Death’s Gambit Guide
After you defeat the Soul of the Phoenix, you will gain access to a new area called the Obsidian Plateau. This frozen area is filled with some pretty tough enemies as well as a boss. Before we take on the boss, let’s grab both of the Boss Tomes and some items along the way.
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- Before running in head first, beware of traps.
From the Death Idol make your way to the left and head out into the Obsidian Plateau. Before you go to far, be on the lookout for bloody stones on the ground. These stones mark the location of spike traps. DO NOT RUN OVER THEM. These traps do a ton of damage and are just annoying in general. Instead use your bow to trigger them from afar. With this knowledge continue heading to the left deeper into the area.
Before heading down the stairs, make your way up the platforms to the item.
You will be facing a number of enemies in this area so be prepared to fight. Make sure you’ve equipped any decent gear you’ve acquired up to this point. The first enemy you will run into is a large hammer wielder. This enemy is slow, but packs a mean punch. Defeat this enemy and continue to the left and you will get jumped by a spear wielder. Take out the spear wielder and continue to the left. Walk forward and you will run into a shield bearer. Kill it and continue to the left. You should see two platforms and some stairs heading down. Go up the platform to get the Gaian Blood then head down the stairs.
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- Defeat the hammer enemy to clear a way into the caves.
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- You will definitely want to use the Death Idol at the cave’s entrance.
Down the stairs you will face three enemies. There are two shield bearers and one hammer guy. You need to take out all three enemies to advance. Do not go running straight in as there are three traps near the first shield bearer. Instead take out the traps and then engage. If possible agro the first shield bearer alone to make things easier for you. Once all enemies are taken care of, an ice door opens to the left. Go inside to find a Death Idol.
Tundra Lord Kaeran Boss Journal #1
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- Head left of the Death Idol at the entrance to the cave.
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- Stop at the platforms midway and drop down them to reach the first boss journal.
Inside this cave are a number of spike traps. As you run past the first set (immediately left of the Death Idol), you will see some platforms heading down. Go down the platforms and you will reach the first boss journal for the Obsidian Plateau area.
Inside the first two cells you come across in the caves are two NPCs.
After you’ve grabbed the journal, make your way deeper into the cave to the left. You will come to a room with two cages in it. Inside these cages are the NPCs Nymeria and Grimgaud. There will be a brief cutscene regarding them being prison. In short we can’t free them until we have the Amarog Key (acquired after beating the boss of this area).
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- Before heading up these ladders, make your way to the left here.
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- Eventually you will reach this door. Open it to unlock a shortcut.
From the cages continue heading to the left past a some ladders. Eventually you will reach the door pictured above. Opening this door creates a shortcut that we will use later. Once the door is open, make your way back to the ladder you passed and take them up.
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- Head to the left at the top of the ladder to grab a Feather Upgrade.
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- Make your way right to continue deeper into the cave.
Halfway up the is an area to the right. Don’t bother with it for now as it requires having the Amarog Key (as do most of the locked doors in this area). Instead continue heading up until you reach a T. Go left at the T and you can grab a Feather Upgrade for your troubles. Double back and head to the right now. Down this area are a ton of spike traps activating every few seconds. If you’re patient, you can stand between each one and make your way across. Once through drop down to the floor below.
Blowing the horn at the end of the caves will lower a ladder. This will allow you to access the boss arena.
When you drop down to the floor below, you will immediately face a hammer enemy. Kill it and the ice blocks will move. You will then need to kill two shield bearers. (Note: in the area with the hammer enemy there is a no-plume chest. Opening this chest gets you the Immortalite Stone.) Once all enemies are dead, head to the right and out of the cave. Continue heading right across the bridge and you will reach a horn. Use the horn to drop a ladder near the start of the level. Make your way back to the ladder by dropping down to the ground below. On this level there is a Amarog Bow to the left and a destroyable chest to the right with the Medicinal Plume inside. Continue right until your reach the ladder (touch the entrance Death Idol before your do).
Tundra Lord Kaeran Boss Journal #2
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- On the first bridge there is a hole. Drop down the hole.
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- When you fall through the hole you will land on a platform. On this platform is the boss journal.
Head up the ladder you lowered and make your way up the stairs past the frost giant. Run to the first bridge and drop down the hole in the center of it. You will land on a platform with the second boss journal on it. Grab it and drop down below.
Boss Fight: Tundra Lord Kaeran Boss
To reach the boss fight in this area, go up the ladder you lowered with the horn. Head up the stairs and cross both bridges to the left and you will reach the boss arena. The fight with Kaeran is pretty easy once you learn the major trick. All you need to remember is that the platform you fight on is a teeter totter, meaning you don’t want to overload one side. Always be mindful of the balance of the platform or you will fall off and die. To get a good idea of how to do this fight, watch the video above.
For beating Tundra Lord Kaeran you receive a bunch of shards as well as a skill point.
To the left of the boss arena you will find the key. Use this key to open all the locked doors in the cave.
After you defeat Tundra Lord Kaeran, make your way to the left of the boss arena until you reach a figure tied up. Untie the figure and speak with him to send him back to Sanctuary. Continue to the left in the cave beside the figure to get the Amarog Key. With the key in hand, let’s open all the cells shall we?
- Cell 1: Grimgaud and Nymeria to Sanctuary
- Cell 2: Vados Spear +2
- Cell 3: Soul Stone x 3
- Cell 4: Fragile Courage + Gaian Blood
- Cell 5: Shortcut + Leaf of Gaia
Once you’ve unlocked everything, make your way back to Sanctuary.
Ione is a woman