhead. Larger groups of up to 8 benefit from formally assigned roles and a single shared base.