Elden Ring guide: Academy Crystal Cave

The Academy Crystal Cave is an explorable section in Elden Ring’s Liurnia of the Lakes region, where you can find magic and a powerful staff. In this Elden Ring Academy Crystal Cave guide, we’ll tell you where to find the cave, what loot to expect, enemies you’ll encounter, and where to look for an illusory wall.

Academy Crystal Cave location

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

The Academy Crystal Cave is located just to the west of the Raya Lucaria Academy, which is the region’s main attraction. That building rests atop some cliffs that make it hard to miss, while the cave leads into the base of those cliffs.

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

To access the cave, follow the shallow waterways that skirt the academy’s western side. The cave’s entrance lies a few steps south of due east from the Foot of the Four Belfries site of grace. Several scarab enemies patrol in front of it. You’ll most likely spot the opening when you see an imp statue you must bribe with a Stonesword Key. If you lack that item, you can likely purchase one from a merchant in Roundtable Hold.

Academy Crystal Cave loot

Inside the Academy Crystal Cave, after defeating the dangerous Crystalians that lurk within its lower reaches, you’ll acquire the Crystal Release sorcery and also gain access to a tower with a treasure chest that holds the Terra Magicus spell. Elsewhere in the dungeon, you’ll find the Crystal Staff weapon. Finally, be on the lookout for numerous harvest locations for the Crystal Cave Moss and Budding Cave Moss, which are useful crafting materials.

Magical enemies await you

The Academy Crystal Cave is dark. Bring and equip a torch to make navigation simpler. Also wear any talismans that help ward against powerful magic, since many of your enemies attack with powerful spells that tear through armor more suited for melee battles.

As you battle the resident sorcerers, use the environment to your advantage. Avoid spells by ducking behind enormous crystal formations, and then step out to launch an attack of your own as you try to deal with one foe at a time. Most of them also fall easily to a flurry of melee attacks, if it comes to that.

Academy Crystal Cave illusory wall

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

Most of the way through the cave, you’ll pass through a wooden door after dealing with a large group of sorcerers. A powerful sorcerer stands near a stone archway, while another roams the path ahead of a wall of mist that leads to the boss area.

Defeat those enemies, and head through the archway to reach a dead end where another sorcerer attacks you from a rock ledge to your upper left. Eliminate the threat and open the nearby chest for a Rune Arc. Then head back through the stone arch.

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

Check the wall to your right, which was on your left as you approached the guards. Near some moss, hit the wall to reveal the illusion. Follow the new path along a ledge to reach a chest that holds the Crystal Staff.

Academy Crystal Cave boss: Crystalian

When you battle the Crystalians that serve as the area boss, they shrug off any initial attacks until you’ve chipped away at their crystal armor.

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

The one with the staff fires lethal projectile magic, so tend to it first while a summoned ally keeps the one with the spear occupied. Attacks that inflict Bleed (aka Hemorrhage) speed the process along. Be ready to roll away and heal as needed, but you need to disable the magic wielder in a hurry.

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

Once you defeat the Crystalians, claim the Crystal Release sorcery and check the door behind where you fought the bosses. A lift carries you to a tower within the academy itself, where you can climb a ladder and loot a chest on a high ledge to acquire the powerful Terra Magicus spell.