What’s the best way to use the Porcupine mace in co-op?

The Porcupine mace is one of the most versatile and powerful weapons in Valheim, especially in co-op boss fights. It combines blunt and pierce damage, making it effective against a wide range of enemies, including bosses like Bonemass and Moder. To maximize its potential in co-op, you need to understand its mechanics, coordinate with your team, and prepare properly.\n\nFirst, ensure you have the Porcupine crafted. It requires level 4 Forge, 5 Fine Wood, 20 Iron, 10 Needles, and 5 Linen Thread. Fine Wood is found in Meadows and Black Forest biomes, Iron is mined in Swamp Crypts, Needles drop from Deathsquitos in the Plains, and Linen Thread is crafted from Flax, also found in the Plains. Once crafted, upgrade it to maximize its damage and durability.\n\nIn co-op boss fights, the Porcupine excels due to its dual damage types. For example, Bonemass is weak to blunt damage, while Moder is weak to pierce. The Porcupine’s combination of both makes it a reliable choice for these fights. Coordinate with your team to assign roles: one player can tank and draw aggro, while others focus on dealing damage or providing support with healing meads or ranged attacks.\n\nPositioning is key when using the Porcupine. Stay close to the boss to maximize damage output, but avoid standing directly in front of them to dodge attacks. Use the roll dodge mechanic (default key: spacebar + directional key) to evade heavy hits. For example, Bonemass has a poison AoE attack, so roll away when it raises its arm. Moder’s frost breath can be avoided by circling around its side.\n\nTeam synergy is crucial. If you’re the primary damage dealer, communicate with your team to ensure the tank keeps the boss’s attention. Use the Porcupine’s secondary attack (right-click) for a powerful slam that staggers enemies, creating openings for your team to deal extra damage. Staggering bosses like Yagluth can give your team a critical advantage.\n\nPreparation is equally important. Stock up on healing meads, stamina meads, and poison resistance meads, especially for Bonemass. Equip the best armor you can craft, such as Iron or Wolf Armor, to increase survivability. Bring a shield for additional defense if needed, but prioritize the Porcupine for its damage output.\n\nIn co-op, communication is your greatest asset. Use voice chat or text to coordinate attacks, call out boss mechanics, and share resources. For example, if one player is low on health, another can distract the boss while they heal. This teamwork ensures everyone stays alive and maximizes damage output.\n\nFinally, practice makes perfect. Before taking on a boss, test the Porcupine in smaller fights to get a feel for its attack speed and stamina usage. Its attacks consume stamina quickly, so manage it wisely. Pair it with foods like Serpent Stew, Lox Meat Pie, and Blood Pudding for high stamina and health regeneration.\n\nIn summary, the Porcupine mace is a top-tier weapon for co-op boss fights in Valheim. Craft and upgrade it, coordinate with your team, and master its mechanics to dominate bosses. With proper preparation and teamwork, you and your fellow Vikings will emerge victorious.