What’s the best weapon for speedrunning Bonemass with minimal prep?

Speedrunning Bonemass in Valheim with minimal preparation requires a strategic approach to weapon choice, biome navigation, and boss mechanics. Bonemass is the third boss in the game, found in the Swamp biome, and is known for its high health pool, poison attacks, and ability to summon adds. To defeat it quickly, you need a weapon that deals high damage while minimizing the time spent in combat. The best weapon for this task is the Iron Mace, paired with a strong shield and poison resistance mead.\n\nThe Iron Mace is ideal because Bonemass is weak to blunt damage. Crafting it requires Iron, which can be found in Sunken Crypts within the Swamp biome. To gather Iron efficiently, bring a Bronze Pickaxe and a Swamp Key (dropped by the second boss, The Elder). Clear a few Sunken Crypts to collect enough Iron for the mace, a shield, and armor upgrades. Prioritize the Iron Mace over other weapons, as its blunt damage will significantly speed up the fight.\n\nBefore engaging Bonemass, prepare Poison Resistance Mead. This mead is essential for surviving its poison attacks, which can quickly drain your health. To craft it, you need Honey, Thistle, Coal, and Neck Tails. Honey can be harvested from beehives in the Meadows biome, Thistle is found in the Black Forest and Swamp, Coal is obtained from burning wood in a Charcoal Kiln, and Neck Tails are dropped by Necks in the Meadows. Brew the mead at a Fermenter, which requires Bronze and Fine Wood to craft.\n\nWhen you''re ready to fight Bonemass, locate its summoning altar in the Swamp. Clear the area of enemies beforehand to avoid distractions during the fight. Use a Hoe to level the ground around the altar, as the Swamp''s uneven terrain can hinder movement. Equip your Iron Mace, a shield (preferably an Iron Buckler for parrying), and your best armor. Consume Poison Resistance Mead and a health-boosting food like Cooked Meat or Sausages to maximize your survivability.\n\nDuring the fight, focus on dodging Bonemass''s melee attacks and parrying when possible. Its attacks are slow but deal heavy damage, so timing is crucial. Use the Iron Mace to deal consistent blunt damage, and avoid using weapons like swords or bows, as they are less effective. Bonemass will periodically summon adds, such as Blobs and Skeletons. Quickly eliminate these adds to prevent them from overwhelming you. Keep moving to avoid its poison cloud attack, and use the leveled ground to your advantage.\n\nFor new players, this strategy may seem daunting, but with practice, it becomes manageable. Experienced Vikings can optimize this approach by bringing additional resources like Healing Mead or Stamina Mead to sustain longer fights. Remember, the key to speedrunning Bonemass is preparation and execution. Focus on gathering Iron, crafting the Iron Mace, and brewing Poison Resistance Mead to ensure a swift victory.\n\nIn summary, the Iron Mace is the best weapon for speedrunning Bonemass due to its high blunt damage. Pair it with a shield, Poison Resistance Mead, and leveled terrain to maximize your efficiency. Clear the area of enemies beforehand, and focus on dodging and parrying during the fight. With this strategy, you can defeat Bonemass quickly and move on to the next challenge in Valheim.