How do you speedrun the Elder boss fight with minimal gear?

Speedrunning the Elder boss fight in Valheim with minimal gear requires careful preparation, strategic use of game mechanics, and efficient execution. The Elder is the second boss in the game, found in the Black Forest biome, and is a formidable foe with powerful ranged and melee attacks. To defeat it quickly with minimal gear, you need to focus on exploiting its weaknesses, optimizing your movement, and using the environment to your advantage.\n\nFirst, gather essential resources and craft basic gear. You will need a Crude Bow, at least 100 Fire Arrows, and a Flint Axe or better. Fire Arrows are crucial because the Elder is weak to fire damage. To craft Fire Arrows, combine Wood, Resin, and Feathers. Resin can be farmed from Greydwarfs, while Feathers are obtained from birds near water. The Crude Bow is sufficient for this fight, as its damage output is less important than the fire damage from the arrows.\n\nNext, locate the Elder''s summoning altar in the Black Forest. The altar is marked by a glowing red rune on a large stone structure. Before summoning the Elder, clear the area of enemies and create a safe zone. Build a small shelter nearby with a bed to set your spawn point, and place a chest to store extra arrows or food. This ensures you can recover quickly if you die during the fight.\n\nWhen you''re ready to summon the Elder, place three Ancient Seeds on the altar. Ancient Seeds are obtained by defeating Greydwarf Brutes or Shamans, or by destroying Greydwarf Nests. Once summoned, the Elder will spawn and immediately attack. Its primary attacks include summoning vines from the ground to trap you and firing homing projectiles. Both attacks are deadly, so staying mobile is key.\n\nTo avoid the Elder''s attacks, use the terrain to your advantage. The Black Forest is filled with large trees and rocks that can block the Elder''s projectiles. Position yourself behind these obstacles while firing Fire Arrows. Kite the Elder around the altar, keeping a safe distance and using the environment to break line of sight. This minimizes the chances of being hit by its attacks.\n\nFire Arrows are your primary weapon in this fight. Aim for the Elder''s head or torso to maximize damage. Each Fire Arrow deals significant damage over time due to the fire effect, so focus on landing consistent shots rather than rapid firing. If you run out of arrows, retreat to your shelter to restock from the chest you prepared earlier.\n\nOne common challenge during this fight is running out of stamina. To mitigate this, bring food that boosts stamina regeneration, such as Cooked Meat, Honey, or Carrot Soup. These items are easy to obtain early in the game and provide a significant stamina boost. Additionally, avoid sprinting unnecessarily to conserve stamina for dodging attacks.\n\nFinally, stay patient and focused. The Elder has a large health pool, so the fight may take several minutes. Avoid getting greedy with your shots, as this can lead to mistakes and unnecessary damage. Stick to your strategy, and the Elder will eventually fall.\n\nIn summary, speedrunning the Elder boss fight with minimal gear requires preparation, strategic use of Fire Arrows, and careful movement. By exploiting the Elder''s fire weakness, using the environment to block attacks, and managing your stamina, you can defeat the boss efficiently. This approach is ideal for both new players and experienced Vikings looking to optimize their gameplay.