The DEER (Wendigo) in 99 Nights In The Forest
While the game calls it "The Deer," many players believe the terrifying antagonist in 99 Nights in the Forest is a version of the legendary Wendigo.
A terrifying deer-like monster, reminiscent of the Wendigo, lurking in the dark woods.
The game's monster shares many chilling traits with the Wendigo of folklore.
What is a Wendigo? The Legend Explained
The Wendigo is a mythological creature from the folklore of the Algonquian-speaking peoples of North America. It's a malevolent, cannibalistic spirit associated with winter, starvation, and the deep, dark forests of the north. Legends describe it as a gaunt, emaciated being, often with deer-like features such as antlers, symbolizing its connection to the wilderness.
The myth serves as a cautionary tale against greed and desperation, particularly the taboo of consuming human flesh. A person is said to transform into a Wendigo after resorting to cannibalism to survive. Once transformed, they are overwhelmed by an insatiable hunger for human flesh and become a relentless hunter, stalking their prey through the woods with terrifying speed and cunning.
Is the Game's Deer Monster a Wendigo?
Officially, the developers refer to the main antagonist as "The Deer." However, the parallels between this creature and the Wendigo are too strong for players to ignore:
Appearance
The monster is a tall, bipedal creature with deer-like features, including prominent antlers. This look is heavily inspired by modern interpretations of the Wendigo.
Behavior
It is a relentless, terrifying hunter that stalks the player, especially at night. Its presence embodies the fear of being hunted in a dark, isolated forest, a core element of the Wendigo myth.
Environment
The game's setting—a vast, dangerous forest where survival is a daily struggle—is the perfect habitat for a Wendigo-like entity.
While the game doesn't explicitly mention cannibalism, it masterfully captures the psychological horror of being pursued by a monster that represents the forest's most dangerous, supernatural aspects.
The Deer: Game Mechanics and Behavior
Normal State
- • Appears only at night
- • Deals 25+ damage (varies by day count)
- • Slower than player when sprinting
- • Scared by bright lights (campfire, flashlight)
- • Cannot be killed with weapons
- • Simple pathfinding - can be blocked by trees
Hungry State
- • Eyes turn red
- • Runs on all fours
- • Faster than player even when sprinting
- • Significantly reduced stun time from lights
- • Increased damage
- • Antlers grow larger
Hunger Warning System
The game warns players when "The Deer is Hungry Tonight" during daytime, and again when "night is approaching, the deer is hungry tonight" with 20 seconds remaining. As days pass, the Deer starts to get hungry more often.
Surviving the "Wendigo" Encounter
Whether you call it The Deer or a Wendigo, the strategy for survival is the same. This creature is immune to all conventional weapons. Your only defense is light.
Essential Strategies
- • Stay in the Light: The campfire at your base is your safest sanctuary. Keep it fueled and burning bright throughout the night.
- • Carry a Flashlight: When venturing out, a flashlight is your lifeline. Shining it directly at the monster will stun it, giving you precious seconds to escape.
- • Listen Carefully: The monster often makes distinct sounds as it approaches. Pay attention to your audio cues to know when danger is near.
- • Don't Stop Running: If you're caught in the open, don't try to fight. Your only goal should be to run towards the nearest light source.
Advanced Tips
- • Use large trees or buildings to block the Deer's path
- • Stronger flashlights stun the Deer longer
- • On Day 1, the Deer is completely harmless
- • During cultist raids, the Deer won't attack players
- • If your campfire goes out at night, immediately run and find shelter
- • The Deer's stunning time decreases with multiple stuns
Frequently Asked Questions
So, the monster isn't really a Wendigo?
Correct. The game's monster is officially named "The Deer." It is heavily inspired by the Wendigo and similar Skinwalker legends, but it is its own unique creation for the game's universe. The developers took the most terrifying aspects of the myth to create a compelling antagonist.
Can you kill the Wendigo/Deer?
No, you cannot kill it with weapons. The gameplay mechanic is based on deterrence, not destruction. Your goal is to survive its hunt by using light to repel it, not to defeat it in combat.
What happens when you die to the Deer?
If a player dies to the Deer, they will temporarily be put into a FNAF-like jumpscare screen. Due to the jumpscare being so long, the jumpscare sound actually loops once shortly before the jumpscare ends.
The Deer's Role in the Story
The Deer is the one behind the kidnappings of the four Missing Children. It has hidden them in different locations throughout the forest, and is affiliated with the Cultists. Upon reaching 99 days, the deer is seen behind the bushes reaching out with one of its clawed hands towards the Missing Children who are huddling around the campfire before walking back to the sewers.
Popular Theory
There is a popular theory that the deer is the mother of the missing children who was transformed by the Cultists. Evidence to support this theory would be the syringe near the Bear Cage, the plane wreckage, and the mother not being mentioned in the story. However, it is unexplained why the deer would kidnap the children and lock them up and even attack the player.