Deltarune Chapter 1 Walkthrough

Chapter Overview

Deltarune Chapter 1 introduces Kris, Susie, and Ralsei as they fall into the Dark World inside the school supply closet. The chapter takes place in the Card Kingdom, a world of playing-card-themed Darkners ruled by the tyrannical King of Spades. Your goal is to seal the Dark Fountain at Card Castle while recruiting allies and surviving the King's violent rule.

Hometown & The Closet

The chapter begins in Hometown. After the opening classroom scene with Alphys, you gain control of Kris. You can explore the town briefly, but the main path sends you back to school with Susie to fetch chalk for the blackboard.

Inside the supply closet, Kris and Susie fall into the Dark World. This is the first Dark Fountain. After meeting Ralsei and learning about the Prophecy, the three form the Delta Warriors and set out toward Card Castle.

The Field of Hopes and Dreams

The first major area is the Field of Hopes and Dreams. This grassy plain is home to friendly enemies like Rudinns and Hathy. Combat here teaches the core system: Act options, sparing, and the TP (Tension Points) gauge.

Key points in the Field:

• Seam's Shop: Buy healing items and speak to Seam about Jevil to start the secret boss quest.
• Broken Key Piece A: One of three key pieces needed to free Jevil. Seam points you toward it.
• Save frequently. The path is mostly linear, with a few optional rooms containing Dark Dollars and consumables.

The Forest & Great Board

Past the Field lies the Forest, where you first meet Lancer, the King's son. Lancer starts as an antagonist but quickly becomes a comedic rival. You'll also encounter the Great Board, a chess-like puzzle area where Lancer sets traps.

Important Forest items:

• Broken Key Piece B: Found in a hidden chest in the Forest area with dancing Paper Dancers. Slip onto the hidden dark path to the south-west and defeat the Rabbicks guarding the chest.
• Revive Mint: A valuable revival item hidden in an optional room.

After the Forest, you reach the Great Board. Here, Lancer's traps escalate, but Susie begins to warm up to the group. Push forward to reach Card Castle.

Card Castle

Card Castle is the final dungeon of Chapter 1. The party is briefly captured and separated, forcing Kris to reunite with Susie and Ralsei before facing the King.

Inside the castle:

• Take the south-eastern elevator to the mysterious "??????" floor to find Jevil's cell.
• Broken Key Piece C: In the suit-symbol puzzle room north of the Field. Solve it by reading the suit symbols on Card Castle's floors: Diamond, Heart, Club, Spade.
• Take all three key pieces to Smith Malius at the Bake Sale to forge the Door Key.

Final Boss: King of Spades

The King of Spades is the Chapter 1 final boss. He has no interest in peace and attacks the party relentlessly. The fight has two main strategies:

• Pacifist route: Wear down the King's mercy by using Act options and sparing. Lancer eventually intervenes, ending the battle.
• Fight route: Attack until the King is defeated. This changes some dialogue but does not lock you out of future chapters.

The King's attacks are heavy-hitting but telegraphed. Keep Ralsei healing, guard when necessary, and use Susie's Rude Buster for damage.

Secret Boss: Jevil

Jevil is the optional secret boss of Chapter 1, locked in Card Castle's basement. For a full unlock and combat guide, see our dedicated Jevil boss guide.

Quick unlock summary:

• Speak to Seam about the strange prisoner.
• Collect Broken Key Pieces A, B, and C.
• Have Smith Malius forge the Door Key.
• Open Jevil's cell in the Card Castle basement.

Chapter 1 Completion Checklist