Last Updated: August 14, 2026
The biggest discovery in The Final Ascent is the secret ending.
Instead of taking the rescue helicopter immediately, you can continue beyond the normal Peak route using four Scout Amulets. A hidden shrine behind the summit opens a mysterious portal leading into a floating realm known as NADIR, where the final sequence involving Scoutmaster Myre takes place.
This guide covers:
- Where to find the four Scout Amulets
- How the hidden summit shrine works
- How to enter NADIR
- How to complete the Rule Zero sequence
- What you receive for completing the secret ending
- How Gloom's five Belltowers work
- How to deal with the Big Ghost
- How to survive The Citadel's traps
- How the Jetpack and Glider help
- How to unlock all 10 new badges
- How to complete the Jester, Archery and Last Resort requirements
- What changed with Ascent 7 and Ascent 8
Table of Contents
- ➜ Quick Answer: How to Get the Secret Ending
- ➜ What's New in PEAK Version 2.0.a?
- ➜ The Four Scout Amulets Explained
- ➜ The Best Scout Amulet Strategy
- ➜ How to Reach the Hidden Summit Shrine
- ➜ How to Open the Secret Portal
- ➜ What Is NADIR?
- ➜ NADIR Secret Realm Walkthrough
- ➜ How to Complete Rule Zero
- ➜ Cosmic Robes & Cosmic Circlet
- ➜ Gloom Guide: How to Survive the Fog
- ➜ The Citadel Guide: Arrow Traps, Flails & Jetpacks
- ➜ All 10 New Badges
- ➜ Last Resort: How the Ritual Dagger Badge Works
- ➜ Hang Gliding Badge
- ➜ Ascent 7 vs. Ascent 8
- ➜ The Final Ascent: Best Route Planning Tips
- ➜ A Better Badge Completion Strategy
- ➜ Secret Ending Quick Checklist
- ➜ FAQ
Quick Answer: How Do You Get the PEAK Secret Ending?
The short version is:
- Find the four Scout Amulets.
- Carry them through the run.
- Reach the Peak.
- Do not immediately leave using the rescue helicopter.
- Take the narrow route behind the summit.
- Find the hidden shrine.
- Place all four Amulets into the shrine.
- Enter the portal that appears.
- Complete the floating-platform sequence in NADIR.
- Reach the Soul Gateway beneath Scoutmaster Myre.
- Activate the gateway.
- Complete the secret ending sequence.
- Receive Rule Zero and the Cosmic Robes + Cosmic Circlet rewards.
If you're rushing toward the helicopter, you're potentially walking straight past the most important secret in The Final Ascent.
What's New in PEAK Version 2.0.a?
The Final Ascent is built around the game's final climb.
The major additions include:
- Gloom biome variant
- The Citadel biome variant
- Ascent 8
- Reworked Ascent 7
- 10 new badges
- New cosmetic rewards
- Jetpack
- Glider
- Warp Fungus
- Clown Luggage
- New summit content
- New mechanics and bug fixes
Gloom and The Citadel occupy the Biome 4 and Biome 5 variant positions, replacing Caldera and The Kiln when they appear.
Gloom
Gloom takes the Biome 4 position when it replaces Caldera.
Its major features include:
- Heavy fog
- Stone ruins
- Five Belltowers
- The Big Ghost
- Candle-based encounters
- New exploration challenges
The Citadel
The Citadel occupies the Biome 5 position when it replaces The Kiln.
Expect:
- Castle-like structures
- Wall-mounted arrow traps
- Swinging flails
- Difficult traversal sections
- Clown Luggage
- Jetpack opportunities
Gloom tests navigation and awareness. The Citadel tests movement and hazard management.
The Four Scout Amulets Explained
To access the secret summit route, you'll need all four Scout Amulets.
The four are:
| Scout Amulet | Biome |
|---|---|
| Amulet of Initiative | Shore |
| Amulet of Tenacity | Roots |
| Amulet of Ambition | Alpine |
| Amulet of Generosity | Gloom or Caldera |
You may also see community guides refer to these collectively as Scout Gems or Scout Gemstones. For the live game, Scout Amulets is the terminology to use when identifying these collectibles.
Amulet of Initiative
The Amulet of Initiative is associated with Shore. Look around hidden Scout Statue areas and less obvious side routes rather than following only the main climbing path. The exact shrine or terrain placement can vary by map generation, so search the surrounding area carefully.
Amulet of Tenacity
The Amulet of Tenacity is associated with Roots. Search around vine-covered sections, waterfalls, hidden shrine-like areas, and less obvious side paths.
Amulet of Ambition
The Amulet of Ambition appears in Alpine. Vertical exploration becomes particularly important here. Check cliffside caves, small ledges, side routes, and hidden shrine areas.
Amulet of Generosity
The Amulet of Generosity belongs to the Biome 4 slot. Depending on the biome variant in your run, it can appear in Gloom or Caldera. The exact terrain surrounding the hiding place can vary.
The Best Scout Amulet Strategy
The biggest mistake is treating the Amulets like ordinary collectibles.
They're important quest items that also occupy inventory space until you use them at the summit. That makes the secret route partly an inventory-management challenge.
Before picking one up, think about:
- Food
- Healing
- Stamina items
- Utility items
- Backpack space
- Your planned route
- Whether you're playing solo or with teammates
Don't fill every slot with items you might not need later.
The secret ending rewards players who plan their inventory around the entire climb rather than just the next biome.
How to Reach the Hidden Summit Shrine
Once you reach the Peak, the normal instinct is to head toward the rescue sequence.
For the secret ending, don't leave immediately.
Instead, explore around the summit.
The hidden route is located behind the main Peak area, along a narrow route leading toward a concealed shrine.
What You're Looking For
The important landmark is a strange statue/shrine containing four empty sockets.
This is where the Scout Amulets finally have a purpose.
How to Open the Secret Portal
Once you're at the summit shrine:
Step 1 — Approach the Shrine
Interact with the statue. You'll see the sockets associated with the four Amulets.
Step 2 — Insert All Four Scout Amulets
Place:
- Amulet of Initiative
- Amulet of Tenacity
- Amulet of Ambition
- Amulet of Generosity
into the shrine.
Step 3 — Watch the Shrine
Once all four required Amulets are inserted, the hidden route activates. A dark, swirling portal appears.
Step 4 — Enter the Portal
The portal takes you beyond the normal Peak route and into the secret floating-platform section.
What Is NADIR?
NADIR is the name commonly used by the community and in internal game-related references for the secret realm beyond the summit shrine.
It isn't presented like a conventional biome title on the HUD. That's why you may enter the area without seeing a large NADIR biome banner.
Visually, however, the difference is obvious.
The environment changes into a dark, atmospheric realm filled with:
- Floating stone platforms
- Large gaps
- Void-like surroundings
- A huge spectral figure
- A final glowing gateway
The important distinction is that NADIR isn't another ordinary biome. It's the secret platforming section leading to the true ending.
NADIR Secret Realm Walkthrough
Once you enter the portal, the objective becomes straightforward:
Keep climbing toward the central gateway.
The challenge here is less about conventional exploration and more about controlled platforming.
Watch Your Stamina
Don't sprint across every platform.
Instead:
- Stop on safe platforms.
- Recover stamina.
- Identify your next landing point.
- Make the jump.
- Repeat.
The gaps make rushed movement particularly dangerous.
Don't Panic When You See Scoutmaster Myre
A large spectral figure appears over the secret area. This is Scoutmaster Myre.
You don't need to chase the figure through the realm. Instead, continue toward the glowing gateway.
How to Complete Rule Zero
The final interaction is easy to misunderstand.
You don't simply walk up and "talk" to Scoutmaster Myre.
The important interaction is the Soul Gateway beneath/in front of the spectral figure.
Rule Zero Sequence
1. Reach the gateway
Continue across the floating platforms until you reach the central glowing structure.
2. Interact with the Soul Gateway
Activate the gateway rather than trying to interact directly with the giant spectral figure.
3. Trigger the final sequence
The secret ending begins.
4. Watch the ending
The spectral presence disappears as the environment changes.
5. Complete the run
The game recognizes the secret completion and awards the corresponding achievement and rewards.
Rule Zero Reward: Cosmic Robes & Cosmic Circlet
Completing the secret ending unlocks the Rule Zero badge.
The cosmetic rewards are:
Cosmic Robes — Outfit
Cosmic Circlet — Headwear
These are the names to look for in your cosmetics.
Older guides may still refer to these rewards as the "Starboy Outfit" or "Starboy Hat." Those names are outdated for the live Version 2.0.a/2.01.a release. The current rewards are Cosmic Robes and Cosmic Circlet.
Gloom Guide: How to Survive the Fog
Gloom replaces Caldera in the Biome 4 rotation.
Its biggest threat isn't simply enemy damage. It's visibility.
The fog makes it much easier to lose track of:
- Your route
- Teammates
- Landmarks
- Belltowers
- Safe paths
- The Big Ghost
So don't treat Gloom like a normal climbing section.
Gloom's Five Belltowers
One of Gloom's major objectives involves finding and ringing five Belltowers.
The best approach is to treat the bells as a navigation route. Rather than wandering randomly through the fog, keep track of each bell you've already activated.
The fifth Belltower completes the Bellringer requirement.
Bellringer Badge
Requirement: Ring all five Belltowers in Gloom during the run.
Reward: Bellringer Hat
The key is not simply finding one bell. You need all five during the same Gloom run.
The Big Ghost and the Candle
The Big Ghost is one of Gloom's defining threats.
When you encounter it, don't rely entirely on running away. The Candle gives you another option.
Using the Candle against the Big Ghost can trigger the Exorcist badge condition.
Exorcist Badge
Requirement: Use a Candle to repel or exorcise the Big Ghost.
Reward: Ghost Mask
The Candle is therefore much more valuable than ordinary disposable loot. If you find one in Gloom, consider saving it for the Big Ghost encounter.
The Early Worm and Well Rested
Another badge opportunity in Gloom involves The Early Worm.
Consume it to complete the requirement for:
Well Rested
Requirement: Consume The Early Worm.
Reward: Worm Pin
This is one of the simpler Final Ascent badges because the main requirement is recognizing the item and actually using it.
Gloom Badge Checklist
If you're trying to clear Gloom efficiently, keep these four goals in mind:
- 🔔 Ring all five Belltowers
- 👻 Use the Candle against the Big Ghost
- 🪱 Consume The Early Worm
- 🏃 Escape Gloom alive
| Badge | Goal |
|---|---|
| Bellringer | Ring all 5 Belltowers |
| Exorcist | Exorcise the Big Ghost |
| Well Rested | Consume The Early Worm |
| Wanderer | Complete the Gloom traversal |
The Citadel Guide: Arrow Traps, Flails & Jetpacks
The Citadel replaces The Kiln in the Biome 5 rotation.
If Gloom is about visibility, The Citadel is about hazard recognition.
The biggest threats are:
- Wall-mounted arrows
- Swinging flails
- Broken traversal routes
- Vertical gaps
- Narrow castle sections
How to Deal With Wall Arrow Traps
The Citadel's arrow traps are particularly dangerous because they can punish you while you're concentrating on climbing.
Before committing to a wall section:
Stop → observe → identify the trap → cross.
Don't blindly sprint through a corridor simply because the route looks short.
Arrows can embed themselves in your character. This also matters for the Archery badge.
Archery Badge
The Archery requirement isn't simply getting hit by arrows. You need to extract embedded arrows from your character.
Requirement: Pull/extract 10 embedded arrows from yourself during a single expedition.
Reward: Arrow In Head
This makes the badge unusual. You're not rewarded for merely surviving the trap. You need to deliberately interact with the embedded arrows and turn the hazard into part of the objective.
Watch the Flails
The swinging flails are another major Citadel hazard.
Don't assume that reaching the first safe platform means the next swing is harmless.
Watch the rhythm.
A good rule is: Move during the opening, stop before the next hazard, then reassess.
Trying to chain several movements together is often where unnecessary damage happens.
The Jetpack
The Jetpack is one of the most useful mobility items in The Final Ascent.
Its biggest advantage is obvious: it lets you reach vertical positions that would otherwise require a difficult climb.
That makes it particularly useful in The Citadel.
Use it to:
- Reach higher ledges
- Cross broken vertical sections
- Recover from awkward routes
- Bypass inefficient climbing sections
Don't waste its fuel simply because you can fly. Save it for sections where it actually changes your route.
Clown Luggage
The Final Ascent also introduces Clown Luggage.
These unusual containers can provide useful items and are important for the Jester badge.
Jester Badge
Requirement: Open 3 Clown Luggage containers in a single expedition.
Reward: Jester Hat
Finding one doesn't complete the badge. You need three during the same run. Because Clown Luggage availability can vary, don't assume that finding a single container means the badge is guaranteed during that expedition.
Medieval History Badge
The Citadel has another important badge tied directly to survival.
Medieval History
Requirement: Escape The Citadel without taking fatal trap damage.
Reward: Knight Helm
The important distinction is that this isn't simply a "don't touch any trap" challenge. The goal is completing the Citadel without being killed by its fatal hazards. That makes careful movement much more important than speed.
All 10 New Badges in PEAK 2.0.a
The Final Ascent adds 10 new badges.
Here's the practical checklist:
| Badge | How to Unlock | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Wanderer | Exit Gloom alive | None |
| Bellringer | Ring all 5 Gloom Belltowers | Bellringer Hat |
| Exorcist | Use a Candle to repel the Big Ghost | Ghost Mask |
| Well Rested | Consume The Early Worm | Worm Pin |
| Medieval History | Exit The Citadel without fatal trap damage | Knight Helm |
| Hang Gliding | Glide 100m continuously with the Glider | Aviator Goggles |
| Rule Zero | Complete the secret ending | Cosmic Robes + Cosmic Circlet |
| Jester | Open 3 Clown Luggage containers in one run | Jester Hat |
| Archery | Extract 10 embedded arrows from yourself | Arrow In Head |
| Last Resort | Restore over 75% HP in one Ritual Dagger activation | Laurel Wreath |
The update officially adds 10 new achievements/badges as part of The Final Ascent.
Last Resort: How the Ritual Dagger Badge Works
Last Resort is one of the easiest badges to misunderstand.
The goal isn't sacrificing another player.
Instead, the mechanic revolves around the Ritual Dagger and recovering a large amount of your own health.
Requirement
Use the Ritual Dagger to restore more than 75% of your maximum health in a single activation while at critical health.
The requirement can be completed solo or in co-op.
Reward
Laurel Wreath
The important strategy is to avoid wasting the dagger when your health is already high. You need to create the correct low-health situation first.
Hang Gliding Badge
The Glider is another important mobility item in The Final Ascent.
Unlike the Jetpack, the Glider is designed primarily for horizontal distance.
It uses stamina rather than functioning like a conventional powered flight device.
Hang Gliding
Requirement: Maintain a continuous glide for 100 meters.
Reward: Aviator Goggles
The best opportunity is a long Alpine gap where you have plenty of room to establish a glide. Don't repeatedly deploy and cancel it if you're specifically trying to complete the badge.
Ascent 7 vs. Ascent 8
The Final Ascent also changes the difficulty system.
Ascent 8
Ascent 8 is the new highest difficulty tier added in Version 2.0.a.
If you're looking for the hardest standard challenge introduced by the update, this is it.
The developers deliberately avoided fully describing its special rules in the initial announcement, so don't rely on old guides that claim a specific Ascent 8 modifier without current confirmation.
Ascent 7 Rework
Ascent 7 has also been changed.
The old version prevented players from reviving.
The new version instead starts players with Curse and increases the Curse penalty when reviving.
The goal is to punish repeated deaths without completely removing the revival system.
You'll find specific Curse percentages repeated in some community discussions. Unless the current game UI explicitly gives you that figure, there's no reason to build the guide around it. The safer description is: Ascent 7 starts players with Curse and increases the Curse penalty from revivals.
The Final Ascent: Best Route Planning Tips
The secret ending changes how you should think about an entire run.
Previously, reaching the Peak was effectively the finish line. Now, the Peak can be the beginning of the final secret section.
That changes your resource priorities.
1. Don't Fill Your Inventory With Junk
The four Scout Amulets occupy inventory space. Keep enough room for them.
2. Prioritize Survival Over Speed
There's little value in reaching the Peak quickly if you arrive without the resources needed to continue.
3. Save Mobility Items
Items such as the Glider and Jetpack can turn difficult sections into manageable ones.
4. Treat Biome 4 as Preparation
If your run contains Gloom, you can potentially obtain the fourth Amulet while also completing several badges.
5. Don't Automatically Leave at the Peak
This is the biggest change. If you're going for Rule Zero, explore behind the summit before taking the normal escape route.
A Better Badge Completion Strategy
Don't try to force every badge into one expedition.
Instead, divide your objectives.
Run Type 1 — Secret Ending
Focus on: Four Scout Amulets, Survival, Summit shrine, NADIR, Rule Zero
Run Type 2 — Gloom Completion
Focus on: Five Belltowers, Big Ghost, Candle, Early Worm, Gloom exit
Run Type 3 — Citadel Completion
Focus on: Clown Luggage, Arrow traps, Citadel survival, Jetpack, Jester/Archery setup
Run Type 4 — Badge Cleanup
Use dedicated attempts for: Last Resort, Archery, Jester, Hang Gliding
This is considerably less frustrating than trying to force every condition into a single expedition.
PEAK The Final Ascent Secret Ending — Quick Checklist
Before starting the final summit sequence, make sure you have:
- ✅ Amulet of Initiative
- ✅ Amulet of Tenacity
- ✅ Amulet of Ambition
- ✅ Amulet of Generosity
- ✅ Enough food and healing
- ✅ Enough inventory space
- ✅ Reached the Peak
- ✅ Found the hidden shrine
- ✅ Inserted all four Amulets
- ✅ Entered the portal
- ✅ Reached the Soul Gateway
- ✅ Triggered Rule Zero
- ✅ Checked your rewards for Cosmic Robes
- ✅ Checked your rewards for Cosmic Circlet
If you remember only one thing from this guide, make it this: Don't treat the rescue helicopter at the Peak as your only objective. The secret route is deliberately positioned to make you question whether the normal ending is actually the end. Reach the summit, check the area behind it, find the shrine, and make sure you have the required Scout Amulets. That's the gateway to the entire Rule Zero sequence.
PEAK 2.0.a Final Ascent FAQ
How do you unlock the secret ending in PEAK?
Collect the four Scout Amulets, reach the Peak, find the hidden shrine behind the summit, place the Amulets into its sockets, and enter the portal. Complete the secret platforming route and activate the Soul Gateway to trigger the ending.
What are the four Scout Amulets?
They are the Amulet of Initiative, Amulet of Tenacity, Amulet of Ambition, and Amulet of Generosity.
Where is the fourth Scout Amulet?
The fourth Amulet belongs to the Biome 4 slot, so it can be found in Gloom or Caldera, depending on which biome variant appears.
What is NADIR in PEAK?
NADIR is the community/internal designation for the secret floating-platform realm accessed through the hidden summit shrine. It isn't presented as a conventional HUD biome banner.
Who is Scoutmaster Myre?
Scoutmaster Myre is the large spectral figure encountered during the secret summit sequence. Reaching the Soul Gateway beneath the figure is part of the Rule Zero ending.
What do you get for Rule Zero?
The secret ending unlocks Cosmic Robes and Cosmic Circlet, along with the Rule Zero badge.
Can you get Last Resort solo?
Yes. The badge is based on restoring more than 75% of your maximum health in one Ritual Dagger activation while at critical health, rather than requiring another player to be sacrificed.
How do you get the Jester badge?
Open three Clown Luggage containers during a single expedition.
How do you get the Archery badge?
Extract 10 embedded arrows from your own character during one expedition.
Is Ascent 8 in The Final Ascent?
Yes. Version 2.0.a adds Ascent 8 as the highest difficulty tier. Its specific modifier is intentionally not fully explained in the original update announcement.
Final Thoughts
The Final Ascent does something clever with PEAK's familiar structure.
Gloom and The Citadel aren't simply two more places to climb through. They also feed into a much larger secret surrounding the summit.
The most important progression loop is:
And once you've finished that, the new badges give you plenty of reasons to return.
The biggest reward isn't just another cosmetic, either. The secret ending gives the mountain itself a new purpose:
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