What’s the best way to counter Bonemass’s melee attacks?

Bonemass, the third boss in Valheim, is a formidable foe with devastating melee attacks. To counter these effectively, preparation and strategy are key. First, ensure your gear is upgraded to at least iron-tier armor and weapons. Iron armor provides significant damage reduction, which is crucial for surviving Bonemass''s heavy hits. Additionally, craft a strong shield, such as the Iron Buckler or Banded Shield, to block or parry his attacks. Parrying is especially effective as it staggers Bonemass, leaving him vulnerable to follow-up strikes.\n\nBefore engaging Bonemass, stock up on healing items like Medium Healing Meads and Stamina Meads. These potions are essential for sustaining your health and stamina during the fight. Bonemass''s swamp biome is filled with poison, so bring Poison Resistance Mead to mitigate the damage from his poison clouds. Crafting these meads requires honey, thistle, and other ingredients found in the Meadows and Black Forest biomes. Prepare at least 10-15 of each mead to ensure you have enough for the fight.\n\nDuring the fight, positioning is critical. Bonemass''s melee attacks are slow but deal massive damage, so avoid standing directly in front of him. Instead, circle around him while keeping your shield raised. When he winds up for a swing, dodge roll to the side or backward to avoid the hit. If you''re confident in your timing, parrying his attacks is the most effective way to counter him. A successful parry will stagger him, allowing you to land several powerful strikes with your weapon.\n\nWeapon choice is also important. Blunt weapons like the Iron Mace are highly effective against Bonemass, as he is weak to blunt damage. Avoid using slashing or piercing weapons, as they deal significantly less damage. If you''re playing in co-op, coordinate with your team to stagger Bonemass consistently. One player can focus on parrying while others deal damage. This teamwork makes the fight much more manageable.\n\nBonemass also summons adds, such as skeletons and blobs, which can overwhelm you if not dealt with quickly. Use area-of-effect (AoE) attacks or arrows to clear these adds before focusing on Bonemass again. Fire arrows are particularly effective against blobs, while skeletons can be easily dispatched with a few melee hits. Keep an eye on your surroundings and prioritize adds when they spawn.\n\nFinally, use the environment to your advantage. Bonemass''s swamp biome is filled with trees and rocks that can be used as cover. If you need to retreat and heal, break line of sight with Bonemass by hiding behind these obstacles. This gives you a moment to drink a healing mead or stamina mead without being attacked. However, be cautious of the poison clouds that linger in the area, as they can still damage you even if you''re behind cover.\n\nIn summary, countering Bonemass''s melee attacks requires preparation, positioning, and teamwork. Equip iron-tier armor and a strong shield, bring plenty of healing and resistance meads, and use blunt weapons for maximum damage. Parry or dodge his attacks, clear adds quickly, and use the environment to your advantage. With these strategies, you and your team can defeat Bonemass and claim his trophy.