Dead Hand Puzzle

[Scuzz]

Is this doable? I can't get my party to obey commands, it is all or nothing. So if I try using the HOLD command it holds all of them. I remember having trouble with this place the first time I played. I have two of the four elements lit but I can't get the others.

Also, is this the only way to get to the Fens Rifts?

[barzai]

There is a detailed description in the DAI Wiki:

https://dragonage.fandom.com/wiki/Dead_Hand?so=search#Archer_and_Pillar_Puzzle

They make it clear that keeping people from moving can be a problem. I find that I need to select each companion individually, move them, and then order them to hold, then moving on to the next companion: YMMV.

There is an alternative way to get into the Fens proper, but you pass it on your way from the camp to the first Fade Rift. Like the path to the puzzle area, it's to your left as you leave the camp, or to the North if you are using the campaign map. This map might make it easier to visualize:

https://game-maps.com/DAI/The-Exalted-Plains.asp

Hope this helps.

[Scuzz]

The second option looks like what I saw a youtuber do, only he didn't bother explaining how he did it. He went from the entrance to the pit to the edge of that lake on his "horse". So does that mean you can get up hills on horseback that you can't on foot. Kinda like Elden Ring?

Thanks for your help.

[z3r0t3n™]

I did that puzzle a few days ago and had no problems with it. Just order hold a few times until the dont move anymore. Than move them one by one to the places you need them, after every switch ordering hold again.

[barzai]

Originally posted by Scuzz:

The second option looks like what I saw a youtuber do, only he didn't bother explaining how he did it. He went from the entrance to the pit to the edge of that lake on his "horse". So does that mean you can get up hills on horseback that you can't on foot. Kinda like Elden Ring?

Thanks for your help.

You are most welcome! Glad to be of assistance.

It's certainly true that you can go places on horseback you can't on foot--though for me it's mostly the opposite, I get on my horse to descend from heights that would kill--or at any rate severely injure--me if I jumped them myself.

But in this circumstance there are no acrobatics required, just a bit of backtracking from the first rift, the one that you can almost-but-not-quite see from the camp near the entrance to the grove. You go back in the camp's direction after closing the rift and keep looking to your right (north): the alternate route will be visible presently, through some arches I believe.

[Scuzz]

I don't know how I missed the exit to the left.

Thanks again.

[barzai]

Originally posted by Scuzz:

I don't know how I missed the exit to the left.

Thanks again.

:-) My pleasure! :-)

Now go seal those rifts, claim the landmarks, kill the last (?) of Cass's bad guys...and watch out for that d----n! :-D