How to activate the Great Elevator of Dectus in Elden Ring

Traveling between regions in Elden Ring requires more than just combat skill. Some key locations for progression depend on the player's curiosity and persistence. This is the case with the Great Elevator of Dectus , an imposing structure that connects Liurnia of the Lakes to the Altus Plateau —a mandatory area for anyone wishing to advance to the Royal Capital, Leyndell.

Location of the Great Elevator of Dectus

The Great Dectus Elevator of Elden Ring is located at the far north end of Bellum Road, which crosses Liurnia of the Lakes . To reach it, you must open the gates of Raya Lucaria's Academy and use the teleporter that leads to the highway. The path leads to a tower at the end of the road, where the elevator is located.

The location can only be activated by possessing two key items: the two halves of the Dectus Medallion . Without them, access to the Altus Plateau remains blocked, and the only alternative will be to face a parallel, equally challenging route.

Where to find the left half of Dectus' Medallion in Elden Ring

The left half of the medallion is available right at the start of the game. It is located in Fort Haight , east of Limgrave . From the starting point, the player must head east, passing the Landmark Ruins until reaching a place called Fort Haight West , where there is a grace point (resting spot).

The fort is under attack by enemies who are part of Kenneth Haight's mission , a secondary character who appears north of the Misty Forest . After clearing the area, simply climb the courtyard stairs and find the tower with an internal staircase. The chest at the top contains the left half of the medallion.

In addition to the main item from Elden Ring, it's possible to collect the Knight of Godrick and other valuable equipment. Exploring the area cautiously is recommended.

How to obtain the right half of the Dectus Medallion

The second half takes place in Fort Faroth , in the far east of Caelid . Although it's possible to visit this area from the start, the enemies in the region are stronger, requiring the player to be at a good level of evolution.

The quickest way to reach Fort Faroth involves a trickster chest in the Dragonburnt Ruins in Limgrave . The item leads the player directly to Sellia's Crystal Tunnel in Caelid. From there, it's necessary to exit the tunnels and head east to reach the fort.

Inside the area, climb the stairs near the grace point and enter the hall where there are flying enemies with poisonous attacks. At the top of the inner stairs, there is a chest containing the right half of the medallion. It is recommended to use equipment with poison resistance, as well as items such as Toxin Neutralizers or healing spells like "Cure Poison".

How to activate the Great Elevator of Dectus

With both halves of the Dectus Medallion in hand, the player must return to the Grand Elevator in Liurnia. By positioning themselves between the two statues in the circle marked on the ground, the option to raise the medallion will appear. The scene that follows transports the character to the Altus Plateau, a region that serves as a prelude to the final phase of the campaign.

Activating the elevator also alters events in other areas of Elden Ring. One of the most notable effects is the start of the Radahn Festival in Caelid. During this event, Redmane Castle changes completely: common enemies disappear, giving way to characters who gather to face the boss Starscourge Radahn. Some rooms become temporarily inaccessible, but return to normal after the festival ends.

Alternative: access to the Altus Plateau via the Ruin-Covered Precipice

Elden Ring players who don't want to face the battles along the Road of Bellum have another option: follow the Ruin-Covered Precipice , also in Liurnia. The path requires climbing cliffs and facing the Magma Wyrm Makar boss, but eliminates the need to find the medallion.

To do this, the player must leave the Precipice Village and traverse a cave dominated by miners and bats. After climbing several floors and defeating the boss, the journey leads back to the Altus Plateau, allowing the player to continue their journey.

Importance of the Altus Plateau in Elden Ring

Altus Plateau is one of the largest areas in Elden Ring, filled with bosses, dungeons, and rare items. At the center of the region lies Leyndell, the Royal Capital, which houses some of the game's most complex challenges. Reaching it is essential to completing the main campaign.

Using the Great Elevator of Dectus, therefore, represents more than just a simple crossing: it's a milestone in the player's progress. Knowing where to find the medallion halves and how to activate the mechanism is a crucial step for anyone wishing to explore all the possibilities of the universe created by FromSoftware.