This guide will give you the combat mechanics overview, tips and strategy for how to defeat Draugr Hemming Jarl boss in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
This guide contains some spoilers related to the quest this boss fight is a part of and it reveals the boss mechanics and a strategy for how to defeat him. Obviously if you are at this point, the spoilers are not your main concern and you have likely seen the story so far. Now all that is left is to defeat one of the more challenging bosses in the main storyline of the game.
Who is Draugr Hemming
Hemming Jarl is one of the NPCs you encounter and interact with shortly after you arrive at Hemthorpe in Snotinghamscire. This is one of the last regions you have to pledge to in Engladn as it requires Power Level 250.
According to the Codex Hemming Jarl was a natural and charismatic leader. He was Halfdan’s (one of the sons of Ragnar) bulwark in their first fight against the Picts. With great effort, Hemming united the Saxons and Norse and created peace in his time. The challenge was for those who followed to fill his rather large and jarl-worthy shoes.
Where to find Draugr Hemmind
In Assassin’s Creed Valhalla you first meet with Hemming Jarl in Snotinghamscire, in his own longhouse in Hemthorpe.
Unfortunately the jarl is now in his elderly age, and although happy to see you, he is sick and has very little left. Shortly after your first conversation, as you go on about your other tasks in the region, the Jarl falls ill and passes away.
As you and the town prepare for the big celebration and the burning of its beloved leader, you encounter the spirit of Draugr Hemming atop the hill north-west from the town.
The boss fight is the conclusion of the “Of Blood and Gods” quest. Right after you complete it, you get the next one “Under the Skin”, sending you to speak to Sunniva.
Draugr Hemming Boss Fighting Mechanics
There are several boss fights in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s main storyline. The one against Draugh Hemming seems to be one of the toughest. Why? Because he uses spears and electricity!
Let me show and tell you a little more about his special attacks and how to avoid or mitigate the damage he deals with them. Please note that the attacks don’t have names in the game, so I labeled them myself based on the actions performed.
Basic Spear Poke
This is a standard block-able and parry-able attack where he uses his right spear to literally poke you with it. During this attack he extends his right hand-side arm forward significantly, exposing his back. If you time it well and manage to slow the time, you can deal nice damage while he recovers.
Speak Poke from Above
This is a variation of the basic spear attack, but the boss will hold the spear with both hands and strike from above. It can also be parried.
Leaping Strike with Lightning AoE
For this one Hemming will jump up and land in the position you were in when he jumped. You have a split second to dodge or move to the side to avoid getting damaged from this attack.
AoE Lightning Bolts
The Leap attack is usually followed by a few Lighting Bolts in the area around the boss. They are represented by vertical white lines and can easily be avoided. Simple stay away from the boss for a moment and wait for it to end. The attack is not literally AoE as the bolts only hit one area at a time, but they do it around the boss.
Disappearing onto another hilltop
At around 66% and then at around 33% of his Health Draugr Hemming will disappear and move to another hilltop nearby. You need to follow him there. While you travel, he shoots Lightning Bolts ate you. Because the visuals are pretty low in this boss fight, you get notified of the direction from which the bolt will come by the standard red markers signifying a ranged attack is coming.
Ranged Lightning Bolt
I was not able to fully confirm this, but in my experience the Ranged Lightning Bolt attacks only come when the boss jumps to the next hilltop and you have to chase him.
Red Attacks
The Leaping attack as well as a special Spear Attack Hemming will use against you are not possible to be parried or blocked with a shield. You have to move away dodging or running. These attacks are signified with a red glow with viking symbols around the boss.
How to defeat Draugr Hemming Boss
There are probably several strategies to prepare for this fight, but I will show you the abilities and skills I picked as well as what worked best for me in my several fights (had to reload a few times to test things for the guide to be precise).
If you are missing any of these, check out my AC Valhalla Skills and Abilities Guide to learn how and where to get them from.
Useful Abilities for this fight
My all-time favorite ability the Harpoon Impalement does little here. There are no obstacles to hurl the boss into and he gets up as soon as you use that ability, so I do not recommend it.
The Rage of Helheim is a wonderful option. Especially if Upgraded! As always for this ability to work, you have to aim properly before you rush towards the boss. You can interrupt his Red Attacks with it, by the way.
If the boss is near the cliff, you can use Kick of Tyr to push him. My testing was weird, showing that the boss would some times take damage from the fall (significant damage), but other times he would just respawn in the middle of the arena and continue the fight. I guess the falling distance has a role here, but the area is so foggy, it’s hard to tell where you are facing him when you push him.
Vengeance of Thor could be useful as well, but it is a bit risky to use it. If you do, I suggest you enter the fight with a proper long weapon (Double-Handed Axe, Spear or a Longsword.
The Dive of the Valkyries and Throwing Axe Fury are also good options.
I strongly dislike playing with bows in Assassin’s Creed Games, so they are not my strong side and I cannot recommend a good bow and strategy for ranged fight. The boss does have three weak spots for ranged attacks, though: right knee, right hand and left shoulder.
Useful Skills for this fight
This is a boss fight, so any surprises from stealth are not really an option. This boss is not so tough to provoke you to swap your build specifically for him, but in the higher difficulties it may prove a challenge, based on your current build and Power Level. So, below are a few recommendations from me for Skills to get for this fight.
I recommend not just for this boss, but for the game in general to pick up the three additional +1 Adrenaline Slot Skills. They will allow you to be much more effective in using Abilities and Rage of Helheim is a wonderful ability against this boss, as I said earlier.
From the Bear tree I also recommend you to get Parry Damage. You can parry all of his non-Red-attacks and dealing additional damage while doing so is a pure benefit here.
The Perfect Attack is also useful, although you will not have longer windows in which to bash the boss more than a few times in a row.
Adrenaline Fiend and Berserker’s Mettle are very useful for when you do allow the boss to hit you to not lose your Adrenaline Slot and having more Adrenaline in general increases your attacks.
From the Raven tree the Backstab can be useful as it allows you to deal increased damage to the boss’ back if you are quick and mobile enough to get there in time.
Having Brush with Death is incredibly useful all the time, and this boss fight is no exception. Dodging in the right moment before the attack lands, slows down time and you can position yourself properly and hit the boss hard before he recovers.
Useful Tips against Draugr Hemming Jarl boss
- On each hilltop there are a couple of berries or other food source. Pick them up if you need to replenish your Health.
- Save your Stamina for when you actually do need it – avoiding red attacks or Rage of Helheim.
- Hit his Weak Spots to deal more damage.
- Precisely time your dodges to slow down time. This gives you incredible advantage.
- The boss is susceptible to Rage of Helheim. Have this ability slotted and Upgraded if possible to deal massive damage in one go.
- The fight is less challenging if you use a long weapon, such as Spear. Shield will help mitigate some damage as well.
I personally prefer this amazing Assassin Hybrid Build for everything in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. It’s great for mobility and speedy kills. Here in this boss fight it demands precise movement and is a bit more challenging, because you’d have to move closer to the boss to land your blows.
If you need new weapons for this fight or just for fun, have a look at the Weapons and Shields Locations Guide. Most of them are really easy to get and involve little to no fighting. And a few of the items available from the merchants are not bad either.
I hope you liked this guide on how to defeat Draugh Hemming boss in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. For more, check out the AC Valhalla Guides section on VULKK.com and keep visiting for more interesting news and guides content about the game coming in the future!
Having trouble with another boss fight? Check out the collection of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Boss Fights Guides.
