Valheim is a game where players explore a wide world and build their own bases in a hostile wilderness. There is a lot to worry about, from wild pigs to sea monsters, but one boss in particular is causing everyone great headaches. Meet Bonemass, a slimmer fellow who, although only the third boss, is somehow the biggest obstacle in the game.
In Valheim, your progress and exploration is behind the bosses, who can be summoned to mysterious altars hidden around the world. For example, to extract ore from the mysterious Black Forest, players must kill a giant lightning elk and take its hardy antlers. With this, players can make a pickaxe, and if they venture into the Black Forest, they will find the altar for the next boss, a giant Ent carrying a swamp key.
The first boss is a useful exercise to teach Vikings how to block with a shield and manage their endurance while hitting a large, greasy enemy. The Elder Ent teaches players to dodge effects attacks and clear damage while on the move.
Bonemass, on the other hand, seems to have no limits. Geez, Iron Gate, why does Bonemass get this? six mechanics? He has a lot of environmental damage, which means players have to dodge a lot of effect gases and hits. He calls, and they are surprisingly difficult to fight. He’s the king of poison damage, so make sure you bring resistance drinks. He hits like a truck and has a huge health pool, so maybe bring some drinks for health too, because you will be there. Eventually your sharp weapons are useless, so bring clubs and maces.
There’s a lot going on! Players have definitely noticed how tough Bonemass is and share stories on social media about their long struggle to get him out and gain his reliable wishbone. Some players have learned that they can harpoon Bonemass, pull him out into the ocean and then surround him with a boat while they degrade him. This is not how the fight is intended, but hey, everything is honest in love and war. Especially if you’re fighting with a giant slime man.
“Of course we are going to listen to the feedback from the community, and you never know what we will do in the future to balance,” said Henrik Törnqvist, co-founder of Iron Gate. “Bringing poison-resistant drinks is my best tip.” (We have some suggestions in our guide on how to defeat Bonemass.)
Overall, Bonemass is not a game-breaking boss or an unstoppable force. It’s just an extraordinarily tough fight in an otherwise fast-paced game. The leap from boss one to boss two is enough to feel that you have been appropriately challenged and grown as a Viking. The jump to boss three feels twice as difficult, while boss four feels like a downgrade in trouble. Fortunately for everyone, a dedication, a good team and / or a willingness to cheese Bonemass by dragging him into the sea is enough to overcome this challenge.