Should You Dual Wield in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla? A Comprehensive Guide

The question of whether to dual wield in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a common one, and the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. It depends entirely on your playstyle and combat preferences. Ultimately, dual wielding in Valhalla can be incredibly effective, offering a unique blend of speed, flexibility, and damage potential. However, it’s not without its drawbacks, and understanding both the pros and cons is essential to mastering combat in the game.

The Advantages of Dual Wielding

Dual wielding in Valhalla isn’t just about looking cool (though it certainly achieves that!). Here’s a breakdown of the key benefits:

Enhanced Speed and Mobility

Perhaps the biggest advantage of dual wielding is the increase in speed and mobility. Generally, a second weapon is lighter than a shield, which directly translates to lower stamina consumption when dodging. This allows you to be more evasive in fights, darting in and out of range, and capitalizing on openings more effectively. With a lighter load, you’ll find yourself dodging more often, further enhancing your mobility.

Unique Combat Animations and Combos

Dual wielding unlocks a whole new range of attack animations and combos. Instead of being limited to single-weapon attacks, Eivor can unleash a flurry of strikes from both weapons, leading to devastating chains. Crucially, these combos often incorporate attacks from both hands, maximizing your damage output in a single sequence. Some weapon types, like daggers, really shine with the dual-wield system, making them incredibly lethal in the right hands.

Stat and Elemental Bonuses

When dual wielding, the stats and any elemental bonuses from your off-hand weapon also come into play. This means you can effectively double up on certain benefits, increasing your critical hit chance, poison damage, or other combat advantages. Choosing the right weapon combinations can drastically improve your overall effectiveness in combat.

Versatility and Customization

Dual wielding grants you a wider range of attack options to adapt to different enemies and situations. You aren’t limited to the moveset of a single weapon. This adds layers of tactical depth, enabling you to tailor your loadout to your specific needs and preferences. The variety in weapon types, from axes and daggers to spears and swords, allows for near limitless customization.

The Disadvantages of Dual Wielding

While dual wielding can be incredibly powerful, it also comes with some disadvantages that must be considered:

Loss of Shield Utility

The most obvious trade-off for dual wielding is the loss of the shield’s defensive capabilities. Shields provide crucial protection against incoming attacks, allowing you to block, parry, and interrupt enemy combos. Without a shield, you become more vulnerable to damage and need to rely on dodging and quick attacks. This can make combat a higher risk, higher reward scenario.

Stamina Management

While generally lighter than a shield, dual wielding can still drain your stamina with constant attacking and dodging. It requires mindful resource management, or you’ll find yourself exhausted at critical moments. The ‘Heavy Dual Wield’ skill alters combat controls and reduces your stamina availability, adding to this challenge.

Limited Blocking

Dual wielding limits your blocking capabilities. While you can parry, effectively blocking more powerful attacks, especially thrusts and arrows, is significantly harder without a shield. This forces you to be more aggressive and reliant on movement to stay out of harm’s way.

Range Limitations

No dual-wielded combination offers the range of a two-handed weapon, such as Excalibur, which is considered the strongest sword in the game. This is particularly noticeable when facing enemies at a distance or when trying to control groups. Dual wielding, therefore, is best suited for more close-quarters engagements.

When to Dual Wield

Dual wielding is ideally suited for players who prefer:

• An aggressive playstyle: If you enjoy going on the offensive, using speed to overwhelm enemies, dual wielding is a natural fit.
• A high-skill ceiling: It takes some practice and skill to master the nuances of dual-wield combat, but the rewards are significant.
• A varied approach: If you like the flexibility of alternating between different weapon types and combat styles, dual wielding provides that option.

When to Avoid Dual Wielding

Conversely, dual wielding may not be the best choice for players who:

• Prefer a more defensive playstyle: If you rely heavily on blocking and parrying, the lack of a shield may feel too restrictive.
• Are new to the game: Dual wielding is more complex than shield and weapon combat and is best suited for more experienced players.
• Like to keep opponents at range: The reach of a dual-wielded weapon can be limiting if you favor long-range tactics.

Weapon Combinations to Consider

Certain weapon combinations shine in Valhalla:

• Dual Daggers: These are exceptionally fast and provide a high damage output. They become lethal as your speed increases.
• Axe and Dagger: A good combination of speed and decent damage. The Axe provides power, and the Dagger offers the fast combo.
• Sword and Axe: A balanced choice combining sword speed with axe damage.
• Varin’s Axe with a Shield: While technically not dual-wielding in the traditional sense, pairing Varin’s Axe with a Sarcophagus Shield allows for enhanced speed after each hit while maintaining some defensive capabilities. This combination is excellent for aggressive players.

Conclusion

Dual wielding in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a powerful and rewarding combat style. It offers improved speed and mobility, unique combat animations, stat boosts, and versatility. However, it comes at the cost of a shield’s defensive abilities, demanding careful stamina management and a more aggressive approach. Whether it’s the right choice for you depends on your preferred play style and combat experience. If you’re seeking an engaging and challenging way to play Valhalla, dual wielding is absolutely worth exploring.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does dual wielding increase damage in Valhalla?

No, dual wielding does not directly increase your base damage. However, the combination of attacks from both weapons in combos, along with stat bonuses from your off-hand weapon, results in higher overall damage output.

2. Is dual wielding faster than using a weapon and shield?

Yes, dual wielding is typically faster than using a weapon and shield. This is because the second weapon is usually lighter than a shield, allowing for quicker movements and less stamina usage.

3. Can you block with dual weapons in Valhalla?

You cannot fully block with two weapons like you can with a shield. You can still parry attacks, but you lose the ability to block against more powerful attacks, particularly thrusts.

4. Which weapons are best for dual wielding?

Daggers, one-handed swords, bearded axes, spears, and hammers are all suitable for dual wielding. Daggers are especially potent for their speed and unique combo potential.

5. Are daggers good in AC Valhalla when dual wielded?

Yes, dual-wielded daggers are excellent in Valhalla. Their high attack speed and combo potential can make them incredibly lethal, especially as your speed stat increases.

6. Is Varin’s Axe good for dual wielding?

Yes, Varin’s Axe is a great choice for dual wielding. Its perk of increasing speed after each hit makes it a potent weapon, especially when paired with a heavier or longer-range weapon in the off-hand.

7. Is dual wielding practical for a battlefield setting?

In a realistic battlefield, dual wielding would have disadvantages. The loss of blocking and the inability to deal with projectiles like arrows make it a risky approach. However, in Valhalla, the combat mechanics are different, allowing for dual wielding to be effective.

8. Is single wielding a sword better than dual wielding swords?

Generally, a single, larger sword has a longer reach and the potential for more effective strikes. Dual wielding swords sacrifices reach and power for speed and combo potential.

9. Does dual wielding affect stamina usage in Valhalla?

Yes, dual wielding can reduce stamina usage compared to wielding a heavy shield, allowing for more dodging. However, constant attacks with two weapons will still deplete your stamina, so careful management is needed.

10. What are the disadvantages of dual wielding?

The primary disadvantages include the loss of shield defense, limited blocking capabilities, and a reliance on dodging to avoid attacks. You may also find it harder to deal with ranged enemies.

11. Can you use two-handed weapons for dual wielding in Valhalla?

No, two-handed weapons cannot be dual wielded. You can only dual wield weapons designed for single-hand use, such as axes, swords, daggers, and hammers.

12. Is there a “best” dual-wielding combination in Valhalla?

There’s no single best combination, but dual daggers are incredibly potent due to their speed. Experiment with different pairings to find what suits your playstyle. Varin’s Axe paired with a heavier or longer weapon is also a strong contender.

13. Does Eivor use a hidden blade in combat?

Yes, Eivor does use a hidden blade, though its application is less central to combat compared to previous games. It’s often used in assassinations and finishing moves.

14. Can you dual wield shields as weapons in Valhalla?

Yes, you can dual wield shields in Valhalla, using them as blunt weapons. This can be a fun and effective option if you want to maintain some defensive capabilities while still being aggressive.

15. Is it better to use a hammer or an axe when dual wielding?

Hammers and axes both make good choices for dual wielding. Hammers generally offer slightly less damage but are faster, while axes offer higher damage. Consider which suits your playstyle more.