Deltarune: How to Get the Thorn Ring Without Finishing the Snowgrave Route

You can absolutely get the Thorn Ring and sidestep the bleak finale of Deltarune's 'Snowgrave' route. The strategy hinges on a critical moment of divergence: you must initiate the entire chilling sequence of events, pushing Noelle to use her ice magic on enemies, but when you face Berdly, you must defeat him using any method except the Snowgrave spell. This 'aborted Snowgrave' path lets you keep the Thorn Ring for future chapters while locking you into a unique, violent version of the story where Berdly survives, albeit with a broken arm.

This method is perfect for players who want the powerful item without committing to the darkest possible timeline. It offers a fascinating middle ground, blending the item acquisition of a Weird Route with the narrative structure of a more conventional playthrough, creating a save file with unique repercussions.

01

What Exactly Is the 'Aborted Snowgrave' Route?tag

Think of it as a variation of the standard violent route, not a true third path. You begin by following the exact, eerie steps required to trigger Snowgrave, forcing Noelle to become a weapon. This involves specific dialogue choices and grinding enemies in a particular way. However, the route 'aborts' at the final hurdle. Instead of solidifying the timeline by using the ultimate ice spell on Berdly, you stop short.

The game's state then snaps back to a modified version of the normal plot. The world doesn't freeze over, you still fight Queen as the final boss, and Noelle isn't completely traumatized. But the actions you took still have consequences. You gain the Thorn Ring, an item normally exclusive to the full Snowgrave path, and Berdly is seriously injured in the Light World. This creates a save file where you are clearly antagonistic but haven't crossed the ultimate line.

02

How to Initiate the Snowgrave Pathtag

Getting to the point of divergence requires a series of deliberate and cold actions as soon as Noelle joins your party. Your goal is to manipulate her into freezing every enemy she encounters.

Forcing Noelle's Handtag

From your first battle with Noelle, the pattern is the same. In every enemy encounter, you must have Kris defend to build up TP (Tension Points). Do not attack or act normally. Once Noelle has enough TP, command her to use her IceShock spell. You must defeat every single enemy in the Cyber Field areas using only Noelle's ice magic. If Kris or Susie deals the final blow, or if you spare an enemy, you will be locked out of the route.

Continue this process through the area with the mouse puzzles and car-filled roadways. You are on the right track if Noelle's dialogue becomes increasingly concerned and Kris's dialogue choices become more forceful and monosyllabic, like 'Proceed.'

Acquiring the Freeze Ringtag

Your cold manipulation culminates at an encounter with an Addison selling rings. After making a series of unsettling dialogue choices, you'll be presented with a choice to buy a Freeze Ring.

1. Ferris Wheel Poster: When you see the poster, select the dialogue option that says you will ride with Noelle, and then tell her that she will ride with you.
2. Addison Encounter: When the Addison asks about your relationship, tell him you are '...something else.'
3. The Ring: The Addison will offer the Freeze Ring. The price will be an impossibly high 1997 Kromer. When you can't pay, keep selecting the 'Get it' option. You will force a terrified Noelle to threaten the Addison, who will give you the ring for free. Equip it on Noelle immediately. It significantly boosts her magic, making the next steps possible.

03

The Decisive Moment: Berdly's Standtag

With the Freeze Ring equipped, continue freezing every enemy you find. Your final tasks before the critical boss fight involve purchasing a new, powerful ring from a familiar dumpster.

Buying the Thorn Ringtag

As you progress, you will eventually find yourself back at the dumpster where you wake up after the secret Toby Fox room encounter. Because you have followed the Snowgrave path, Spamton will be here. He will offer you the Thorn Ring in exchange for your hard-earned cash. Buy it. This ring enables the Snowgrave spell, but more importantly for this route, it's the item you get to keep. Equip it on Noelle for the upcoming fight.

How to Defeat Berdly (The Right Way)tag

This is the moment your path diverges. You will enter the boss fight against Berdly. He is determined to stop you from hurting Noelle any further. The game will tempt you with the Snowgrave command in Noelle's spell list, which will be available once you have 100% TP. Do not use it.

Instead, defeat Berdly through any other means available:

• Use Kris's regular Fight command.
• Use Noelle's IceShock spell. This is highly effective, especially with the Thorn Ring equipped.
• Spare him. You can also choose to ACT and spare Berdly, though simply defeating him with violence is often faster and achieves the same outcome of aborting the route.

Once Berdly is defeated without the Snowgrave spell being cast, you have successfully aborted the route. The cutscene will play out differently; the world does not freeze, and the story continues towards Queen's palace.

04

Rewards and Repercussionstag

By successfully pulling off this maneuver, you alter the game state in several key ways, securing a unique blend of rewards and consequences that differ from both a pure Pacifist and a full Snowgrave run.

After the fight, you can unequip the Thorn Ring from Noelle and keep it. It's a powerful accessory that can be equipped by anyone for future chapters. The primary story consequence is that Berdly's arm is now broken in the Light World, a direct result of the violent confrontation. This changes his dialogue and interactions, but he is alive. The recruits you would have gathered in Castle Town will be absent, and the townsfolk will comment on your violent tendencies.

This path ensures you face Giga Queen as the Chapter 2 finale, not the secret Spamton NEO boss fight exclusive to the full Snowgrave route. You get the best of both worlds: a powerful, route-exclusive item and a story that can continue without its darkest possible conclusion.

05

A Worthwhile Compromise?tag

For players who love theory-crafting and optimizing for future chapters, the aborted Snowgrave route is an essential playthrough. It provides access to the Thorn Ring, potentially for use in creating powerful items like the Twisted Sword later on, without forcing you down a path of no return. It's a testament to Deltarune's design that such a nuanced, player-driven outcome exists, rewarding those who are willing to push the game's mechanics to their very limit.