An entire area of Elden Ring can be accessed via a neat little shortcut. If you don’t wish to be faced with tough enemies and a boss fight.

Elden Ring has been out for almost two weeks. FromSoftware’s incredible title continues to impress as the games magnitude is seemingly unstoppable. The game has been lauded for it’s appreciation of it’s mystery as we so pointed out in our very own Elden Ring review. This can only be confirmed since areas such as the Church of Dragon Communion are purposefully hidden.

The Grand Lift of Dectus is almost precisely the same. It is a direct shortcut to the Altus Plateau, an area the two fingers say you as tarnished are ‘not allowed to access.’ Today we are going to show you how to access it. Elden Ring players of any level can access this area, despite what Gideon of the roundtable claims.

It is actually far easier than Elden Ring would have you believe as you only require two halves of the Dectus Medallion.

Dectus Medallion Left

Players will start their journey here in Elden Ring by heading to Fort Haight in the southern end of Limgrave. It is a small fort and ultimately not too difficult but players should still be wary. Proceed up the road, passing by palisades and other enemies whilst you are attempted to be shot by a ballista, as long as you remain on Torrent you should not be hit.

Pass by or kill all the enemies (Be wary of Pumpkin head, he is rather tough) and head inside. You will see a set of stairs to your left. Take them up and you will pass by people throwing flame pots at you, either kill them or run past.

Regardless of your decision you will come face to face with the Forts mini boss. A Banished Knight.

If you choose to kill the knight you will gain the Ash of War ‘Bloody Slash’ which can be used on weapons to apply bleeding effects and can be very powerful. When fighting them, beware of their own bloody slash attack as it can cut away swathes of your health.

From there turn right and you will come face to face with a ladder. Ascend the ladder and before you should be a chest, open it and… success! You have gotten the Dectus Medallion left.

Dectus Medallion Right

The right half of the Dectus medallion is found in Fort Faroth in Caelid. Players unfamiliar with Caelid should be made aware that this area is tough. One of the tougher areas of the game. But because of that it is absolutely swarming with awesome and invaluable loot.

Despite Caelid’s difficulty, Fort Faroth is not too particularly difficult, and if you wish to avoid enemies, it is even easier as the Fort is that much smaller.

You will head through the door and simply run in what feels like a straight line, it is rather dark so players may wish to have a lantern or torch, but honestly it is not completely necessary. You will see a doorway at the other end of the small area you find yourself in. Be wary of the big bat, the others are not too difficult, but the large white one is tough. It’s scream will do tonnes of damage and you may gain poison.

Head through the far doorway and ascend the ladders. Similar to Fort Haight you will find the right half of the Dectus medallion, snugly found in a chest at the top of the ladder.

Raya Lucaria Gate Key

Elden Ring Players should know how to get to the Raya Lucaria Gate, if not, simply head towards the large buiding in the middle of the Liurnia of the Lakes, it is unmissable and the game does a good job of telling you where to go. However, upon reaching the doorway, you will notice one thing… you can’t get in.

Do not fret. There is an elegant and quick solution.

To access Raya Lucaria, you will need the Academy Glintstone key. The key is located on that spot on the map, but don’t think it will be simple. As you head towards that part of the map, you will notice something about the alcove in which it resides…

The key is guarded by a Dragon.

You can do one of two things which is rather consistent in this run. Either you run past the dragon and simply take the key from a lucarian scholars corpse… or you can fight the beast in true Elden Ring fashion. One of the options is quicker, the other is far more fun.

If you do wish to take on this Dragon, mages beware, the Dragon is not named ‘Glintstone’ for no reason, the beast is resistant to magic damage, however like many creatures in the game it seems to be susceptible to bleed damage, either way be careful of it’s various one shot attacks, perhaps bring a few summons to keep it distracted while you chop at it’s legs.

It’s moveset is not to terribly complicated and I bet you’ll be able to beat it in no time, so if you choose to fight Smarag, good luck!

If not well…

Once you get the key, return to the door of Raya Lucaria and enter…

The Grand Lift Of Dectus

Omce you have entered Raya Lucaria, activate that Lost Grace site and turn immediately right, go through the magical door and you will be brought to the long road seen on the map above. You will be next to a very creepy lady… talk to her if you want, it has no bearing on the next few steps. You’ll just be complimented for having two halves of the medallion.

Summon Torrent and charge down this road with all your might either killing or dodging as you go, that’s entirely up to you. The closer you get to the Grand Lift , the more opposition you’ll face, very true to Elden Ring’s style.

Be careful of the trebuchets because if Torrent gets hit, chances are he’s dead, and you’ll follow him to the grave rather quickly. Keep dodging and weaving, killing the enemies if you wish to do so and guess what, you have made it to the Grand Lift of Dectus.

Do as the notification says, hoist the medallion and you will be greeted with a stunning cutscene to reward you for all your effort and boom, welcome to the Altus Plateau, Tarnished. Take your next steps on your journey in Elden Ring.

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