The Grand Lift of Dectus in Elden Ring is a pivotal location, offering access to the Altus Plateau, a vast new region filled with powerful bosses, items, and the Royal Capital of Leyndell. However, players need to first collect the Dectus Medallion and activate the lift, which can be a bit of a puzzle. Here's a complete guide on how to activate the Grand Lift of Dectus:

Where is the Grand Lift of Dectus?

The Grand Lift of Dectus is located at the northern end of Bellum Highway in Liurnia of the Lakes, just north of the Raya Lucaria Academy. To reach the lift, unlock the gate of Raya Lucaria, which will lead to a bridge heading north. Follow the path to the Tower of Dectus, where the lift is housed. The Grand Lift will take players to the Altus Plateau, a critical area for progression.

Where to Find the Dectus Medallion

The Dectus Medallion is split into two halves. You'll need both parts to activate the lift.

1. Left Half of the Dectus Medallion

Location: Fort Haight in Eastern Limgrave.

How to Get There: From the starting area, head east past the Waypoint Ruins until you reach the Fort Haight West Site of Grace.

Steps:

Enter the fort, which is overrun with enemies. Clear them to progress.

Speak to Kenneth Haight to trigger a side quest to secure the fort.

After clearing the area, climb the courtyard stairs to find a tower with a ladder.

At the top of the ladder, you'll find a chest containing the Left Half of the Dectus Medallion.

2. Right Half of the Dectus Medallion

Location: Fort Faroth in Caelid.

How to Get There: Although accessible early in the game, the enemies in Caelid are quite tough, so it's recommended to level up before heading here. The quickest way is through Limgrave's Dragon-Burnt Ruins, which leads to a teleportation trap taking you to the Sellia Crystal Tunnel in Caelid. Once out of the tunnel, head east to Fort Faroth.

Steps:

At the Fort Faroth Site of Grace, ascend the stairs and turn left.

Traverse through a room filled with bat-like enemies, then climb the ladder to find the Right Half of the Dectus Medallion in a chest.

Be prepared for tough enemies, including poison-spitting foes. Equip armor and Elden Ring items that increase immunity to poison for easier navigation.

How to Activate the Grand Lift of Dectus

Once you've acquired both halves of the Dectus Medallion, fast travel back to the Grand Lift of Dectus Site of Grace. Approach the circle in front of the two statues, and the option to use the medallion will appear. Activate the lift, and you'll be transported to the Altus Plateau, where new challenges and opportunities await.

Effects of Activating the Grand Lift of Dectus

Activating the lift opens the way to Altus Plateau, a key area in Elden Ring. This region contains powerful bosses, important items and leads to the Leyndell, Royal Capital, which is a major location in the later stages of the game. Additionally, Redmane Castle in Caelid will be affected by the activation of the lift, triggering the Radahn Festival.

Radahn Festival

The Radahn Festival takes place in Redmane Castle, where players will face Starscourge Radahn. This event drastically changes the layout of the castle, with many rooms becoming inaccessible and several NPCs replacing enemies.

You can access Redmane Castle before or after the festival, depending on your progression. If you explore it beforehand, you'll find Elden Ring items like Smithing Stones and weapons. However, the festival will return the castle to its original state once concluded, and you won't miss out on anything.

Alternative Route to the Altus Plateau: The Ruin-Strewn Precipice

For players who are struggling to face the dangerous enemies along Bellum Highway, there's an alternative route to reach the Altus Plateau. This path is found through the Ravine Site of Grace in Liurnia of the Lakes.

Steps:

Follow the ravine to the Ravine-Vailed Village.

Take a ladder up into a Miners' Cave, where the path to the Altus Plateau begins.

Avoid enemies or fight through them until you reach an elevator.

After using the elevator, you'll eventually encounter a boss fight with Magma Wyrm Makar, who grants the Magma Wyrm's Scalesword.

This alternative route offers a different challenge but rewards players with a boss fight and useful loot. Ultimately, this path leads players to the Altus Plateau, where the adventure continues.

Activating the Grand Lift of Dectus is an essential step for progressing in Elden Ring. While the journey to collect the medallion halves may be challenging, the rewards of the Altus Plateau and the upcoming challenges make it all worthwhile.

In Elden Ring, acquiring Elden Ring items and Elden Ring runes is key to progressing through the game, enhancing your character's abilities, and obtaining powerful gear. Here's a breakdown of how to collect important items and runes that can help you on your journey, especially when preparing to activate the Grand Lift of Dectus and venture into the Altus Plateau.