The world of Valheim is full of dangers and enemies that constantly want to kill you. MeinMMO author Benedict Grothaus has learned to particularly hate some enemies in his well over 100 hours in the game – and gives tips on how to defeat them.
What kind of enemies are these? In Valheim, there are monsters and creatures all over the place, most of them want to attack you at every opportunity. Many of the enemies are quite dangerous if you lack suitable equipment – and they can easily cost you your life.
I’m not talking about the particularly tricky bosses, because the boss fights are what make Valheim truly great. It is more about “normal” enemies that drive me insane with their behavior.
This list is therefore my personal top 5 hate list. I take out each of these enemies whenever possible because they annoy me so much. Sometimes, I even take a detour just to wipe them out, even though my gear is already far beyond the point where they would be a challenge.
This does not mean they are particularly dangerous – although that is certainly true for some of them. They just make me furious the moment I see them …
1. Gray Dwarfs from Hell
What kind of enemy is this? Gray Dwarfs and Greylings are actually among the easiest enemies in the game. You’ll mainly find them in meadows and dark forests. Historically, these creatures are former criminals, murderers, and more, who were transformed into these strange beings after death from resin and mud.
Why are Gray Dwarfs so annoying? Because they are just always there. Seriously, these pesky creatures see me charging at them heavily armed and their first thought is: “Eat my stone, Viking!”
Really?! Even my base is not safe. Constantly, some Greylings, Gray Dwarfs, or even Shamans run around my camp, intercepting me when I just want to go to my damned field to harvest beets.
The worst part is that especially the small ones are hard to hit. Bigger weapons are either too slow or strike at a height that doesn’t hit. And then these beasts constantly flee …
This is how you best kill them: Gray Dwarfs are really not a true challenge at any point. Any weapon works well against them and with round shields, they can be easily parried to then be taken down with critical hits.
You don’t need any real tactics for them. But if you want to do me a favor, let them suffer. A good way to do that is the “Gray Dwarf-Toaster 5000” that makes these abominations fall into blazing fire upon spawn …
2. Cursed Slimes
What kind of enemy is this? Slimes, or Blobs, are found in the Swamp, one of the more dangerous areas of Valheim. They are green (and in the stronger form orange) slime bags that bounce around.
Why are Slimes so annoying? These slimy bags are not only damned mobile because they can bounce incredibly far with a jump, but they are also really dangerous. They constantly emit a gas that poisons players.
Particularly frustrating is that these creatures appear in the crypts in the swamp – where you primarily get iron. After a corridor is cleared, it is very likely that one of these green nuisances is waiting there and immediately gases the whole room.
Especially annoying is that they can attack with the poison while you cannot reach them. Ranged attacks do hardly any damage to them. And without the appropriate mead against the poison, you can quickly die.
This is how you best kill them: Blobs are resistant to pointed weapons but vulnerable to blunt weapons and frost damage. The Frostner, one of the best weapons in Valheim, is therefore optimal against them. Alternatively, frost arrows work for distance, but unfortunately, you only get them later.
In our survival guide to the swamp of Valheim, you will find more tips for surviving in the biome.
3. Deathskeeters from Hell
What kind of enemy is this? Deathskeeters fly around in the plains, the currently toughest area of the game. They are essentially giant versions of mosquitoes, which are still relatively small compared to other enemies in Valheim.
Why are Deathskeeters so annoying? Even though they don’t have much health and are relatively small, Deathskeeters are among the deadliest enemies in Valheim. This is for several reasons:
- they can fly and thus are only vulnerable to melee when they attack
- in ranged combat, they are hard to hit because they are small, delicate, and incredibly fast
- even on a ship, they can follow you if you sail along the shores of the plains
Deathskeeters deal immense damage and can easily kill unprepared players with a single blow – and even prevent them from retrieving their loot.
As if that’s not enough, a single sting from these pests also shakes you so hard as if you were trapped in an earthquake of magnitude 9. If there are other enemies nearby and you survive the Deathskeeter, it’s highly likely that you’ll bite the dust afterward.
This is how you best kill them: Deathskeeters don’t have much health, but they are tricky to kill. Timing is important here: parry their attack at the right moment or strike with your weapon when they fly at you. Both require a lot of practice.
Alternatively, you can just run them over. If your ship is fast enough, they burst on the bow when you charge at them – or they at you. Incredibly satisfying, really. Deathskeeters can even be ridden, but at your own risk.
4. Mean, Annoying Goblins
What kind of enemy is this? Like Deathskeeters, Goblins are found in the plains. They are the most frequently occurring enemies there: small, green, nasty creatures with advanced weapons.
Why are Goblins so annoying? Goblins are not only among the strongest enemies in the game – which isn’t evident from their size – but they also come in groups. It’s nearly impossible to face a single Goblin.
Usually, these beasts are loitering in a village and charge at you in groups of seven or more as soon as they notice you. In addition, they are protected and supported by various types of Goblins.
The Goblin Brute is twice the size of a Viking and makes even Trolls look old with his club. A single blow is almost always deadly or nearly deadly. Shamans support the rest of the horde with shields and must definitely be killed first.
This is how you best kill them: There is no truly good strategy against Goblins. Ranged combat is always advisable. Take your best bow and your best arrows, sneak up, and take them out from as far away as possible.
If a horde of these creatures attacks you, you should either flee or try to intercept them with bows along the way to make it easier on yourself. Just be careful not to run into Deathskeeters while fleeing.
5. Sea Serpents of Damnation +2
What kind of enemy is this? The only opponents found so far in the ocean biome are sea serpents. These huge creatures attack Vikings traveling with their ships and announce themselves beforehand with a loud roar.
Why are Sea Serpents so annoying? In reality, sea serpents are not much of a challenge. A Viking with a Karve and a hunting bow can take them out before they can destroy his ship – if you hit them.
The truly annoying thing is that they seemingly only attack when I’m sailing over the sea with a raft to retrieve my lost gear. Naked and only on a few logs, I am of course easy prey … otherwise, the serpents wouldn’t dare approach. One of the reasons why I strongly recommend never use a raft, but always use a Karve.
But even when they engage in a “fair” fight and don’t attack the raft, they can be quite frustrating. They constantly dive down, are hard to hit, and can take a lot of damage. Anyone who lets their composure be shaken by their attacks will quickly die. If not by them, then from exhaustion from swimming in the ocean when the ship is destroyed.
This is how you best kill them: Killing sea serpents in the ocean is possible but not advisable. Instead, you should try to lure them to land with two players. Use the harpoon, the craziest weapon in Valheim.
With the harpoon, you can impale sea serpents and drag them behind you until you reach the shore, where they can then be helplessly flailing and easily chopped up. Just as they deserve …
What about you? Who are your absolute hate enemies in Valheim? Write it in the comments.
Despite the annoying enemies, I have had a lot of fun in Valheim for many dozens of hours now and think it will continue for a while. I have already spoken with another avid player from the community. He told me how Valheim is still fun even after 267 hours.
