Chapter 3 of Deltarune hides a particularly elaborate secret ending, one that rewards players not just for story progression but for attention, skill, and persistence. Unlocking this path requires mastery over Tenna’s game show, a series of hidden minigames, and the careful use of acquired items at just the right moment. While the Roaring Knight may seem unbeatable at first, the secret ending proves otherwise—if you know how to prepare.
How to Unlock the S-Rank Doors in Deltarune Chapter 3
To unlock the secret sequence, players must earn S-rank scores in all three rounds of Tenna’s televised challenge. This grants access to the S-room in the Green Room—an area hiding older versions of the game that must be completed for powerful rewards. Each round unlocks a critical item:
Although not all individual scores need to be perfect, missing these items—or completing steps out of order—will permanently lock you out of the secret ending. If you’re struggling with S-rank requirements, the game allows you to buy access for 1,500 points from a Point Merchant located south of the Green Room. This workaround offers a reliable fallback for players who prioritize discovery over perfection.
How to Find the Ice Key in Deltarune Chapter 3
After obtaining your first S-rank, enter the S-labeled door in the Green Room. Initially, you won’t be able to play the console inside, but exiting the room reveals an Odd Controller. Once retrieved, you can begin the minigame solo as Kris.
Your first task is to find a sword. From the map’s entrance, navigate down and left until you discover a staircase. With the sword equipped, defeat enemies to level up Kris. Each level grants new environmental access—Level 3 allows cactus destruction, while Level 4 unlocks tree-clearing.
Once you reach maximum level, return to the area with the cactus gate, now destroyed. Move through the trees across multiple screens until you locate a chest containing the Ice Key. Missing this step or exiting prematurely will forfeit your progress and require a reload, a common frustration among those who didn’t realize the sequence must be finished before exiting the arcade.
How to Find and Use the Shelter Key in Chapter 3
The second minigame follows a similar structure but introduces more environmental mechanics. Achieve an S-rank in Tenna’s second challenge or use another 1,500 points to access the updated S-room console.
This time, you only need to reach Level 2. Your sword is found in a cave near a river, and fern-covered paths can be cleared once leveled up. Progress involves rafting through an icy area, unlocking doors with frozen blocks triggered by an Ice Mage companion. To solve a complex maze section, observe the mage’s behavior—they only follow you down the correct path, a subtle mechanic that confused many players who assumed the maze was random.
Completing the dungeon sequence eventually rewards you with the Shelter Key. Be aware that certain optional enemies or characters, like a bird figure in the minigame, have no impact on the outcome and are likely thematic references or environmental cues.
How to Obtain the Shadow Mantle in Chapter 3
After securing the Shelter Key and completing Tenna’s third round, return to the console one final time. This minigame begins in a darker zone alongside Susie and Ralsei. You’ll soon find a sword—but to progress, you’ll need to attack your own party members. While this may feel antithetical to pacifist intent, it’s a required part of the game logic and does not jeopardize your route integrity.
Once the Shelter is unlocked, you’ll face a challenging boss. If your armor inventory is full, you won’t receive the Shadow Mantle. Earlier versions of the game required a reload in this case, though a recent patch ensures the item appears in the Green Room chest if missed.
Once claimed, the Shadow Mantle can be equipped by any party member and offers protection against one-hit KO attacks. Though some players debate whether Susie or Kris benefits more from wearing it, Kris has a unique quirk—they never drop to -999 HP, regardless of armor. In contrast, Susie or Ralsei do unless protected by the Mantle.
How to Trigger and Defeat the Roaring Knight Boss
After defeating Tenna, save your game before advancing. The encounter with the Roaring Knight seems like a scripted loss, but it’s not. If you reload your save with the Shadow Mantle equipped, the game allows a replay of the fight, where you now have the ability to survive and respond.
This battle is not about defeating the boss entirely. Your goal is to deal approx. 25% of their health, after which the boss animation changes and the fight ends. Multiple indicators confirm this is the secret path:
- A mysterious voice offers to restart the fight upon defeat.
- Susie reacts differently if you survive long enough.
- The Roaring Knight drops two unique items:
- Shadow Crystal (a returning lore item).
- Black Shard, a powerful weapon for Kris.
You cannot spare this boss, and ACT options are disabled, confirming it’s required to attack even in pacifist playthroughs. Fortunately, this does not impact your status—late Chapter 4 interactions affirm you’ve “spared everyone you could,” even if you chose to finish the secret boss.
Players struggling with survival have experimented with mechanics like “holding your breath” using ACT with Kris, which temporarily increases soul speed. This can help during specific patterns like the box-splitting sword slash or diagonal barrage, both cited as the hardest to dodge.
Battle Tips and Strategies for the Roaring Knight
- Use TensionMax from prizeball or Ramb rewards to unleash Rude Buster early.
- Equip Twin Ribbons or Pink Ribbon on Kris to benefit from graze-based TP generation.
- Use Susie as your primary attacker, spamming Rude Buster while Kris and Ralsei manage defense and item usage.
- The Roaring Knight’s phases are consistent and loop after the third. Learn the pattern and manage TP smartly.
FAQ: Deltarune Chapter 3 Secret Ending
1. Where is the secret boss in Chapter 3?
The Roaring Knight is the secret boss. Although the game presents the initial encounter as a scripted loss, reloading your save after defeating Tenna (with the Shadow Mantle equipped) allows you to survive and fight back.
2. What is the minimum requirement to unlock the secret ending?
You must earn S-ranks in all three Tenna boards (or use 1,500 points to buy each one), complete the minigames behind the S-room doors, and collect three key items: Ice Key, Shelter Key, and Shadow Mantle.
3. Is the boss fight actually winnable or just another scripted scene?
Yes, it is winnable. You don’t need to reduce the Roaring Knight to 0% HP—just deal around 25% damage to trigger a scripted resolution. Surviving long enough also changes in-game dialogue and leads to secret rewards.
4. Who should wear the Shadow Mantle—Kris, Susie, or Ralsei?
Kris is the safest choice. They have a hidden mechanic that prevents them from dropping to -999 HP even without the Mantle. However, giving it to Susie can be effective if you plan to focus on using Rude Buster as your main damage output.
5. Does fighting the Roaring Knight break the pacifist route?
No. You cannot spare the Roaring Knight, and ACT options are disabled. However, it does not affect your pacifist standing Chapter 4 will still confirm that you spared everyone possible.
6. Can you beat the Roaring Knight without the Shadow Mantle?
While technically possible, it’s extremely difficult. The Mantle prevents one-hit kills from Dark and Star attacks. Without it, surviving more than a few turns becomes nearly impossible for most players.
7. Why can Kris survive longer or deal more damage when alone?
Kris seems to gain bonus damage output when Susie and Ralsei are down, a behavior observed by multiple players. This could be a lore-based mechanic or a deliberate design choice to emphasize Kris’s resilience.
8. Does attacking Susie and Ralsei in the third minigame affect anything?
No. These actions are required to progress and occur in a simulated environment. They don’t impact relationships, morality routes, or recruiting systems.
9. What is the “hold breath” ACT and does it help in battle?
Yes. Using ACT to “hold your breath” increases soul speed, helping you dodge tougher attacks (especially in later phases). It works only once per battle, so use it strategically—ideally when the boss starts glowing or in Phase 2 onward.
10. What are the boss drops and what do they do?
Defeating the Roaring Knight rewards:
- Shadow Crystal – A recurring lore item from secret bosses.
- Black Shard – A weapon Kris can equip, highly effective against Dark-type enemies.
- The Shadow Mantle, acquired earlier, counts as the secret armor for this chapter.
The secret ending of Deltarune Chapter 3 isn’t just a challenge; it’s a reward for those who explore, experiment, and persevere. Whether you’re drawn in by lore, gameplay mastery, or just the satisfaction of solving what others missed, this path offers a glimpse into the deeper structure of Deltarune’s unfolding story and it’s worth every effort to uncover.
