The Deer God Game Guide

The Deer God is a nifty, if sometimes challenging, new adventure/puzzle/survival hybrid that’s recently been released on Steam Early Access. It also might very well be the only game where you get to be a human that has been transformed into a deer. In any case, with most puzzle games there are times when you might get stuck. This guide is intended to help you if you’re stuck with any Elder deer or human puzzles. It does not include block puzzle solutions, but those are not necessary to beating the game, after all. If you’re not interested in being spoiled and would just like to learn the basic mechanics then check out our Getting Started with The Deer God guide instead!

One thing to note about this game is that you must beat these puzzles before being able to proceed to the next. As such, the world “loops” around with that same puzzle until the solution dawns on you. This is pretty convenient, and sometimes is required as you might mess up a puzzle. If that occurs then simply leave left or right for a bit and return to see it completely reset. Please note that any enemies in that area may also reset.

Here is a quick description of the terms used in the guide so you know what’s going on:

Dash, Double Jump, Piercing Antler, Razor Hoof – Each is a skill which you gain from different Elders.

Relics – These are small, square metallic-looking plaques which drop after solving some puzzles. They will spin on the ground and disappear when you run over one (meaning you’ve collected it).

Deer shrine – This is the name I’ve given to the stone monument which features two deer and one vertical shape between them.

Note: This guide is based on alpha 0.1 which means everything is still subject to change.

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Elder of Wind – Leap of Faith

When you see a large gap and the Elder to the right of it, just jump once (do not use double jump) and you should land on a platform over spikes. Talk to the Elder to learn Dash.

Woman with children (by western-themed town) – Find Witch Hazel

Find witch hazel by Dashing into barrels which may take a few run throughs. She rewards you with a square relic to be turned in at the deer shrine.

Preacher (inside church) – Spread the word of God

Find two nearby people to the right and have them follow you back inside the church. Your reward is a cross.

Ghostly man (in decrepit ship) – Give wife a message

The wife is picking apples by a well. Take the picture she gives you and then return to the ship to show the husband. He will open the door to the right. Enter this room and grab the moon relic. Bring this to the next deer shrine you see.

Elder of Thunder – Defeat the snapping turtle

Speak to this Elder to gain Razor Hoof ability. Find the cave and a large turtle within. Use Razor Hoof on its head about 15 times. You will know you hit it when the head retracts into the shell before attacking again. Deposit the relic at the next deer shrine.

With the relic, return to the Elder. It now asks you to bring hemlock to the witch Matilda. Take the item with you.

Witch Matilda (on top of cave) – Find her and don’t get cursed

You can climb on top of the cave by either using your Growth ability at its opening or going through the entire cave and then jumping up from the right end. Look around up there until you discover the witch house and enter.

Speak to Matilda and she warns you before shooting magic orbs. Simply jump on the platforms above her to avoid all shots (approximately 11). When she stops firing, come back down and talk to her again to receive a key. This must be given to her sister.

Note: Some players have reported that her house spawns elsewhere, but I have personally only ever seen it spawn on top of the cave. If it’s not there then simply keep venturing around until you discover it. Right now there is also a bug which makes you fall under Matilda’s house upon exiting. Jump when leaving to not fall.

Witch’s sister (in grassy plain) – Get rid of her skunk problem

Upon exiting her house you will see a couple skunks. Defeat them with Razor Hoof or Dash but also be sure to avoid their stink clouds. After they are gone return to the house to receive a relic from the witch. Bring this relic to the next deer shrine you come across.

Submariner (under large body of water) – Make the submarine float

Simply use razor hoof on the cracked block underneath the submarine to break it. Speak to the diver again and collect the relic to deposit at the next deer shrine.

Elder of Strength – Save deer from avalanche

Wander around until you find a bunch of large ice blocks over a deer. Your goal is to get it out of there and to the Elder. Unfortunately, this puzzle doesn’t always work out properly. The best strategy is to destroy all ice blocks except for the one directly to the right of the two stone blocks. Then jump on there and the deer should follow as you go up and right to the Elder’s location. Speak to Elder again to learn Piercing Antler.

“Look to the sky” – Be taken by giant eagle

After helping the Elder of Strength you are instructed to look to the sky. After exploring a little while a giant eagle should come and pick you up. It takes you to its nest. Kill the eaglets and the giant eagle will begin swooping at you. Use an attack such as Razor Hoof on it. When your hit connects the eagle will flash. After about five hits it will flash rapidly before disappearing which leaves you with another relic. Bring this to a deer shrine.

Finally, make your choice and “end” the game. Congratulations on surviving The Deer God!

Be sure to catch out the rest of our coverage of The Deer God, including a very helpful Getting Started Guide.