Valheim Boss Powers (Forsaken Powers) — Which One to Use & When

What Are Forsaken Powers?

Forsaken Powers are special abilities unlocked by defeating each main boss in Valheim and hanging their trophy on the Sacrificial Stones near the world spawn point. Each power provides a powerful temporary buff that lasts 5 minutes and has a 20-minute cooldown (so you can use each power once every 20 minutes, or swap between powers at the Sacrificial Stones).

You can only have one Forsaken Power active at a time, but you can swap which power is 'equipped' freely by interacting with the trophy at the Sacrificial Stones. The power you currently have equipped is the one activated when you press F in-game. This lets you choose the right power for your current activity — exploring, sailing, building, or fighting.

Powers scale in utility throughout the game. Early powers like Eikthyr's are excellent for exploration throughout the game, while Bonemass's damage reduction remains one of the most universally powerful abilities for combat even in late-game situations.

All Forsaken Powers Reference

Eikthyr Power — Best for Exploration

Eikthyr's power reduces run and jump Stamina cost by 60%, making it the best power for any situation involving movement across terrain. In early game, this is invaluable for running from dangerous enemies and climbing mountains. In late game, it remains extremely useful for scouting new biomes, reaching resource nodes quickly, and any situation where Stamina management while moving is a concern.

The power does not affect combat Stamina (attacks, blocks, dodges) — only run and jump. For pure combat situations, Bonemass is generally better. But for the constant movement involved in exploration and resource gathering, Eikthyr's power can be activated multiple times per long expedition.

Recommend: use Eikthyr power when exploring a new biome or traveling long distances. Swap to Bonemass when preparing for a boss fight.

Bonemass Power — Best for Combat

Bonemass's power is arguably the most powerful and universally useful Forsaken Power in Valheim. Reducing all physical damage taken by 1/3 is a massive defensive boost — a hit that would normally deal 150 damage instead deals 100. For boss fights where bosses deal enormous physical damage, this can make the difference between surviving and dying.

The power activates for 5 minutes, which typically covers the entirety of most boss fights. Plan to activate Bonemass power right before engaging a boss. It also stacks with armor defense, food HP, and shields for exceptional survivability.

Even in late-game Mistlands content, where enemies switch to magic damage, Bonemass remains useful for physical-damage-heavy enemies. Keep Bonemass equipped whenever doing dangerous content you are not overleveled for.

Moder Power — Best for Sailing

Moder's power creates a magical tailwind in whatever direction you are currently sailing, allowing maximum ship speed regardless of actual wind direction. This transforms long ocean voyages from tedious tacking exercises into direct, fast transits.

In vanilla Valheim, sailing against the wind is very slow. The Moder power eliminates this entirely for 5 minutes at a time. On a Longboat, you can cover enormous distances in the 5-minute power window. Combined with strategic power activation at the start of long legs, Moder's power cuts ocean travel time by 50-70%.

The power does nothing for land travel or combat, making it situation-specific. If you rarely sail long distances, Moder power has limited value. For players who regularly sail to different biomes or islands, it is transformative.

Yagluth Power — Elemental Resistance

Yagluth's power provides resistance to fire, frost, and lightning damage. In practice, this is most useful in the Mistlands (where Gjall fire bombards are lethal) and Mountain (where Drakes deal frost damage). The resistance does not negate damage entirely but reduces it significantly.

For specific boss fights where elemental damage is a concern — like Moder (frost) or fighting Surtlings in fire-heavy areas — Yagluth power provides useful mitigation. However, for most physical-combat-heavy situations, Bonemass's physical reduction is better.

Consider Yagluth power specifically for: entering the Ashlands (fire damage everywhere), fighting Gjall in the Mistlands, or any area with significant lightning or frost environmental hazards.

How to Swap Forsaken Powers

1. Return to the Sacrificial Stones near your world spawn point — the large stone altar in the Meadows where you start the game.
2. Boss trophies that you have collected and hung on the Stones will be visible as glowing items on the altar.
3. Interact with the trophy of the power you want to equip. Your current Forsaken Power changes to that boss's ability.
4. The F key (default) activates whichever power is currently equipped when pressed in-game.
5. Build a Portal near the Sacrificial Stones for quick swapping — name it 'spawn' or similar for fast access from any base.

Recommended Power by Situation

• Exploring a new biome: Eikthyr (stamina for running away from threats).
• Any boss fight: Bonemass (physical damage reduction; most bosses deal primarily physical).
• Long ocean voyage: Moder (tailwind cuts travel time dramatically).
• Chopping and building: Elder (free tree-chopping stamina).
• Mistlands or fire-heavy areas: Yagluth (elemental resistance).
• Magic enemy gauntlets (Mistlands): The Queen (eitr damage resistance).
• Mining silver or iron: Eikthyr (climbing mountains uses lots of stamina).
• Fader fight: Bonemass for physical melee builds; The Queen for magic builds.
• Long sustained casting on a magic build: The Queen (reduced Eitr regen penalty).

The Queen's Power — Magic Builds and Mistlands Combat

The Queen's Power is the late-game upgrade for any magic-focused build. Its two effects — resistance to Eitr / magic damage and a reduced Eitr regen penalty after casting — work together to make sustained spellcasting practical in long fights. The damage resistance helps against Dvergr Mage bolts, certain Mistlands and Ashlands magic-themed attacks, and any future content using magic damage types. The reduced regen penalty means your Eitr pool refills faster after a casting burst, letting you fire more spells per fight.

Melee builds get less direct value from The Queen's Power but should still keep it slotted as a swap option. Any fight involving Dvergr Mages, the Queen herself on subsequent runs, or Fader (where Eitr-themed attacks may appear) benefits from the resistance. The 20-minute cooldown means you only get one activation per major encounter, so reserve it for moments where the magic-damage threat is highest.

Equipping The Queen's Power is the same process as any other Forsaken Power: hang the Queen Trophy on the Sacrificial Stones near your spawn point, then interact with the trophy to equip the power. A portal at your spawn lets you swap powers between activities without the long walk back.

Fader's Power — Endgame Capstone

Fader's Forsaken Power unlocks after defeating Fader in the Ashlands and hanging the trophy on the Sacrificial Stones. Its exact effect is patch-sensitive — Iron Gate has tuned several Forsaken Powers in past updates, so confirm the current effect in-game by interacting with the trophy at the Stones. Whatever the current bonus, Fader's Power closes out the main-line Forsaken Power collection and is the symbolic endgame milestone.

Use Fader's Power for any post-endgame content where its current effect provides a tangible advantage — typically high-difficulty encounters, optional bosses, or hardcore-mode pushes. For routine farming and exploration, the older powers (Bonemass for combat, Eikthyr for traversal, Moder for sailing) often remain more practical despite Fader's flashier unlock. Treat Fader's Power as a situational tool, not a default replacement for the proven utility powers.

Once Fader is defeated and the trophy hung, the Sacrificial Stones display the full set of boss trophies, and the player can swap freely between all seven Forsaken Powers. Most veterans rotate among Bonemass, Eikthyr, and Moder for routine play and reserve Yagluth, the Queen, and Fader for specific encounters where their effects shine.