The Things Worth Fearing

Mobs & Bosses

Don't Starve Together's raid bosses are the milestones of a long server — gatekeepers to its best gear. Each demands a different strategy, arena and loadout.

Desert Oasis · Summer

Antlion

The Antlion lurks beneath the Oasis Desert and stirs only in summer. It is less a conventional boss and more a natural disaster you appease — or choose to confront head-on for rare rewards.

Where to find it

The Antlion is tied to the Oasis Desert. During summer, you can placate it by dropping trinkets into a Sinkhole, or track it to its lair using a Desert Stone.

Fight mechanics

It attacks in three phases with spike patterns: circles that expand, lines that sweep, and spirals that close inward. Sand Spikes erupt beneath stationary players.

Loadout tips

  • Desert Goggles are mandatory
  • Football Helmet and Log Suit absorb spike damage
  • Hambat or Dark Sword between phases

Loot

Drops Spike Shell armour, Desert Stone, and Trinkets. Killing it silences summer sinkholes.

Tip: appeasing with trinkets is cheaper than fighting every summer.

Forest · Hive

Bee Queen

The Bee Queen is a punishing swarm fight that rewards preparation over raw damage.

Summoning

Attack a Gigantic Beehive in the deciduous forest.

Fight mechanics

She summons endless Grumble Bee waves. Her sting inflicts poison. Use Bee Mines and Sleep Darts.

Loot

Royal Jelly, Bundling Wrap recipe, Bee Queen Crown, honey.

Tip: one player kites the Queen; others clear Grumble Bees.

Winter · Loot Stash

Klaus

Klaus guards a winter loot stash alongside two gem-eyed deer.

Summoning

Use a Deer Key on the Loot Stash in winter.

Fight mechanics

Kill the Gem Deer first to remove Klaus's elemental attacks (fire from red, ice from blue).

Loot

Krampus Sack, Walrus Tusk, Tam o' Shanter, Bundled Supplies.

Strategy: kill deer first, then Klaus.

Ocean · Open Water

Malbatross

The Malbatross is the Return of Them sea boss.

Summoning

Fish in deep ocean fishing spots until it arrives.

Fight mechanics

Wing sweeps knock you off boats. Bring Boat Patches.

Loot

Feathery Canvas (fastest sail) and Malbatross Bill.

Tip: keep moving or you sink.

Caves · Friendly Companion

Hutch

Hutch is a friendly fish companion in the caves.

Forms

  • Light Hutch — feed a Light Bulb
  • Cold Hutch — feed a Blue Cap (mobile Ice Box)
Caves · Mushtree Forest

Toadstool

Toadstool is an endurance fight in the mushtree forest.

Summoning

Mine a giant glowing mushroom. Misery Toadstool variant is much harder.

Loot

Mushtree Blueprints, Living Logs, Shroom Skins.

Tip: 20+ minute fight. Bring full healing.

Ruins · Atrium

Ancient Fuelweaver

The Ancient Fuelweaver is the endgame capstone fight in the ruins Atrium.

Summoning

Assemble the Shadow Heart and insert it into the skeleton.

Fight mechanics

Woven Shadows, Shield phases, Bone Cage. Requires team coordination.

Loot

Shadow Heart, Thulecite Fragments, Skeleton Blueprint. Advances to Return of Them.

Tip: assign cage destroyer, shadow killer, and two damage dealers.

Gear up before you knock

Most of these fights punish the underprepared. Learn the crafting system first, then pick a survivor suited to the fight.

Visit crafting to the fight.

Visit crafting