This is a guide on the damage mechanics and damage types of Valheim. Read more to learn general information, differences between the damage types, and more!

Valheim's Damage Mechanics

Skill Proficiency

Image was taken with level 25 Polearms skill.

Skill Level affects your weapon's min-max damage range!

Orange damage values indicate a weapon's maximum base damage. This can be achieved by raising the weapon's corresponding skill to 100.

Yellow damage values (Parenthesized) indicate a weapon's current damage range based on your skill rating. This gradually improves as you increase the corresponding skill for a weapon.

Furthermore, these base damages can be amplified by other damage bonuses such as Parrying and Backstabs

Take note that Block Power also follows this format with the Blocking skill level.

Resistances and Weaknesses

Resistant	Neutral	Effective

Monsters in Valheim have their own resistances and vulnerabilities to certain damage types.

Neutral damage values are displayed as White. This means that the monster you struck is neither resistant or weak to the damage type you dealt.

Resistant damage values are displayed as Gray. As the term suggest, this indicates that the damage type dealt is ineffective against the monster.

Effective damage values are displayed as Yellow, and indicates that the monster that you attacked is especially weak against that damage type.

Parry

Regular Block	Parry

Parrying doubles your next attack after blocking an enemy's attack just before it connects. Take note that a shield is not required to perform a parry in Valheim.

Read more about Valheim's Parrying Mechanic by checking our guide below:
How to Parry: Parry Force and Parry Bonus Explained

Backstab Bonus

Backstab Bonus is applied whenever you attack an unsuspecting enemy from stealth. The damage is determined by your weapon's skill-based damage rating (Yellow Parenthesized value) multiplied by its Backstab Bonus.

It is important to note that Knives have the highest backstab bonuses in the game.

Physical Damage Types

Slash

Slash damage is mostly present in Axes, Swords, and Knives.

Effectiveness
Effective Against:	None
Weak Against:	・Blobs ・Oozers ・Bonemass ・Stone Golems ・Ghosts

Blunt

Blunt damage is mostly present in Clubs, Maces, and Sledge Hammers.

Effectiveness
Effective Against:	・Blobs ・Oozers ・Bonemass ・Skeletons ・Rancid Remains
Weak Against:	・Trolls ・Ghosts

Pierce

Pierce damage is typically found in all types of Arrows, Spears, and Atgeirs.

Effectiveness
Effective Against:	・Trolls
Weak Against:	・Blobs ・Oozers ・Bonemass ・Stone Golems (Except with Pickaxes) ・Skeletons ・Rancid Remains ・Ghosts

Elemental Damage Types

Frost

Frost is an elemental damage type in Valheim that applies the Freezing Debuff on enemies on impact. This debuff slows enemies' movements and stamina regeneration for the entire duration.

Effectiveness
Effective Against:	・Blobs ・Oozers ・Surtlings ・Serpents ・Yagluth
Weak Against:	・Lox ・Skeletons ・Rancid Remains ・Wraiths ・Drakes ・Stone Golems

Spirit

Spirit damage is a special elemental damage type in Valheim that only applies to Undead type monsters such as Wraiths, Skeletons, and Draugrs

Effectiveness
Applicable Against:	・Skeletons ・Rancid Remains ・Ghosts ・Wraiths ・Blobs ・Oozers ・Draugr ・Draugr Elite ・Fenring ・Yagluth
Non-Applicable Against:	Every living monster or creature.

Poison

Poison is an elemental damage type in Valheim that is mostly effective against Living monsters or creatures.

Effectiveness
Applicable Against:	・Serpents ・Fulings ・Fuling Shamans ・Fuling Berserkers
Non-Applicable Against:	・Skeletons ・Rancid Remains ・Blobs ・Oozers ・Draugr ・Draugr Elite ・Surtlings ・Stone Golems ・Wraiths

Fire

Fire is the most accessible elemental damage in Valheim because it is present in tools and weapons such as Torches and Fire Arrows.

Effectiveness
Effective Against:	・Ghosts ・The Elder
Weak Against:	・Leeches ・Surtlings ・Serpents

Valheim Related Guides

Guide for Beginners: How to Get Started

Valheim Tips and Tricks

Beginner Guides
List of Controls	Character Creation Guide
How to Emote	Cooking Guide: How to Make Food
Comfort Level and Rested Explained	Map Guide: How to Mark and Ping Locations
Skill Leveling Guide	Best World Map Seeds
Controller Layout and Support	How to Build Fire Indoors
Combat Guides
Combat Guide: How to Battle in Valehim	How to Parry: Parry Force and Parry Bonus
How to Hunt Deer	Bow Tips: How to Aim the Bow
List of Raids: How do Raids Work?	All Damage Types and Effects
Best Forsaken Power	Weapon Guide: How to Use Each Weapon Type
Crafting Guides
Crafting Guide: How Does Crafting Work?	How to Repair your Tools and Gear
How to Build and Upgrade the Workbench	How to Build and Upgrade the Forge
Recipe List
Advanced Game Mechanics
How to Use Cheats and Console Commands	How to Get Max Comfort
Farming and Resources Guides
Taming Guide: How to Tame Animals	Breeding Guide: How to Breed Boar and Animals
How to Plant Seeds and Grow Vegetables	Wolf Taming: How to Tame And Breed Wolves
House Building Guide	Fishing Guide: How to Fish
Adventuring Guides
Dungeons Guide: Locations and Types	How to Sail
Haldor the Trader: Where to Find and What He Sells	Buried Treasure: How to Find
How to Get Into Sunken Crypts
Tier Lists
Best Weapon Tier List	Best Armor Tier List
Multiplayer Guides
How to Play Multiplayer	How to Make a Personal Chest
PVP Guide: How to Turn on Friendly Fire	How to Fix Incompatible Version Error
FAQs
Do Resources Respawn?	What Happens When You Die?
How to Split Stacks to Take One Item	How to Take the Best Screenshots
Should You Launch With Vulkan?	Best Graphics Settings
Best Cheats to Use: How to Cheat Well	Do Bosses Despawn? How Bosses Work
Do Items Despawn? How to Throw Away Items	Mysterious Figures: The Grim Reaper and Thor
How to Find Maypoles	How to Quick Transfer Items
How to Kick Players	What's at the Edge of the World?
Does Valheim Have Endgame?	Why is my Console Not Working?