To ensure all Viking exploits go smoothly, the developers make many resources available in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Among these are merchants. Like in any role-playing game, these guys sell vital items to heroes in exchange for in-game currency. Plenty such vendors exist in this entry, but fans should think twice about indulging them.
Valhalla sports several products which players should never purchase from merchants. In most cases, they can acquire these items through other means. What's more is that those means don't require money. Instead, the items are often directly in the path. The developers want players to explore so that they can level up and have enough skill points at any given time. In the process, they naturally accrue countless items and equipment. Why waste money to buy that same equipment from merchants?
6 Rations
Rations are the main healing method here, but fans should remember that this is an Assassin's Creed game. That means combat is pitifully easy, especially if players stick to the desired path and are anywhere close to the recommended level. They may no longer have the instant-kill counterattack of earlier entries, but their basic attacks and runic moves can still mop the floor with legions of mooks. The developers couple these advantages with a generous checkpoint system. With the odds so stacked in their favor, players won't even need rations.
In the unlikely event that they do, though, their supply will be constantly full. Many enemies have a pack or two on their person. Eivor loots their bodies and other spots automatically, so players rack up rations without ever trying. Even if they wanted more, they likely have no space in their inventories.
5 Arrows
Ration purchases are pointless, and the same principle applies to arrows. Once again, players get more than enough by just playing the game. Cities and bases have quivers scattered all over, carrying a ready resupply for anyone looking. In addition, players can unlock an upgrade which lets them recover arrows they've used on enemies. Then again, these perks could be null and void.
All of this is contingent on whether fans emphasize archery at all. By no means is it the most effective method to kill people. Eivor can subsist entirely on stealth and melee. It helps that opposing archers are utterly inept, both in their aim and damage output. These factors mean few fans will bother with an archery build, and those who do will never want for ammo.
4 Weapons & Armor
Most merchants sell consumables, but some have special items in their stock. Specifically, players can buy a few weapons and armor pieces. Sadly, these are never worth the price of admission. Eivor frequently finds them in chests, and the map conveniently marks them out from other bits of wealth. Players just have to find their way into a building or solve a simple puzzle. If this is too much, they always have other buying options.
When in the market, it's better to stick with specialty vendors like blacksmiths and armorers. They have a larger selection of better merchandise, and they can use their tools to upgrade that merch to its fullest potential. Speaking of which...
3 Crafting Materials
Most equipment has ample room for growth. Eivor can upgrade gear with various materials: leather, tungsten, iron, fabric, titanium, and more. With enough resources sunk into them, these items can potentially multiply their stats. That sounds like a productive use of coin. Unfortunately, it's anything but.
Merchants are no help in this area. Their own supply of crafting materials is limited, with each vendor only carrying a handful. Players ordinarily can't do much better, as these ingredients aren't lying around like arrows or rations. Thankfully, would-be Vikings can hit the mother lode by leading raids. Whether on the main England map or one of the outlying rivers with the Jomsvikings, players can accumulate heaps of these materials. Soon, they have ample amounts to craft or enhance their favorite gear. If they have any second thoughts, they can just disassemble their equipment and get their materials back. Either way, they can easily make up for merchants' shortcomings.
2 Cosmetics
A major problem with both Assassin's Creed: Odyssey and Valhalla is the increasing intrusion of immersion-breaking visuals. These games provide countless cosmetic options, but many of them are intentionally fantastical or downright ridiculous. One might replace the player's horse with a dire wolf or unicorn; another may give Eivor's ship a fruity rainbow paint job. These shatter any facade or historical authenticity and make the AC series more of a laughingstock than it already is.
What's worse is that these cosmetics are utterly useless. Rarely are their stats any different from normal gear. Their novelty is the sole appeal, and that quickly wears thin. Players probably activate a goofy outfit, chuckle for ten seconds, and then lament that they ever spent money on it. Granted, mods include this silly stuff, too, but at least those are free.
1 Skill Scrolls
While not common, certain merchants sell scrolls. These bestow valuable skill points. At first glance, these seem worthy the money. After all, most of the game's artificial difficulty comes from how many skill points Eivor has. However, the supposed bargain falls apart once players weigh the cost against the reward. Each scroll only grants one measly skill point, yet the merchants charge outrageous prices. A single scroll could cost 700 silver coins. That's highway robbery.
The ripoff is more apparent once players realize they can garner skill points by doing pretty much anything. Applicable activities include completing missions, killing enemies, leading raids, finding treasures, solving puzzles, and synchronizing eagle points. These all grant experience and, by extension, skill points. Sure, they call for occasional grinding, particularly later in the game when the level requirements get ludicrous. That said, it's better than forking over all of Eivor's cash for a tiny boost.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.