You're wandering through the rolling, fog-drenched hills of Sciropescire, probably looking for a chest or a stray Zealot to assassinate, when you hear it. Screaming. Not the "I’m being raided by Vikings" kind of screaming, but the boastful, obnoxious shouting of someone who thinks they’re the toughest person in England. This is the King of the Hill AC Valhalla world event, and honestly, it’s one of the weirdest little nuggets of content Ubisoft tucked into the game. It’s short. It’s hilarious. It’s also incredibly easy to fail if you don't realize the game is messing with you.
Most players stumble upon this World Event (or Mystery, if you're looking at your map icons) and expect a grand duel. What you get is a guy on a rock. He calls himself the King of the Hill, and he’s convinced he’s invincible. He isn't. But the way the game handles this interaction says a lot about the DNA of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla—it’s not all about the heavy drama of Sigurd and the Isu; sometimes, it’s just about kicking a loudmouth off a hill.
Finding the King: Location and Context
Sciropescire is a beautiful region, but it's rugged. To find this specific event, you need to head to the west of Quatford. Look for a high point near the river. If you see a lone man standing atop a rocky outcrop looking like he’s practicing for a professional wrestling promo, you’ve found him.
The first time I ran into him, I thought he might be a legendary animal or a Lost Drengr. He’s neither. He’s just a guy. His name is actually the "King of the Hill" in the UI, and he basically tells Eivor to get lost because this hill belongs to him. It’s a classic territory dispute, Norse style.
Why King of the Hill AC Valhalla Tricky for Some
You talk to him. He insults you. You hit him. He falls. Easy, right?
Well, the "King" has a bit of a stubborn streak. After you beat him the first time, he doesn't just give up and hand over the Mystery completion. He grovels a bit, waits for you to walk away, and then starts shouting again. If you leave the area now, the event won't count as finished. You’ll see that annoying golden dot still pulsing on your map later, and you'll wonder if your game is glitched.
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It’s not glitched. He’s just a liar.
You have to beat him three times. Each time, he gets a little more desperate and a lot more pathetic. It’s a test of patience as much as it is a combat encounter. After the third "bout"—which really just involves a few swings of your axe or a well-placed kick—he finally realizes that Eivor is, in fact, the actual powerhouse in this scenario. He stays down. The Mystery completes. You get your XP.
The Subtle Humor in Sciropescire
Ubisoft Montreal clearly had fun with the World Events in this game. While the main story is a brooding epic about destiny and betrayal, the world events are where the writers let loose. The King of the Hill AC Valhalla encounter feels like a nod to Monty Python. It’s that "Black Knight" energy where the guy refuses to acknowledge he’s been utterly defeated.
I’ve seen people online complaining that they killed him by accident. If you’re high level, a single heavy attack might send him into the "downed" state instantly. Don’t panic. He’s meant to be a bit of a punching bag. The stakes are low, the rewards are decent for the time spent, and it adds a layer of "humanity" to the world. England isn't just full of kings and soldiers; it’s full of weirdos living on rocks.
Combat Mechanics (If You Can Call Them That)
Honestly, calling this a fight is generous.
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- Phase One: He talks trash. You parry one of his slow swings and knock him down.
- Phase Two: You walk down the hill. He starts yelling again. Go back up and humble him.
- Phase Three: Repeat.
If you want to make it spicy, use the "Spartan Kick" ability (Man’s Best Friend or Kick of Tyr). Sending him flying off his own hill is peak poetic justice. Just make sure you don't knock him so far that the game loses track of him, though the leash on these NPCs is usually pretty good.
E-E-A-T: What the Completionists Need to Know
According to data from various community trackers and the Official Ubisoft forums, World Events like this one are essential for the "Completionist All the Way" trophy/achievement. If you're stuck at 99% in Sciropescire, check this spot.
One common "bug" reported by players (often discussed on the AC Reddit) is that the King sometimes doesn't respawn if you meditate nearby. If he’s not talking to you, try fast-traveling to a nearby waypoint and riding back. That usually resets his "aggro" state and lets you trigger the dialogue again.
Also, keep in mind that World Events don't give you a quest log entry. You have to pay attention to what the NPCs say. This is a design choice Ubisoft made to encourage "organic exploration," but in cases like the King of the Hill AC Valhalla mystery, it can lead to confusion if you’re used to the hand-holding of older RPGs.
The Bigger Picture of Sciropescire Mysteries
Sciropescire is one of those mid-game zones that hits the sweet spot of difficulty. By the time you’re here, your Eivor is starting to feel powerful. You’ve got some decent gear—maybe some Galloglach armor or the Brigandine set.
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This event sits alongside other memorable moments in the region, like the "Lamb Chops" event or the various Standing Stones. It’s part of the texture of the game. If every encounter was a life-or-death struggle against a god, the game would be exhausting. We need the King of the Hill to remind us that Eivor is also just a person dealing with the locals.
Actionable Steps for the "King of the Hill" Mystery
If you’re sitting at your console right now trying to tick this off your list, follow this sequence exactly. Don't overthink it.
- Locate the hill: Southwest of the Dhustone Quarry in Sciropescire. It’s a prominent rocky peak.
- Engage the dialogue: Don't just shoot him with an arrow from a distance. Walk up and talk. Let him finish his boast.
- The First Defeat: Knock him down. He’ll surrender.
- The Trick: Walk away. Go down the path about 20 or 30 yards.
- Listen for the Taunt: As soon as he starts shouting again, turn around. He hasn't learned his lesson.
- The Final Humbling: Beat him two more times. After the third time, he will concede for real.
- Check the Map: Ensure the gold mystery icon has disappeared and turned into a completed checkmark or simply vanished.
Once you've cleared this, you’re one step closer to clearing the region. Sciropescire has a lot of verticality, so while you’re in the area, make sure to grab the nearby Synchronization point if you haven't already. It’ll save you a long ride later when you’re hunting down the final pieces of the Order of the Ancients.
The King of the Hill AC Valhalla event isn't the hardest thing you'll do in the game, but it's a memorable moment of levity in a world that’s often quite grim. Sometimes, being the Viking hero means more than just conquering kingdoms; it means teaching a guy on a rock some basic manners.
Next Steps for Players: After finishing this event, head East toward the Dhustone Quarry. There are several high-value loot chests there and a wealth of Tungsten or Nickel ingots depending on your current level scaling, which you’ll need to upgrade the gear you’re using to bash "kings" off their hills. If you're looking for more combat-heavy mysteries, seek out the Legendary Animals nearby—specifically the Bear of the Blue Peaks—for a real challenge that makes the King of the Hill look like a toddler.