Parry Bonemass in Valheim: Choosing the Right Shield
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The swamp is calling, and with it comes the challenge of Bonemass, Valheim’s formidable third boss. A crucial aspect of surviving this encounter is understanding which shields allow you to parry his devastating attacks, turning defense into offense. The short answer: Any shield that isn’t classified as a Tower Shield can be used to parry Bonemass’s attacks. This includes Bucklers, Round Shields, and the Black Metal Shield, giving you a range of options depending on your progression and preferred playstyle. Understanding the nuances of parrying and shield stats will greatly increase your odds of survival.
Understanding Parry Mechanics in Valheim
Before diving into specific shields, let’s clarify what it means to parry in Valheim. Parrying isn’t simply blocking; it’s a timed block performed just before an enemy’s attack lands. A successful parry staggers the enemy, leaving them vulnerable to follow-up attacks. The timing is crucial, requiring practice and familiarity with enemy attack patterns. Additionally, the amount of stagger applied is affected by your Parry Force attribute.
- Parry Force: Determines how long an enemy is staggered after a successful parry.
- Block Power: Determines how much damage is blocked and how much stamina is lost.
- Parry Bonus: A multiplier to the block power when a parry is successful.
Tower Shields, while boasting impressive block power, are specifically designed not to parry. Their strength lies in sustained defense, not precise timing.
What Shields Can Parry Bonemass?
Essentially, any shield except for Tower Shields can be used to parry in Valheim. Here’s a breakdown of some excellent options:
- Wood Shield/Leather Shield: Starting shields that teach the basics of parrying. Good for the early game.
- Bronze Buckler: An early game parrying shield that is viable against many enemies.
- Iron Buckler: A more robust upgrade to the Bronze Buckler.
- Silver Shield: This shield is also great for parrying, and available before facing Bonemass.
- Black Metal Shield: One of the best all-around shields, excelling at both parrying and blocking.
- Carapace Shield: A high-tier buckler with a 2.5x parry bonus.
Why Parry Bonemass?
Bonemass hits hard, and his attacks often inflict poison. While blocking is necessary, parrying provides crucial openings to deal damage. A successful parry staggers Bonemass, interrupting his attacks and allowing you to unleash a flurry of blows with your mace or other blunt weapon. Mastering the parry timing can significantly reduce the duration of the fight and minimize the amount of poison damage you sustain.
Strategy Tips for Parrying Bonemass
- Practice the Timing: Before summoning Bonemass, practice parrying other enemies in the Swamp biome to get a feel for the timing.
- Use Poison Resistance: Essential for mitigating the damage from Bonemass’s poison attacks.
- Upgrade Your Shield: A higher quality shield will offer more Block Power, reducing stamina drain when blocking (or parrying if mistimed).
- Blunt Weapons Are Key: Bonemass is highly resistant to piercing and slashing damage. Focus on blunt weapons like maces and hammers.
- Be Patient: Don’t get greedy with attacks. Focus on parrying, landing a few hits, and then preparing for the next attack.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Shields and Bonemass
FAQ 1: Can I use a Tower Shield to fight Bonemass?
While you can use a Tower Shield against Bonemass for blocking his attacks, you cannot parry with it. Tower Shields prioritize blocking massive amounts of damage over precise timing. Their slow movement penalty also makes dodging more difficult.
FAQ 2: What’s the difference between blocking and parrying?
Blocking reduces incoming damage but drains stamina. Parrying is a perfectly timed block that staggers the enemy, creating an opening for attack, and typically reduces stamina drain. Parrying is more risky but offers a greater reward.
FAQ 3: Is the Black Metal Shield the best option for parrying Bonemass?
The Black Metal Shield is arguably the best all-around shield in Valheim, offering a strong balance of Block Power and Parry Power. It’s an excellent choice for Bonemass, but requires access to the Plains biome and the ability to process Black Metal.
FAQ 4: What stats should I prioritize on a shield for the Bonemass fight?
Block Power is crucial for reducing stamina drain when blocking. Parry Bonus is important for extending the stagger duration after a successful parry. Also, consider the shield’s weight and its impact on your movement speed.
FAQ 5: Is armor important for the Bonemass fight?
Absolutely! While parrying is essential, armor reduces the damage you take from attacks you don’t perfectly parry or from poison. The Root Armor set is particularly useful due to its poison resistance bonus.
FAQ 6: What weapons are effective against Bonemass?
Bonemass is weak to blunt damage. Iron Maces, Bronze Maces, and the Stagbreaker are all viable options. The Frostner (a unique mace with frost damage) is also highly effective.
FAQ 7: How does stamina affect my ability to parry?
Running out of stamina leaves you vulnerable. If your stamina is depleted, you will not be able to block or parry effectively. Monitor your stamina carefully and manage your actions accordingly.
FAQ 8: What food should I eat before fighting Bonemass?
Focus on foods that increase your health and stamina. Cooked Meat, Sausages, and Honey are good early-game options. Late-game foods like Lox Meat Pie and Blood Pudding offer even greater benefits.
FAQ 9: What is the best strategy for soloing Bonemass?
Soloing Bonemass requires careful planning and execution. Prioritize poison resistance, use a blunt weapon, and focus on parrying and dodging his attacks. Consider building a small shelter nearby to recover stamina and health.
FAQ 10: Where do I find the materials to craft the best shield for Bonemass?
Materials like Iron, Black Metal, Fine Wood, and Chains are found in various biomes, including the Swamp, Plains, and Burial Chambers. Explore thoroughly and be prepared for challenging encounters.
FAQ 11: How important is it to upgrade my shield before fighting Bonemass?
Upgrading your shield significantly increases its Block Power and Parry Force, making it much more effective. It’s highly recommended to upgrade your shield to the maximum level possible before facing Bonemass.
FAQ 12: Does the Bonemass boss fight have any special mechanics I should be aware of?
Bonemass has several attacks, including a melee attack, a poison vomit attack, and the ability to summon skeletons and blobs. Be prepared to dodge his attacks and deal with his minions.
FAQ 13: Can I use bows against Bonemass?
While Bonemass is highly resistant to piercing damage, bows can be useful for dealing with his summoned minions from a safe distance. However, don’t rely on bows as your primary source of damage against Bonemass himself.
FAQ 14: How do I summon Bonemass?
To summon Bonemass, you need to place 10 Withered Bones on his Mystical Altar, which is typically found in the Swamp biome. Withered Bones can be found in Muddy Scrap Piles and Sunken Crypts.
FAQ 15: What does the Bonemass Trophy do?
The Bonemass Trophy grants you the Bonemass Power, which provides resistance to physical damage types (blunt, slash, and pierce). It’s incredibly useful for exploring dangerous areas and fighting other bosses.
Conclusion: Prepare to Parry!
Choosing the right shield and mastering the parry mechanic are crucial for defeating Bonemass in Valheim. Experiment with different shields, practice your timing, and adapt your strategy to the challenges of the Swamp. With the right preparation and skill, you can conquer this formidable boss and claim your reward. Remember to utilize community resources and insights, such as those found through the Games Learning Society, to hone your skills and knowledge. Understanding the game mechanics, like those presented at the GamesLearningSociety.org, helps foster a deeper appreciation for the game. Good luck, Viking!