As a Viking, magic might not be the first weapon that comes to mind, but it can still be a powerful tool in your arsenal. In Valheim, you’ll have to push into the Mistlands to use magic and fight with staves. This very strong combat style shines especially late in the game—but you have to unlock it first. Magic is meant for the best warriors who dive deep into the game. Master it, and you can face even the toughest foes! We’ll look at how to access magic and which weapons support this playstyle in Valheim.
Unlocking Magic in Valheim: Eitr, Galdr Table, and Staves
To use magic in Valheim, you first need to reach the Mistlands. It’s one of the final biomes, coming after the Plains and before the Ashlands. The area is shrouded in fog, home to giant insects, and very uneven. And this is where magic awaits you! You must build a Galdr table, a new workbench used to craft magical items. All materials can also be found in the Mistlands.
You need the following for the Galdr table:
- 10x Black metal
- 20x Yggdrasil wood
- 5x Black cores
- 5x Refined Eitr
How to get the materials quickly:
- Black metal: obtained in the Plains and then smelted
- Yggdrasil wood: from Yggdrasil shoots in the Mistlands
- Black cores: found in Infested Mines (Mistlands)
- Refined Eitr: crafted in the Eitr refinery from Sap and Soft tissue
It’s best not to search for resources alone—team up with friends. One of our Valheim servers is perfect for this, rent an affordable Valheim server! You’ll need to fully explore the biome to collect everything for the table. The staves, of course, also require their own materials.
The foundation of using magical weapons is Eitr, your purple magic bar that appears when you equip a magic weapon. It shows how often you can cast. Use different foods like Yggdrasil Pudding, Seeker Aspic, and Magecap to regenerate Eitr continuously. You can cook these in the Mistlands as well. There’s also the Eitr‑weave armor in the Mistlands and the Embla armor in the Ashlands if you want to focus on magic. For more on armor, see our separate article (Valheim armor: All sets, biomes, and set bonuses at a glance) . You can also craft these at the Galdr table.
Valheim Elemental Magic: Fire, Frost, Lightning, and Nature
Staff of Embers (Fire staff)
The Staff of Embers is one of the first magic weapons you can make. Its magic is simple: it fires fireballs to hit enemies from longer range. This deals both fire damage and blunt damage. The fireball explodes, allowing it to hit multiple enemies. A good, aggressive weapon for magic users.
Staff of Frost (Frost staff)
With the Staff of Frost you primarily immobilize enemies to gain an edge in combat. Damage and Eitr cost are moderate, but you can freeze foes so they can’t move. It’s less useful in direct brawls, but as a support weapon it’s a strong staff.
Staff of Shattering (Explosive staff, Ashlands)
Far more aggressive is the Staff of Shattering, which you’ll only get in the Ashlands. It works similarly to the Staff of Embers, but fires twelve smaller projectiles. Each projectile can explode, dealing area damage. The mix of fire and blunt damage is again very practical. It’s especially strong if all projectiles connect with a single target, but it also excels at crowd control.
Staff of the Wild (Poison and roots)
In the Ashlands you can also craft the Staff of the Wild, one of Valheim’s best magic weapons. Its green appearance sets it apart, channeling the power of nature. The staff does consume lots of Eitr, but it fires poisonous bolts while also spawning roots that deal blunt damage. In the best case you deal damage twice, and the roots persist, striking nearby enemies.
Dundr (Lightning staff)
Despite its looks, Dundr is a lightning staff. It can call down twelve bolts at once to strike nearby enemies. It uses little Eitr, but is also weaker overall. Against certain enemies, lightning damage is very handy. You can also craft it only in the Ashlands. After each attack, the weapon needs a brief reload.
Valheim Blood Magic: Barriers, Summons, and Trolls
Staff of Protection (Shield barrier)
In the Mistlands you can also lean into defensive magic, which consumes Eitr and a portion of your HP. The Staff of Protection creates a barrier around you (and around other players or tamed creatures) to shield from damage. This magic is intended for support, not offense. Depending on the staff’s quality and your magic level, the barrier lasts longer and blocks more damage.
Dead Raiser (Summon skeletons)
Much more aggressive is the Dead Raiser, which lets you field your own small army of skeletons. Depending on quality, you can control one to four skeletons at once. They fight for you and attack any nearby foes. About 80% are melee with swords (sometimes with a shield) and 20% are ranged with bows. Blood magic pairs well with other tactics and often serves as support.
Trollstav (Summon fire troll, Ashlands)
The Trollstav works similarly and can be crafted in the Ashlands. It summons a single creature: a powerful fire troll. The troll arrives with a massive fireball, causing area damage—including to you if you stand too close. After that, it attacks everything nearby with its club. You can have two trolls active at once, regardless of the weapon’s level. The impact can also destroy nature and structures, which you can use tactically. One drawback: the Trollstav doesn’t work in dungeons.
Conclusion: Using Magic and Eitr Effectively in Valheim
Magic weapons are a great change of pace, especially later in the game. You can craft them in the Mistlands by building a Galdr table, which unlocks magic in Valheim. Once you equip a magic weapon, you consume Eitr, so keep an eye on your magical energy. Use food and armor strategically for Eitr regeneration. You can choose between elemental magic and blood magic—both have their place in Valheim, depending on your combat style. Elemental magic can target specific weaknesses, while blood magic trades some of your own life for power.
