Descend into the heart of Middle-earth’s most perilous depths in Return to Moria. To reach the Lower Deeps, you must first navigate the enigmatic Crystal Descent-a shimmering cavern filled with treacherous jumps and hidden dangers. Repair the Mine Hoist using rare Black Diamonds, Elven Wood, and Natural Fiber to unlock your path downward. Once you brave the descent and rebuild the ruined Mapstone, a new world of formidable foes and untold treasures awaits in the Lower Deeps.
So whether you’ve heard about the Lower Deeps but haven’t found them yet, or you’ve stumbled upon the Crystal Descent and have no idea how to get down, we’re here to help. One thing to bear in mind is that you should ensure you have at least one fast travel Mapstone up and running in the Western Halls, ideally near the Crystal Descent, before you head down, so you can head back up whenever you need to. Also, the Lower Deeps are where you can find Ubasam Wood, a much-needed resource for upgrades.
Here’s how to get to the Lower Deeps and Crystal Descent in Return to Moria.
How to find the Lower Deeps in Return to Moria
To find the Lower Deeps in Return to Moria, you first need to locate the Crystal Descent, which is found in the Western Halls after progressing through the Elven Quarter. The Crystal Descent is recognizable by a large pit surrounded by blue crystals and a broken mine hoist that you must repair to descend further. To fix the mine hoist, gather 15 Black Diamonds, 20 Elven Wood, and 30 Natural Fiber. After repairing the hoist, use it to descend into the Lower Deeps, where you will face tougher enemies and new resources. Be sure to also rebuild the Mapstone at the bottom to enable easier fast travel between the Crystal Descent and the Lower Deeps.
To find the Lower Deeps, you must find the Crystal Descent first, and trust me, you’ll know when you’ve found it. As Return to Moria is procedurally generated, I can’t tell you the exact location, but it’s one of the rooms in the Mines of Moria. Mine was through two Cave Spider nests, five tiles from the first main section of the mines after the Elven Cavern.
The Crystal Descent is a huge pit filled with blue crystals. It’s also the first place you can find True-Quartz, which is littered around the top of the Crystal Descent. The main thing you’ll spot here is the enormous winch, glowing yellow because you need to fix it first.
How to rebuild the Mine Hoist in the Crystal Descent
To rebuild the Mine Hoist in the Crystal Descent in Return to Moria, players first need to locate the Crystal Descent area, recognizable by its glowing blue crystals and a broken lift structure. Nearby, a broken Mapstone should be repaired to enable fast travel. Rebuilding the Mine Hoist requires gathering 15 Black Diamonds, 20 Elven Wood, and 30 Natural Fiber. Black Diamonds are the rarest and can be obtained from defeating bosses like Bolgakh, looting Orkish chests in goblin settlements, or from horde battle rewards. Elven Wood is commonly found in the Elven Quarter, while Natural Fiber comes from killing Cave Spiders and destroying their nests. Once all materials are collected, players can repair the Mine Hoist, allowing descent into the Lower Deeps and continued exploration of the mines.
To rebuild the Mine Hoist in Return to Moria, you need the following materials:
- 15 Black Diamonds
- 20 Elven Wood
- 30 Natural Fiber
The best way to get Black Diamonds to fight your way through Orc Town and kill Bolgakh, the boss at the end of it, as he should drop plenty – or you could consult our guide on how to get the Black Diamonds for other methods. We also cover how to get Elven Wood in our Return to Moria steel guide, but the synopsis is that you must chop down trees in the Elven Cavern.
For Natural Fiber, you want to kill Cave Spiders and destroy their nests, of which you’ll find plenty in the rooms surrounding the Mines of Moria. Natural Fiber is also essential for crafting Rope Ladders, which you’ll need to continue descending safely through the Crystal Descent and into the Lower Deeps. Don’t worry if you’re running low though, as you should also encounter plenty of Cave Spiders.
What secret routes lead to the elusive Lower Deeps in Return to Moria
The primary secret route to the elusive Lower Deeps in Return to Moria is through the Crystal Descent, a hidden underground passage that connects to the Western Halls and leads deep into the Lower Deeps region. Within the Lower Deeps, players can discover destructible walls and hidden stairways, such as one behind a breakable wall leading down to chambers filled with Dwarf skeletons and tombs, which are key to uncovering secret areas and treasures. Additionally, activating stone hearths near these tombs can trigger special messages and potentially unlock further secrets, although some players report mixed results from this. Exploring these hidden paths and interacting with the environment carefully is essential to fully accessing and navigating the Lower Deeps’ secret routes.
Are there hidden passages or clues to access secret parts of the Lower Deeps
Yes, there are hidden passages and clues to access secret parts of the Lower Deeps in Return to Moria. Players can find destructible walls that reveal hidden stairways leading to secret chambers filled with Dwarf skeletons and tombs. Activating stone hearths near these tombs can trigger special messages, hinting at deeper secrets. Exploration of such breakable walls and interaction with environmental objects is key to uncovering these hidden areas. While some secrets require careful observation of the surroundings, others might involve solving environmental puzzles or using special items to unlock pathways, making the Lower Deeps a layered and mysterious zone to explore.
