All New Valheim 1.0 Weapons and the Best Ones to Craft

Valheim 1.0 expands the arsenal with Nord weapons, Frostfire and Thunderblood variants, and four new magical weapons. The main decision is not simply which weapon has the largest damage number. You also need to consider your preferred moveset, damage types, available materials, and the enemies you expect to fight.

Below is the new weapon lineup, how its crafting progression works, and our build-specific recommendations.

All New Nord, Frostfire, and Thunderblood Weapons

Each of the following twelve weapon types has a Nord version and two elemental variants.

How to Craft Nord Weapons

Nord weapon crafting introduces an intermediate item: the cast. Finding the matching mould does not immediately give you a usable weapon.

The process is to obtain the required mould, combine it with the recipe’s materials at the appropriate station, and then harden the resulting cast in a Frost Foundry. The mould is consumed when making the cast.

For example, the initial Cast: Nord Sword recipe requires:

The cast must then be processed into the finished sword. Do not mistake the unfinished item for a weapon you can equip immediately.

Bloodgold comes from smelting Petrified Tissue in a Blast Furnace. Timberwood can be collected from northern branches and other northern wooden resources. These are separate gathering jobs, so stockpile both while looking for your preferred mould.

Weapon recipes are not identical across the entire Nord range. Long Claws, for example, are used in the Nord Knucklechains cast, while Frozen Branches are relevant to the greatsword’s recipe.

How to Get Frostfire and Thunderblood Weapons

Frostfire and Thunderblood are upgrade paths for finished Nord weapons. You need the corresponding elemental essence and must use the relevant weapon recipe at the Black Forge.

Both essences come from Fallen Warriors associated with northern memorial encounters. The progression involves obtaining Memorial Coal and using it at the appropriate memorial location to initiate the encounter. Keep that coal rather than treating it as ordinary furnace fuel.

The two paths are meaningfully different. For swords, the listed base damage is:

These are weapon statistics, not guaranteed damage dealt to every enemy.

Do not choose Frostfire solely because its damage components add up to a larger total. Enemy resistances can reduce individual components. Barka, for example, resist frost and lightning while being weak to fire.

All Four New Magical Weapons

The update also adds Echo Spike, Lightning Strike, Northern Vengeance, and Spirit Caller. These are distinct weapons rather than elemental versions of a single Nord staff.

Echo Spike

Echo Spike is a Blood Magic weapon. Its initial cast is made at a level 3 Galdr Table using 10 Bloodgold, 4 Nornathread, 1 Frostfire Essence, and its matching mould. The cast then needs frost hardening.

Lightning Strike

Lightning Strike uses Elemental Magic and has a listed base damage of 300 lightning. Its initial cast requires 10 Bloodgold, 5 Nornathread, 1 Thunderblood Essence, and Mould: Lightning Strike at a level 3 Galdr Table.

This is a strong candidate for players who want a lightning-focused magical option, although damage statistics alone do not establish its sustained damage output.

Northern Vengeance

Northern Vengeance is a Blood Magic weapon associated with frost orbs. Its cast requires 10 Ice, 5 Nornathread, 1 Hexen Trophy, and the matching mould, also at a level 3 Galdr Table.

Keep Hexen Trophies when gathering Nornathread so you do not have to repeat the hunt after finding the mould.

Spirit Caller

Spirit Caller is the summoning option, using Blood Magic to call animal spirits into combat. Its crafting materials center on Frozen Branches, Nornathread, and a Moose Trophy, and its recipe is associated with a level 3 Galdr Table.

For players building around summoned allies, this is the most directly relevant addition to prioritize.

Best New Weapons by Playstyle

These recommendations are based on the listed weapon properties and intended roles, rather than a claim that one weapon wins every damage-per-second comparison.

The relevant properties are documented in the individual weapon records. Your existing skills and comfort with the weapon’s handling should still influence which one you craft first.

For a first investment, we recommend upgrading a weapon class you already use effectively. A familiar moveset makes it easier to judge the actual benefit of the new tier.

New Shields and Ammunition

The defensive additions include the Nord Buckler, Nord Shield, Nord Greatshield, and Shield of Roots. New ammunition includes Bloodgold Arrows, Bloodgold Bolts, Bloodgold Missiles, and Bloodgold Payloads.

Ranged players should budget for ammunition as well as the weapon itself. Timberwood is used in several Bloodgold ammunition recipes, so spending your entire stock on equipment can leave your new ranged loadout undersupplied.

Which Weapon Should You Craft First?

Our recommendation is to finish one dependable weapon before spreading materials across several classes.

Secure its mould, complete the cast, and learn how it performs against the enemies you are farming. Then choose an elemental path that complements your other equipment. That approach gives you a useful combat upgrade sooner—and makes later material runs more manageable.