How do you unlock the recipe for the Antler Pickaxe?
The Antler Pickaxe is one of the first essential tools in Valheim, allowing players to mine valuable resources like Tin, Copper, and Stone. To unlock its recipe, you must defeat Eikthyr, the first boss in the game. Eikthyr is found in the Meadows biome, and summoning him requires two Deer Trophies, which are dropped by deer. Once you have the trophies, place them on Eikthyr''s altar to summon and defeat him.\n\nAfter defeating Eikthyr, you will receive Hard Antlers as a reward. These Hard Antlers are the key ingredient for crafting the Antler Pickaxe. To craft the pickaxe, you will also need 10 Wood, which can be gathered by chopping down trees in the Meadows or Black Forest biomes. Once you have the Hard Antlers and Wood, open your crafting menu (press Tab) and select the Antler Pickaxe recipe under the Tools tab.\n\nCrafting the Antler Pickaxe is a significant milestone because it allows you to progress beyond basic survival. Without it, you cannot mine metals like Tin and Copper, which are essential for crafting stronger tools, weapons, and armor. The pickaxe is also useful for gathering Stone, which is needed for building structures and crafting other items like the Stone Cutter.\n\nOne common challenge new players face is locating deer to obtain Deer Trophies. Deer are found in the Meadows biome, but they are skittish and will flee if you get too close. To increase your chances of success, craft a Crude Bow and Flinthead Arrows. Sneak (press Ctrl) and aim carefully to take down deer from a distance. This method is more efficient than chasing them with melee weapons.\n\nAnother tip for new players is to prepare adequately before fighting Eikthyr. While he is the first boss, he can still deal significant damage if you are unprepared. Craft a Wood Shield and a Flint Spear or Club to improve your combat effectiveness. Additionally, eat food like Cooked Meat, Raspberries, and Mushrooms to boost your health and stamina during the fight.\n\nFor experienced players, the Antler Pickaxe is a stepping stone to more advanced tools like the Bronze Pickaxe. However, it remains useful even in the mid-game for gathering Stone and breaking smaller rocks. If you lose your Antler Pickaxe or need a backup, you can always craft another one as long as you have Hard Antlers and Wood.\n\nIn summary, unlocking the Antler Pickaxe recipe requires defeating Eikthyr, gathering Hard Antlers, and crafting the tool with Wood. This pickaxe is essential for mining metals and progressing in the game. By following these steps and preparing adequately, you can ensure a smooth transition from early-game survival to mid-game resource gathering and crafting.