Assassin’s Creed Valhallaboasts a ton of skills. With so many options, it’s hard to know where to start. Perhaps for that reason, the developers separate the vast skill tree into categories. These hopefully aid in organizing stat distribution. In turn, players can build a distinctive Eivor.
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One area that they can explore is the path of the Bear. This category deals with brute force. As such, the skills mainly serve to enhance Eivor’s melee prowess. One might think this defeats the purpose ofAssassin’s Creed, a series founded on stealth. Regardless, many players will have a blast with these skills. By the end ofValhalla, they’ll feel absolutely unstoppable.
6Stomp
They say to never kick people while they’re down, but why not take advantage of that opening? This ability basically lets Eivor stomp on enemies who’ve fallen down, sometimes draining up to half their health in the process. It’s a swift way to thin the ranks.
That becomes more apparent once fans discover how often they can use it. Both ranged and melee combos can knock foes off their feet. On the other hand,they may just stumble down the stairs or bump into someone. All of these mishaps put them on the ground, making them ripe for stomping.
5Parry Damage
Like most hack-and-slash titles,Valhallaincludesa parry mechanic. Players block at the precise moment that an enemy attack lands. Doing so throws that enemy off balance, rendering him vulnerable to a counterattack. That’s convenient in itself, but what if it wasn’t the only perk to parrying?
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A Bear build has a skill-enhancing the standard parry. Whenever players block an attack in this fashion, they drain some of their assailant’s health. This provides infinitely more incentive to practice finesse and time their blocks. Combined with the aforementioned counter, Parry Damage can potentially end a duel before it truly begins. It nearly breaks the game, calling to mind the counter-kills from the olderAssassin’s Creedentries. It’s even more of a boon against bulkier foes who shrug off normal blows. The skill can turn people’s own power against them–a reliable and satisfying way to win any brawl.
4Heavy Dual Wield
It’s empowering to have heavy weapons at one’s disposal. They have longer reach and higher damage outputs. The only downside is that players can only wield one, but this upgrade fixes that.
As the name states,the ability lets Eivor hold two heavy weapons at once. Fans can charge into battle with a greatsword and warhammer. The combinations don’t end at offense, though.
The skill also goes toward defense. Since heavy weapons now require only one hand, Eivor can put a shield in the other. Players can maintain the power without leaving themselves open to attack. Not to mention, it complements the aforementioned parrying. Heavy Dual Wield is truly an all-encompassing skill within the Bear arsenal.
3Fire Resistance Training
Despite being a seafaring people, the Vikings encounter an alarming amount of fire inValhalla. Not only do enemies shoot fire arrows, but they’ve scattered oil containers around every corner. These are remarkably easy to set off, either on purpose or by accident.The Northmen even engage in pyrotechnics themselves when they set fire to buildings during raids. Whatever the circumstances, the flames quickly light up anyone who touches them, causing health to go up in smoke. That’s why players should build up some resistance.
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This upgrade lessens the build-up and damage of fire by 5.6 points. This may not seem like much, but it adds up in the long run. Fans can amplify this effect further via other nodes on the skill tree. By the end, Eivor can practically walk through an inferno without so much as a singed hair.
2Sprint Bash
Sprinting sometimes works to speed up travel. Unfortunately, it becomes less viable with the large crowds thatValhallathrows in. If Eivor tries sprinting, he/she simply bumps into them and falls down. This doesn’t exactly befit an imposing Northman. It’s especially annoying if these crowds are enemies during a battle or mission, as it prevents players from reaching their objectives and leaves them open to attack. Any Vikings worth their salt should be able torun right through their enemies. Thankfully, this skill lets them do just that.
Though not a passive ability, Sprint Bash temporarily powers up Eivor’s run. This enables the hero to smash through breakable objects and knock enemies to the ground. It essentially turns the Viking into a freight train, plowing through anything in his/her way. This is incredibly useful for breaking defenses and facilitating further strikes. Not to mention, anyone on the ground will be open to the Stomp move. It’s another instance of Bear skills organically working in tandem.
1Berserker’s Mettle
A key mechanic inValhallais adrenaline. This enables the use ofEivor’s special abilities, such as axe-throwing or ground-slamming. Players attain it by performing well in combat. Successful attacks, blocks, dodges, kills, and other moves all grant adrenaline points. That said, Eivor loses adrenaline when taking damage, which is a buzzkill. It’s also more likely for Bear builds since they’re essentially tanks. They thrive on taking damage and brushing it off. As such, they should have the skill to accommodate that style.
Berserker’s Mettle prevents adrenaline from draining when Eivor takes damage. This lets players live up to the skill’s namesake.Viking berserkers were renowned for their battle frenzies and sturdy nature. They hit hard and were tough to stop, throwing caution to the wind in their drive to kill. It’s only right forValhallato emulate that with the Bear build. Bursting with adrenaline, Eivor can unleash devastating blows left and right, clearing entire crowds in true berserker fashion.
Assassin’s Creed Valhallais currently available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, & PC.
