The Root’s End puzzle in Crimson Desert is the third puzzle you’ll be completing up on the sky islands above Pywel. This particular puzzle is a little more complex than the prior two, but it’s worth completing as you’ll be able to unlock a new Abyss Nexus and Abyss Cresset in the process.
Here’s how to solve the Root’s End puzzle in Crimson Desert.
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Crimson Desert Root’s End puzzle solution
The Root’s End puzzle is a confusing one initially, as there’s a lot to take on board and make note of, and you’ll need to use many of your Skills. That said, the below steps will simplify the puzzle for you.
Once you arrive in Root’s End (which is accessible by going along the skybridge following the Ethereal Pathway), go along the moving skybridge in front of you carefully until you come to a dead end. Here, wait for another platform to appear in front of you (and it might take a short while), then hop onto it. It’ll drop you off at another tiny island.
Run across the three ruined platforms in front of you, then use your Fly ability to land on the large, green-covered island that is ahead of the platforms.
You ideally want to land atop the island, but if you land on one of the ledges surrounding it, it’s no bother. You’ll just need to be prepared to do some climbing instead.
Before you do that though, be sure to grab the Abyss Nexus (fast-travel spot) on the island. It’s along the wall that faces you as you glide over to the island, and all you need to do is stand on it to activate it. This saves you a long journey back to Root’s End if you happen to die while here.
Atop the island, approach the gazebo in the middle of the area that has a spotlight shining on it (pictured below).
Here, you need to use Force Palm on the grate below you. You can do this by pressing ‘R3’ while crouching atop the grate, and make sure you’re standing in the very middle of it. Standing on either side of the grate saw me trapped in it and killed by it more than once…
Upon destroying the grate, you’ll fall through a narrow chamber full of lasers that you need to avoid. You’ll also want to avoid the walls, as in my experience, they’re also a hazard…
At the bottom of the chamber, take a look around! Above you, there are multiple floating rocks and a floating blue crystal. On the floor beneath you, there are three sockets; two of which contain glowing blue crystals already, but the third one is missing.
Your goal in this section of Root’s End is to use Axiom Force (your big claw hand ability), to move the floating rocks to forge a climbable path to the blue crystal. The smaller rocks won’t be able to withstand your weight, so focus on the two larger rocks in the room.
You can move the rocks more than once and readjust them as you’re climbing if need be, but a basic staircase made using the two large rocks should be enough to be able to reach the blue crystal using Axiom Force.
Once you manage to retrieve the blue crystal, place this into the socket on the floor using Axiom Force, then lock it into that slot using a Focus Punch (R3). Power will now be restored to various devices in the room, including an elevator directly beside the sockets.
Ride the elevator to reach the top of the Root’s End sky island again. In the following area, there’s another blue crystal on your right. Use Axiom Force to move it into the socket directly behind it, mirroring the already placed blue crystal on the pillar to the left (shown below).
You’ll need to use Force Palm again to make sure the crystal is in the socket, and then power will be restored to the large golden mechanism on the floor ahead of the blue crystal. Go and stand on the mechanism, and use Force Palm once more while crouching.
The puzzle will be completed and your reward will be revealed before floating over to you: an Abyss Cresset.
Crimson Desert Root’s End Ruins puzzle location
The Root’s End Ruins puzzle is located above The Sage’s Peak in the far north of the region of Hernand. You can access it by going along the sky bridge that follows the Ethereal Pathway. It’s marked on the below map:
As you approach Root’s End Ruins, you’ll need to follow the nearby cables on this rocky peak into the cavern below, where you’ll find the Ancient Ruins.
Good luck completing the Root’s End Ruins puzzle! For more on Crimson Desert, take a look at all fast-travel locations, our other Ancient Ruins puzzle solutions, and how to get a Dragon Mount.
