Valheim is Iron Gate Studio's Viking survival game where you're a fallen warrior sent to the 10th Norse world to prove yourself by defeating five forsaken bosses. Built on a stylized low-poly aesthetic with stunning lighting, the game emphasizes exploration and boss progression through five biomes. Its building system is one of the best in any survival game, with structural stability physics and a massive catalog of building pieces. The game is designed for 1-10 player co-op and has sold over 12 million copies.
This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Frostner | Tank Build. Universally effective damage | A silver mace that deals frost, spirit, and blunt damage. |
| Draugr Fang | Archer Build. Best overall bow | The best bow in the game, dealing pierce and poison damage. |
| Porcupine | Tank Build. Plains biome melee | A morning star (mace) dealing blunt and pierce damage. |
| Blackmetal Atgeir | Viking Berserker. AoE clearing | An endgame polearm with a devastating spin attack that hits everything nearby. |
| Demolisher | Viking Berserker. Single-target damage | A massive two-handed hammer added in Mistlands, dealing blunt and pierce damage. |
S-Tier: Frostner
A silver mace that deals frost, spirit, and blunt damage. Its triple damage types mean almost nothing resists it. The spirit damage is especially effective against undead in the Swamp and Mountains. Crafted with Silver, Ymir Flesh, and Freeze Glands.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best For | Tank Build. Universally effective damage |
| Key Mechanic | boss progression |
| Recommended Build | Tank Build |
See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Frostner: Pairs naturally with Tank Build thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Draugr Fang
The best bow in the game, dealing pierce and poison damage. Crafted with Ancient Bark, Silver, Deer Hide, and Guck. The poison DoT adds significant damage over time. Combined with Needle Arrows, it's the highest DPS ranged option.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best For | Archer Build. Best overall bow |
| Key Mechanic | food-based health |
| Recommended Build | Archer Build |
Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Draugr Fang: Pairs naturally with Archer Build thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Porcupine
A morning star (mace) dealing blunt and pierce damage. Excellent against armored enemies in the Plains (Fulings, Lox). The dual damage types make it versatile against most enemy resistances. Requires Iron and Linen Thread.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best For | Tank Build. Plains biome melee |
| Key Mechanic | sailing |
| Recommended Build | Mage Build |
Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Porcupine: Pairs naturally with Mage Build thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Blackmetal Atgeir
An endgame polearm with a devastating spin attack that hits everything nearby. The spin attack is the best AoE melee option in the game. Made from Black Metal and Linen Thread. Secondary attack is a lunging thrust for single targets.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best For | Viking Berserker. AoE clearing |
| Key Mechanic | building stability |
| Recommended Build | Stealth Build |
Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Blackmetal Atgeir: Pairs naturally with Stealth Build thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Demolisher
A massive two-handed hammer added in Mistlands, dealing blunt and pierce damage. The highest single-target melee damage in the game. Slow swing speed means timing matters, but each hit is devastating.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best For | Viking Berserker. Single-target damage |
| Key Mechanic | skill leveling |
| Recommended Build | Viking Berserker |
Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Demolisher: Pairs naturally with Viking Berserker thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Meadows
- Draugr Fang → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Porcupine → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Frostner → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Equipment Tips
- Always upgrade your primary equipment before diversifying.
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- Food determines your max health and stamina entirely. Always eat three foods before combat. Even tier 1 food is better than nothing.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
Similar Games
If you enjoy Valheim, check out these related guides:
- Palworld Weapons Guide: survival game with similar mechanics
