In the vast and immersive world of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, players are frequently faced with decisions that can significantly impact the story’s progression and outcome. Among these choices, one stands out as particularly important: the decision of whether to give Dag his axe after defeating him in combat during “A Brewing Storm” quest. This article explores this pivotal decision in detail, examining its implications, consequences, and the factors you should consider when making your choice.
The Context: Who is Dag and Why Does He Challenge Eivor?
Before diving into the choice itself, it’s essential to understand the context surrounding Dag and his confrontation with the protagonist, Eivor.
Dag is a fellow Viking warrior in Ravensthorpe, the settlement established by Eivor and their clan in England. From the beginning of the game, Dag shows a clear dislike for Eivor and consistently questions their leadership and decisions. When Sigurd (Eivor’s adoptive brother and the clan’s jarl or leader) leaves the settlement temporarily, he entrusts Eivor with leadership. This decision only fuels Dag’s resentment further.
The conflict reaches its breaking point during the “A Brewing Storm” quest, which occurs after:
- Eivor discovers that Fulke has kidnapped Sigurd and is torturing him
- The player completes the Cent region storyline
- The player returns to Ravensthorpe to inform Randvi about Sigurd’s fate
The Confrontation
After returning to Ravensthorpe and resting in Eivor’s quarters, Dag will wake Eivor with shouts from outside. When confronted, Dag challenges Eivor to a duel for leadership of the clan. This confrontation cannot be avoided, regardless of dialogue choices, and results in a boss fight with Dag.
The Critical Choice: Give Dag His Axe or Deny Him?
After defeating Dag in combat, players are presented with a significant choice:
| Option | Description | Immediate Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Give Dag his axe | Honor Dag by placing his axe in his hands | Allows Dag to enter Valhalla after death |
| Deny Dag his axe | Refuse to give Dag his axe | Condemns Dag to Helheim (Viking hell) |
Understanding Viking Beliefs and Context
To fully appreciate the weight of this decision, it’s important to understand Viking beliefs about death and the afterlife:
- Valhalla: The hall of slain warriors in Asgard, ruled by Odin. It was considered an honor for Vikings to die in battle and be chosen to feast in Valhalla for eternity.
- Helheim: The realm of those who died of sickness, old age, or in disgrace. Being sent to Helheim was considered dishonorable for a warrior.
By Viking standards, denying a warrior their weapon in death is considered extremely dishonorable, regardless of their previous actions or behavior.
The Consequences of Your Choice
Your decision regarding Dag’s axe will have both immediate and long-term consequences in the game:
Short-Term Consequences
Immediately after making your choice, the game will proceed normally with Dag’s funeral. The other clan members will not openly judge your decision at this point.
Long-Term Consequences
The true impact of your decision becomes evident when Sigurd returns to Ravensthorpe later in the game. Sigurd will visit Dag’s grave, and his reaction will depend on your earlier choice:
| Your Choice | Sigurd’s Reaction |
|---|---|
| Gave Dag his axe | Sigurd will be pleased with Eivor’s decision and respect their judgment |
| Denied Dag his axe | Sigurd will be angry and disappointed in Eivor’s actions |
Impact on the Game’s Ending
This decision is one of five critical choices that collectively determine one of the game’s ending scenarios. These five choices affect Sigurd’s relationship with Eivor and whether he chooses to stay in England or return to Norway at the game’s conclusion.
The Five Critical Choices:
- Whether you give Dag his axe or deny it
- Whether you romance Randvi while she’s still with Sigurd
- Whether you contradict Sigurd’s judgment during a settlement dispute
- Whether you punch Sigurd during an argument in Oxenefordscire
- Whether you take Sigurd’s resources in Norway or leave them
To achieve what many consider the “good” or “true” ending (where Sigurd stays in England with Eivor), you must make at least three decisions that please Sigurd. Giving Dag his axe is considered one of the easier positive choices to make.
What Should You Choose? – A Balanced Analysis
Reasons to Give Dag His Axe:
- Historical Accuracy: By Viking standards, denying a warrior their weapon in death was dishonorable, regardless of personal feelings.
- Impact on the Game’s Ending: Giving Dag his axe contributes toward achieving the “good” ending.
- Moral Considerations: Despite his antagonism, Dag genuinely believed he was acting in the clan’s best interest and was loyal to Sigurd.
- Character Development: Showing mercy to an enemy demonstrates Eivor’s growth as a leader.
Reasons to Deny Dag His Axe:
- Emotional Satisfaction: Players who found Dag particularly annoying might find denying him Valhalla emotionally satisfying.
- Role-Playing Consistency: If you’re playing Eivor as ruthless or unforgiving, this choice maintains character consistency.
- Narrative Interest: Some players might prefer the complexity and drama of the “alternative” ending.
Expert Recommendations
Gaming guides and Assassin’s Creed experts overwhelmingly recommend giving Dag his axe, for several reasons:
- Historical Context: It better aligns with Viking cultural values.
- Preferred Ending: It contributes to what most consider the “best” or “canon” ending.
- Character Integrity: It showcases Eivor’s capacity for mercy and leadership wisdom.
According to PCGamer, “The best choice here is to give Dag his axe. If you don’t, it will change the ending of the game and you won’t get the true ending for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.”
Similarly, Game8 notes that “Placing the axe in Dag’s hands during his final moments contributes towards a specific ending in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla in which Sigurd and Eivor return to England together.”
The Dag Boss Fight – Preparing for the Decision
Before you can make this crucial choice, you must first defeat Dag in combat. Here’s a breakdown of the boss fight to help you prepare:
Dag’s Fighting Phases
The battle with Dag progresses through three distinct phases:
| Phase | Weapons Used | Special Moves | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Axe and shield | Shield bashes, axe swings | Parry light attacks, use heavy attacks against his shield |
| Phase 2 | Dual axes | Rapid attack combinations | More aggressive but no unblockable attacks; dodge or parry |
| Phase 3 | Single axe | Foot-based attacks, dropkicks | Easier phase; continue parrying and attacking |
Combat Tips:
- Target Weak Points: Dag has weak points on his arms and knee that can be targeted with arrows to stun him.
- Parry Timing: Learning to parry Dag’s attacks creates openings for powerful counterattacks.
- Preparation: Before starting the quest, ensure your adrenaline bar is full and you have plenty of arrows.
- Save Game: Consider saving before resting in Eivor’s bed to start the quest.
FAQs about Giving Dag His Axe
Why does Dag challenge Eivor to a duel?
Dag believes Eivor has abandoned their duty to find and rescue Sigurd, instead pursuing their own glory through alliances. He questions Eivor’s loyalty and believes they desire Sigurd’s position as jarl, which leads to the confrontation.
Can I avoid fighting Dag?
No, the confrontation with Dag is unavoidable once you trigger “A Brewing Storm” quest. No dialogue choices will allow you to skip the fight.
Does giving Dag his axe affect anything besides the ending?
The main impact of this decision is on Sigurd’s attitude toward Eivor, which contributes to determining the game’s ending. It doesn’t significantly change gameplay or unlock additional content.
What happens if I don’t get the “good” ending?
If Sigurd chooses to return to Norway (the alternative ending), the game still concludes satisfactorily. Some players might even prefer this ending for narrative reasons, as it provides a different perspective on Eivor and Sigurd’s relationship.
Is this the most important choice in the game?
While significant, this is just one of five choices that collectively determine the ending. No single choice guarantees a specific outcome, so you can still achieve your preferred ending even if you make some “wrong” choices.
Conclusion: Making Your Decision
Ultimately, whether to give Dag his axe is a personal choice that reflects your interpretation of Eivor’s character and your preferred narrative outcome. While most guides recommend giving Dag his axe to honor Viking traditions and work toward the “good” ending, some players might find the alternative more compelling for role-playing or narrative reasons.
Whatever you decide, remember that Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is designed to accommodate different play styles and choices, ensuring a rich and personalized experience regardless of the path you take. The choice you make with Dag represents just one aspect of Eivor’s complex journey through 9th century England.
This article was created based on information from various gaming sources including PCGamer, Republic World, Game8, GamePressure, and GameRant.
