How To Defeat Trolls In The Early Game

What Are Trolls And Their Drops

Trolls are aggressive creatures that roam the Black Forests. These towering, awkward humanoids have powerful limbs and tangled blonde hair. There are two main types of trolls: the unarmed troll and the log-wielding troll. They can appear throughout the Black Forest, both inside and outside of Troll caves, as well as during the "The Ground Is Shaking" event, which occurs after defeating The Elder. Their heavy footsteps can be heard from a distance, so it's wise to stay alert and keep an eye on your surroundings.

Notable drops:

• Coins (20-29)
• Troll Hide (5)
• Troll Trophy (50% drop chance)

Note, that the amount of dropped items depends on the Trolls Creature Level.

Preparing for the Fight

Gear Recommendations

Make sure to craft a bow and plenty of arrows. If you can afford flinthead arrows, craft those, as they will make the fight easier and quicker. However, it's completely doable with regular wooden arrows—just be prepared to take your time and kite the Troll, as the fight will last longer.

While basic leather armor (crafted from deer hides) won't save you, it can provide a useful layer of defense if other enemies show up while you're fighting the Troll.

If you run out of arrows, it's wise to have a backup in the form of a shield and melee weapon. While any weapon will work, you should prioritize piercing weapons, as Trolls are weak to piercing damage. Piercing weapons include arrows, bows, crossbows, knives, pickaxes, polearms, the porcupine and spears. However, keep in mind that the ability to obtain these may be limited if you're attempting to defeat the Troll early in the game.

Food and buffs

Make sure to eat a combination of stamina-boosting and health-boosting foods, but prioritize stamina foods, as you'll be kiting the Troll and will need extra stamina.

Additionally, rest in a bed near a fire to receive the rested buff, which will further increase your stamina regeneration.

Combat Strategy

1. Ranged tactics:
   • Use a bow to maintain distance.
   • Stay mobile: Trolls have slow attacks but deal massive damage, so keep moving while shooting.
   • Aim for the head to deal extra damage.
2. Terrain Advantage:
   • Lure the troll to areas with obstacles or hills for better positioning.
   • Use trees or rocks to block its swings, then reposition.
   • Try to fight the Troll in the Meadows, where the threat of other enemies is lower.
3. Melee Strategy (if necessary):
   • Use a shield to block or parry its attacks (timing is critical).
   • Strike after the troll’s attack animation finishes, then retreat.

Avoiding Death

• Watch out for their area-of-effect attacks, like ground slams.
• Never stand still for too long; trolls can close the distance quickly.
• If overwhelmed, retreat and use stamina wisely for running or dodging.

Advanced Tips

• Troll with a Club: Slower but more damaging; easier to dodge.
• Troll with Hands: Faster attack animations; maintain more distance.
• Combine the fight with exploration: Lure the troll to break trees for free wood or copper deposits.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Fighting near multiple enemies (Greydwarfs or skeletons can complicate the battle).
• Underestimating their range or getting cornered in tight spaces.