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Loaded bolts

Loaded bolts set how many shots one crossbow reload gives. Flat loaded bolts and additional projectiles add to the base of one bolt; increases and multipliers then apply to the whole sum. They never fire extra bolts per shot.

How it works

Crossbows shoot from a magazine. Each crossbow reload (Valheim's reload, shortened by reload speed) fills it:

loaded bolts = ⌊(1 + flat loaded bolts + additional projectiles + ⌊additional projectile chance⌋, +1 with the chance of what is left) × (1 + loaded bolt increases) × more⌋, rolled when the reload finishes
time between shots = the crossbow's reload time × 0.2857 ÷ ((1 + [crossbow fire rate](crossbow-fire-rate.md) increases) × more)

Each shot fires one bolt and uses one loaded shot; a shot that saves its ammo keeps it. When the magazine is empty, the crossbow reloads; the Reload key (R by default) reloads early whenever the magazine isn't full. The first shot after a reload and the last loaded shot are magazine shots: bonuses can name them.

Critical damage increases for the last loaded shot change how its critical strike multiplier is built.

Crossbow Reload time Between shots Shots per second
Arbalest 3.5 s 1 s 1
Frostfire Crossbow 3.5 s 1 s 1
Nord Crossbow 3.5 s 1 s 1
Ripper 3.5 s 1 s 1
Root Ripper 3.5 s 1 s 1
Storm Ripper 3.5 s 1 s 1
Thunderblood Crossbow 3.5 s 1 s 1
Wound Ripper 3.5 s 1 s 1

With the other mechanics: Combat and building.

Referenced by

Passive Tree

Notables

Name Effect
Splintered Shield 10% increased bolt knockback
+1 loaded bolts

Items

Mods (1)

Mod Type Rolls on From (item level)
+# loaded bolts Suffix must be weapon; one of crossbow Meadows (1)

Mentioned in

Patch history

Patch Change
Patch 5.3.1 (New) Loaded bolts set how many shots one crossbow reload gives. Flat loaded bolts and additional projectiles add to the base of one bolt; increases and multipliers then apply to the whole sum. They never fire extra bolts per shot.

Data from Path of Valheiman 5.3.6, extracted 2026-10-27.