There are many craftable weapons and pieces of armour in the vast, dark world of Valheim, but not all of them may be viable, especially in the late game. In order to survive in the chaotic world, you will need to have the best equipment to overcome the challenging hurdles Valheim has to offer.

In this guide, you will be able to learn how to craft the best gear that will help you out significantly in the early goings, as well as the late game in Valheim. There are many formidable foes out there that you need to be ready to take on. This guide should help you out with any enemy you may encounter and make you a better Viking in the process.

Key Weapons in Valheim

When it comes to the best weapons in Valheim, there can be many things to look at that may indicate one weapon is notably better than another, and most of the time, it will come down to the materials used to craft the weapon and its damage output. Most notably, the best weapons tend to be crafted from Blackmetal, Silver, or are named (Draugr Fang, Frostner, Abyssal Harpoon, etc.)

There are nine different weapon types in Valheim, but you could get off to a rough start if you end up picking the wrong one. The early game can be quite punishing and overwhelming if you do not prepare enough. Hopefully, this guide can make you avoid those mistakes!

Stagbreaker

When it comes to the early game, the Stagbreaker stands above every other obtainable weapon in pretty much every way. This two-handed sledgehammer is easily craftable and can dominate many early mobs, such as skeletons and Greylings. The Stagbreaker can deal significant damage to lower-level enemies and even has an area-of-effect that will damage and stun multiple enemies within a small radius. The only downside to the Stagbreaker is its 5% decrease in your movement speed. However, that sacrifice is well worth it as you can quite literally swing through the opposition with this hammer.

Requirements:

Workbench
Crafting Level Two
Repair Level Two
Core Wood x20
Deer Trophy x5
Leather Scraps x2

Draugr Fang

With the small pool of only four bows in Valheim, the Draugr Fang is superior to the others, and it isn’t close. This bow deals the best damage in its class. It also offers the best piercing damage and can even poison enemies on top of that, making it the clear winner in its respective category. It may take some time to gather all the resources needed to craft the Draugr Fang, but rest assured, it is more than worth it and is the best ranged weapon in Valheim.

Requirements:

Forge
Crafting Level Two
Repair Level Two
Ancient Bark x10
Deer Hide x2
Guck x10
Silver x20

Porcupine

Not only is the Porcupine the best mace in Valheim, but it may very well be the best overall weapon as well. The Porcupine is a one-handed mace that deals absurd amounts of damage to essentially any foe that dares stand toe-to-toe with you. Not only is this mace’s raw damage incredibly potent, but it also deals blunt and piercing damage on top of that, making it incredibly devastating and essential in the late game. Since the Porcupine is a one-handed weapon, you can also pair it with a shield and essentially watch your character become the hunter rather than the hunted. However, the only downside here is the amount of farming it takes to obtain it. It can be gruelling, but it is worth every bit of the grind.

Requirements:

Forge
Crafting Level Four
Repair Level Four
Fine Wood x5
Iron x20
Linen Thread x10
Needle x5

Key Armour Sets in Valheim
Unlike the weapons in Valheim, there are far fewer armour sets in comparison. There are six complete armour sets in the game, and some are worth the grind it takes to obtain them, while others may seem like they are but ultimately fall short in the grand scheme of things. Here are the essential armour sets you should be focusing on to avoid wasting valuable resources and potentially getting stuck on formidable enemies!
Leather Armour

The best early game armour set in Valheim is the Leather Set due to its relatively high durability and easily obtainable material list. This set will eventually get replaced by Troll armour or something else, but this armour set is vital in the early goings. If you are wondering what armour to craft when you first set out in the vast world of Valheim, this one is it.

Requirements:

Workbench
Crafting Level Two
Repair Level Two
Leather Helmet - Deer Hide x6
Leather Tunic - Deer Hide x6
Leather Pants - Deer Hide x6
Deer Hide Cape - Deer Hide x4, Bone Fragments x5

Padded Armour

The Padded Armor is a late-game set that will give you mass amounts of defence even against the most deadly enemies Valheim throws at you. However, peak performance comes at a cost: lots of time. It will take a substantial amount of game time before you even consider crafting the Padded Armor Set, but it is well worth it if you decide to obtain it. Not only does this armour set offer the best possible protection in the game, but it also does not have any effect on your movement speed like the other sets. This armour is the best of the best and should get sought out by the hardcore player.

Requirements:

Forge
Crafting Level Two
Repair Level Two
Padded Helmet - Iron x10, Linen Thread x15
Padded Cuirass - Iron x10, Linen Thread x20
Padded Greaves - Iron x10, Linen Thread x20
Linen Cape - Linen Thread x20, Silver x1

Wolf Armour

Not only does it look stylish, the Wolf Armor Set is also incredibly durable and easily one of the best sets in the game. With its thick fur cape, chest piece and leggings, the Wolf Armor will protect you from frost while navigating the freezing mountains in Valheim. Unfortunately you have to be dedicated to obtain this set, as it takes quite some time to gather all the resources necessary. However, it is worth it, as you will be able to take on the game’s fourth boss without having to worry about having Frost Resistant Mead that only protects you from frost for ten minutes at a time. The Wolf Armor Set grants you permanent protection from frost as long as you are wearing it.

Requirements:

Forge
Crafting Level Two
Repair Level Two
Drake Helmet - Silver x20, Wolf Pelt x2, Drake Trophy x2
Wolf Armor Chest - Silver x20, Wolf Pelt x5, Chain x1
Wolf Armor Legs - Silver x20, Wolf Pelt x5, Wolf Fang x4
Wolf Fur Cape - Wolf Pelt x6, Silver x4, Wolf Trophy x1

In conclusion, each weapon and armour set can benefit players depending on their playstyle, but these are what you should be focusing on if you are just starting or have hit a wall in making progress in the cruel world of Valheim. These weapons and armour sets are essential to make for a better chance at survival!