How do you avoid deaths from Skeletons in the early game?

Avoiding deaths from Skeletons in Valheim''s early game requires a combination of preparation, strategy, and understanding of game mechanics. Skeletons are common in the Black Forest biome, and they can quickly overwhelm unprepared players due to their high damage and durability. To survive, you need to focus on gear, combat tactics, and environmental awareness.\n\nFirst, prioritize crafting a Wood Shield and a Flint Spear or Flint Axe. These are essential early-game tools that provide both defense and offense. The Wood Shield allows you to block incoming attacks, reducing damage significantly. The Flint Spear is ideal for keeping Skeletons at a distance, while the Flint Axe deals higher damage but requires you to get closer. Crafting these items requires basic resources like Wood, Flint, and Leather Scraps, which can be gathered from the Meadows biome.\n\nNext, always carry food to boost your health and stamina. Early-game options like Cooked Meat, Raspberries, and Mushrooms are easy to obtain and provide a significant advantage in combat. Higher health means you can survive more hits, while increased stamina allows you to dodge, block, and attack more effectively. Eating a combination of health-boosting and stamina-boosting foods before entering the Black Forest is crucial.\n\nWhen engaging Skeletons, use the environment to your advantage. Skeletons are slow and predictable, so you can kite them around trees, rocks, or other obstacles to avoid their attacks. If you encounter multiple Skeletons, try to separate them by luring one away from the group. This prevents you from being surrounded and overwhelmed. Additionally, Skeletons are vulnerable to blunt damage, so if you have a Club, use it to deal extra damage.\n\nBlocking and parrying are key mechanics to master. Hold your shield up to block incoming attacks, reducing damage taken. If you time your block perfectly, you can parry, which staggers the Skeleton and opens it up for a critical hit. This is especially effective with a Flint Spear or Club. Practice parrying on weaker enemies in the Meadows before taking on Skeletons to build confidence.\n\nIf you find yourself in a dangerous situation, retreat to a safer area. Skeletons will chase you, but their movement speed is slow, allowing you to create distance. Use this time to heal, regain stamina, or reposition yourself for a better attack. Avoid fighting near spawners or in tight spaces where escape is difficult.\n\nFinally, consider building a small outpost near the Black Forest. This can serve as a safe haven to rest, repair gear, and store resources. Place a Campfire and a Bed to set your spawn point, ensuring you don''t lose progress if you do die. Having a nearby base also allows you to retreat and regroup if a fight goes poorly.\n\nIn summary, surviving Skeletons in the early game requires preparation, smart combat tactics, and environmental awareness. Equip a Wood Shield and Flint Spear, eat food for health and stamina, and use the terrain to your advantage. Master blocking and parrying, and always have an escape plan. With these strategies, you can avoid deaths and thrive in the Black Forest biome.