'Hitstop' is usually used in 2d fighting games to show clear damage delt on strikes. But has recently been used in 3d games like Monster Hunter and Super Smash Brothers to emphasize the really heavy strikes. There was even a point where I installed a mod into my Skyrim Special Edition mod load order to add hitstop to give weight to the game's default flaily floaty swings. Still confused? here is a youtube video made by Juutas that explains hitstop fairly well with examples.
I never really noticed the effect too much in Valheim. (Just as most people don't notice our static bowstring in 2023) I recently found a mod by Azumatt that lets you turn off the freeze frame for smooth weapon swing animations when they connect with your enemies. Here it is below.
With this mod you can turn off 'hitstop' and hit some enemies and see if you can feel the difference.
What do think about how 'hitstop' is implemented in valheim? I only noticed it on melee hits on enemies and I'm not sure if it is also set for chopping trees or received hits from enemies.
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/valheim/comments/10soyb1/discussion_about_hitstop_or_freeze_frame_on_hits/
