From glowing swords to spinning flails, Assassin's Creed Valhalla has weapons for every playstyle. But which ones are the most powerful?

Part of what makes the open-world of Assassin’s Creed games great is the selection of weapons that players can use while navigating them. This is still the case in the latest installment in the franchise, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

While there are fewer weapons in Valhalla compared to previous games like Odyssey, Origins, and Unity, the ones they do have still provide players with the freedom to experiment and personalize their playstyle. Whether it’s using an axe to deliver powerful melee attacks or wielding a trusty bow to strike from afar, there’s no shortage of weapons to choose from in Valhalla.

Updated on March 30th, 2022 by Hannah Saab: Thanks to the DLCs Wrath of the Druids, Siege Of Paris, and Dawn of Ragnarok, there's a myriad of new additions to the best weapons in AC Valhalla. From scythes to a cool bow, the most powerful ones make the game more enjoyable for players who want to keep improving their in-game characters.

Excalibur

One of the legendary weapons in the game is King Arthur’s sword itself, Excalibur. Before claiming this from Myrdinn’s Cave, players have to go through an arduous journey around the British Isles to collect various treasures. Some of these relics are in locations where players have to defeat Zealots, and it’s not always easy.

The tedious journey to get this greatsword is worth it, though. It has great levels of Stun, Attack, and Critical Chance stats, along with an entertaining perk. Every time players land Heavy Finishers or Criticals during a fight, the blade lights up and distracts nearby enemies. It’s an epic moment to witness and makes even the hardest battles in Assassin’s Creed more thrilling.

Hemming’s Axe

After completing the saga, "The Tale of Two Jarls," players will acquire the powerful Dane Axe, Hemming’s Axe. The two-handed weapon has decent stats, with its Stun level being especially high.

However, what makes this melee weapon so strong is its perk that kicks in when players need a helping hand. The axe increases the player's heavy damage when their health bar gets too low. The extra strength really does make a difference against heavy-hitting bosses like Fenrir or Balor.

Varin’s Axe

This simple axe from Eivor’s father is definitely one of the more underappreciated weapons in the game. It’s easy to assume that Varin’s Axe isn’t exceptional since players get it as part of the main storyline very early in the game.

However, with the right upgrades, the bearded axe can be surprisingly powerful. Consecutive hits with this weapon increase its speed, which makes it great to pair with other one-handed weapons. It’s also ideal to match with the Sarcophagus Shield, which can increase players' defense capabilities while still maintaining a decent attack speed. Varin's Axe can easily make it to the late game stage, which is great for players who want to master and stick to one weapon.

Petra’s Arc

Petra’s Arc is arguably the strongest bow in Valhalla. The predator bow isn’t easy to get, as players have to hunt down four legendary animals for the local Hunter’s Hut NPC, Wallace.

The high attack damage easily makes up for the bow’s low speed, and if it's players' primary weapon of choice, then speed likely doesn’t matter too much. This is because this bow is best suited for stealth builds. High precision, when combined with its Critical Damage perk, makes for a ridiculously strong long-range weapon.

Mjolnir

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla has Easter eggs hidden all over the game, so it's not surprising that one of its best weapons is taken straight out of Norse mythology. Thor's hammer needs no introduction, as it’s easily the most recognizable one among the legendary weapons in the game.

There's a challenging process to go through to get this epic weapon, and it's a shame that players only really get to wield it towards the end of the game when there’s little left to do. It's still worth it, however, as its guaranteed lightning stun damage can easily overpower enemies, especially when strengthened with damage runes.

Spinning-Death Flail

Sitting in an inconspicuous chest in Jorvik is the appropriately named Spinning-Death Flail. It does exactly what players expect and so much more. It's great for crowd control and deals a decent amount of area damage, plus it's just really fun to spin it around and watch enemies try (and fail) to scramble away.

What makes it even more exciting is its ridiculous perk, which will sometimes literally set the ground on fire. There’s a 40% chance for Heavy Finisher Hits to cause the flail to drop a Fire Bomb, which can also incinerate nearby civilians if Eivor isn’t careful.

Carolingian Longsword

Part of what makes Valhalla better than Odyssey is the improved combat in the game, which is in large part thanks to innovative weapon design. There’s nothing wrong with a traditional blade, though, and the sleek Carolingian Longsword is proof of that. It can be found in the Forest Hideout in East Anglia.

This English sword lets players hack and slash in style, with multiple finishers causing an increase in Critical Damage that can stack up to five times. It’s definitely not as strong as some of the other weapons in the game, but it's a great option for players who haven't gotten around to getting that sword just yet.

Sarcophagus Shield

The Sarcophagus Shield looks like it has seen a lot of battles in ancient Egypt, with one of the skulls from the fallen enemies still adorning the front of the weapon. "So long as its wielder has the will to survive," this shield is an excellent companion in the toughest of battles.

Despite being a heavy shield, it deals a good amount of damage on its own. It also makes parrying more exciting, as it will sometimes cause a fire to start around the player, which deals passive damage. When paired with an equally awesome one-handed weapon like the Spinning-Death Flail or Vanir’s Axe, players can become virtually unstoppable.

Yngling Seax

One of the reasons Valhalla is considered one of the best games in the franchise is its improved fighting mechanics, which include even the least intimidating weapons. When players first pick up the Yngling Seax from Eikundarsund, it admittedly doesn't look like much. But those who decide to maximize this weapon are in for a great time.

This unassuming fine dagger is more lethal than it looks. Despite dealing a small amount of damage per hit, it can take down enemies with lightning speed. This insane speed is even better when combined with other melee weapons, as the dagger's main perk is that it increases melee damage after every dodge.

Gungnir

Another legendary weapon that can be claimed towards the end of the game is the Gungnir, Odin’s spear. It’s definitely a unique choice, and not every player will find that it fits their playstyle.

For those that do wield this spear, though, they’ll find that it’s ridiculously easy to deal massive amounts of attack and stun damage. Thanks to its perk that extends its already long reach, this powerful weapon has an impressive AoE. Whether players are pairing it with a shield or a sword, it’s going to make crowd management easier and a lot more fun.

Bloodied Scythe

Hidden in the unassuming Gear Chest players will encounter during the Honor and Enemies quest in the Siege of Paris DLC, the Bloodied Scythe is a weapon that looks exactly like what the name suggests. Fans who haven't really focused on the scythes in the game may find that this is the perfect one to try.

Its slower attack speed takes some getting used to, but it more than makes up for it through its perk, which increases the chances of killing an enemy with low health through Light and Heavy Finishers.

Durendal

The Siege of Paris DLC introduced a number of Assassin's Creed Valhalla's best weapons, which includes the Durendal, a short sword ideal for players focusing on a heavy build and relying on their Bear Skill Tree.

Found in the Aquila Gear Chest in South Evreux, the short sword may have a deceptively simple design, but it's the perk that has made it a fan-favorite weapon. With a high Attack and Stun damage, the sword dramatically increases Critical Chance when used with a Health status of 85% or higher.

Jotnar Cleaver

Introduced in the Dawn of Ragnarok DLC, the Jotnar Cleaver is one of the hardest weapons to acquire in the game. Aside from needing all Jotun Mantle armor pieces which can only be done by killing the five Outriders, players will have to go through the portal in the Gomul-stifla dam in Vangrinn to face the final boss, Riekr.

It's all worth it in the end, though, as the bearded axe is great for crowd control and for gamers who may not have enough Adrenaline. Every Critical Hit with the axe gives players a 50% chance to refill an Andrenaline Slot, which can be useful when taking down tough enemies.

Aesir Eye

One of the sleekest weapons introduced in Dawn of Ragnarok, it's easy to see why the Aesir Eye is the weapon of choice for the Valkyries. The mythical hunter bow should only be used by skilled archers, as its perk of recharging Adrenaline only works when players get a perfect headshot.

It's a simple but deadly weapon for fans who enjoy a more long-range playstyle. It's not too difficult to get, as it's available in Kara's Domain for 2,800 Tokens, which can be earned through the arena.

Gae Bolg

Already considered by most in the fandom as the best weapon in AC Valhalla, the Gae Bolg is introduced early in the Wrath of Druids DLC. Players will likely come across it stuck on a slab of rock in Asfinn, but it's not until they go through a number of specific quests that they're allowed to take it out.

The mythical spear has the highest Attack, Speed, Stun, and Critical Chance stats for that weapon type, which makes the long journey to acquire it worth it. If that wasn't enough, players will be excited to learn that for every three consecutive hits with the spear, lightning bolts rain down on enemies, often ending the battle in a dramatic fashion.

NEXT: 10 Best Assassin's Creed DLCs, Ranked By Metacritic