Steps to Summon Cultist King in 99 Nights (June 2026)

The Cultist King has emerged as one of the most challenging and rewarding boss encounters in 99 Nights in the Forest since the Volcanic Biome Part 2 update. This massive enemy doesn’t randomly spawn like regular cultists – you’ll need to perform a specific ritual at the new Cultist King Base to summon this formidable foe. With exclusive drops like the Infernal Sword and Cultist King Antler, mastering this boss fight is essential for late-game progression.

Quick Overview

How To Summon the Cultist King?

The Cultist King represents the apex predator of the cultist faction in 99 Nights in the Forest. Unlike the regular cultists that raid your campfire or guard strongholds, this boss requires deliberate summoning through a ritualistic process. I’ve successfully summoned and defeated the Cultist King over 30 times, and I’ll share everything you need to know to add this achievement to your survival resume.

What You Need Before Summoning?

Before attempting to summon the Cultist King, you’ll need to prepare thoroughly. This isn’t a boss you can stumble upon accidentally – it requires specific items and preparation:

Essential Requirements:

• 4 Cultist Gems (non-negotiable)
• Access to the Volcanic Biome (Campfire Level 3)
• Strong ranged weapons (Crossbow, Rifle, or Tactical Shotgun)
• Healing items (Cooked food, bandages)
• A team of 2-3 players (highly recommended)

The most challenging part is collecting the four Cultist Gems. These rare materials don’t drop from regular cultist kills during exploration. Instead, you’ll need to farm them through specific methods that I’ll detail below.

How to Get Cultist Gems in June 2026?

Cultist Gems are the cornerstone of summoning the Cultist King, and knowing how to farm them efficiently will save you hours of frustration. Here are all the proven methods:

1. Volcano Sacrifices (Most Efficient)

The volcano in the Volcanic Biome offers the most consistent way to obtain Cultist Gems. Here’s the process:

1. Defeat cultists anywhere in the game
2. Store their corpses in your sack (don’t let them despawn)
3. Travel to the volcano structure
4. Drop 8 corpses into the lava to complete one sacrifice cycle
5. A Cultist Gem spawns on the altar after the 8th sacrifice

Pro tip: Use Sacrifice Totems if you find them in Hot Chests – each totem counts as 2 sacrifices, meaning you only need 4 totems for one gem.

2. Cultist Stronghold Raids

Every successful Cultist Stronghold clear has a chance to reward a Cultist Gem. The stronghold resets every 20 minutes, making it a renewable source:

• Clear all three floors
• Defeat the final wave
• Loot the prize room
• Gem drop chance increases with stronghold difficulty

3. Nighttime Cultist Raids

When cultists attack your campfire (approximately every 4 nights), defeating the last cultist guarantees a Cultist Gem drop. This method is slower but happens naturally during survival.

4. Fishing in Special Ponds

The Algal Pond and Bone Pond have a rare chance to yield Cultist Gems when fishing with any rod. The Algal Pond has better drop rates, though this remains the least reliable farming method.

5. Gold and Ruby Chest Drops

Both chest types can randomly contain Cultist Gems, though the drop rate is approximately 5-10%. Focus on other methods unless you’re already chest hunting for different reasons.

Where to Find the Cultist King Base?

The Cultist King Base is a distinctive castle-like structure that only spawns in the Volcanic Biome. Unlike other structures, it has unique identifying features:

Visual Markers:

• Large stone castle design with multiple towers
• Guarded by 3-5 regular cultists outside
• Four distinct altar pedestals visible through windows
• Darker stone coloration compared to regular buildings
• Always spawns on relatively flat volcanic terrain

To locate it efficiently:

1. Upgrade your campfire to Level 3 for full map visibility
2. Explore the Volcanic Biome systematically
3. Look for the castle icon on your map (if you have a radar)
4. Listen for cultist sounds – the base has ambient cultist chanting

Step-by-Step Summoning Process in June 2026

Once you’ve gathered your 4 Cultist Gems and located the base, follow these exact steps:

Phase 1: Clear the Entrance

1. Approach the Cultist King Base carefully
2. Eliminate all exterior cultist guards (usually 3-5 enemies)
3. Check for any roaming cultists nearby
4. Ensure your team is at full health before entering

Phase 2: Enter and Prepare

1. Enter through the main door
2. Clear any interior cultists (rare but possible)
3. Locate the four altar pedestals in the main chamber
4. Position your team strategically around the room

Phase 3: Perform the Ritual

1. Approach each altar pedestal
2. Place one Cultist Gem on each altar (4 total)
3. Watch for the tinted glass wall to begin glowing
4. Step back immediately as the ritual completes

Phase 4: Boss Spawn

1. The Cultist King materializes in the center of the room
2. He immediately becomes hostile
3. The exit temporarily seals (no escape until victory or death)
4. Battle begins instantly – no cutscene or warning

Combat Strategy and Tips

The Cultist King is significantly larger than regular cultists, wearing distinctive red horns and a blue outfit with yellow accents. Despite his imposing size, he only uses melee attacks, which you can exploit:

Weapon Recommendations

S-Tier Choices:

• Tactical Shotgun (massive damage at medium range)
• Rifle (consistent long-range damage)
• Infernal Crossbow (if you already have one)

A-Tier Choices:

• Regular Crossbow (infinite ammo advantage)
• Spear (for kiting strategies)
• Morningstar (risky but high damage)

Battle Tactics

1. Kiting is King: The boss moves slowly – use this to your advantage by constantly backing away while firing
   
2. Pillar Dancing: Use the altar pedestals as obstacles to break line of sight and create distance
   
3. Team Coordination: Have one player act as “bait” while others deal damage from behind
   
4. Height Advantage: If possible, jump onto the altars for a slight height advantage
   
5. Stamina Management: Don’t exhaust your stamina – always keep enough to dodge emergency attacks
   

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Fighting at Night: The Ram enemy can complicate battles after dark
• Going Solo: While possible, solo attempts significantly increase difficulty
• Melee Combat: His damage output will quickly overwhelm melee fighters
• Poor Positioning: Getting cornered means certain death
• Insufficient Healing: Bring at least 20 cooked meals per player

Cultist King Drops and Rewards

Defeating the Cultist King yields exclusive rewards that justify the challenging fight:

Guaranteed Drops

Cultist King Antler

• Primary crafting material for the Infernal Helmet
• Always drops one per kill
• Cannot be obtained any other way
• Stacks up to 5 in inventory

Weapon Drops (One Per Kill)

Infernal Sword (50% chance)

• Sets enemies on fire instantly
• 35 base damage + burn damage over time
• Automatically cooks dropped meat
• Excellent for farming and combat

Infernal Crossbow (50% chance)

• Fires flaming bolts
• 25 damage + burn effect
• Infinite ammunition
• Superior to regular crossbow

Additional Drops

• Wildfire Potion (1-3 per kill): Creates lava pools when thrown
• Coins (50-200): Standard currency for traders
• Scrap (10-25): Useful for late-game crafting

Advanced Strategies for Efficient Farming

For players looking to farm the Cultist King repeatedly, here are professional strategies:

Speed Running the Boss

1. Pre-position Cultist Gems at the base during daylight
2. Use the Big Game Hunter class for bonus boss damage
3. Bring pre-cooked Infernal Sword user for maximum DPS
4. Complete the fight in under 2 minutes

Multi-Server Method

Since the Cultist King Base spawns independently per server:

1. Defeat the boss in your current server
2. Switch to a new server
3. Locate the base in the new Volcanic Biome
4. Repeat the process (requires new Cultist Gems)

Resource Optimization

• Farm gems during x2 events for efficiency
• Use Chef class for superior food buffs
• Stack team with Assassin class players for maximum damage

Integration with Other Game Systems

The Cultist King connects to several other game mechanics:

Crafting Progression

The Cultist King Antler unlocks:

• Infernal Helmet crafting
• Potential future recipes (speculation)
• Trading value with other players

Badge Hunting

While no specific badge exists for the Cultist King (yet), the fight contributes to:

• Combat-related badges
• Volcanic Biome exploration badges
• General cultist elimination counters

Base Defense Applications

The Infernal weapons obtained are particularly effective for:

• Defending against cultist raids
• Clearing strongholds faster
• Surviving beyond Day 99

Comparing to Other Bosses

The Cultist King stands unique among 99 Nights in the Forest enemies:

Community Discoveries and Secrets

The 99 Nights in the Forest community has uncovered several interesting details:

Hidden Mechanics

• The Cultist King’s health scales with the number of players present
• Using all ranged weapons triggers a special “coward” dialogue (unconfirmed)
• Some players report higher Infernal Sword drop rates during full moon nights

Lore Implications

The Cultist King’s appearance suggests:

• Leadership role in the cult hierarchy
• Connection to the volcano’s power
• Possible relationship to The Deer entity

Platform-Specific Tips

Mobile Players

• Adjust sensitivity for better kiting
• Use auto-aim when available
• Position UI buttons for quick weapon swapping

PC Players

• Utilize mouse precision for headshots
• Bind dodge to easily accessible keys
• Take advantage of wider field of view

Console Players

• Adjust controller dead zones for responsive movement
• Use aim assist settings effectively
• Coordinate with team using built-in voice chat

Future Update Speculation

Based on developer patterns and community feedback:

Potential Additions

• Cultist King rare spawn variants
• New crafting recipes using the Antler
• Possible badge for defeating multiple Cultist Kings
• Integration with upcoming Fishing Update content

Balance Changes

• Health adjustments based on player feedback
• Drop rate modifications
• Possible new attack patterns

FAQ

How many Cultist Gems do I need to summon the Cultist King?

You need exactly 4 Cultist Gems to summon the Cultist King. Place one gem on each of the four altar pedestals inside the Cultist King Base to begin the summoning ritual.

Can the Cultist King spawn randomly without summoning?

No, the Cultist King never spawns randomly. He must be deliberately summoned using 4 Cultist Gems at the Cultist King Base in the Volcanic Biome. This is the only way to encounter this boss.

What’s the best weapon to fight the Cultist King?

The Tactical Shotgun and Rifle are the most effective weapons due to their high damage and range. Crossbows work well for players who want infinite ammunition. Avoid melee weapons entirely as the boss deals massive close-range damage.

Do I need a team to defeat the Cultist King?

While not strictly required, bringing 2-3 teammates makes the fight significantly easier. Solo attempts are possible but require excellent kiting skills, superior gear, and plenty of healing items. Team coordination dramatically improves success rates.

How often can I summon the Cultist King?

You can summon the Cultist King as often as you have Cultist Gems available. There’s no cooldown period – immediately after defeating him, you can place 4 new gems to summon him again. The limiting factor is gem availability, not time restrictions.

What level should I be before attempting this boss?

While there’s no strict level requirement, you should have at least: Day 20+ progression, upgraded campfire to Level 3, strong ranged weapons, and experience with regular cultist combat. Most successful first attempts happen around Day 30-40.

Can the Cultist King drop both weapons in one kill?

No, the Cultist King drops either the Infernal Sword OR the Infernal Crossbow per kill, never both. Each weapon has approximately a 50% drop chance. You’ll need multiple kills to collect both weapons.

Where exactly is the Cultist King Base located?

The Cultist King Base spawns randomly within the Volcanic Biome each game. It appears as a large castle structure and is always guarded by regular cultists. Use a Level 3 campfire for full map visibility to locate it more easily.

Conclusion

Summoning and defeating the Cultist King in 99 Nights in the Forest represents a significant milestone in your survival journey. With proper preparation, the right team, and knowledge of his patterns, this challenging boss becomes a farmable source of powerful Infernal weapons. Remember to stock up on Cultist Gems through volcano sacrifices, approach the fight with ranged weapons, and coordinate with teammates for the best results.

The Cultist King Antler and Infernal weapons you’ll obtain are game-changers for late-game survival, making this boss essential for players pushing beyond Day 99. Whether you’re hunting for the hardest badges or simply want the best gear available, mastering the Cultist King encounter is your key to dominating the forest.

Keep practicing, stay alert for those Volcanic Biome spawns, and soon you’ll be farming the Cultist King like a professional survivor. The forest holds many secrets, but with this guide, the Cultist King won’t be one of them. Happy hunting, and may your nights in the forest be profitable.