The Forgotten Altar is one of the Abyss sky-island puzzles in Crimson Desert, Pearl Abyss's open-world action RPG released March 19, 2026. Unlike many optional Abyss puzzles scattered across the Pywel sky map, this one sits directly on the path toward the game's final boss, making it effectively mandatory. The puzzle itself is not especially complex once you understand its structure, but it has a hard gate: you need the Nature's Sense skill unlocked before you can finish it. Show up without it and you will be stuck on the upper platform with nothing to do.
How do you reach the Forgotten Altar?
The Forgotten Altar is located in the Abyss, the sky-island layer of Crimson Desert's world map. According to guides from both DualShockers and TheGamer, the most reliable route is to first complete the Disconnected Truth puzzle (or the Origin of Thoughts puzzle, depending on your path), then use the teleporter at that location to jump directly to the Forgotten Altar. From the teleporter exit, hop across the floating platforms, activate the Abyss Gate, and you will land on the main altar platform.
This is a late-game location. Based on documented playthroughs, most players do not encounter it until they are actively pursuing the final boss, though the Abyss is non-linear enough that some players may arrive here earlier.
warning
Do not walk toward the tornado sitting in the center of the platform when you first arrive. It will pull you in and kill you immediately. Ignore it until you have deactivated it through the puzzle steps below.
Slot the orb to start the puzzle
How to complete the Forgotten Altar puzzle
Step 1: Place the Abyss Core orb in the podium
When you land on the altar, look to the left side of the platform. You will find a spherical Abyss Core sitting on the ground. Pick it up using Axiom Force (L3 on controller) and carry it to the cylinder-shaped podium slot directly above it.
Be aware that thorn bushes surround this area. According to TheGamer's walkthrough, you can clear them by holding Left Bumper and Right Bumper to use Blinding Flash, then aiming at the thorns to ignite and burn them away. This is optional but makes navigating the area much cleaner.
Once the orb drops into its slot, the wind turbines on the outer edge of the platform activate. These are the fans that will carry you upward.
Ride the fans to the upper level
Step 2: Fly to the top level and use Nature's Sense
With the turbines running, step onto one of the active fans on the south side of the arena. They will launch you upward to the platform sitting above the tornado.
This is where the ability gate kicks in. To stop the tornado, you need Nature's Sense. Here is how to get it if you do not have it yet:
You must fully level Keen Senses and reach Focus Level 2 before Nature's Sense becomes available. It sits in the green skill tree. Both sources agree it costs an Abyss Artifact.
Once you have it, stand on top of the machine (the giant fan creating the tornado). Press both the Left Stick and Right Stick simultaneously to enter Focus mode, then rotate the Right Stick clockwise continuously until the machine slows to a stop. The tornado will dissipate completely.
Step 3: Enter the cube and activate the floor switch
With the tornado gone, a large cage-like cube structure appears in the center of the platform. Getting inside requires a specific sequence:
- Climb onto any of the cube's grated sides.
- Hold the Resist button (L2) to brace yourself, then press R3 to perform Force Palm on the grated door. This opens it without launching you off the side.
- Drop into the interior of the cube.
- Once inside, perform a Force Palm aimed at the ground to strike the floor switch (or center cog, as described in the DualShockers source). This restores power to the Abyss.
- Climb back onto one of the interior walls and use Force Palm again to exit.
TheGamer's guide adds a useful detail: you can also land on the top of the cage, crouch, and perform a downward Focus Palm to rotate the floor and drop yourself inside. Either approach works.
danger
The Resist button is not optional here. Skipping it when using Force Palm on the cube door will send you flying off the platform.
Step 4: Claim the Abyss Artifact and continue
After activating the floor switch, an Abyss Artifact spawns nearby. Walk to the podium and collect it. According to TheGamer's guide, a triangular gate also appears behind the artifact spawn point. Use Axiom Force on the switch that rises from the ground to proceed deeper into the Abyss islands from here.
What do you get for completing the Forgotten Altar?
The primary reward is one Abyss Artifact, which feeds directly into your skill progression system. Given that unlocking Nature's Sense itself requires Abyss Artifacts, completing puzzles like this one creates a self-sustaining loop for building out your ability set. The Forgotten Altar also unlocks onward traversal through the Abyss, opening access to subsequent sky islands and eventually the final boss path.
For more Crimson Desert puzzle walkthroughs and the rest of Pearl Abyss's Abyss island content, browse more guides on GAMES.GG.