
If you’ve been playing 99 Nights in the Forest lately, you know the Deer is Hurt update has completely changed the game dynamics. I’ve spent countless hours testing every strategy, and I’m excited to share my complete guide on the 5 ways to save the deer in 99 Nights in the Forest. Trust me, mastering this quest isn’t just about helping a poor creature—it’s about unlocking one of the most powerful allies in the game!
The Deer is Hurt update dropped on November 15, 2025, and it’s been a game-changer for us survivors. Instead of just running from this terrifying creature, we now have the chance to save it and turn it into our greatest ally. The update introduces a emotional storyline where the deer gets attacked by a mysterious pink winged creature, leaving it injured and vulnerable near your campfire.
What makes this update so special? Well, it’s the first time we get to see the deer as something other than our main antagonist. The cutscene shows the deer’s vulnerable side, and I’ll admit—it actually made me feel sorry for the creature that’s been hunting me for countless nights!
I’ve been playing 99 Nights in the Forest since its early days, and this quest has become my absolute favorite. There’s something incredibly satisfying about transforming your greatest enemy into your most loyal protector. The first time I completed this quest, I was blown away when the deer started fighting cultists alongside me during a raid.
The emotional payoff is incredible—watching the deer go from helpless to heroic, and knowing I made that happen. Plus, the strategic depth of this quest keeps me coming back. Every playthrough feels different, and I’m constantly discovering new optimizations and shortcuts.
After testing every possible approach, I’ve perfected the most efficient method to complete this quest. Here’s my step-by-step guide that will have you saving the deer in record time:
The moment you spawn into a new game, head east from your campfire. You’ll find the deer lying in a small forest clearing on damaged ground. The deer will be in rough shape—missing one antler, with the other cracked, and a severely broken leg.
Pro Tip: I recommend upgrading your campfire to level 2 before starting this quest. The extended daytime gives you more breathing room to complete each step safely. If you’re new to base building, check out my 99 Nights Forest Classes Guide for essential survival strategies.
This is where your class selection makes a huge difference. If you chose the Medic class, you’re at a significant advantage here. You’ll need two specific medical items:
Class-Specific Strategies:
Time-Saving Tip: Collect both items before approaching the deer. I’ve seen too many players waste precious time running back and forth!
Healing the wounds isn’t enough—the deer needs to regain its strength. This is where many players struggle, but I’ve perfected the feeding process:
Best Food Options (Ranked by Efficiency):
You’ll need approximately 10-25 pieces of meat to fully restore the deer. Each piece fills a portion of its recovery bar. I’ve found that cooked meat works about 30% faster than raw meat, so if you have access to a cooking station, use it!
Advanced Strategy: Kill wolves and rabbits in the area for meat. This serves dual purposes—you get food for the deer AND eliminate potential threats early.
As soon as you start feeding, wolves and alpha wolves will spawn and attack the deer. This is the most intense part of the quest, and proper preparation is crucial:
Essential Equipment:
Combat Strategy:
Critical Warning: If the deer dies during this phase, the entire quest resets. I learned this the hard way after spending 20 minutes feeding it, only to lose everything because I got careless with the wolves!
Once the deer stands up, interact with it and give it the Purple Fur Tuft. You can find these tufts near the clearing where the deer was lying. The deer will immediately start tracking the creature that attacked it.
Follow the deer deeper into the forest until you reach a massive underground cave. What happens next is absolutely incredible—a cutscene shows the deer entering its “hungry state” with glowing red eyes and battling the mysterious winged creature!
After the battle, enter the cave to claim your legendary chest reward. The deer will then appear at your campfire during future cultist raids, fighting alongside you and scaring away enemies.
If you want to complete this quest as efficiently as possible, here are my pro-level strategies:
This is where most guides fall short, but I’ve extensively tested the long-term benefits:
Immediate Benefits:
Long-Term Advantages:
Strategic Value: The deer’s assistance during cultist raids is game-changing. I’ve survived raids that would have been impossible otherwise, thanks to this powerful ally fighting alongside me.
Based on my experience helping other players, here are solutions to the most common problems:
The developers have been actively tweaking this quest since its release. Here are the most recent changes I’ve noticed:
For more information on recent updates, check out my 99 Nights Taming Update guide for the latest patch notes and changes.
A: No, once you complete it successfully, the deer will remember your help and assist you in future games within the same save file.
A: The Medic class is by far the best choice, as you start with medical supplies and can complete the healing phase much faster.
A: Absolutely! I’ve completed it dozens of times solo. The key is proper preparation and following the strategies I’ve outlined above.
A: With optimal preparation, you can complete it in 15-20 minutes. New players might take 30-45 minutes on their first attempt.
A: You can restart the quest in the next game session. The deer will respawn injured, and you can try again.
A: Besides the legendary chest and deer assistance, some players report special dialogue options with NPCs after completing this quest, though I’m still investigating these rumors.
Mastering the 5 ways to save the deer in 99 Nights in the Forest has completely transformed my gameplay experience. What started as a simple rescue mission has become one of the most rewarding quests in the game, offering both immediate benefits and long-term strategic advantages.
The feeling of watching your former nemesis fight alongside you during cultist raids is absolutely incredible. I encourage you to try these strategies, experiment with different approaches, and discover what works best for your playstyle.
Have you tried saving the deer yet? What strategies worked best for you? Share your experiences in the comments below, and don’t forget to check out my other 99 Nights in the Forest guides for more pro tips and strategies!
Ready to transform your greatest enemy into your most powerful ally? The forest is waiting—go save that deer!