Currently, the best material in the game is black metal, but it’s not that easy to get it. There are easier options.

Best Valheim Weapons and How to Craft Them

Black Metal Axe

Slash Damage: 95 Knockback: 60 Block Power: 20 Durability: 175

This brutal weapon has the highest attack power in the game. It reduces your movement speed by 5% because it’s a heavy weapon, but it’s a small price to pay for all that damage. If your skills are leveled enough, that loss of speed may not be too bad. 

The Black Metal Axe can be crafted with 6x Fine Wood, 20x Black Metal Bar, and 5x Linen Thread.

Black Metal Sword

Slash Damage: 95 Knockback: 40 Block Power: 10 Durability: 200

There isn’t much difference between an axe and a sword made of Black Metal, but the sword does look much cooler.

It has slightly lower knockback power, but it is also more durable. The crafting cost is a bit cheaper as well, requiring 2x Fine Wood, 20x Black Metal Bar, and 5x Linen Thread.

Battle Axe

Slash Damage: 75 Knockback: 70 Block Power: 20 Durability: 200

If you can’t forge black metal yet, you can craft the Iron Battle Axe. It’s a very strong weapon that has two main attacks.

You can use a simple 3-click combo with LMB, or use the scroll wheel and perform a forward stab that is more efficient for stamina. The first attack is better against a group of enemies, while the second one gives you an advantage over a single target.

You can craft Battle Axe with 30x Ancient Bark, 35x Iron, and 4x Leather Scarps.

Fang Spear

Pierce Damage: 70 Knockback: 20 Block Power: 10 Durability: 100

Blunt or sharp weapons are generally good against all types of enemies. But when you need to pierce through armored foes, there is no better weapon than a spear.

To craft the Fang Spear, you will have to hunt wolves and mine silver. Here’s the recipe: 10x Ancient Bark, 4x Wolf Fang, 2x Leather Scraps, and 2x Silver.

Iron Atgeir

Pierce Damage: 65 Knockback: 30 Block Power: 10 Durability: 175

The Atgeir combines three types of weapons into one: a sword, a spear, and an axe. It is truly a universal tool that can last you for a long time without the need to repair it. Be aware that it is a two-handed weapon, though, so you cannot equip a shield. 

You can craft the Bronze Atgeir relatively early in the game, but you can make its iron variant with 10x Wood, 30x Iron, and 2x Leather Scraps.

Ancient Bark Spear

Pierce Damage: 55 Knockback: 20 Block Power: 10 Durability: 100

Unlike the Atgeir, this cool-looking spear is a one-handed weapon and strong enough to pierce through multiple enemies in quick succession.

To obtain this weapon, you will need to hunt the trolls that roam the Black Forest biome. The recipe is: 4x Troll Hide, 10x Iron, 10x Ancient Bark.

Iron Axe

Slash Damage: 55 Knockback: 50 Block Power: 10 Durability: 175

The Iron Axe is a simple yet reliable weapon that has four upgrade levels. If you manage to get your forge to the highest level, you can craft this axe with 325 points of durability.

Here are the upgrade recipes for each craftable version of Iron Axe:

Level 1: 4x Wood, 20x Iron, 2x Leather Scraps Level 2: 10x Iron, 1x Leather Scraps Level 3: 20x Iron, 2x Leather Scraps Level 4: 30x Iron, 3x Leather Scraps

Frostner

Blunt Damage: 35 Knockback: 120 Block Power: 10 Durability: 200

This unique hammer may not have the highest physical damage output, but it has frost damage that can freeze enemies. Frostner also has the highest base durability of all weapons in the game.

However, crafting this weapon won’t be easy.

First, you need to obtain Ymir Flesh, which can only be purchased from the trader Haldor, who resides in the Black Forest. One piece of flesh will cost you 120 coins.

Then, you need to hunt the Drakes that fly in the Mountains biome. These creatures drop another important component: Freeze Gland.

All-in-all, you will need the following items to craft Frostner: 10x Ancient Bark, 30x Silver, 5x Ymir Flesh, 5x Freeze Gland.

Iron Sledge

Blunt Damage: 55 Knockback: 50 Block Power: 15 Durability: 100

The Iron Sledge is extremely heavy and reduces your movement speed by 20%. But when you need a weapon that deals blunt damage, this weapon is an easy choice.

To unlock the recipe for this weapon, you need to earn the Draugr Elite trophy, which drops from killing Draugr Elites, a buffed version of the ordinary Draugr that roam the Swamp biome.

Once you get the trophy, you can craft the hammer with 10x Ancient Bark, 30x Iron, 4x Ymir Flesh, and 1x Draugr Elite trophy.

Those are the best weapons in Valheim and how to craft them. For more, consider heading over to our guides on marking map locations, finding tin, and building your base. 

Valheim Best Weapons and How to Craft Them   Valheim - 53