Eikthyr is the first boss you can summon in Valheim, and defeating him is an important step in early progression. The main requirement is simple: you need two Deer Trophies. These trophies are dropped by deer, which are commonly found throughout the Meadows. The drop is not guaranteed, so you may need to hunt several deer before collecting both.
Before starting the summoning process, make sure you have enough food, repaired equipment, and enough health and stamina. Eikthyr is an early-game boss, but going in without preparation can still make the fight difficult.
How to Find Eikthyr’s Altar
Eikthyr’s Forsaken Altar is located somewhere in the Meadows. Its exact position depends on your world seed, so there is no single location for every Valheim world.
The easiest way to find it is by using the Vegvisir near the Sacrificial Stones where you first arrive. Look for the glowing red runestone and interact with it. Doing so reveals the nearest Eikthyr altar on your map.
Once the location is marked, travel to it through the Meadows.
How to Get Two Deer Trophies
You need two Deer Trophies for every Eikthyr summon. The trophies come from ordinary deer, which can be found in the Meadows.
Deer are easily frightened and will usually run away when they notice you. A Crude Bow can make hunting easier because you can attack from a distance before they escape. Sneaking toward a deer can also help you land a stronger opening attack.
Keep hunting until you have two Deer Trophies.
How to Summon Eikthyr
Once you have found the altar and collected two Deer Trophies, you are ready to summon the boss.
Follow these steps:
- Place both Deer Trophies in your hotbar.
- Stand close to Eikthyr’s altar in the Meadows.
- Aim your cursor at the altar until the interaction prompt appears.
- Select the hotbar slot containing the first Deer Trophy.
- Use the second Deer Trophy in the same way.
- After both trophies are offered, Eikthyr will appear.
The trophies are consumed when you make the offering. The weather and atmosphere around the altar will change, and Eikthyr’s boss health bar will appear at the top of the screen. The fight then begins. This makes preparation easier for new players.
If the summon does not work, check that you have two actual Deer Trophies rather than another type of trophy. Also make sure they are in your hotbar and that you are aiming directly at the altar.
How to Prepare for the Eikthyr Fight
Eikthyr has 500 health and uses several attacks, including a close-range antler attack, a charging attack, and a lightning-based area attack.
A Wood Shield is useful if you prefer to block or parry his attacks. A Crude Bow gives you a safer ranged option, allowing you to attack while keeping some distance.
Good food is important. Eat your best available food before the fight. Having the Rested effect is also helpful.
Eikthyr does not roam the Meadows waiting for you to discover him. The altar controls when the encounter begins, so you can choose when to start the fight.
What You Get After Defeating Eikthyr
Defeating Eikthyr rewards you with an Eikthyr Trophy and three Hard Antlers. The Hard Antlers are important because they are used to craft the Antler Pickaxe, your first pickaxe for mining. This opens the way toward collecting copper and tin and progressing into the Bronze Age.
You can also return the Eikthyr Trophy to the Sacrificial Stones at your starting area. Mounting the trophy on its appropriate stone unlocks Eikthyr’s Forsaken Power, which reduces stamina use while running, jumping, and swimming.
