You’re probably going to get lost. Honestly, if you’ve just stepped out of Stormveil Castle and looked down at that massive, fog-heavy expanse of Liurnia of the Lakes, the sheer scale of the dungeons is intimidating. It’s not just the water. It’s the fact that FromSoftware decided to hide half the game’s best loot in damp holes in the ground that look exactly like the cliffside they’re buried in.
Liurnia is a massive difficulty spike compared to Limgrave. You think you’re ready because you beat Godrick, but then a giant lobster snipes you from across a map, or you wander into a cave where the boss is basically a crystal wall that ignores your puny sword. The Liurnia of the Lakes dungeons aren't just extra content; they are where the game teaches you how to actually build a character that survives the mid-game.
Finding the Damp Corners of Liurnia
Let's talk about the map. It’s deceptive. You see a big blue lake and think "okay, I'll just ride Torrent around." Big mistake. Most of the meaningful progression happens on the fringes. The Stillwater Cave is a classic example. It’s tucked away at the very southern tip of the lake, right at the bottom of the cliffs you descend after Stormveil. If you aren't looking for that narrow opening, you’ll ride right past it and miss the Winged Sword Insignia.
That talisman is a game-changer for anyone using fast weapons. It rewards aggression. You hit more, you deal more damage. Simple. But the cave itself? It’s a poison-soaked nightmare. You’re wading through muck while Servants of Rot try to poke you with spears. It’s FromSoftware’s way of saying "Welcome to Liurnia, bring some Neutralizing Boluses or die."
Then there's the Lakeside Crystal Cave. This one is easy to overlook because it’s hidden behind a large rock formation along the western shore. If you’re following the path toward the Raya Lucaria Academy, you’ll probably miss it. Inside, the environment shifts from standard earthy tunnels to these glowing, purple crystal formations that are honestly some of the prettiest visuals in the game. But the real reason you’re there isn't the view. It’s the shortcut. Completing this dungeon is the only way to reach the Slumbering Wolf’s Shack, where you meet Latenna. If you want to finish the Haligtree secret medallion questline—which you definitely do if you want to see the "real" endgame—this "minor" dungeon is mandatory.
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Why the Catacombs in Liurnia Feel Different
The catacombs here aren't like the ones in Limgrave. They’re meaner. Road's End Catacombs is a psychological prank. Located west of the Minor Erdtree in the southwest, this place is full of illusory walls. You’ll hit a wall, find a chest, and think you’re smart. Then you’ll realize there are three more fake walls behind that one. It’s tedious if you’re impatient, but it’s brilliant level design because it forces you to stop sprinting and actually look at the architecture.
You'll encounter the Watchdog bosses again, but usually with a twist, like imps backing them up. The Black Knife Catacombs on the northeastern edge of the region is perhaps the most famous. Why? Because it’s where you find the Black Knife Assassin boss behind a hidden wall. Most players walk right past the boss room thinking they’ve finished the dungeon. They haven't. You have to ride the guillotine traps upward like an elevator to find the real path. It’s a vertical puzzle. It also ties directly into Rogier and Fia’s questlines, providing the Black Knifeprint which explains the lore behind the Night of the Black Knives.
The Mining Tunnels and the Smithing Stone Scarcity
Everyone runs out of Smithing Stones. It’s the universal Elden Ring experience. In Liurnia, the Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel is your salvation. It’s on the northeast shore. If you see a bunch of blue crystals sticking out of the ground, you’re close.
The enemies here—those stone-skinned miners—are a massive pain if you’re using a slashing weapon like a Katana. Your blade will literally bounce off them. Use a mace. Even if you aren't a Strength build, keep a basic flail or hammer in your inventory just for these guys. It’s the difference between a 10-minute struggle and a 2-minute breeze. The boss at the end, a Crystalian, is basically a tutorial on the "poise" mechanic. You hit it enough times, its armor cracks, and then it dies in three hits. If you don't crack the armor, you're doing single-digit damage.
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The Weird Ones: Cliffbottom and Beyond
Cliffbottom Catacombs is located on the eastern highway, tucked under the cliffs near the Liurnia Highway North site of grace. It is infested with Omens. These guys are tanky, they have huge reach, and they will absolutely wreck a low-Vigor player. The reward is the Kaiden Sellsword Ashes. Is it worth the headache? Maybe. It depends on if you like summons that can actually hold aggro.
Then you have the Academy Crystal Cave. You need a Stonesword Key for this one. It’s right near the western walls of the Academy. It’s short, but it leads to a lift that puts you inside the Academy behind a locked gate. It’s a cheeky way to get a head start on the mages firing glintstone pebbles at your face.
Breaking Down the Loot Hierarchy
You shouldn't hit every dungeon. Some are a waste of time depending on your build. If you're a mage, the Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel is non-negotiable because the boss drops the Smithing-Stone Miner's Bell Bearing (1). This lets you buy Stones 1 and 2 infinitely at the hold.
If you're a melee build, you need the Stillwater Cave for the Winged Sword Insignia.
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For the lore hunters, Black Knife Catacombs is the priority.
The Liurnia of the Lakes dungeons aren't just about the boss at the end. They are about the environmental storytelling. You see the influence of the Academy everywhere—the glintstone growths, the sorcerer enemies wandering the halls, the shift from "natural" caves to magically infused grottoes.
Survival Tips for the Deep Waters
Don't go in blind.
- Torches are boring; buy a Lantern. You can get one from the nomadic merchant at the Liurnia Lake Shore site of grace. It hangs on your belt so you can keep your shield or two-hand your weapon.
- Watch the floor. Liurnia loves pressure plates. In the catacombs, if you see a raised stone, don't step on it. Or do step on it, and then sprint forward so the arrows hit the enemies behind you.
- The "Map" trick. If you’re lost looking for a dungeon, look at the physical map. Small, dull orange circles usually indicate the entrance to a mine or tunnel.
- Strike Damage. I'll say it again: keep a strike weapon. The miners and Crystalians in this region will make you quit the game if you try to use a rapier or a dagger against them.
The scale of Liurnia is meant to overwhelm you. It’s the "open" part of the open world. But once you realize that the Liurnia of the Lakes dungeons are mostly clustered along the cliff edges, the navigation becomes way less stressful. You just hug the wall. Clockwise or counter-clockwise, it doesn't matter. Just stay out of the deep center unless you want to fight the Dragon Smarag or get chased by those terrifying giant lobsters.
Actionable Next Steps
To conquer the Liurnia underground efficiently, start by securing the Lantern from the merchant near the entrance of the lake. From there, ride north along the eastern landmass to hit the Black Knife Catacombs first; the rewards and lore implications are too significant to leave for later. If you find your weapon damage plateauing, prioritize the Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel on the northeast shore to unlock infinite Smithing Stones at the Twin Maiden Husks. Finally, ensure you have a source of Strike damage (like a Morning Star or Mace) in your secondary slot before entering any tunnel marked with blue crystals to avoid the frustration of "bouncing" attacks.