What are the Best Beginner Weapons in Valheim?
The best beginner weapons in Valheim are those that are easily accessible, effective against early enemies, and versatile enough to support your initial survival and progression. While there isn’t a single “best” weapon for every player, a combination of a Flint Axe for utility and combat, a Flint Spear for ranged engagements, and a Wood Shield for defense is a fantastic starting point. The Torch also has a significant early impact, due to enemies being weak to fire. This initial set, alongside the Leather Armor set for increased survivability, is the foundation you will need to begin your adventure.
Starting Out Strong: Core Beginner Weapons
The Indispensable Flint Axe
The Flint Axe is perhaps the most crucial tool and weapon you’ll craft early on. Its primary use is gathering wood by chopping down trees, a necessary task for crafting, building, and progressing in Valheim. However, it also serves as a decent melee weapon for the initial stages. It deals Slash damage, which is effective against early creatures, and its accessibility is unparalleled as flint is easily found near water.
The Versatile Flint Spear
The Flint Spear offers a valuable ranged option, which is especially useful when dealing with more dangerous enemies or when kiting threats like Eikthyr. It allows you to maintain a safe distance, poke at enemies, and chip away at their health without getting into melee range, which can be risky early on. Its ability to be thrown or used in melee makes it versatile and a recommended option against Eikthyr.
The Essential Wood Shield
A Wood Shield is essential for survival in the early game. Blocking is a crucial mechanic in Valheim, and having a shield will significantly reduce the damage you take from enemy attacks. It’s cheap to craft, requiring only wood, and provides crucial defensive capabilities, allowing you to learn enemy attack patterns while minimizing harm. Combine this with dodging and timing to become a formidable opponent.
The Underestimated Torch
Though not always considered a weapon, the Torch has significant value at the start of your game. This is because most of the early enemies, including Greylings, Greydwarves, Necks, and Boars, are weak to fire. A hit from a torch can ignite them causing damage and scaring them off, meaning you can avoid many early fights altogether.
Understanding Weapon Types
Beyond these starting items, you should understand the different weapon types available in the early game and how they operate.
Clubs: Simple and Blunt
Clubs are one of the simplest weapon types, dealing primarily Blunt damage. They come in both one-handed and two-handed versions. The two-handed variant has the advantage of dealing splash damage, making them more useful against groups of enemies. Clubs are often overlooked, but can be effective early on.
Swords: Balanced and Reliable
Swords offer a mix of decent damage and speed, making them reliable melee weapons. They’re often considered a go-to for players looking for a balanced fighting style. They are a solid choice once available.
Knives: Stealthy and Deadly
Knives stand out with their fast attacks and low stamina cost. However, they have a very short range. Their main advantage lies in their ability to deal 6x damage against unalerted enemies, compared to the standard 3x damage from other weapons. This makes them ideal for stealth attacks and taking out unsuspecting foes.
Best Early Game Armor
The Leather Armor set is your best bet for early protection. It’s relatively easy to craft, using Deer Hide, and provides a good balance of defense and durability. It allows you to take more hits and survive encounters with early-game enemies that you may not be able to outright avoid.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the absolute first weapon I should make in Valheim?
The very first weapon you should craft is the Stone Axe. This allows you to chop down trees for wood, which is needed to create the Flint Axe which will become your main tool and early weapon.
2. Is a pickaxe a good early weapon?
While the Antler Pickaxe is essential for mining, it’s not a good weapon for direct combat. It has a very slow attack rate and no secondary attack. It’s better to use it for its intended purpose – mining. However, the Pickaxe is effective against Stone Golems, which are not early game creatures.
3. When should I craft a bow in Valheim?
You should aim to craft a Bow relatively soon after establishing a base. It’s an essential ranged weapon for hunting and combating enemies at a distance. It should be the next crafted ranged weapon after the Flint Spear.
4. What’s the best weapon to use against Eikthyr?
A Flint Spear and Wood Shield is an effective and manageable combination. The Spear allows you to attack from a safe distance and the Shield is important for blocking Eikthyr’s attacks.
5. Should I use fire arrows against Eikthyr?
While Fire Arrows can be effective, they are not readily available in the earliest game. If you are using a bow against Eikthyr, the Finewood bow is ideal but will take some time to acquire, and 200+ Fire Arrows may be needed for a solo fight. Focus on the Flint Spear for the early game fight.
6. When is the best time to fight Eikthyr?
You should wait until you have a Flint Spear, a Shield, and full food buffs (like Cooked Meat, Grilled Neck Tail, and Mushrooms) before facing Eikthyr. This will improve your survivability significantly.
7. What is Eikthyr’s weakness?
Eikthyr is susceptible to Spirit damage. However, there are no early-game weapons with Spirit damage. The most effective strategy early on is to use your Flint Spear and Wood Shield.
8. What do you do after killing Eikthyr?
After defeating Eikthyr, use the Hard Antler he drops to craft the Antler Pickaxe. This is a critical tool for mining more advanced resources.
9. Are swords worth using in Valheim?
Yes, swords are among the most reliable and consistent weapons in Valheim due to their good damage and attack speed. The Blackmetal Sword is a powerful end-game option.
10. Are knives viable in Valheim?
Yes, knives are a viable option, especially for players who prefer a stealthy playstyle. Their high damage against unalerted enemies makes them useful.
11. What is the “Stagbreaker”?
The Stagbreaker is a powerful two-handed hammer available after defeating Eikthyr. It has good offensive and defensive capabilities, dealing splash damage with each swing.
12. Is the Battle Axe a good weapon in Valheim?
The Battle Axe is a solid mid-game weapon. It has improved windup speed and stagger damage, making it a viable option while you gather more powerful materials.
13. Is the Blackmetal Sword worth the effort?
Yes, the Blackmetal Sword is a top-tier weapon for the mid-game. Its high damage and knockback make it a formidable choice.
14. What is the strongest piece of equipment in the early game?
Early in the game, the Stagbreaker is often considered the best due to its high damage. The Leather Armor is an important piece of equipment for increasing your survivability.
15. Should I focus on a specific weapon type early in Valheim?
It’s generally recommended to utilize a combination of tools and weapons. The Flint Axe for gathering, a Flint Spear for ranged attacks, and a Wood Shield for defense is a great place to start. Once you have a better understanding of the game, you can start specializing in specific weapon types based on your play style.
By mastering these beginner weapons and strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to explore the world of Valheim and overcome the challenges that await you.