Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Edge
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Edge
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • EDGE GTAVI exclusive
  • Join our monthly RPG Club
  • Golden Joystick Awards 2026
  • Deal of the Day
  • Countdown to GTA 6
  • RPG Hub
  • G+RLS Podcast
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Survival
  3. Valheim

How to summon Valheim Bonemass boss and defeat them

Guides
By Marloes Valentina Stella Contributions by Jasmine Gould-Wilson
last updated 15 March 2023

Here's how to summon and battle Bonemass in Valheim

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

valheim guides
(Image credit: Iron Gate)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

In Valheim, Bonemass is the tanky Swamp boss that must be summoned before you can fight him. After defeating the Valheim Elder summon, you'll be faced with this far more treacherous boss fight, so you'll need to come prepared with the best Valheim weapons for the job. It might take some tips, tricks, and nimble skills to back it all up, but defeating Bonemass can be done.

As one of the most elusive big bosses in Valheim, be prepared to put a lot of work into tracking him down. As with every boss you must summon, your first task will be finding Bonemass’ Sacrificial Altar and summoning materials. You're not on your own, though, because our Valheim Bonemass guide gives you all thinfo you'll need to bring him down.

1. Bonemass location in Valheim

Valheim bonemass

(Image credit: Iron Gate AB)

The Bonemass sacrificial altar is somewhere in the Swamp biome. His exact location on the map will be revealed by a location Runestone, which you can find in the Swamp biome as well. They often spawn in Sunken Crypts or next to Draugr buildings. 

Latest Videos FromGamesRadar+
Watch full video here:

After activating a Runestone and making your way to Bonemass’ sacrificial altar, you need to offer some materials before he appears. The materials needed to summon Bonemass are 10 Withered Bones. 

2. How to find Valheim Withered Bones

Valheim bonemass

(Image credit: Iron Gate AB)
MORE VALHEIM GUIDES

Valheim

(Image credit: Iron Gate)

Valheim tips | Valheim workbench | Valheim repair | Valheim seeds | Valheim merchant | Valheim biomes | Valheim roadmap | Best Valheim weapons | Valheim Game Pass | Valheim Elder summon | Valheim cheats and spawn item list | Best Valheim armor 

The Valheim Withered Bones are found in Muddy Scrap Piles or chests inside the Sunken Crypts in the Swamp Biome. It’s very hard to find Muddy Scrap Piles outside of the Sunken Crypts for now, as you don’t have any indication of where to dig. This will change after you defeat Bonemass, when you get the Wishbone as a reward.

Luckily, you already have the Swamp Key as a reward for defeating The Elder. You can simply explore Sunken Crypts until you have enough Withered Bones to summon Bonemass. Clearing merely one Sunken Crypt is likely enough to get you at least 10 Withered Bones (provided you break all the Muddy Scrap Piles inside). Don’t forget to bring your pickaxe!

3. Summon Bonemass fast with this Valheim world seed

Valheim bonemass

(Image credit: Iron Gate AB)

Still have trouble finding the Valheim Bonemass boss? Then use this World Seed to spawn on the map in the picture: RtE9ytMifX. If you already used this Seed to find Eikthyr, you can immediately run towards Bonemass from Eikthyr’s location. 

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

If you don’t have enough materials to summon Bonemass yet, go to the location of the red dot first. You will find plenty of Sunken Crypts with location Runestones and Withered Bones in this area. One more tip before you set off to fight Bonemass: take a boat to avoid the dangerous Plains biome. If you look closely at the map, you can see that most of the route allows travel over water.

4. How to defeat Bonemass in Valheim

Valheim bonemass

(Image credit: Iron Gate AB)

The best strategy to defeat the green pile of blubber that is Bonemass, is by attacking him with blunt weapons. A mace or hammer-type weapon such as the Stagbreaker will suffice. Check the stats to make sure the weapon of your choice does indeed do blunt damage, and consider upgrading it several times before starting the battle. 

Furthermore, as it’s hard to keep your distance when fighting this boss, make sure you have good armor too. Especially if you’re playing solo - you might want to craft some Iron Armor first, using the Iron Scraps you found in the Sunken Crypts. 

Finally, you should know that Bonemass can poison you. You remove a big part of the problem by using a Poison Resistance Mead. This potion will decrease the amount of poison damage your character can take, lasting for 10 minutes.

5. Bonemass Forsaken Power

Valheim bonemass

(Image credit: Iron Gate AB)

Like other Valheim bosses, Bonemass will drop a Trophy to hang at his stone altar (default world spawn point). Apart from looking cool, you can use the trophy to activate Bonemass’ Forsaken Power. If you use it (press ‘F’), you will gain increased resistance against all physical damage. Bonemass will also drop the Wishbone, which can be used to find buried treasures.

On to the Mountain biome & Moder next!


Ready for more big boss battles? Here's how to defeat Valheim Moder and Valheim Yagluth.

CATEGORIES
Xbox One Xbox Series X PC Gaming Platforms Xbox
Marloes Valentina Stella
Marloes Valentina Stella
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Writer

I’m a freelance journalist who (surprise!) kind of has a thing for videogames. When I’m not working on guides for GamesRadar, you can probably find me somewhere in Teyvat, Novigrad, or Whiterun. Unless I’m feeling competitive, in which case you should try Erangel. You can also find my words on PCGamesN, Fanbyte, PCGamer, Polygon, Esports Insider, and Game Rant.

With contributions from
  • Jasmine Gould-Wilson Senior Staff Writer, GamesRadar+
Latest in Survival
Palworld Pal looking shocked
Survival Games Palworld devs get 5 days off to play GTA 6
 
 
The pink-haired Capri character laughs in the launch screen for Survive a Psycho on Roblox.
Survival Games All Survive a Psycho codes (November 2026) and how to redeem them for free spins
 
 
Press image for GloryBound codes showing a group of gladiators assembled in the coliseum
Survival Games GloryBound codes (November 2026) and how to redeem them for Lucky Spins and Chests
 
 
Press image for Survive Your Ideas codes showing four players typing different suggestions for the theme of a round
Survival Games Survive Your Ideas codes (November 2026) and how to redeem them for Free and Lucky Spins
 
 
Subnautica 2 character smiles at alien artifact
Survival Games "AAA publishers are abusing Early Access," RPG dev says
 
 
A ship in No Man's Sky warps toward a distant star
Survival Games With No Man's Sky's fifth major update in 2026, Hello Games finally makes good on a pre-launch tease
 
 
Latest in Guides
Phantom Blade Zero A Severed Mindseal Soul and the friendly shadow warden at the top of the Weeping Creek Valley Sha-Chi Tower
Action RPGs How to complete A Severed Mindseal in Phantom Blade Zero and find all Primal Stones
 
 
Press shot for Clover Adventure codes showing a smiling character in a regal robe
Action RPGs Clover Adventure codes (November 2026) and how to redeem them for free Spins and Gems
 
 
Phantom Blade Zero Cui puppet child in the village of lu smuggler's tunnel
Action RPGs How to complete Cui in Phantom Blade Zero and find Cui's grandfather
 
 
Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake
The Legend of Zelda Where to find all the Great Fairies in Ocarina of Time
 
 
A player holds their winning Bey in the air in Bey Rivals on Roblox.
Action Games All Bey Rivals codes (November 2026) and how to redeem them for Spins, Tickets, and more
 
 
Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake
The Legend of Zelda How to complete the Frog side quest in Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Rebel Wolves has "even more crazy ideas" up its sleeves
    1
    The Blood of Dawnwalker lifted the "curse" on the vampire genre, says Rebel Wolves boss
  2. 2
    The 5 best new shows and movies streaming this week on Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, and more (November 13-15)
  3. 3
    Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman are credited as writers on Avengers: Doomsday
  4. 4
    Physical GTA 6 map leaks, and I need to know if it's teasing another UFO Easter egg
  5. 5
    Resident Evil Requiem actor after Golden Joystick Awards win: "Capcom, you cannot fail!"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...