What’s the best way to avoid getting poisoned by The Elder’s melee attack?

The Elder, Valheim''s second boss, is a formidable foe with a melee attack that can poison players, causing significant damage over time. To avoid getting poisoned, you need to understand the boss''s mechanics, prepare adequately, and employ effective strategies during the fight. This guide will walk you through the best ways to avoid The Elder''s poison attack and ensure a successful battle.\n\nFirst, preparation is key. Before engaging The Elder, ensure you have the right gear and consumables. Craft a full set of Troll Armor or Bronze Armor for decent protection and mobility. Equip a Finewood Bow and a large stack of Fire Arrows, as ranged combat is the safest way to deal with The Elder. Additionally, bring healing items like Cooked Meat, Honey, and especially Poison Resistance Mead. This mead is crafted at the Fermenter using 10 Honey, 5 Thistle, 1 Neck Tail, and 10 Coal, and it provides 10 minutes of poison resistance, which is crucial for this fight.\n\nNext, choose the right battlefield. The Elder spawns in the Black Forest biome, and its arena is marked by a glowing runestone. Clear the area of nearby enemies like Greydwarves and Trolls before starting the fight. Use the environment to your advantage by positioning yourself near large trees or rocks that can block The Elder''s ranged root attacks. This will allow you to focus on dodging its melee attacks without worrying about additional projectiles.\n\nDuring the fight, maintain distance and use ranged attacks. The Elder''s melee attack has a short range, so staying at a distance with your bow will minimize the risk of getting hit. If you must engage in melee combat, use a shield to block its attacks. The Bronze Buckler or any upgraded shield is effective for parrying, which can stagger The Elder and create openings for counterattacks. However, melee combat is riskier due to the poison effect, so prioritize ranged attacks whenever possible.\n\nIf you do get poisoned, act quickly. Poison in Valheim deals damage over time and can be deadly if not addressed. Immediately consume a Poison Resistance Mead if you haven''t already, and use healing items like Honey or Cooked Meat to counteract the damage. Keep moving to avoid further attacks while you recover. If you''re low on health, retreat to a safe distance and heal before re-engaging.\n\nFinally, practice patience and persistence. The Elder has a large health pool, so the fight can take time. Stay calm, avoid unnecessary risks, and focus on consistent damage with your bow. If you run out of arrows, retreat to craft more or switch to melee as a last resort. With proper preparation and strategy, you can defeat The Elder without falling victim to its poison.\n\nIn summary, avoiding The Elder''s poison attack requires preparation, positioning, and smart combat tactics. Equip Poison Resistance Mead, use ranged attacks, and leverage the environment to your advantage. By following these steps, you''ll minimize the risk of poisoning and emerge victorious in this challenging boss fight.