Worked out · Valheim 1.0.17
Best weapons by biome
For each Valheim biome: hits to kill every hostile creature there with each weapon you can make by then, their weaknesses and resistances applied — melee and ranged apart, the best of each type, and the cheapest in stamina.
MeadowsEarly Axes5 hits · ranged: Crude Bow
Black ForestBronze Axe37 hits · ranged: Finewood Bow
SwampBattleaxe37 hits · ranged: Huntsman Bow
MountainsIron Pickaxe25 hits · ranged: Draugr Fang
PlainsBlack Metal Atgeir54 hits · ranged: Draugr Fang
MistlandsHimminafl46 hits · ranged: Staff of Embers
AshlandsScourging Slayer60 hits · ranged: Storm Ripper
Deep NorthThunderblood Axe66 hits · ranged: Thunderblood CrossbowMeadows
Fewest hits up close: Early Axes (5 hits for all 4); at range: Crude Bow with Fire Arrow (4); least stamina: Early Axes (30).
Melee
| Weapon | Total |  Greydwarf |  Greyling |  Boar |  Neck |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early AxesTwo-handed axe · 30 stamina | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
 Flint SpearSpear · 30 stamina | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
 Flint AxeAxe · 30 stamina | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
 Stone AxeAxe · 30 stamina | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
 ClubMace · 30 stamina | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
 Flint KnifeKnife · 32 stamina | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
 Antler PickaxePickaxe · 48 stamina | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Bows, crossbows & staffs
| Weapon | Total | Greydwarf | Greyling | Boar | Neck |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Crude Bowwith Fire Arrow | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Best of each type: Crude Bow (4) · Early Axes (5) · Club (5) · Flint Spear (5) · Flint Knife (8) · Antler Pickaxe (8)
Black Forest
Fewest hits up close: Bronze Axe (37 hits for all 5); at range: Finewood Bow with Fire Arrow (27); least stamina: Early Axes (270).
Melee
| Weapon | Total |  Troll |  Bear |  Greydwarf Brute |  Greydwarf Shaman | Greydwarf |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze AxeAxe · 296 stamina | 37 | 16 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
 Bronze SwordSword · 320 stamina | 40 | 17 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
 Bronze AtgeirAtgeir · 480 stamina | 40 | 10 | 23 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Early AxesTwo-handed axe · 270 stamina | 45 | 20 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
 Bronze SpearSpear · 376 stamina | 47 | 11 | 27 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
 Paws of the BearFist weapon · 330 stamina | 55 | 24 | 20 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| Flint AxeAxe · 348 stamina | 58 | 25 | 21 | 7 | 3 | 2 |
 Bronze PickaxePickaxe · 496 stamina | 62 | 15 | 36 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
Bows, crossbows & staffs
| Weapon | Total | Troll | Bear | Greydwarf Brute | Greydwarf Shaman | Greydwarf |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Finewood Bowwith Fire Arrow | 27 | 9 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Crude Bowwith Fire Arrow | 30 | 11 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Best of each type: Finewood Bow (27) · Bronze Axe (37) · Bronze Sword (40) · Bronze Atgeir (40) · Bronze Spear (47) · Paws of the Bear (55) · Bronze Pickaxe (62) · Copper Knife (68) · Bronze Mace (69)
Swamp
Fewest hits up close: Battleaxe (37 hits for all 9); at range: Huntsman Bow with Fire Arrow (52); least stamina: Early Axes (426).
Melee
| Weapon | Total |  Abomination |  Writhan |  Draugr Elite |  Oozer |  Draugr |  Wraith |  Leech | Blob |  Skeleton |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BattleaxeTwo-handed axe · 592 stamina | 37 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
 Iron AxeAxe · 430 stamina | 43 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
 Iron SwordSword · 430 stamina | 43 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Bronze AxeAxe · 464 stamina | 58 | 21 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Bronze SwordSword · 488 stamina | 61 | 22 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
 Iron MaceMace · 640 stamina | 64 | 32 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
 Iron SledgeSledge · 1,280 stamina | 64 | 32 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Early AxesTwo-handed axe · 426 stamina | 71 | 26 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
Bows, crossbows & staffs
| Weapon | Total | Abomination | Writhan | Draugr Elite | Oozer | Draugr | Wraith | Leech | Blob | Skeleton |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Huntsman Bowwith Fire Arrow | 52 | 24 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Finewood Bowwith Fire Arrow | 57 | 25 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Crude Bowwith Fire Arrow | 65 | 27 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Best of each type: Battleaxe (37) · Iron Sword (43) · Huntsman Bow (52) · Iron Mace (64) · Iron Atgeir (79) · Ancient Bark Spear (80) · Paws of the Bear (83) · Iron Pickaxe (94) · Copper Knife (117)
Mountains
Fewest hits up close: Iron Pickaxe (25 hits for all 4); at range: Draugr Fang with Obsidian Arrow (29); least stamina: Bronze Pickaxe (248).
Melee
| Weapon | Total |  Stone Golem |  Fenring |  Drake |  Wolf |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron PickaxePickaxe · 250 stamina | 25 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 3 |
| Iron MaceMace · 260 stamina | 26 | 16 | 6 | 2 | 2 |
| Iron SledgeSledge · 520 stamina | 26 | 16 | 6 | 2 | 2 |
 Crystal BattleaxeTwo-handed axe · 540 stamina | 30 | 22 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Bronze PickaxePickaxe · 248 stamina | 31 | 13 | 11 | 4 | 3 |
 Silver SwordSword · 396 stamina | 33 | 25 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
 Fang SpearSpear · 408 stamina | 34 | 25 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| BattleaxeTwo-handed axe · 560 stamina | 35 | 26 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
Bows, crossbows & staffs
| Weapon | Total | Stone Golem | Fenring | Drake | Wolf |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Draugr Fangwith Obsidian Arrow | 29 | 22 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Huntsman Bowwith Silver Arrow | 31 | 23 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Finewood Bowwith Silver Arrow | 33 | 25 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Crude Bowwith Silver Arrow | 37 | 28 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
Best of each type: Iron Pickaxe (25) · Iron Mace (26) · Draugr Fang (29) · Crystal Battleaxe (30) · Silver Sword (33) · Fang Spear (34) · Iron Atgeir (38) · Flesh Rippers (42) · Silver Knife (54)
Plains
Fewest hits up close: Black Metal Atgeir (54 hits for all 5); at range: Draugr Fang with Silver Arrow (50); least stamina: Silver Sword (768).
Melee
| Weapon | Total |  Vile |  Lox |  Fuling Berserker |  Fuling |  Deathsquito |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Metal AtgeirAtgeir · 972 stamina | 54 | 28 | 12 | 10 | 3 | 1 |
| Crystal BattleaxeTwo-handed axe · 1,080 stamina | 60 | 18 | 27 | 11 | 3 | 1 |
 Black Metal BattleaxeTwo-handed axe · 1,240 stamina | 62 | 27 | 23 | 9 | 2 | 1 |
 PorcupineMace · 882 stamina | 63 | 31 | 17 | 11 | 3 | 1 |
| Silver SwordSword · 768 stamina | 64 | 16 | 31 | 13 | 3 | 1 |
 Black Metal AxeAxe · 966 stamina | 69 | 30 | 25 | 10 | 3 | 1 |
| Fang SpearSpear · 840 stamina | 70 | 37 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 1 |
 FrostnerMace · 852 stamina | 71 | 23 | 31 | 13 | 3 | 1 |
Bows, crossbows & staffs
| Weapon | Total | Vile | Lox | Fuling Berserker | Fuling | Deathsquito |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Draugr Fangwith Silver Arrow | 50 | 21 | 14 | 11 | 3 | 1 |
| Huntsman Bowwith Silver Arrow | 52 | 22 | 14 | 12 | 3 | 1 |
| Finewood Bowwith Silver Arrow | 56 | 23 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 1 |
| Crude Bowwith Silver Arrow | 61 | 24 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 1 |
Best of each type: Draugr Fang (50) · Black Metal Atgeir (54) · Crystal Battleaxe (60) · Porcupine (63) · Silver Sword (64) · Fang Spear (70) · Vilebone Maulclaws (74) · Black Metal Knife (94) · Iron Pickaxe (111)
Mistlands
Fewest hits up close: Himminafl (46 hits for all 6); at range: Staff of Embers (29); least stamina: Frostner (780).
Melee
| Weapon | Total |  Gjall |  Seeker Soldier |  Dvergr Rogue |  Seeker |  Tick |  Seeker Brood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HimminaflAtgeir · 920 stamina | 46 | 15 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
 KromGreatsword · 960 stamina | 48 | 13 | 26 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
 MistwalkerSword · 784 stamina | 49 | 17 | 23 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
 DemolisherSledge · 1,428 stamina | 51 | 14 | 27 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
 Skull SplitturTwo-handed axe · 1,188 stamina | 54 | 15 | 29 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
 Carapace SpearSpear · 976 stamina | 61 | 17 | 33 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| Black Metal BattleaxeTwo-handed axe · 1,240 stamina | 62 | 17 | 34 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| FrostnerMace · 780 stamina | 65 | 24 | 29 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
Bows, crossbows & staffs
| Weapon | Total | Gjall | Seeker Soldier | Dvergr Rogue | Seeker | Tick | Seeker Brood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Staff of EmbersStaff | 29 | 12 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
 Arbalestwith Black Metal Bolt | 31 | 8 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
 Spinesnapwith Frost Arrow | 44 | 14 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Draugr Fangwith Frost Arrow | 48 | 16 | 23 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Huntsman Bowwith Frost Arrow | 51 | 17 | 24 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
Best of each type: Staff of Embers (29) · Arbalest (31) · Spinesnap (44) · Himminafl (46) · Krom (48) · Demolisher (51) · Skull Splittur (54) · Carapace Spear (61) · Skoll and Hati (82) · Vilebone Maulclaws (86) · Black Metal Pickaxe (103)
Ashlands
Morgen 1,600
Fallen Valkyrie 1,500
Bonemaw 1,100
Asksvin 800
Charred Warrior 600- Dvergr Rogue 350
Charred Twitcher 220
Volture 200
Charred Marksman 200
Fewest hits up close: Scourging Slayer (60 hits for all 9); at range: Storm Ripper with Charred Bolt (43); least stamina: Silver Sword (1,056).
Melee
| Weapon | Total | Morgen | Fallen Valkyrie | Bonemaw | Asksvin | Charred Warrior | Dvergr Rogue | Charred Twitcher | Volture | Charred Marksman |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scourging SlayerGreatsword · 1,200 stamina | 60 | 21 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
 Primal SlayerGreatsword · 1,340 stamina | 67 | 25 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
 SlayerGreatsword · 1,340 stamina | 67 | 25 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
 Brutal SlayerGreatsword · 1,340 stamina | 67 | 25 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
 Thundering Berserkir AxesTwo-handed axe · 1,136 stamina | 71 | 25 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| MistwalkerSword · 1,136 stamina | 71 | 21 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
 DyrnwynSword · 1,152 stamina | 72 | 27 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
 Storm StarMace · 1,168 stamina | 73 | 25 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Bows, crossbows & staffs
| Weapon | Total | Morgen | Fallen Valkyrie | Bonemaw | Asksvin | Charred Warrior | Dvergr Rogue | Charred Twitcher | Volture | Charred Marksman |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Storm Ripperwith Charred Bolt | 43 | 14 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
 Root Ripperwith Charred Bolt | 46 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
 Ripperwith Charred Bolt | 46 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
 Wound Ripperwith Charred Bolt | 46 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Arbalestwith Charred Bolt | 48 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Best of each type: Storm Ripper (43) · Storm Fang (59) · Scourging Slayer (60) · Staff of Embers (66) · Thundering Berserkir Axes (71) · Storm Star (73) · Himminafl (74) · Splitnir the Storming (81) · Skoll and Hati (130) · Vilebone Maulclaws (140) · Black Metal Pickaxe (186)
Deep North
- Gammeltroll 3,000
Barka 2,200
Krigen 1,300
Moose 1,000
Hexen 800
Elaking 350- Greydwarf Shaman 60
- Greydwarf 40
- Skeleton 40
Fewest hits up close: Thunderblood Axe (66 hits for all 9); at range: Thunderblood Crossbow with Bloodgold Bolt (45); least stamina: Thunderblood Axe (1,056).
Melee
| Weapon | Total | Gammeltroll | Barka | Krigen | Moose | Hexen | Elaking | Greydwarf Shaman | Greydwarf | Skeleton |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderblood AxeAxe · 1,056 stamina | 66 | 26 | 14 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
 Thunderblood SledgeSledge · 1,848 stamina | 66 | 23 | 20 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
 Thunderblood GreataxeTwo-handed axe · 1,474 stamina | 67 | 25 | 17 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
 Thunderblood GreatswordGreatsword · 1,360 stamina | 68 | 24 | 21 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
 Frostfire SledgeSledge · 1,904 stamina | 68 | 27 | 17 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
 Frostfire GreatswordGreatsword · 1,420 stamina | 71 | 28 | 17 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
 Frostfire AxeAxe · 1,152 stamina | 72 | 32 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
 Frostfire GreataxeTwo-handed axe · 1,628 stamina | 74 | 31 | 15 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Bows, crossbows & staffs
| Weapon | Total | Gammeltroll | Barka | Krigen | Moose | Hexen | Elaking | Greydwarf Shaman | Greydwarf | Skeleton |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Thunderblood Crossbowwith Bloodgold Bolt | 45 | 17 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
 Frostfire Crossbowwith Bloodgold Bolt | 48 | 20 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
 Lightning StrikeStaff | 49 | 12 | 18 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
 Nord Crossbowwith Bloodgold Bolt | 55 | 23 | 9 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Storm Ripperwith Bloodgold Bolt | 61 | 26 | 10 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Best of each type: Thunderblood Crossbow (45) · Lightning Strike (49) · Thunderblood Axe (66) · Thunderblood Sledge (66) · Thunderblood Greatsword (68) · Thunderblood Bow (72) · Thunderblood Atgeir (76) · Thunderblood Spear (78) · Thunderblood Dagger (82) · Thunderblood Knucklechains (97) · Black Metal Pickaxe (188)
Formula
Hit on the creature = Σ each damage type × its modifier (weak ×1.5, very weak ×2, resistant ×0.5, very resistant ×0.25, immune ×0) × the skill roll, 0.7 on average at skill 50.
Hits to kill = ceil(health ÷ hit). Poison counts once per creature: a new poison hit only replaces what is left of the last one. Fire and spirit keep burning and add up.
Chop and pickaxe damage count too (HitData.GetTotalDamage), but only 4 creatures take them: Barka (normal to chop), Gammeltroll (weak to pickaxe), Kvastur (weak to chop), Stone Golem (very weak to pickaxe). So pickaxes join these lists.
A biome's total = the hits for each of its hostile creatures added up, each capped at 50; lower is better.
Skills.GetRandomSkillFactor, Character.Damage, HitData.ApplyResistance, SE_Poison.AddDamage and SE_Burning in the code of Valheim 1.0.17.
Assumptions
- Skill 50 in the weapon's skill, weapons at their max normal level, no stars on the creatures (a star doubles health, two stars triple it).
- Every hit lands and only the primary attack is used; no backstab, no stagger bonus, no armor set or mead bonuses.
- Area hits (staffs, sledges, atgeirs) are counted against one creature at a time.
- Bows and crossbows fire the best arrow or bolt for the target you can make by then, at full draw.
- A biome's creatures come from its spawn lists; lists that need a later boss's world key don't count yet, and creatures that never attack (deer, hares) are left out.