The Altus Plateau is a pivotal region in Elden Ring, located to the north of Liurnia of the Lakes. It serves as a transitional area that connects players to the capital city of Leyndell and several other critical late-game zones. The region is characterized by its golden fields, lush scenery, and towering cliffs. Here's a detailed guide to help you explore the Altus Plateau, including how to reach it, key locations, bosses, and tips.
How to Access Altus Plateau
There are two main ways to reach the Altus Plateau:
Grand Lift of Dectus:
You need to collect the two halves of the Dectus Medallion to activate the lift:
•Left Half: Found at Fort Haight in Limgrave.
•Right Half: Located in Fort Faroth in Caelid.
Once you have both halves, head to the Grand Lift of Dectus, located in the northern part of Liurnia. Use the medallion to activate the lift, and it will take you to the Altus Plateau.
Ruin-Strewn Precipice:
If you don’t have the medallion, you can take a longer, more challenging route by climbing through the Ruin-Strewn Precipice in the northeastern part of Liurnia.
You’ll need to navigate through caverns filled with enemies and defeat Magma Wyrm Makar at the end to access a pathway leading up to the Altus Plateau.
Key Areas in Altus Plateau
Altus Highway Junction:
Upon arriving at the Altus Plateau, you’ll find the Altus Highway Junction Site of Grace. This is a central waypoint to explore the rest of the area. You’ll encounter various enemies here, including knights and hostile wildlife.
Shaded Castle:
A minor dungeon located in the northern part of the Altus Plateau, filled with poison and challenging enemies. Boss: Elemer of the Briar awaits at the end of this dungeon, and defeating him rewards you with unique weapons and items. The Shaded Castle also has connections to quests, particularly those involving Millicent.
Windmill Village:
Situated in the northern section of the plateau, this eerie village is filled with dancing villagers who are surprisingly hostile. Boss: Godskin Apostle. Defeating this boss unlocks new items and progress toward further quests.
Mt. Gelmir:
A volcanic region accessible via the western part of the Altus Plateau. It contains challenging areas and leads to the infamous Volcano Manor. Volcano Manor: A major hub for players interested in the game’s PvP questlines and the assassination missions given by Lady Tanith.
Forest-Spanning Greatbridge:
This massive bridge connects the Altus Plateau to the eastern parts of the region. You’ll encounter tough enemies, including powerful mounted knights.
Sealed Tunnel:
A hidden cave near the southern part of the plateau that leads to the Divine Tower of West Altus. The tunnel is full of secret passages, illusory walls, and dangerous enemies. Boss: The Sealed Tunnel contains a challenging boss fight that leads to rewards and deeper lore.
Notable NPCs and Quests
Millicent:
You will encounter Millicent in the Altus Plateau if you’ve been following her questline. She plays a role in various quests related to Gowry and the Haligtree. Helping her will lead to significant rewards and connections to the game’s endings.
Patches:
If you’ve encountered Patches before, you may find him here. He continues his tradition of being a trickster but may offer valuable items if you engage with him.
Lady Tanith (Volcano Manor):
Found in the Volcano Manor on Mt. Gelmir, she offers assassination missions that can earn you powerful items. Completing her quests can unlock a unique weapon and an alternate boss encounter.
Important Bosses
Magma Wyrm Makar (Ruin-Strewn Precipice):
Blocking one of the paths to the plateau. A dragon-like creature that deals heavy melee and fire damage. Tips: Stay behind him to avoid most attacks and watch for his magma breath.
Godskin Apostle (Windmill Village):
A tall, sinister figure wielding a black blade. He has fast, unpredictable attacks that can be challenging to dodge. Tips: Stay close and be aggressive, but be prepared to back away when he uses his area-of-effect attacks. Summoning a spirit ash can help keep him distracted.
Fallingstar Beast (Ninth Mt. Gelmir Campsite):
Found near the path leading up Mt. Gelmir. It has a mix of melee and electric attacks. Tips: Watch its movements closely to anticipate its charges. Focus on attacking its legs to stagger it.
Divine Towers and Great Runes
Divine Tower of West Altus:
Accessible through the Sealed Tunnel. Activate this tower to restore the power of the Great Rune of Rykard, obtained after defeating Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy at Volcano Manor.
Divine Bridge:
Another area connected to the Altus Plateau, but this one is found within Leyndell, Royal Capital. You can use a teleporter to reach this area. The Divine Bridge connects to quests involving the Erdtree and Radahn.
Tips for Exploring the Altus Plateau 
•Be Prepared for Stronger Enemies: The Altus Plateau is a significant step up in difficulty compared to Liurnia and Limgrave. Make sure your gear is upgraded, and carry plenty of healing items.
•Use Torrent: The region is vast, and using your spectral steed, Torrent, will help you move around faster, avoid ambushes, and navigate steep terrain.
•Check for Secret Paths and Illusions: Altus Plateau has hidden areas, especially within caves and dungeons. Look for walls that seem suspicious or cracks that hint at an illusory wall.
•Explore Thoroughly Before Heading to Leyndell: The plateau has many useful items, questlines, and dungeons that will prepare you for the difficult battles ahead in the Royal Capital. Take your time to explore and level up before proceeding.
•Activate Sites of Grace: The Altus Plateau has numerous Sites of Grace scattered throughout. Activate as many as you can to ensure quick travel and easy access to different parts of the region.
Conclusion
The Altus Plateau is a beautiful yet dangerous region that marks your entry into the mid-to-late-game areas of Elden Ring. With its vast landscapes, hidden dungeons, and critical quests, this region offers plenty of exploration opportunities and challenges. Take your time to explore its diverse environments, unlock new areas, and prepare for the trials that lie ahead in Leyndell and beyond!
