Elden Ring Altus Plateau Guide: Where To Go, Items To Get, And Enemies To Watch Out For

TL;DR

  • Altus Plateau serves as critical gateway to Leyndell requiring two Great Runes for entry
  • Enhanced Golden Seeds near capital provide double flask upgrades for late-game preparation
  • Windmill Village’s Godskin Apostle drops exclusive Godskin Peeler weapon and black flame incantation
  • Margit rematch offers expanded battlefield with Torrent access and stamina-boosting talisman reward
  • Draconic Tree Sentinel blocks capital access with deadly red lightning attacks requiring precise dodging

While compact in size, Altus Plateau conceals numerous vital resources and significant destinations that dramatically impact your Elden Ring progression.

Welcome to the golden expanse of Altus Plateau in Elden Ring, a region characterized by opulent decay, royal ambition, and relentless danger. This pivotal territory represents a major turning point in your adventure through the Lands Between, featuring crucial narrative developments that permanently alter the story’s direction while introducing formidable new adversaries. Despite its relatively contained geography compared to earlier regions, the density of meaningful content here demands thorough exploration.

Strategic positioning near the Erdtree makes Altus Plateau particularly valuable for flask enhancement. The golden saplings scattered throughout this area yield precious Golden Seeds, with those positioned closer to Leyndell containing double the normal quantity—providing exceptional opportunities to strengthen your healing and FP flasks before confronting endgame challenges.

Regardless of whether you ascend via the Grand Lift of Dectus or navigate the concealed mountain passageways, your primary objective should be the main thoroughfare leading toward the royal capital. This northern route cutting through Altus Plateau is heavily defended by organized military units, presenting both combat challenges and tactical opportunities.

This pathway serves as the most direct route for advancing the central narrative, though accessing Leyndell itself mandates possession of at least two Great Runes acquired from defeating major demigods. Advanced preparation is essential—ensure your character level exceeds 80 and weapons are upgraded to at least +15 to handle the increased difficulty spike.

Common mistakes include attempting capital entry without sufficient Great Runes or underestimating the soldier battalions’ coordinated attack patterns. Utilize hit-and-run tactics with Torrent to separate groups and avoid being surrounded by multiple enemies simultaneously.

Windmill Village showcases one of the most bizarre cultural anomalies within The Lands Between’s society. This settlement houses peculiar inhabitants who spend their days chanting unsettling melodies, emitting ominous laughter, and performing macabre dances around corpses lining pathways beneath floral-adorned crosses bearing Queen Marika’s image.

This appears to be an ordinary hamlet where peaceful events occur. (Appearances are deceiving.)

It's a totally normal village where only nice things happen. (It isn't.)

It’s a totally normal village where only nice things happen. (It isn’t.)

The village’s summit is guarded by a formidable Godskin Apostle, a serpentine-human hybrid combatant employing destructive black fire attacks and wielding the lethal twin-bladed Godskin Peeler. Victory against this boss grants ownership of both the weapon itself and a potent black flame incantation for your arsenal.

Advanced strategy: The Godskin Apostle becomes vulnerable after certain attack animations—particularly its spinning slash combo. Dodge through the initial strikes and punish during recovery frames. Fire resistance gear significantly reduces damage from black flame attacks.

Indeed, your previous confrontation failed to permanently eliminate the Fell Omen. Just north of the Outer Wall Phantom Tree Site of Grace rests the charred and devastated remnants of a Shattering-era combat zone. Engage one of the spectral warriors roaming the area, and prepare for an unexpected development: Margit has returned.

This rematch preserves his original move set but provides significant tactical advantages—you now command the entire battlefield as your combat space and can utilize Torrent for mobility. This encounter represents his final defeat, rewarding you with the stamina-enhancing Viridian Amber Medallion for your efforts.

For additional narrative context about Margit, investigate the illuminated stone monument located in the cemetery north of the combat area.

Pro tip: Mounted combat allows you to quickly create distance when Margit initiates his dagger-throwing combos. The extended arena enables strategic hit-and-run attacks that were impossible in your initial confined encounter.

When we suggest “greeting” this foe, we intend sustained assault with your most powerful armaments. This upgraded iteration of the Tree Sentinel functions as an obligatory boss encounter barring entrance to Leyndell’s inner sectors. It operates similarly to the standard Tree Sentinel but introduces several critical variations.

The Draconic Sentinel brandishes an enormous greatclub capable of eliminating you instantly, enhances its assaults with crimson lightning, and conjures devastating lightning projectiles when you maintain excessive distance. Overcoming this guardian secures access to Leyndell—provided you possess two Great Runes—while also granting the Dragon Greatclaw armament and Dragonclaw Shield.

Lightning defense strategy: Equip the Boltdrake Talisman and consume Lightningproof Dried Liver to significantly reduce damage from its electrical attacks. The lightning blast when you’re distant requires precise timing—dodge at the moment the lightning coalesces above its weapon.

Beneath the capital’s foundations lies an extensive network of tunnels and chambers concealing valuable artifacts and hidden pathways. These subterranean areas often contain rare upgrade materials and unique weapons missed by players focusing solely on surface exploration.

The Sealed Tunnel is beneath the capital city

The Sealed Tunnel is beneath the capital city

The Shaded Castle presents environmental hazards unlike any other location, with toxic marshes requiring careful navigation and specific countermeasures. Equip the Immunizing Horn Charm talisman and stock up on Preserving Boluses to counteract the relentless poison buildup.

Exploration efficiency: Allocate 45-60 minutes for thorough underground investigation. These areas contain multiple illusory walls concealing additional content—strike suspicious-looking surfaces to reveal hidden chambers.

Action Checklist

  • Collect double Golden Seeds near Leyndell for flask upgrades
  • Defeat Godskin Apostle in Windmill Village for Godskin Peeler weapon
  • Complete Margit rematch for Viridian Amber Medallion
  • Prepare lightning resistance gear before Draconic Tree Sentinel encounter
  • Explore underground tunnels for hidden items and illusory walls

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