BARK

B.A.R.K.

A craftable, mortal base defense sentry dummy with configurable targeting modes for Valheim.

B.A.R.K. (Battle-Automaton Robotic Knight) is an armored base defense sentry dummy equipped with configurable targeting modes, customizable combat stats, and full multiplayer synchronization — while leaving the vanilla T.W.I.G. training dummy completely untouched.

Constructed via the Hammer under the Defence category, B.A.R.K. defends settlements by hurling pinpoint stone projectiles at hostile invaders, sparring with players, or standing watch in passive sentinel mode. Sentries feature persistent per-unit mode and range memory, real-time visual indicator auras, customizable armor and turnip head visuals, and server-authoritative configuration enforcement.

Features

• Dedicated Defense Sentry: Craft B.A.R.K. directly from the Hammer build menu under the Defence category using Core Wood and Iron Nails.
• Untouched Vanilla Sparring Dummy: Leaves piece_TrainingDummy completely unchanged as an immortal, safe 1-damage training partner.
• Mortal & Repairable: Sentries possess health, take damage from monsters and raids, can be repaired using the Hammer, and slowly self-repair when out of combat.

Combat & Ballistics

• High-Velocity Stone Barrage: Throws stones with ballistic trajectory compensation and zero drag, ensuring direct hits on targets across all distances up to 40 meters.
• Anti-Self-Detonation Protection: Built-in PhysX collision filtering prevents oversized projectiles from detonating against the dummy or attached armor.
• Configurable Projectile Scaling: Customize thrown boulder sizes from small rocks to siege stones via ProjectileScale.
• Continuous 360-Degree Tracking: Sentries smoothly face acquired targets and track approaching hostiles with no blind spots.

Targeting & Dynamic Modes

• Enemies Only (Default): Guards against hostile forest creatures, invaders, and raid events.
• Players & Enemies: Attacks both monsters and players within range.
• Players Only: Acts as an active combat sparring partner for players.
• Passive: Stands at ease without acquiring targets or throwing stones.
• Per-Sentry Range Presets: Tune individual sentries to engage targets at 10m, 15m, 20m, 30m, or 40m distances.
• Mode Indicator Aura: A floating, illuminated orb indicates active target modes (Green = Enemies, Orange = Both, Red = Players, Gray = Passive).

Visuals & Customization

• Armored Reskin: Comes equipped with metallic darkwood body shading, an Iron Helmet, and a Banded Shield.
• Jack-o-Turnip Head: Features a carved, glowing Jack-o-turnip lantern head with internal candlelight.
• Custom Equipment: Equip alternative vanilla helmets and shields or disable equipment through configuration.
• Custom Texture Loading: Place a PNG texture named bark_diffuse.png into BepInEx/plugins/BARK/textures/ to custom skin the sentry body.

Controls & Keybinds (if applicable)

| Action | Shortcut | Description | |---|---|---| | Cycle Target Mode | E | Cycles targeting modes (Enemies only, Players & Enemies, Players only, Passive) | | Cycle Attack Range | Sneak + E | Cycles attack range preset (10m, 15m, 20m, 30m, 40m) | | Toggle Indicator Aura | Shift + E | Toggles the glowing indicator orb and light above the sentry | | Repair Sentry | Hammer (Attack) | Repairs damaged sentry to full health (costs Wood from inventory) |

Configuration

The configuration file is generated automatically at BepInEx/config/com.jubaroo.bark.cfg. All settings can be adjusted in-game via configuration managers (e.g. BepInEx Configuration Manager or ConfigForge) or edited directly: