ZenCombat

v1.0.2·Updated 2026-09-25

Gamepad dodge button, auto equip shield, tower-shield block charges, own spears, fix arrow aim, mounted attack & jump, no stun parry ranged attack, private damage numbers, limit knockback, no unarmed

About this mod Author’s original text

ZenCombat

Adjustments to bring more fun and balance to the combat system.

NOTE: Pair with the ZenTargeting mod for target lock!

  • Dedicated dodge button for gamepad.
  • AutoPickup the spear you throw, other players can not auto-pickup your spear.
  • AutoEquip the next spear after you throw a spear.
  • Prevent accidental unarmed attack of furniture.
  • Your mounts can attack and jump (configurable).
  • Optional rolling dismount for quick stylish dismounts from your steed.
  • Pair with ZenPlayer for even more control over your mount's stamina and regen stats under the "Riding" section. Also an option to push your mounts beyond exhaustion to drive them farther and faster.
  • Parrying a ranged attack does not stun the attacker.
  • Show damage numbers only for yourself, not everyone.
  • Adjust pushback force
  • Blocking with tower shields: Multiple blocks with tower-shield yield a counter-attack.
  • Reliable block, always apply block defense even when staggered as long as you have stamina.
  • Define mobs which are immune to parry stun.
  • Equip last used shield automatically when drawing 1h weapon.
  • Auto equip your lantern or torch and keep your weapon drawn.
  • Game Setting: "Attack towards look dir" now also works with block.
  • Bows aim at the crosshair, not under it.
  • Option to turn off wooden arrows, overpowered, too cheap.
  • Restrict movement when drawing a bow.
  • Red screen flash is reduced when taking damage so that it is less blinding.

Client / Server Requirements

NOTE: Technically it is not required on the server. However, if it is installed on the server then it will force all clients to have it installed as well. This is to enable two modes of usage:

  • Dedicated server admins can put the mod on the server to enforce all clients to have the mod installed and sync admin configs.
  • Trusted friends can agree to run the same mods and connect through a vanilla dedicated server with no enforcement but with locked admin configs.

Client Only

This mod operates entirely client side. That means you can connect to any vanilla server with this mod installed. Other players do not need to have the mod installed.

NOTE: If you host a game session with this mod installed then it will be considered to be installed on the server since your session is the server. Therefor, all clients will be required to have it. If you don't want to require all players to have this mod then you will need to host your game in a dedicated server. You can easily download and run the Valheim Dedicated Server from Steam or host one in the cloud.

Extend Functionality with Additional ZenMods

  • ZenTargeting: Target lock is awesome!:)
  • ZenRedecorate: Move chests around without destroying them.
  • ZenItemStand: Item Stands and Armor Stands behave like containers. Quickly swap your gear.

Improve Your Experience

CORE MODS

The full collection of all Zen MODS:

  • Radically improved QoL
  • Incredible performance
  • Pre-configured
  • 100% Gamepad support
  • Spectacularly immersive

Enjoy!

Sample Config File

Settings file was created by plugin ZenCombat v1.0.1

Plugin GUID: ZenDragon.ZenCombat

[AutoShield]

Automatically equip the recent shield when equipping main 1h weapon.

Plus extra logic to make the torch behave nicely with auto shield.

Intuitivly toggle weapons and shields and torches without needing to think about it to much.

Setting type: Boolean

Default value: true

Autoequip Recent Shield = true

List of ignored item prefab names.

When any of these items are equipped the shield will not be automatically equipped.

NOTE: only makes sense for 1h weapons, all other items will naturally be ignored anyhow.

Setting type: StringList

Default value: KnifeButcher, Tankard, Tankard_dvergr, TankardAnniversary, TankardOdin

Ignore Items = KnifeButcher, Tankard, Tankard_dvergr, TankardAnniversary, TankardOdin

[Bows]

[Admin] Allow wood arrows? They are a bit OP because they are so cheap and lethal.

When enabled it does not make firing an arrow a risky proposition and they

undermine any r

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:

ZenDragon-Zen_ModLib

File & checksum

Filename
ZenCombat-1.0.2.zip
File size
72.2 KiB