Unlocking the Secrets of Altus Plateau: Opening Every Door

Navigating the Altus Plateau in Elden Ring can feel like traversing a labyrinth, especially when confronted with locked doors barring your progress. There isn’t a single key that unlocks every portal in this region; rather, entry is conditional, tied to specific accomplishments, items, or character progression. The method to open any given door depends entirely on the location, purpose, and the particular gate in question. This comprehensive guide delves into the specifics of unlocking various doors across the Altus Plateau and will help you navigate your way to the Erdtree.

Understanding the Different Types of Locked Doors

Before diving into specific locations, it’s crucial to understand the categories of locked doors you’ll encounter:

• Great Rune Doors: These imposing entrances, typically found in Divine Towers, are only accessible after defeating a Shardbearer (like Godrick, Rykard, or Malenia) and obtaining their Great Rune. You then visit the corresponding Divine Tower to restore the Great Rune’s power.

• Story Progression Doors: Certain doors are locked until you reach a specific point in the main storyline. Defeating major bosses, like Morgott the Omen King in Leyndell, Royal Capital, can unlock access to previously inaccessible areas.

• Key-Required Doors: As in other areas of the Lands Between, some doors simply require a key or a Stonesword Key. These are usually found nearby, dropped by enemies, or purchased from merchants.

• Puzzle-Related Doors: Some doors require solving a puzzle or fulfilling a specific condition, such as interacting with a nearby statue or defeating a specific enemy.

• Lift-Activated Doors: Accessing areas by lift may require special progression within the area, completing specific conditions, or acquiring a necessary key.

Divine Tower of West Altus

To open the door at the Divine Tower of West Altus, you must first defeat Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy at Volcano Manor and acquire Rykard’s Great Rune. Once you have it, you can access the Divine Tower of West Altus and restore the Great Rune’s power at the top.

Divine Tower of East Altus

The Divine Tower of East Altus houses the Great Runes of both Morgott, the Omen King, and Mohg, Lord of Blood. To access it, you must first defeat Morgott in Leyndell, Royal Capital. Once you have done so, the doors to the Divine Tower of East Altus will open.

Isolated Divine Tower

The Isolated Divine Tower is a special case. Its doors remain locked until you defeat Malenia, Blade of Miquella, and obtain Malenia’s Great Rune. The tower is located near Leyndell, and accessing it requires some platforming skill.

Other Doors in Altus Plateau

Aside from the Divine Towers, Altus Plateau has many other locked doors. Some examples are:

• Altus Tunnel: Opening up the elevator at the end of the tunnel will require you to traverse the entire tunnel while facing off against multiple enemies.

• Ruin-Strewn Precipice: Progressing through this area involves finding your way through tunnels, using elevators, and fighting enemies to reach the Altus Plateau.

General Tips for Unlocking Doors

• Explore thoroughly: Check every nook and cranny for keys, levers, or clues. Many unlockable doors require careful exploration of the surrounding area.

• Talk to NPCs: Non-player characters often provide hints or direct instructions on how to unlock specific doors.

• Read item descriptions: Keys and other important items often have descriptions that provide clues about their use.

• Check your map: The game often marks important locations or quest objectives on the map, which can help you find the right path to unlock a door.

• Consult online resources: If you’re truly stuck, don’t hesitate to consult online guides, videos, and communities for assistance.

FAQs: Unlocking Altus Plateau Secrets

1. How do I get to Altus Plateau in the first place?

There are two primary ways to reach the Altus Plateau: using the Grand Lift of Dectus, which requires collecting both halves of the Dectus Medallion, or navigating the Ruin-Strewn Precipice, a challenging underground area.

2. What level should I be before entering Altus Plateau?

It’s generally recommended to be between levels 60-80 before venturing into the Altus Plateau. The enemies here are significantly stronger than those in Limgrave or Liurnia.

3. Where do I find the Dectus Medallion halves?

One half is located in Fort Haight in the eastern part of Limgrave, while the other is found in Fort Faroth in Caelid.

4. Can I skip Altus Plateau?

While it’s technically possible to bypass certain areas, the Altus Plateau is a crucial region for story progression. Skipping it entirely will lock you out of important quests and content.

5. What is the secret path to Altus Plateau?

The secret path is the Ruin-Strewn Precipice, a challenging cave system that winds its way up to the plateau. You can find the entrance along the northern edge of Liurnia of the Lakes.

6. What do I need to do before trying to unlock Divine Towers?

Before attempting to unlock a Divine Tower, you must first defeat the corresponding Shardbearer and obtain their Great Rune.

7. What is the significance of the Divine Towers?

Divine Towers are locations where you can restore the power of Great Runes, granting you powerful buffs and advantages in combat.

8. Can I access all Divine Towers early in the game?

No, some Divine Towers are only accessible after progressing further in the story or reaching specific areas of the map.

9. What is the recommended order for exploring Altus Plateau?

Start by heading north towards the capital city of Leyndell. This will lead you through the main areas and encounters of the region. Then, explore outwards to uncover hidden locations and dungeons.

10. What are some of the challenging areas in Altus Plateau?

Areas like the Shaded Castle, the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds, and Auriza Hero’s Grave are known for their difficulty and require careful planning and execution.

11. How does going to Altus Plateau affect quests?

Entering the Altus Plateau doesn’t typically break quests. However, be mindful of specific actions, like obtaining the Fingerslayer Blade or defeating Rykard, which can impact questlines.

12. What should I do if I’m underleveled for Altus Plateau?

Consider exploring other regions, such as Caelid or the later areas of Liurnia of the Lakes, to gain experience and level up your character. Returning to Altus Plateau at a higher level will make the challenges more manageable.

13. What is the purpose of the Altus Tunnel?

The Altus Tunnel is a mine containing valuable resources and crafting materials. It’s also home to several challenging enemies and a mini-boss. Relatively central in the Altus Plateau, head south from the Minor Erdtree, and tucked in the alcove along the cliff face is the entrance to this mine.

14. Does the Games Learning Society have any information on Elden Ring?

While the specific focus of the Games Learning Society centers on the educational and social impact of games, their research provides valuable insights into game design, player engagement, and learning through interactive experiences. You can visit their website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ for more information about their work and initiatives.

15. What is the best Great Rune to use in Elden Ring?

The best Great Rune depends on your playstyle. Godrick’s Great Rune is a solid all-around choice, while Malenia’s Great Rune can be powerful for aggressive players.

Mastering the intricacies of unlocking doors in the Altus Plateau requires patience, exploration, and a keen understanding of Elden Ring’s mechanics. By following this guide and heeding its advice, you’ll be well-equipped to overcome any obstacle and progress towards your ultimate goal. The rest of the Lands Between will soon open, and you will become Elden Lord!