The Desert is a location in NieR and NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139.... The party pass through here after Kainé tells Nier about a city to the east that had been conducting research on the Black Scrawl, as their king was also afflicted by the illness.
Nier comes back here during the second half of the game to retrieve the Loyal Cerberus key fragment, one of five required for entry into the Shadowlord's Castle.
Overview
The desert was noted by Roc to have once been a large forest, stripped of life by the Masked People; the land's fate was also mentioned in passing in Transience's weapon story. Sandstorms ravage the northern portion of the desert, making travel impossible unless the Royal Compass is acquired. Sandspout wells dot the area for ease of access, although only the Masked People are permitted to use these wells initially.
The area is home to dozens of wolves as well as scorpions that hide in the sand. Shades also inhabit the desert during the game's second half, and prove to be as invasive a presence similar to the Northern and Southern Plains—hardly any wolves will be seen roaming around, while scorpions remain safe in their burrowed state.
North of the desert is the Barren Temple, an area sacred to the Masked People, and Facade to the east, where they make their home.
Points of Interest
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The ferry is located west of the graveyard, and will be made available after acquiring the Stone Guardian key fragment from the Lost Shrine. Hyneria and sandfish can be obtained from the quicksand. |
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The sandspout wells scattered across the desert are made for fast travel throughout various points in the area. At least two will have to be activated before they can be used. |
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The wolves' den is where Roc and the rest of the pack is fought, and is also encountered during The Littlest Hero. |
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Fyra leads the party to the Barren Temple as part of the storyline. The sandstorm can be traversed once the Royal Compass is acquired. |
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East of the graveyard is a large stone gate only accessible once Kainé joins the party. |
Item Placement
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| Harvest Points | |||||||
| Place | Item | Rate | |||||
| A | Copper Ore | 25% | |||||
| Silver Ore | 20% | ||||||
| Gold Ore | 15% | ||||||
| Moldavite | 15% | ||||||
| Iron Ore | 10% | ||||||
| Clay/Meteorite | 10% | ||||||
| Desert Rose | 5% | ||||||
| Fishing | |||||||
| Place | Item | Bait | |||||
| Lure | Lugworm | Sardine | Earthworm | Carp | |||
| B | Hyneria | 5% | - | - | - | 15% | |
| Sandfish | 60% | 20% | - | 30% | - | ||
| Rhizodont | 1% | - | 10 | - | 5% | ||
| Rusty Bucket | 14% | 40% | 30% | 40% | 20% | ||
| Empty Can | 10% | 35% | 30% | 20% | 50% | ||
| Rusted Clump | 10% | 5% | 10% | 10% | 10% | ||
Notes
- The Desert can be visited early in the game, with Grimoire Weiss only remarking that they have no business in such a place. Facade will remain unavailable for access otherwise.
- Straying too far from Fyra while traveling in the sandstorm will send the player back to where they were last ambushed by wolves.
- The Royal Compass can be acquired by the Masked Soldier stationed to the right of the king's mansion in Facade after the prince is saved from the Barren Temple. The compass will be needed when revisiting the temple during A Shade Entombed and Disturbing the Sleep of Kings.
Trivia
- The music that plays when at the Desert is titled "The Lost Forest", a reference to the area's present state.
- Very rarely, the area will load with no enemies, and with the King of Facade standing over Fyra's grave. Speaking to him will bear no response, with Weiss simply advising Nier to leave him be.
- Emil was revealed to be alive in ending B—his head was shown landing in the Desert. Quite fittingly, it was in NieR:Automata's Desert Zone where he (or at least a clone of his) passes away.
Gallery
