Enshrouded 1.0 launches on October 15, bringing the game out of Early Access with new content, progression changes, combat improvements, a higher level cap, and more changes across Embervale.
For players who already have an established world, that raises an obvious question: should you keep your existing save for Enshrouded 1.0, or start completely fresh?
There is currently no announced mandatory world wipe for Enshrouded 1.0. Starting a new world is therefore more about how you want to experience the update than being something every player or Enshrouded server owner needs to do.
Do You Need A New World For Enshrouded 1.0?
At the moment, there is no indication that everyone will be required to create a new world when Enshrouded 1.0 releases.
Enshrouded has previously been designed so that existing worlds can receive new update content. Areas outside the protection of your Flame Altars can update as the game changes, while areas you have claimed and built within remain protected.
However, 1.0 is considerably larger than a normal Early Access update. The complete release changelog has not yet been published, so it is still worth checking the final update notes when October 15 arrives.
For now, there is no reason to delete an existing world in preparation for 1.0.
Why You Might Want To Start A New Enshrouded World
Even if a new save is not required, there are good reasons to consider one.
Enshrouded has changed significantly throughout Early Access, and 1.0 will make further changes to progression, combat, enemies, and the world itself. Starting again allows you to experience those systems naturally from the beginning instead of entering the update with an established character, developed bases, and large amounts of equipment.
It can be particularly appealing if you have not played for several months. Instead of trying to remember old quests, builds, crafting systems, and progression, you can return to Embervale as if you were beginning the finished version of the game for the first time.
A fresh world can also be a good choice for multiplayer groups. Everyone starts at the same point, progresses together, and discovers the new 1.0 content without one player already having significantly more resources or progression than everyone else.
Why You Might Want To Keep Your Existing World
Starting again also means leaving behind everything your group has already built.
For long-running Enshrouded worlds, that could include large bases, settlements, storage systems, resources, crafting areas, and hundreds of hours of building.
There is little reason to throw that progress away simply because the game is reaching 1.0 if your group still enjoys the world.
Existing worlds should also give established players the opportunity to move towards the higher-level content much faster. Enshrouded 1.0 is increasing the player level cap to 50 and equipment can reach level 55, giving progressed characters new goals beyond the previous endgame.
You can see the other major additions already announced for the update in our breakdown of the Enshrouded 1.0 release date and confirmed features.
What Happens To Your Character In Enshrouded 1.0?
Your world and your character are not the same save.
Enshrouded characters can move between different worlds and servers while retaining their equipment, inventory, levels, and personal progression. World progression, bases, and changes to Embervale are stored separately.
One confirmed change for 1.0 is another skill tree reset. Skills are being added and repositioned, so existing characters will need to spend their skill points again when the update arrives.
That is not the same thing as losing your character.
Your established character can still be useful if you decide to continue an existing world, while players who want a completely fresh progression experience can instead create a new character alongside their new world.
Should Enshrouded Servers Reset For 1.0?
For multiplayer server owners, this is really a decision for the entire group.
If your community has spent months building an established world and everyone wants to continue progressing, keeping the existing save makes the most sense.
If most of the group is returning specifically because of 1.0, a fresh server can be more appealing. Everyone can begin together and experience the revised progression from the start instead of jumping directly back into a developed endgame world.
There is also a middle ground.
You can preserve your existing world as a backup and create a new world for 1.0. If your group later decides that starting again was not worth losing its old builds, you still have the original save available.
This is much safer than permanently deleting your existing world before you have even tried the update.
Back Up Your Enshrouded World Before 1.0
Whether you plan to start again or continue your current world, make a backup before updating to 1.0.
Major updates can change a large number of systems at once, and keeping a copy of your existing world gives you something to restore if you encounter a problem or simply change your mind.
This is especially important for multiplayer servers containing months of shared progress.
If your current world is still stored locally, you can also transfer your single-player world to an Enshrouded server before 1.0 and continue using the same save with your group.
Should You Start Fresh For Enshrouded 1.0?
You do not currently need to abandon your existing Enshrouded world for 1.0.
If you have a large world that your group is still invested in, keeping it allows you to preserve your builds and continue into the new progression coming with the update.
Starting fresh makes more sense if you want to experience Enshrouded's finished progression from the beginning, are returning after a long break, or want your entire multiplayer group to begin 1.0 on equal footing.
Whichever option you choose, keep a backup of your existing world before October 15.
If your group decides to start fresh for 1.0, you can launch a new world with our dedicated Enshrouded hosting and keep it online for everyone to join whenever they want. If you would rather continue your existing world, you can upload your current save and carry that progress into 1.0 instead.
For players looking for the best Enshrouded hosting for a new or existing world, Pine Hosting gives you an easy way to get your server online, manage files and backups, and scale your resources as your group grows. Choose the plan that fits your server and get ready for Enshrouded 1.0.
