How to Place a Deer Trophy on the Altar in Valheim: A Comprehensive Guide

The path of a Viking in Valheim is filled with exploration, building, and, of course, combat. A key part of this journey is facing off against powerful bosses, and your first encounter will be with Eikthyr, a formidable stag. Before you can face this beast, you’ll need to summon him, and that requires placing Deer Trophies on his altar. This guide will explain exactly how to achieve this, as well as provide answers to many other frequently asked questions about trophies and summoning in Valheim.

Placing a Deer Trophy on the Altar: A Step-by-Step Guide

The core action you need to master is simple: placing deer trophies on the altar. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Acquire Deer Trophies: First, you’ll need to hunt deer. Deer Trophies are a rare drop with about a 50% chance when you kill a deer, so you may need to hunt a few before you acquire the necessary two trophies.
2. Equip Trophies: Open your inventory and drag the Deer Trophies to your quick access hotbar. This is the row of numbered slots at the bottom of the screen. For example, you can place them in slots ‘1’ and ‘2’.
3. Approach the Altar: Navigate to the Sacrificial Stones, which is the area where the Eikthyr altar is located. These are typically found near your spawn point, marked by the large stone structure.
4. Select the Trophy: Stand in front of the altar and make sure your crosshair is pointing towards it. Press the number key corresponding to the hotbar slot where you placed the Deer Trophy (e.g., press ‘1’ if you placed the trophy in the first slot). This will place the trophy on the altar.
5. Repeat if Necessary: You need two Deer Trophies to summon Eikthyr. Repeat step 4 using the number key where you stored your second trophy.
6. Activate the Altar: Once the necessary amount of deer trophies have been placed on the altar, you will trigger the summoning of Eikthyr.

After successfully placing the two Deer Trophies on the altar, Eikthyr will be summoned, ready for your challenge. This is a crucial step in advancing in Valheim.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Trophies and Summoning in Valheim

To further enhance your understanding of trophies and summoning mechanics in Valheim, here are 15 frequently asked questions with comprehensive answers:

Trophies and Item Stands

1. How do I hang a trophy in my base?
   To hang trophies at your base, you need an Item Stand. These are crafted at a Workbench using 4 Fine Wood and 1 Bronze Nail. Place an Item Stand on a wall or other surface. Then, place the trophy in one of your quick-access inventory slots and stand in front of the Item Stand. Press the number key for the corresponding slot to place the trophy on the stand.
2. What are Item Stands and how do I make them?
   Item Stands are display objects used for showing off your trophies. They can be crafted at a workbench with 4 Fine Wood and 1 Bronze Nail. They come in vertical and horizontal options, allowing you to place them on walls or surfaces like tables.
3. How many trophies can I place on one Item Stand?
   You can only place one trophy per Item Stand.
4. Can I place trophies in my house?
   Yes, absolutely! Item Stands enable you to place trophies within your home. This lets you create a visually rewarding area for showing off your achievements.
5. What are the best ways to display trophies in my base?
   Consider placing them in dedicated trophy rooms, hallways, or above the main entrance. You can use the Item Stands to create different configurations depending on what you want to highlight. Common methods include using walls, floating shelves, and even tables to showcase your trophies effectively.

Summoning Eikthyr

6. How many Deer Trophies are needed to summon Eikthyr?
   You need precisely two Deer Trophies to summon Eikthyr at the Mystical Altar.
7. Where is the Altar of Eikthyr?
   The Altar is located at the Sacrificial Stones near your spawn point. It is usually encircled by large stones.
8. Can I fight Eikthyr more than once?
   Yes, you can fight Eikthyr as many times as you want, provided you offer the required materials (two Deer Trophies) to the altar each time you wish to fight him.
9. What happens when I defeat Eikthyr?
   Defeating Eikthyr will disable the event “Eikthyr rallies the creatures of the forest” and enable the event “The forest is moving…” (if The Elder hasn’t been defeated). You also get the Eikthyr trophy, which grants you a useful power that increases your stamina while running and jumping when activated at the Sacrificial Stones.
10. What happens if I don’t fight Eikthyr when I can?
    There are no particular downsides. You are free to proceed at your pace. However, defeating Eikthyr and receiving his power will be valuable as you progress through the game.

Deer and Their Drops

11. What is the drop rate for Deer Trophies?
    Deer Trophies have an approximate 50% drop chance from deer. This means you might not get a trophy from every kill.
12. What else can I obtain from hunting deer?
    Besides Deer Trophies, you can also get deer hide. This is essential for crafting various gear like the Leather helmet, Leather pants, Leather tunic, and Deer hide cape.

Combat and Strategy

13. What is the best way to beat Eikthyr?
    Eikthyr has three main attacks which you can easily avoid by blocking with a shield. He can perform a headbutt, and two lightning attacks, one a cone and one around him. Blocking is key. Use a Flint Spear or bow to deal damage. Eat good food, like Cooked Meat and Grilled Neck Tails, before the fight.
14. Should I wait to fight Eikthyr?
    It’s advisable to prepare well before fighting Eikthyr. Craft a Flint Spear and a shield before attempting the fight and make sure to eat meals to maximize health and stamina.
15. What should I do with my Eikthyr trophy once I obtain it?
    The Eikthyr Trophy is not just a symbol of your victory, it can be activated to give you Eikthyr’s power. This power will give you increased stamina for running and jumping, making it easier to traverse the game world.

Conclusion

Placing Deer Trophies on the altar is a fundamental step towards progressing in Valheim. By following the instructions detailed above and understanding these FAQs, you will be well-equipped to summon Eikthyr and proceed on your Viking adventure. Happy hunting, and may your battles be victorious!