- Trollheim: Gnomes play with friends supports solo play and online co-op for up to 8 players on Steam.
- Shared survival loop: gather, craft, build treehomes, and explore the Dark Forest together.
- Team roles matter: split gathering, building, scouting, and cooking duties for faster progress.
- One shared base beats scattered camps—keep storage and crafting centralized.
- Respect the Väsen: trolls, faeries, and sirens are neighbors, not just targets.
Co-op Overview: Playing Trollheim: Gnomes With Friends
Trollheim: Gnomes is built as a cooperative survival crafting adventure set in a Nordic-inspired Dark Forest. The Steam page confirms support for single-player and online co-op with up to 8 players, making group play a core part of the experience rather than an afterthought. As tiny Sprýg Gnomes, your group faces a world of towering trees, giant creatures, and folklore-inspired Väsen where scale itself changes how you explore.
The game is currently listed as "Coming Soon" on Steam with Early Access planned. Follow the official Steam page and Steam Community Hub for playtest and release announcements.
Key Co-op Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Max players | Up to 8 in online co-op |
| Solo play | Supported |
| Platform | PC via Steam |
| Core loop | Gather, craft, build, explore |
| Release status | Coming Soon / Early Access planned (12–18 months) |
| Official language listed | English |
Step-by-Step: Setting Up a Group Session
Follow this sequence when starting a fresh world with friends. It keeps the group organized from the first night in the Dark Forest.
Agree on a Starting Plan
Before leaving the spawn area, agree on a temporary base spot, a short scouting route, and which materials the group needs first. This prevents everyone scattering into unfamiliar woods.
Establish a Shared Foothold
Pick a defensible, easy-to-reach location near basic resources. Build a simple shelter and shared storage so the team has a safe return point after every expedition.
Divide Gathering Duties
Assign players to collect building materials, forage food such as blueberries, scout nearby terrain, and organize storage. Rotate roles as needs change.
Explore in Group Expeditions
Travel together through unknown areas. Keep a clear route back to base, mark landmarks, and treat new zones as scouting trips before committing.
Expand the Home Base Together
Coordinate larger building projects—treetop homes, bridges, and crafting areas—so materials flow toward shared priorities instead of scattered private projects.
A small gnome group that pushes deep into unexplored forest without a return route risks losing gathered resources. Always leave a marked path back to the shared shelter.
Team Roles and Playstyles
Gatherer
- Collects twigs, wood, berries
- Runs repeatable routes
- Keeps storage stocked
Builder
- Plans the shared base
- Handles treetop construction
- Maintains lighting and bridges
Scout
- Maps caves and clearings
- Watches for Väsen activity
- Marks safe retreat paths
Cook & Crafter
- Handles cooking and tools
- Manages crafting stations
- Prepares gear for expeditions
Role Comparison
| Role | Priority | Risk Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gatherer | Resource supply | Low | New players |
| Builder | Base growth | Low-Medium | Creative players |
| Scout | Information | Medium | Careful explorers |
| Cook & Crafter | Sustainability | Low | Systems lovers |
Rotating responsibilities keeps sessions fresh and ensures every teammate understands the survival loop—useful when someone logs off mid-expedition.
Shared Base Building and Exploration
A centralized base is the backbone of group survival. The official Steam description highlights crafting everything from arrows to instruments, plus cave networks and underground exploration across multiple biomes.
Group Base Progression
| Stage | Category | Team Goal | Building Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Resource collection | Stock basic materials | First shelter and storage |
| 2 | Basic crafting | Convert resources to supplies | Functional layout, shared stations |
| 3 | Shelter expansion | Organize crafting and storage | Stable co-op hub for expeditions |
| 4 | Advanced construction | Ambitious projects | Treetop homes, bridges, vertical access |
Exploration Etiquette
- Pause at new clearings and observe before gathering
- Watch for signs of nearby creatures or Väsen activity
- Use group expeditions for unfamiliar regions, not solo runs
- Treat trolls and giant creatures as neighbors with territory, not guaranteed enemies
The developers describe trolls as "neighbors, not enemies." Encounters with Väsen—trolls, faeries, sirens—may end in coexistence, trade, or danger depending on how your group approaches them.
Väsen Encounters in Group Play
When playing with friends, Väsen encounters become group decisions. Proximity, movement, and territory are your main signals—some beings may be friendly, others hostile, and many depend on context.
| Väsen Type | Encounter Style | Group Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Trolls | Large-scale, territorial | Observe first, keep distance, respect territory |
| Faeries | Situational | Approach cautiously, watch for reactions |
| Sirens | Environmental hazard zones | Avoid risky areas when carrying resources |
| Forest residents | Neutral or varied | Do not assume hostility; leave room for non-combat interaction |
Every Group Session Should Include:
- Restock shared storage with gathered materials
- Cook or prepare food for the next expedition
- Scout one new area as a group
- Contribute to one shared building project
- Log landmarks and safe return routes
Call out Väsen behavior to teammates immediately. A troll that ignores one gnome may react differently to eight moving through its territory.
FAQ
Q: How many players can play Trollheim: Gnomes together?
The Steam page lists support for single-player and online co-op with up to 8 players total on PC via Steam.
Q: Can I play Trollheim: Gnomes solo if friends are offline?
Yes. Solo play is supported alongside the co-op mode, so you can progress the same survival loop of gathering, crafting, and building alone or with a group.
Q: Is Trollheim: Gnomes released yet?
As of October 2026, the game is listed as Coming Soon on Steam with a planned Early Access period of roughly 12–18 months. Watch the Steam Community Hub for playtest and release announcements.
Q: Should my group fight every troll we meet?
No. Trollheim presents trolls and other Väsen as part of a folklore-inspired world—neighbors rather than simple enemies. Observation and respect for territory often work better than immediate combat.