Defeat Eikthyr and unlock your first pickaxe

At the Sacrificial Stones where you arrived, interact with the small glowing Vegvisir beside Eikthyr’s stone. It marks a nearby summoning altar in the Meadows. The trophy hook at the starting circle is for the reward after the fight; it is not the summoning altar.

Our recommended preparation is a scouting trip with the trophies left at home. Walk the arena and route back, remove nearby threats, and choose open ground where you can see the boss. Keep the fight away from your home and storage.

Checked on screen · Oct 18, 2026 · Valheim 1.0

0:42–0:47 · 5 sThe Vegvisir beside the starting stones

0:42–0:47The Vegvisir beside the starting stones

Mechanics sources: Valheim Wiki: EikthyrGamesRadar+: Eikthyr and the first pickaxe

Stuck? Where do I summon Eikthyr?

Hint 1

You don't have to search the Meadows blind: something at the stones where you first arrived points the way.

Hint 2

Look for the small glowing Vegvisir beside Eikthyr's stone at the starting circle. Interacting with it marks a summoning altar on your map; the hook on the stone itself is for the trophy after the fight.

Hints checked 2026-10-16

A crude bow and wood arrows let you work at a distance; a melee weapon with a wood shield is an alternative if you have practised blocking. Neither choice replaces food or stamina management. Our recommendation is to rehearse with the weapon on ordinary Meadows enemies before spending the trophies.

Use food and the Rested effect before leaving. Wear your available armor, repair the weapon and shield or bow, and pack spare food. Our suggested first bow attempt starts with 80 wood arrows: four crafting batches costing 32 wood. This is an allowance for misses, not a guaranteed minimum or maximum; carry another batch if your practice shots are inconsistent. Leave backup food and a spare weapon at your bed for a recovery trip.

1. At the marked altar, place the two deer trophies on a quick-use slot and use that slot while aiming at the offering altar. Wait for the summon; do not repeat the offering.
2. For the opening exchanges, watch before attacking. Eikthyr can swipe with his antlers, fire a forward lightning attack and release a lightning stomp around himself.
3. Keep a route into open ground. Reposition around the forward attack; make distance when he prepares the surrounding stomp. If staying close, face the boss and block or dodge according to the attack and your equipment.
4. Take a short attack opportunity, then let stamina recover. With a bow, stop drawing when you need to move. With melee, stop swinging before you exhaust the stamina needed to defend.
5. If control of the fight is slipping, use your scouted escape route and recover. Chasing the last sliver of health is less valuable than keeping enough stamina for the next attack.

Checked on screen · Oct 12, 2026 · Valheim 1.0

0:20–0:48 · 28 sDeer trophies on the hotbar, then “You make the sacrifice”

Checked on screen · Oct 12, 2026 · Valheim 1.0

kingy.wiki0:50–1:14 · 24 sEikthyr’s lightning across the arena

0:20–0:48Deer trophies on the hotbar, then “You make the sacrifice”0:50–1:14Eikthyr’s lightning across the arena

Mechanics sources: Valheim Wiki: EikthyrGamesRadar+: Eikthyr and the first pickaxe

Eikthyr drops his trophy and three hard antlers. Bring the trophy back to its hook at the starting stone circle, hang it, then interact with the stone to select the Forsaken power. Pick up a hard antler to discover the antler pickaxe recipe.

Return to the sheltered workbench with wood and a hard antler. Craft the pickaxe below, then store the spare antlers for replacements. Your next useful objective is a short Black Forest trip for cores and ore, rather than another boss summon.

Checked on screen · Oct 16, 2026 · Valheim 1.0

4:37–4:56 · 19 sEikthyr's trophy on its stone, then the power activates

4:37–4:56Eikthyr's trophy on its stone, then the power activates

Mechanics sources: Valheim Wiki: EikthyrValheim Wiki: Antler pickaxe