FastArbalest

v1.0.1·Updated 2026-10-05

Reduce the reload time of crossbows (& Dundr). With 'stay loaded', 'pause reload while running', and 'realistic recoil' configurations.

About this mod Author’s original text

Fast Arbalest

Reduce the reload time of crossbows and Dundr

Loaded crossbows stay loaded while slung across your back.

Pause loading while running or jumping.

Options for realistic recoil.

Can't stand waiting for the your crossbow (or Dundr) to reload? Fast Arbalest allows you to change the reload time.

Includes an option to reduce the damage proportionally to keep the DPS balanced.

Allows reloading to pause while running or jumping (no restarting!), and crossbow to stay loaded while slung on your back!

New

  • Added the Grappling Hook
  • Reduced "Jump" pause to 1/2 second.
  • Allow reloading while falling.

Configuration

General

  • Reload Rate: Percentage of 'normal' time to reload the Arbalest, from 10 to 100, e.g. 50 is 50% of the reload time of the 'regular' Arbalest.@
  • Proportional Damage: Reduces damage proportionally to the Reload Rate to maintain DPS, e.g. a 50% reload time results in 50% of full damage.@
  • Pausable Reload: Pauses reload action when running, jumping or dodging, rather than restarting it.@
  • Sling Loaded: Allows slinging a crossbow on your back (show/hide or swim) while loaded. Unslinging does not require a reload before use.@
  • Realistic Recoil: Removes recoil (except for a small jolt), in line with the actual physics of a crossbow.@
  • Realistic Knockback: Adjusts the delivered stagger to be more appropriate to a sharp projectile weapon.@

Utility

  • LogLevel: Controls the level of information in the log.

In-game reconfiguration

You can use Configuration Manager (or similar) mod to change the configuration without exiting the game. The configuration will reload if you make changes to the config file.

Compatibility issues & defects

  • If you find a compatibility issue you can post it. Be sure to include the mod name and version you think may be incompatible.
  • If you have a bug please report it. If you do post a bug report, please make sure to include the following:
  • Your version of this mod
  • What you were doing, or attempting to do when it happened
  • If it's repeatable - i.e., can you duplicate it?
  • The exact behavior you observed (or didn't observe)
  • If possible, post a capture of the log file with errors (errors always begin with this mod's name) on Discord

Notes

  • All config settings whose description ends with an asterisk(@) are server authoritative.
  • Notes on 'realism':
  • Arbalests cannot be 'half-cranked'; it's all or nothing. However real heavy Arbalests also cannot be cranked without a windlass and foot stirrup, so set _Pausable Reload_ based on your own preference!
  • Arbalests do not generate significant recoil. Unlike a gun where the energy is stored in the bullet and the reaction force is backwards, with bows, the energy is stored in the bow limbs, which release their energy forward. _Realistic Recoil_ uses a more realistic reaction which has a very slight jolt. For anyone interested, there's an excellent video with a slo-mo at 6:50 where you can see that recoil is virtually non-existent firing a 1250 lb. crossbow:
  • Arbalests don't typically generate the degree of stagger Valheim gives them. The knockback of the Arbalest is about 5 times that of a bow at the same level. It's fun to watch creatures get thrown backwards, but not particularly realistic. _Realistic Knockback_ will scale back the stagger significantly, but still more than a bow of the same level, allowing for the momentum of a heavier bolt.
  • Note: Each config now sets only one attribute, recoil, knockback (stagger), and proportional damage.
  • _Sling Loaded_ will allow you to load your crossbow and have it stay loaded as long as it's slung on your back, e.g. using the show/hide key, or while swimming. When re-equipped using the show/hide key, it will still be loaded. Once it's unequipped or swapped for another weapon, you'll need to reload.
  • If you set _Realistic Knockback_ < 100%, proportional knockback is not used.

You can find all Neobotics

Install & use Install: BepInEx plugin

  1. The archive from playbuff is the mod itself — usually a BepInEx plugin (a .dll or a plugin folder once unzipped).
  2. Recommended: use a community mod manager (such as r2modman) — pick this game, import the mod, and the manager sets up BepInEx and its dependencies for you.
  3. Manual route: install the BepInEx loader in the game folder, then drop the unzipped .dll or plugin folder into BepInEx/plugins/.
  4. Launch the game — the BepInEx console logs every plugin it loads; seeing this mod in the log means it is installed.

Mods with listed dependencies need those installed too, or they will not load. Options are usually changed in-game or in the plugin's config file. In multiplayer, the host and every client need the same mods installed.

Dependencies

Install these first, or the mod will not work:

denikson-BepInExPack_Valheim

File & checksum

Filename
FastArbalest-1.0.1.zip
File size
172.6 KiB