The Root's End puzzle in Crimson Desert sits on a sky island above Pywel and ranks as one of the more demanding Abyss trials you'll face early on. You need to complete both the Axiom Archive and Ethereal Pathway puzzles before you can reach it. Once you arrive, the real challenge begins: a grate to open, a laser-filled shaft to survive, two blue crystals to place, and a pressure pad to punch. The reward is an Abyss Artifact plus a new fast-travel teleporter, both worth the effort.
Where is Root's End in Crimson Desert?
Root's End sits above the Sage's Peak in the far north of the Hernand region, accessible via the skybridge that follows the Ethereal Pathway. You reach it by crossing a series of moving platforms eastward from the Ethereal Pathway until you hit a dead end, at which point you glide across the gap to the large green-covered island.
Before doing anything else, activate the Abyss Nexus fast-travel point on the north side of the island. You just need to stand on it for a second or two. This saves a long trip back if you die during the puzzle.
Activate Nexus before puzzling
How to Solve the Root's End Puzzle
Here's the full solution broken into three stages. Follow these steps exactly to clear the trial.
Stage 1: Open the grate and survive the laser shaft
Climb to the top of the island and approach the gazebo (or pavilion) at the center. A spotlight illuminates a circular grate on the floor beneath it.
- Stand in the exact center of the grate. Standing off-center can trap you inside it.
- Crouch, then use Force Palm (press R3 on controller, or middle mouse on PC) to spin the grate open.
- You'll drop into a shaft full of laser beams.
Use your Fly/Flight ability to slow your descent and steer through the gaps between lasers. The lasers deal damage but won't kill you instantly, so take your time. The shaft walls themselves are also a hazard, so stay away from the edges.
Slow your fall through lasers
Stage 2: Retrieve the blue crystal and power the teleporter
At the bottom of the shaft, look around. There are floating rocks and a small blue crystal on the northeastern side of the room. Three floor sockets sit below: two already hold glowing blue crystals, and the third is empty.
Here's how to get the crystal down:
- Use Axiom Force (hold L3/Tab to aim, release to use) to grab one of the two large floating rocks and position it below the crystal to create a step.
- Climb the rock, then use Axiom Force again to grab the blue crystal from the air.
- Bring it down to the floor.
- Move the crystal close to the empty socket until leaves begin swirling around it — this signals correct positioning.
- Use Force Palm while standing directly on top of it to punch it into the socket.
You need to stand right underneath the large floating block for the Axiom Force tether to reach. If you miss the crystal grab on the first try, just reposition the boulders and try again.
Once the crystal locks in, a teleporter activates on the south side of the room. Step onto it to return to the top of the island.
Stage 3: Place the second crystal and activate the pressure pad
Back on the surface, head to the garden area at the peak of Root's End. A second blue crystal floats to the right of a staircase.
- Use Axiom Force to grab it and move it toward the empty socket on the nearby pillar.
- Wait for the leaf swirl effect, then use Force Palm to punch it into place.
- The camera will pull back to reveal a circular pressure pad on the ground ahead of you.
- Walk onto the pad, crouch, and use Force Palm once more to activate it.
That final Force Palm on the pressure pad completes the puzzle. The Abyss Artifact will float over to you as your reward.
What skills do you need for Root's End?
Root's End only requires two abilities:
| Skill | Input (Controller) | Input (PC) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Force Palm | R3 (crouch first for grate) | Middle Mouse | Open grate, lock crystals, activate pad |
| Axiom Force | Hold L3, release | Hold Tab, release | Grab and move floating rocks and crystals |
| Flight/Fly | Varies | Varies | Slow descent through laser shaft |
No special items are required. If you have both the Axiom Archive and Ethereal Pathway Abyss Artifacts collected before arriving, you're ready to go.
What do you get for completing Root's End?
Finishing the puzzle rewards you with an Abyss Artifact and activates a new fast-travel teleporter at Root's End. Abyss Artifacts are key progression items used to upgrade your character and improve weapons. Completing Root's End also unlocks access to the Precipice of Truth, the next sky island trial in the sequence.
For more Crimson Desert walkthroughs and tips, browse more guides on GAMES.GG.
