You can play the new survival hit Valheim solo or together with friends. However, not all content can be accomplished solo, as at least one of the strongest shields in the game requires assistance.
What kind of shield is this? The serpent scale shield is the strongest tower shield in the game. With a block value of 90, it absorbs most of the incoming damage. Only one shield has a higher block value, the black metal shield. A quick comparison:
- Block value: 90 (serpent scale) vs. 105 (black metal)
- Speed penalty: -10% (serpent scale) vs. -20% (black metal)
- Durability: 250 (serpent scale) vs. 200 (black metal)
- Weight: 5.0 (both)
Thus, while the serpent scale shield has a slightly lower block value, overall, it is better – making it the best tower shield in the game. Additionally, it is significantly easier to craft and can be obtained earlier. Instead of the late and difficult-to-get black metal, you only need iron and serpent scales. However, there is a catch.
Why do I need two players for this? To obtain serpent scales, you need to kill sea serpents in the ocean biome. While this is relatively easy with the right weapons, it doesn’t yield anything for you solo.
If you kill a serpent in the sea, its scales simply fall to the ocean floor and are lost forever. You need a second player to harpoon the serpent while you navigate the ship to the shore.
Only when you kill the serpent at the shore can you collect its scales and craft the shield. You learn the harpoon by gathering chitin from krakens that may randomly appear in the ocean.
How to Obtain the Serpent Scale Shield
What do I need for the shield? The crafting itself is not complicated. You only need:
- 10 x Fine Wood
- 4 x Iron
- 8 x Serpent Scale
- a level 3 forge
For upgrading, you will need the same materials, just in different quantities. At level 3, the shield has a block value of 100, making it closer to the black metal tower shield, for which you will need black metal for the upgrade.
Where can I find the materials? Fine wood can be harvested with metal axes from birch and oak trees. Iron can be found in the more dangerous swamp biome.
Materials are randomly scattered throughout the world of Valheim. Depending on how your world was generated, you may have more or less luck. Here on MeinMMO, you can find the best seeds for Valheim if you are looking for specific materials.
You can find sea serpents in the ocean. They attack you randomly and announce themselves with a loud roar that shakes your ship.
However, you should hunt the serpents with at least a karve, preferably with a longship. We generally advise against using a raft, even though it may seem tempting.
