Valheim has been with us for a little over a year now and is still in early access since its surprising rise in popularity at launch last March while updates and tweaks are happening constantly, major updates that bring in huge changes have been few, with the last major update still being the Hearth and Home Update last September. The recent mini-update to the Mountain caves has also brought in massive changes to the games’ difficulty, and with that, the assumption of new weapons. It’s been a while since we last saw Valheim’s weapons have a top 10 list, and with that in mind, it’s also time for us to re-evaluate the list made way back when (pre-Hearth and Home to be specific).

Now you may be thinking, a year of the game being out has given a whole chest full of Viking weapons, right? Well, sadly not. There have been new weapons out don’t get me wrong, but only a select few to say the least. If we were to just pick the best of the best, then we just assume the one with the most damage output wins, and you’d be right, but that’s far too easy to do and will end up as a list full of that specific tier of weapon. For this revisit, we’ll be approaching the best weapons in the game from a new perspective, which will be explained below.

As with all Valheim lists, this was written at the time of the games’ latest version (version 0.207.20) and is based on my experience in completing the game with a few friends, and will be on the perspective from a new player, progressing through the game in its current state. Entries may also be left unchanged relative to the past reviews as the information listed is still accurate and valid. Some weapons may be left out on the list to reduce redundancy but may be referenced in any of the entries.

With that in mind, here are some weapons you should get when you play this Viking sandbox, again.
 

15. Club

If you never played Valheim at all, or if you’re on your nth number of new game+ with your friends, then this weapon is a no-brainer to bash brains with.

What’s Good About the Club?

Simply put, it’s simplicity. The club is, again, such a good starter weapon for anyone doing a new game, or just starting and learning the game. Simple things on why it’s good are listed below.

Club:

• Only consumes 5 stamina per swing
• Usable up until you get metal weapons
• Can be made literally in under a few minutes

Want to kill boars for food? This is fine. Battling Greylings? This is also fine. The only thing I wouldn’t take this for is the Black Forest mobs, and by that point, you already have better weapons made, listed below.

How to Get the Club?

YouTube Channel: ESO

Weapon Details:

For a detailed look at the weapons stats, you may look at the table or use the wiki link below.

https://valheim.fandom.com/wiki/Club

 

 

14. Stagbreaker

A weapon that has a niche but useful use case for the early game, the Stagbreaker has an amazing use case.

 

What’s Good About the Stagbreaker?

The ability to be able to clear mobs is a good stat early game, but specifically, it’s good at doing the following:

Stagbreaker:

• Cheapest two-handed weapon to wield
• Can make a decent amount of damage
• Knockback via an AoE smash

The Stagbreaker’s AoE smash is an amazing mob-clearing bonus, but that’s at the cost of some vulnerability since you won’t parry attacks from enemies hitting you and/or can’t block in general once you wind up for an attack. Where this weapon excels at is the AoE smash going through closed doors and walls, which is especially useful in Black Forest crypts. Once you learn to cheese the range of the weapon, you’ll have an easier time picking up the loot and subsequent Surtling Cores’ from the crypts, which can allow you to make Bronze (more on that later).

 

How to Get the Stagbreaker?

YouTube Channel: Vedui42

Weapon Details:

For a detailed look at the weapons stats, you may look at the table or use the wiki link below.

https://valheim.fandom.com/wiki/Stagbreaker

 

 

13. Flint Spear

While the Club was once enough to let you finish the first boss Eikthyr, Hearth and Home’s food changes have opened up a place for the Flint Spear to shine.

 

What’s Good About the Club?

The Flint Spear has always been a viable weapon for the early game, but with a lot of changes towards early durability and survival, it has become much better for the reasons below.

Flint Spear:

• Can hunt Deer without needing a bow and arrows
• Flat stamina cost per attack
• Relatively fast chain attacks

Despite not having a three-attack combo like most of the weapons listed, the piercing attack and the fast attacks give relative safety to those who aren’t used to Valheim’s changes to block, namely the need to balance health and stamina against certain enemies. It’s also a safety weapon in terms of fighting the first boss, Eikthyr, as long as you don’t spam too many clicks as you’ll run out of stamina before you even realize it.

 

How to Get the Flint Spear?

YouTube Channel: Yield2Yeti

Weapon Details:

For a detailed look at the weapons stats, you may look at the table or use the wiki link below.

https://valheim.fandom.com/wiki/Flint_spear

 

 

12. Bronze Sword

With the first of the metals come the first of the weapons you’ll think about crafting, the Bronze Sword.

 

What’s Good About the Bronze Sword?

Swords are often the first weapons you’d craft, and Valheim is no different, offering good combat stats and a relatively balanced damage output relative to the enemies you’d face in the game. Below are just a few things that make the sword great.

Bronze Sword:

• Good starting item for those doing melee combat
• Durable enough for a short expedition/scouting adventure
• Decent damage to weaker mobs

Trusty and reliable, the Bronze Sword is a noticeable step up compared to the weapons listed before it, and given that you’ll be up against stronger foes, that’s a good thing. It’s reliable, strong for the phase of the game it’s in and is a good weapon in general. As a starter weapon, hold on to this up until you can secure stronger Iron weapons, which we’ll get to later.

 

How to Get the Bronze Sword?

YouTube Channel: Goofyboarding

Weapon Details:

For a detailed look at the weapons stats, you may look at the table or use the wiki link below.

https://valheim.fandom.com/wiki/Bronze_sword

 

 

11. Bronze Mace

With all the Bronze weapons you can get, this has the best longevity among all of them.

 

What’s Good About the Bronze Mace?

Given how you’re gonna be raiding crypts in the Black Forest often, the Bronze Mace is the best weapon you can carry, as not many mobs are immune to the blunt damage type it offers, and that surprisingly carries over to later aspects of the game, which is listed alongside the other good things below.

Bronze Mace:

• Good damage across the mobs you’ll face
• Stats are nearly triple the Club
• Upgraded Bronze Maces can work in the Swamp

A very useful weapon in general, the Bronze Mace is a champ when traversing through the Black Forest and even the Swamps. The best part about this weapon is the clear power towards the before-mentioned crypts. With skeletons being the main threat inside the crypts, the blunt damage profile of the mace makes those bone-baring mobs into fine powder. Speaking of the blunt damage, the next area of the game, the Swamps, is home to mobs that are weak against the blunt damage type, and with the likelihood of you being new to the area, this is the best weapon to give yourself a huge survivability boost.

 

How to Get the Bronze Mace?

YouTube Channel: SlipSlopTV

Weapon Details:

For a detailed look at the weapons stats, you may look at the table or use the wiki link below.

https://valheim.fandom.com/wiki/Bronze_mace

 

 

10. Finewood Bow

If range is what you’re after, the Finewood Bow is a strong step-up from the starter Crude Bow you make early.

 

What is Good About the Finewood Bow?

Scouting enemies from afar is vital in this game, and once you do find one, use this to help you out as seen by the uses below.

Finewood Bow:

• Pokes foes from far away
• Grants safety in damaging enemies before close combat
• Has strong longevity in terms of use

When you make the Finewood Bow, the drop-off is much more manageable allowing you to hunt deer and other food sources, damage enemies, and snipe out possible dangers before they can be near you. What’s surprising is that given how the next bows are of a much higher tier, you’ll be relying on this bow much more often, and its longevity in use allows you to even have it by the mid-game. Not bad for what should be an upgraded starter bow.

 

How to Get the Finewood Bow?

YouTube Channel: Fortizar

Weapon Details:

For a detailed look at the weapons stats, you may look at the table or use the wiki link below.

https://valheim.fandom.com/wiki/Finewood_bow

 

 

9. Iron Mace

One of the more preferred weapons of choice for the Swamp, the Iron Mace is no slouch for its effectiveness against the murky beings within that biome.

 

What’s Good About the Club?

A great weapon with great utility, here are the things the Iron Mace can provide.

Iron Mace:

• Slight knockback increase when hitting enemies
• Damage increase can help with higher difficulty mobs
• A good weapon for doing Swamp runs or killing Bonemass

Again, if you want the go-to weapon of choice for Swamp runs, or if you want to go toe to toe with the games’ 3rd boss, Bonemass, this blunt rod is worthy of an inventory slot. Its one-handed operation allows for a shield on the other that will help protect you when out dealing with            the swamp-folk. It’s arguably the best Iron weapon you can readily make as it fits with what the Swamp is weak against, strong blunt damage. Going back, if you wish to take Bonemass down, pummel it down to size, using this Iron whack-a-mole weapon, for as long as you don’t die to poison (or the things around).

 

How to Get the Iron Mace?

YouTube Channel: Kysen

Weapon Details:

For a detailed look at the weapons stats, you may look at the table or use the wiki link below.

https://valheim.fandom.com/wiki/Iron_mace

 

 

8. Iron Sword

Nothing’s more convenient and reliable than a sword, and an Iron Sword is a good one at that.

 

What’s Good About the Iron Sword?

We touched on the Bronze Sword in full detail, and if you need a good step up, the Iron Sword allows for upgrades to your kit such as the following.

Iron Sword:

• Can be paired with a shield for good defense/attack combos
• Relatively cheap to make
• Strong alternate attack to single out an enemy

It’s one of the old reliable type of weapons, where it’s strong generally but not always good against foes who has a resistance to its damage types. For general runs, this is still one of the best weapons to have around in your inventory as it goes a long way (up until you get better tier weapons). Solid and reliable is what this weapon is, and for a lot of us, that’s already a criterion for the best.

 

How to Get the Iron Sword?

YouTube Channel: 8BitBurgers

Weapon Details:

For a detailed look at the weapons stats, you may look at the table or use the wiki link below.

https://valheim.fandom.com/wiki/Iron_sword

 

 

7. Crystal Battleaxe

A new entry and a new weapon class for the game from the Hearth and Home Update will bring a stylish level of hurt into the mix.

 

What’s Good About the Crystal Battleaxe?

Don’t let this beautiful, glowing axe fool you, this weapon packs such a punch (or swing) against anyone and anything that stands in your way and also possesses the unique traits and benefits listed below.

Crystal Battleaxe:

• The only weapon to currently use Crystals
• Great slash damage for a two-handed weapon
• Gives two damage types instead of one, thanks to Silver’s spirit damage

If we look back at how the game was back then, it was a toss-up between an Iron Sledge (higher tier Stagbreaker) or a Battleaxe, but with the Hearth and Home Update making the previously useless Crystal relevant, this axe, while carrying the nuances of a two-handed weapon, is a joy to swing around against relatively strong foes. Just keep in mind the same vulnerability of being exposed to attacks when you mess up the timing or allow some creature to be behind you, but other than that, swing this weapon around to make sure they are chopped down to size.

 

How to Get the Crystal Battleaxe?

YouTube Channel: AKERMAN

Weapon Details:

For a detailed look at the weapons stats, you may look at the table or use the wiki link below.

https://valheim.fandom.com/wiki/Crystal_battleaxe

 

 

6. Blackmetal Atgeir

Now we get to the tier of weapon that makes the game run on easy mode, Blackmetal, and we kick it off with the Blackmetal Atgeir.

 

What is Good About the Blackmetal Atgeir?

With a fast combo attack and a powerful secondary attack, this is an amazing weapon for varying enemies you’ll find in the Plains. Below are the things that make it so great.

Blackmetal Atgeir:

• Best polearm in the game
• The alternate attack does huge pierce damage on a targeted enemy
• Made of blackmetal, which allows for high stats in general.

This is more of an underrated choice as while it is a two-handed weapon, its damage output and maneuverability make it feel like a single-handed weapon. Given how Blackmetal, in general, offers up impressive boosts to any weapon made from it, it makes a lot of sense for the atgeir to be given a larger oomph than expected, which translates to better damage trade back against the strongest enemies in Valheim at the moment.

 

How to Get the Blackmetal Atgeir?

YouTube Channel: KilroyPlays

Weapon Details:

For a detailed look at the weapons stats, you may look at the table or use the wiki link below.

https://valheim.fandom.com/wiki/Blackmetal_atgeir

 

 

5. Silver Sword

A sword that is best used for Swamp runs, this weapon serves as a good option for anyone wanting a spare weapon in their inventories or simply slaying the undead.

 

What’s Good About the Silver Sword?

This weapon is a great example of utilization wherein it may not be the best, stat-wise, but offers up a special trick listed below that allows it to shine, quite literally.

Silver Sword:

• A good weapon through any biome
• Good damage output with the alternate attack
• The only sword that has 2 damage types

The trick here is that the spirit damage will only apply to those who are undead, and given that only a few enemies in the game are, this makes it an unfair representation of damage. When you do find an area that uses it (the Swamps for example), it’s an absolute unit, cutting through the field and leaving a burning glow from those who aren’t part of the living. This is one of the late game items in this list, so expect it to be quite costly, but if you want the shiny stuff piercing a new one into mobs, then make this and be on your way.

 

How to Get the Silver Sword?

YouTube Channel: JadePG

Weapon Details:

For a detailed look at the weapons stats, you may look at the table or use the wiki link below.

https://valheim.fandom.com/wiki/Silver_sword

 

 

4. Frostner

What’s better than 2 damage types? 3 damage types. The Frostner is utility heaven for those wanting a bit of a tactical approach to killing foes.

 

What’s Good About the Frostner?

Its flexible damage profile is split between three types, which in itself makes an endgame viable weapon, however, keep in mind that one of the effects is on a very specific circumstance specifically, it’s good for the following.

Frostner:

• Triple damage profile with both blunt, frost, and spirit damage
• A varied effective rate against many types of enemies
• Highest knockback amount of any one-handed club in the game

This weapon should be the best in theory as that damage should rival anything made in the game so far, in terms of raw stats, but Valheim doesn’t have all the enemies become weak against some of these damage types, so its best not to depend on it for maximum damage out of all the choices here. The Spirit damage doesn’t apply to all enemies and so it’s a ‘better club’ in essence, but that ‘better club’ has another party trick in the form of Frost damage. When you hit an enemy with it, it slows their movement speed just enough to get a fair amount of distance for either an escape or counter-attack. Having this much utility is a great thing, especially if you’re with others carrying other weapon types to maximize any damage they dish out before they get hit with the mobs’ attacks. It’s a cool weapon, literally, and an amazing endgame viable weapon.

 

How to Get the Frostner?

YouTube Channel: ESO

Weapon Details:

For a detailed look at the weapons stats, you may look at the table or use the wiki link below.

https://valheim.fandom.com/wiki/Frostner

 

 

3. Blackmetal Sword

As always with weapon choices, conventional weapons work, and the Blackmetal Sword is one of, if not the obvious endgame weapons to craft.

 

What’s Good About the Blackmetal Sword?

This is nothing short of a great weapon, with the benefits being as simple as the ones listed below.

Blackmetal Sword:

• Very reliable weapon through any biome
• Great damage output with the alternate attack
• A very durable weapon that can last a good while

Its simple three-click combo for its primary attack and powerful charge attack via the middle click makes this a very powerful weapon for even a swarm of enemies in the Plains. This is useful for camp raids, where the combos can hit a whole load of enemies quickly, allowing you to kite back to retreat or regen to kill more people. A drawback that the Blackmetal Sword has is that it isn’t effective towards all enemies as some enemies are resistant to slash damage, which is just a fault towards the weapon type, and not the weapon itself, meaning, that Blackmetal Sword will still cut through a Lox, but not as good as the weapons intended for it. Either way, do you want to hack your way towards the Plains and the endgame? The Blackmetal Sword is perfect for you.

 

How to Get the Blackmetal Sword?

YouTube Channel: KilroyPlays

Weapon Details:

For a detailed look at the weapons stats, you may look at the table or use the wiki link below.

https://valheim.fandom.com/wiki/Blackmetal_sword

 

 

2. Draugr Fang

This comes as no surprise to those who’ve played Valheim, but for those who plan to start, the Draugr Fang is an absolute must for the endgame for very simple reasons.

 

What’s Good About the Draugr Fang?

In the Plains or any combat situation in general, you’d want to have an advantage before taking the enemies head-on, and with the long-range of the Draugr Fang, it easily achieves that by applying a damage bonus for any unsuspecting target. Below are just some of the things you’ll benefit from such a necessary piece in your inventory.

Draugr Fang:

• Damages foes from far away
• Has a natural poison tick when hitting enemies with it
• Grants safety in trimming down camps or singling out an enemy to take on close combat
• Used in tandem with other damaging weapons

While melee weapons are good and all, you cannot discount the safety ranged weapons like the Draugr Fang, and even its lesser alternative, the Huntsman Bow bring to your gameplay. You can choose either one truthfully, but if we’re talking about the best the game has to offer, the extra poison tick that the Draugr Fang brings is the way to go. Sniping enemies from afar is even better with the Draugr Fang, and when you’re dealing with the meanest, toughest, and most difficult mobs the game has to offer, any part to chip away their health before facing them head-on is vital in your survival. While you’re damage and approach vary with your choice of arrows, pairing it with the Needle Arrow, makes this bow very lethal. If you aim to finish the game, carry one in your inventory.

 

How to Get the Draugr Fang?

YouTube Channel: 04AM

Weapon Details:

For a detailed look at the weapons stats, you may look at the table or use the wiki link below.

https://valheim.fandom.com/wiki/Draugr_fang

 

 

1. Porcupine

Even after a year, if you’re looking for the overall usability of the weapon, then look no further than Valheim’s best weapon, the Porcupine.

 

What’s Good About the Porcupine?

It’s got hybrid damage profiles similar to the Frostner, though limited to 2 of them, unlike the Frostner, it gets its secondary stats from the piercing attribute. To put that into context, we must look at what it’s good at, which is listed below:

Porcupine:

• Highest overall damage profile from all the clubs
• A suitable weapon to many enemies, even the highest-level ones
• Its combination of blunt and piercing make many enemies with no resistance easy to burst

It’s a weapon wherein if the strong piercing stat doesn’t kill the enemies, the blunt damage will, and vice-versa. Having this flexibility and the game having enemies that are not resistant to one damage stat to another, combined with the general nature of these high tier weapons makes this spiky club of pain an absolute beast at killing, well, beasts. Line them up, and batter up, that’s what this weapon does, and does it so well. This makes this weapon such a champ for the endgame as no enemy is safe from both the damage profiles listed, meaning this is one you should equip for the end. This weapon is as jack-of-all-trades as you can get when looking at Valheim’s mobs and bosses, and with that, this still takes the cake as the best weapon the game has to offer.

 

How to Get the Porcupine?

YouTube Channel: JadePG

Weapon Details:

For a detailed look at the weapons stats, you may look at the table or use the wiki link below.

https://valheim.fandom.com/wiki/Porcupine

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