Melee Weapon Skills

Valheim does not have one single melee skill; instead each weapon category, Swords, Knives, Clubs (blunt), Polearms, Spears, Axes, and Unarmed, levels independently as you land hits with it. A higher level in a category raises that weapon type's damage and reduces the stamina it costs to swing.

Why It Matters

Because skill decay only applies to categories you actually use, most players pick one or two weapon types early and stick with them for a whole playthrough rather than splitting levels across every category. Committing to a single weapon line, like swords or polearms, compounds into a large damage and stamina advantage over time.