Worked out · Valheim 1.0.17

Strongest weapons

Every Valheim weapon at its max level ranked by damage per hit, with damage per stamina over a full combo, the secondary attack, and the strongest weapon of each type.

Strongest melee hit
Frostfire SledgeSledge · Blunt + Fire + Frost
348damage
Strongest one-handed
Frostfire SpearSpear
296damage
Strongest shot
Frostfire Crossbowwith Bloodgold Bolt
466damage
Most damage per stamina
Frostfire Axe3-hit combo
24.3per stamina

Strongest of each type

Frostfire GreatswordGreatsword · Slash + Fire + Frost · Deep North334damage
Frostfire GreataxeTwo-handed axe · Slash + Fire + Frost · Deep North302damage
Frostfire SledgeSledge · Blunt + Fire + Frost · Deep North348damage
Frostfire DaggerKnife · Slash + Pierce + Fire + Frost · Deep North270damage
Frostfire SpearSpear · Pierce + Fire + Frost · Deep North296damage
Frostfire AtgeirAtgeir · Pierce + Fire + Frost · Deep North296damage
Frostfire KnucklechainsFist weapon · Blunt + Slash + Fire + Frost · Deep North222damage
Frostfire BowBow · Pierce + Fire + Frost + Spirit · Deep North335with Bloodgold Arrow
Frostfire CrossbowCrossbow · Pierce + Fire + Frost · Deep North466with Bloodgold Bolt
Lightning StrikeStaff · Lightning · Deep North360damage

Two-handed weapons at the top hit hardest; staffs and two-handers cost more per attack. Each name opens that type's full list.

One-handed vs two-handed

One-handed (a shield fits)

1Frostfire SpearSpear · 18.5 per stamina296damage
2Frostfire AxeAxe · 24.3 per stamina292damage
3Frostfire MaceMace · 24.2 per stamina290damage
4Frostfire SwordSword · 23.8 per stamina286damage
5Thunderblood AxeAxe · 23 per stamina276damage
6Frostfire DaggerKnife · 19.3 per stamina270damage
7Thunderblood MaceMace · 22.5 per stamina270damage
8Thunderblood SpearSpear · 16.9 per stamina270damage

Two-handed

1Frostfire SledgeSledge · 12.4 per stamina348damage
2Frostfire GreatswordGreatsword · 22.3 per stamina334damage
3Thunderblood SledgeSledge · 11.6 per stamina325damage
4Thunderblood GreatswordGreatsword · 20.7 per stamina310damage
5Frostfire GreataxeTwo-handed axe · 18.3 per stamina302damage
6Frostfire AtgeirAtgeir · 19.7 per stamina296damage
7Thunderblood GreataxeTwo-handed axe · 17.5 per stamina288damage
8Thunderblood AtgeirAtgeir · 18.8 per stamina282damage

Ranged and magic

1Frostfire CrossbowCrossbow466with Bloodgold Bolt
2Thunderblood CrossbowCrossbow450with Bloodgold Bolt
3Nord CrossbowCrossbow380with Bloodgold Bolt
4Frostfire BowBow335with Bloodgold Arrow
5Storm RipperCrossbow331with Bloodgold Bolt
6Root RipperCrossbow331with Bloodgold Bolt
1Lightning StrikeStaff · 40 eitr360per cast
2DundrStaff · 25 eitr34812 bolts × 29
3Staff of EmbersStaff · 35 eitr258per cast
4Staff of the WildStaff · 55 eitr160per cast

All 120 weapons


Frostfire CrossbowPierce + Fire + Frost	Crossbow	Deep North	374	—	—	—	3
Lightning StrikeLightning	Staff	Deep North	360	9	—	40	48
Thunderblood CrossbowPierce + Lightning	Crossbow	Deep North	358	—	—	—	3
Frostfire SledgeBlunt + Fire + Frost	Sledge	Deep North	348	12.43	—	28	52
DundrLightning	Staff	Ashlands	348	13.92	—	25	48
Frostfire GreatswordSlash + Fire + Frost	Greatsword	Deep North	334	22.27	1,002	20	76
Thunderblood SledgeBlunt + Lightning	Sledge	Deep North	325	11.61	—	28	52
Thunderblood GreatswordSlash + Lightning	Greatsword	Deep North	310	20.67	930	20	76
Frostfire GreataxeSlash + Fire + Frost	Two-handed axe	Deep North	302	18.3	151	22	76
Frostfire AtgeirPierce + Fire + Frost	Atgeir	Deep North	296	19.73	296	20	88
Frostfire SpearPierce + Fire + Frost	Spear	Deep North	296	18.5	444	16	66
Frostfire AxeSlash + Fire + Frost	Axe	Deep North	292	24.33	438	16	66
Frostfire MaceBlunt + Fire + Frost	Mace	Deep North	290	24.17	725	16	66
Thunderblood GreataxeSlash + Lightning	Two-handed axe	Deep North	288	17.45	144	22	76
Nord CrossbowPierce	Crossbow	Deep North	288	—	—	—	3
Frostfire SwordSlash + Fire + Frost	Sword	Deep North	286	23.83	858	16	66
Thunderblood AtgeirPierce + Lightning	Atgeir	Deep North	282	18.8	282	20	88
Thunderblood AxeSlash + Lightning	Axe	Deep North	276	23	414	16	66
Frostfire DaggerSlash + Pierce + Fire + Frost	Knife	Deep North	270	19.29	810	14	2
Thunderblood MaceBlunt + Lightning	Mace	Deep North	270	22.5	675	16	66
Thunderblood SpearPierce + Lightning	Spear	Deep North	270	16.88	405	16	66
Thunderblood SwordSlash + Lightning	Sword	Deep North	270	22.5	810	16	66
Staff of EmbersBlunt + Fire	Staff	Mistlands	258	7.37	—	35	48
Nord SledgeBlunt	Sledge	Deep North	255	9.11	—	28	52
Thunderblood DaggerSlash + Pierce + Lightning	Knife	Deep North	250	17.86	750	14	2
Nord GreatswordSlash	Greatsword	Deep North	240	16	720	20	76
Storm RipperPierce + Lightning	Crossbow	Ashlands	239	—	—	—	3
Root RipperPierce + Poison	Crossbow	Ashlands	239	—	—	—	3
Frostfire BowPierce + Fire + Frost + Spirit	Bow	Deep North	235	—	—	—	3
RipperPierce	Crossbow	Ashlands	229	—	—	—	3
Wound RipperPierce	Crossbow	Ashlands	229	—	—	—	3
Frostfire KnucklechainsBlunt + Slash + Fire + Frost	Fist weapon	Deep North	222	23.79	222	14	8
Thunderblood BowPierce + Lightning + Spirit	Bow	Deep North	219	—	—	—	3
Nord GreataxeSlash	Two-handed axe	Deep North	218	13.21	109	22	76
Nord AtgeirPierce	Atgeir	Deep North	212	14.13	212	20	88
ArbalestPierce	Crossbow	Mistlands	209	—	—	—	3
Nord AxeSlash	Axe	Deep North	206	17.17	309	16	66
Thunderblood KnucklechainsBlunt + Slash + Lightning	Fist weapon	Deep North	206	22.07	206	14	8
Nord MaceBlunt	Mace	Deep North	200	16.67	500	16	66
Nord SpearPierce	Spear	Deep North	200	12.5	300	16	66
Nord SwordSlash	Sword	Deep North	200	16.67	600	16	66
Scourging SlayerSlash + Lightning	Greatsword	Ashlands	198	13.2	594	20	64
Primal SlayerSlash + Poison	Greatsword	Ashlands	198	13.2	594	20	64
SlayerSlash	Greatsword	Ashlands	188	12.53	564	20	64
Brutal SlayerSlash	Greatsword	Ashlands	188	12.53	564	20	64
Nord DaggerSlash + Pierce	Knife	Deep North	180	12.86	540	14	2
DyrnwynSlash + Fire	Sword	Ashlands	173	14.42	519	16	57
Nord BowPierce + Spirit	Bow	Deep North	170	—	—	—	3
KromSlash	Greatsword	Mistlands	168	11.2	504	20	52
Thundering Berserkir AxesSlash + Lightning	Two-handed axe	Ashlands	165	12.89	248	16	57
Primal Berserkir AxesSlash + Poison	Two-handed axe	Ashlands	165	12.89	248	16	57
Storm StarBlunt + Lightning	Mace	Ashlands	163	13.58	408	16	57
KlossenBlunt + Poison	Mace	Ashlands	163	13.58	408	16	57
DemolisherBlunt	Sledge	Mistlands	163	5.82	—	28	52
Splitnir the StormingPierce + Lightning	Spear	Ashlands	163	10.19	245	16	57
Splitnir the PrimalPierce + Poison	Spear	Ashlands	163	10.19	245	16	57
Nidhögg the ThunderingSlash + Lightning	Sword	Ashlands	163	13.58	489	16	57
Nidhögg the PrimalSlash + Poison	Sword	Ashlands	163	13.58	489	16	57
Staff of the WildBlunt + Poison	Staff	Ashlands	160	2.91	—	55	48
Berserkir AxesSlash	Two-handed axe	Ashlands	155	12.11	233	16	57
Bleeding Berserkir AxesSlash	Two-handed axe	Ashlands	155	12.11	233	16	57
Flametal MaceBlunt	Mace	Ashlands	153	12.75	383	16	57
BloodgeonBlunt	Mace	Ashlands	153	12.75	383	16	57
SplitnirPierce	Spear	Ashlands	153	9.56	230	16	57
Splitnir the BleedingPierce	Spear	Ashlands	153	9.56	230	16	57
NidhöggSlash	Sword	Ashlands	153	12.75	459	16	57
Nidhögg the BleedingSlash	Sword	Ashlands	153	12.75	459	16	57
Skull SplitturSlash	Two-handed axe	Mistlands	148	8.97	74	22	64
MistwalkerSlash + Frost + Spirit	Sword	Mistlands	148	12.33	444	16	48
HimminaflPierce + Lightning	Atgeir	Mistlands	143	9.53	143	20	64
Crystal BattleaxeSlash + Spirit	Two-handed axe	Mountains	138	10.22	69	18	40
Nord KnucklechainsBlunt + Slash	Fist weapon	Deep North	138	14.79	138	14	8
Silver SwordSlash + Spirit	Sword	Mountains	138	15.33	414	12	30
Jotun BaneSlash + Poison	Axe	Mistlands	135	11.25	203	16	48
Carapace SpearPierce	Spear	Mistlands	133	8.31	200	16	48
Black Metal BattleaxeSlash	Two-handed axe	Plains	128	8.53	64	20	52
Black Metal AtgeirPierce	Atgeir	Plains	123	9.11	123	18	52
Root FangPierce + Poison + Spirit	Bow	Ashlands	119	—	—	—	3
Storm FangPierce + Lightning + Spirit	Bow	Ashlands	119	—	—	—	3
Black Metal AxeSlash	Axe	Plains	115	10.95	173	14	39
PorcupineBlunt + Pierce	Mace	Plains	113	10.76	283	14	39
FrostnerBlunt + Frost + Spirit	Mace	Mountains	113	12.56	283	12	30
Black Metal SwordSlash	Sword	Plains	113	10.76	339	14	39
Ash FangPierce + Spirit	Bow	Ashlands	109	—	—	—	3
Blood FangPierce + Spirit	Bow	Ashlands	109	—	—	—	3
SpinesnapPierce + Spirit	Bow	Mistlands	104	—	—	—	3
Skoll and HatiSlash + Pierce	Dual knives	Mistlands	96	6.86	288	14	24
Fang SpearPierce	Spear	Mountains	93	7.75	140	12	30
Vilebone MaulclawsSlash + Pierce	Fist weapon	Plains	92	11.5	92	12	8
BattleaxeSlash	Two-handed axe	Swamp	88	7.33	44	16	28
Iron AtgeirPierce	Atgeir	Swamp	83	7.9	83	14	28
Draugr FangPierce + Poison	Bow	Mountains	76	—	—	—	3
Iron AxeSlash	Axe	Swamp	75	10	113	10	21
Black Metal KnifeSlash + Pierce	Knife	Plains	74	6.17	222	12	2
Iron MaceBlunt	Mace	Swamp	73	9.73	183	10	21
Iron SledgeBlunt	Sledge	Swamp	73	3.65	—	20	28
Ancient Bark SpearPierce	Spear	Swamp	73	7.3	110	10	21
Iron SwordSlash	Sword	Swamp	73	9.73	219	10	21
Flesh RippersSlash	Fist weapon	Mountains	72	10.8	72	10	8
Silver KnifeSlash + Pierce + Spirit	Knife	Mountains	68	6.8	204	10	2
Bronze AtgeirPierce	Atgeir	Black Forest	63	7	63	12	16
Bronze AxeSlash	Axe	Black Forest	55	9.17	83	8	12
Bronze MaceBlunt	Mace	Black Forest	53	8.83	133	8	12
Bronze SpearPierce	Spear	Black Forest	53	6.63	80	8	12
Bronze SwordSlash	Sword	Black Forest	53	8.83	159	8	12
Huntsman BowPierce	Bow	Swamp	51	—	—	—	3
Abyssal RazorSlash + Pierce	Knife	Ocean	46	5.75	138	8	2
Early AxesSlash	Two-handed axe	Meadows	45	9.38	68	6	4
StagbreakerBlunt + Pierce	Sledge	Black Forest	43	3.58	—	12	4
Staff of FracturingBlunt + Fire	Staff	Ashlands	42	1.4	—	30	48
Finewood BowPierce	Bow	Black Forest	41	—	—	—	3
Flint SpearPierce	Spear	Meadows	38	6.33	57	6	4
Paws of the BearSlash	Fist weapon	Black Forest	37	9.25	37	6	8
Staff of FrostFrost	Staff	Mistlands	36	7.2	—	5	48
Flint AxeSlash	Axe	Meadows	35	7.78	53	6	4
Crude BowPierce	Bow	Meadows	31	—	—	—	3
Stone AxeSlash	Axe	Meadows	30	6.67	45	6	3
ClubBlunt	Mace	Meadows	30	6.67	—	6	3
Copper KnifeSlash + Pierce	Knife	Black Forest	30	5	90	6	2
Flint KnifeSlash + Pierce	Knife	Meadows	16	4	48	4	2

Formula

Damage at max level = base + per level × (max level − 1), each damage type apart; chop and pickaxe left out of the rating (almost every creature ignores them).

Full combo = (combo hits − 1) × hit + hit × the last swing's multiplier; per stamina = combo damage ÷ (stamina × combo hits). Secondary attack = hit × its multiplier.

Bows and crossbows: the arrow's or bolt's damage is added to the weapon's. Full draw takes the draw time at skill 0, a fifth of it at skill 100; a reload takes half as long at skill 100.

Stamina and eitr per attack are at skill 0; skill 100 takes a third off (× 0.67) for every weapon alike, so the order doesn't change.

ItemData.GetDamage, Attack.DoMeleeAttack / FireProjectileBurst, Attack.GetAttackStamina, HitData.ApplyResistance in the code of Valheim 1.0.17.

Assumptions

Weapons at their max normal level, without the Forge of Potential's extra levels.
Practice weapons (1 damage), bombs, the harpoon and the Butcher Knife (tamed animals only) are left out.
Damage per hit doesn't count swing speed: the game files give no attack times.