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Though Valheim is a sandbox game with plenty of sandbox potential, it does also set goals before you. Specifically, your task is to become strong enough to defeat the various powerful bosses in Valheim. The first is the stag Eikthyr, which lies at the edge of the Meadows region. To prove you’re ready for the more dangerous regions like the Black Forest, you will want to slay this enemy at least once. But doing so isn’t quite so simple.
Before taking on Eikthyr, you should handle your survival basics. Establish a base, craft equipment, then use what you’ve acquired to gain access to better tools and resources. The first boss is the easiest in the game, but it’s still tougher than your average deer or boar. So, use our helpful guide to check when you’re ready to take on Eikthyr. We’ll walk you through how to summon the boss and a few strategies that helped us overcome the powerful stag.
How to Find & Summon Eikthyr
Interact with the glowing stone in the circle where you first arrived in Valheim. This will add the location of Eikthyr’s altar to your map. It’s not too far from that initial stone summoning circle, as shown below:
However, you don’t want to go there right away – you’ll need to be sufficiently prepared before you try to tackle this boss. That means having decent armor, weapons, and food in your arsenal. Once you do, head to the altar to face Eikthyr.
To summon the mighty foe, you must make the correct sacrifice on their altar. For Eikthyr, you will need to offer 2 Deer Trophies. Once you do, the boss will appear immediately. So, make sure you’re ready for a fight before you place them.
After you make the initial sacrifice, if you don’t defeat Eikthyr, they will reappear whenever you enter their domain. So, take care as you re-fortify your strength, else you stumble upon the foe before you’re ready to take them on again.
Recommended Equipment for Defeating Eikthyr
Eikthyr may be the first boss, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy to beat. This powerful foe deals heavy lightning damage and can gore you with its antlers. I personally recommend a long-distance approach, dodging attacks and hitting Eikthyr with arrows when it pauses after unleashing lightning. That way, you don’t have to come into contact with its antlers. Strong armor is also helpful here. I suggest:
- Leather tunic
- Leather trousers
- Flint spear (useful for stabbing Eikthyr quickly after the lightning attack or as a thrown weapon)
- Crude bow (x2 because the durability won’t last the fight, in my experience)
- Wooden arrows
Having a bow and arrows lets you strike Eikthyr from afar, staying out of range of its antlers. Better armor helps protect you from the lightning damage and any accidental run-ins. Having a close-range weapon can prove useful, as well, and the stronger, the better.
Before you try to defeat Eikthyr, you should get a good night’s sleep and eat a good meal. This will put you at your strongest while taking on the boss. You should also have more food in your inventory so you can refuel if the battle goes long enough to require it.
What To Do After Defeating Eikthyr
Besting Eikthyr will grant you a trophy. Take this to the altar from the beginning of the game and hang it on the corresponding shrine. This will unlock the Eikthyr power bonus. This is a short-term boost you can activate during difficult times, which can be upgraded to last longer by defeating the boss again and adding more trophies.
The bonuses from defeating Eikthyr are:
- -60% Stamina Usage
- -60% Jump Stamina Usage
- -60% Swim Stamina Usage
The first night after your victory, you will see a cutscene showing your triumph… and a glimpse at your next foe. Now, it’s time to take what you’ve learned and venture further to find the next boss.
Looking for more early-game help in Valheim? Check out our getting started guide.
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