Can you start the Weird Route in Chapter 5 without doing Snowgrave in Chapter 2?

No. Chapter 5 checks for the Thorn Ring and Snowgrave completion flags from your imported Chapter 2 save file. If these flags are missing, the Cursed Vine will not appear for sale.

What item is required for the Chapter 5 Weird Route?

The Cursed Vine, purchased from the shady merchant behind the Overgrown Diner alleyway using all of your available Dark Dollars and the Thorn Ring as collateral.

Can the Weird Route be aborted accidentally in Chapter 5?

Yes. Sparing even a single encounter in the Garden or selecting sympathetic dialogue during the Greenhouse cutscene permanently aborts the Weird Route and reverts the game to the neutral timeline.

Alternate Route // Checklist

Chapter 5 Weird Route Checklist (Snowgrave Continuation)

Just as Chapter 2 branched into the chilling Snowgrave Route, DELTARUNE Chapter 5 features an uncompromising, dark alternate path. The Weird Route irreversibly warps the fate of the Flower Kingdom and Hometown. Follow this step-by-step checklist to avoid common abort triggers.

Route Divergence Alert Difficulty: Very High

Prerequisite: Chapter 2 Snowgrave Save Flag Core Item: Cursed Vine Irreversible Point: Greenhouse Gate Lock Recruits: 0 (All Flee / Defeated)

Content Warning & Save Backup: The Weird Route permanently changes character dialogue, causes major NPCs to evacuate or vanish, and locks out standard shop vendors. Create a separate save slot before stepping into the Flower Shop backroom!

1. Save File Prerequisites & Flag Verification

Before attempting Chapter 5's alternate route, verify that your active save file meets the following conditions:

Thorn Ring Flag: Kris or Susie must have the Thorn Ring or its upgraded variant in their inventory from the Chapter 2 Snowgrave route.
Berdly State: The Hospital interaction in Hometown must reflect Berdly’s coma state during the Festival Day morning sequence.
Refusal of Festival Ribbon: When Toriel offers Kris the decorative festival pin in the kitchen, you MUST select "Refuse".

2. Step-by-Step Chapter 5 Execution Checklist

STEP 1

Hometown Morning: Refuse the Floral Garland

Speak to Asgore outside the flower shop. When asked to wear the celebratory yellow blossom wreath, repeatedly choose "No" until the music halts.

STEP 2

First Blossom: Zero Mercy Rule

Do NOT spare or pacify any enemy in the initial Garden screens. Every encounter (including the Bloom Sentinels) must be defeated using physical attacks or fatal offensive spells.

STEP 3

Drain the Twin Fountains Backwards

Instead of solving the water lily puzzle peacefully, interact with the stone drainage valve using Susie's axe. The clean spring water turns stagnant brown, permanently locking the normal puzzle reward.

STEP 4

Alley Shady Vendor Interaction

Reach the Overgrown Diner. Bypass the front entrance and slip into the rear trash corridor. Confront the hooded vendor and purchase the Cursed Vine.

STEP 5

Equip the Cursed Vine

Open your equip menu immediately. Equip the Cursed Vine onto Kris. Kris’s maximum HP drops by 20%, but all offensive ACTs gain the "Wither" trait.

STEP 6

Greenhouse Infiltration: Shut the Valve

Enter the Royal Greenhouse. When Ralsei attempts to negotiate with the Queen's emissaries, use Kris’s command: "Freeze the roots". This triggers the irreversible Route Lock.

3. Acquiring the Cursed Vine in the Back Alley

The Cursed Vine is the catalytic item for Chapter 5, serving the exact same mechanical and narrative function as the Thorn Ring in Chapter 2.

When you enter the alley behind the Overgrown Diner under the Weird Route flags, the regular diner music is replaced by a low, dissonant ambient hum. The hooded Darkner sitting on the trash bin will inspect Kris’s hand and say: "You smell like frostbite and broken promises... Want something that never wilts?"

Accept the trade. The vendor demands all of your current Dark Dollars (regardless of how much you possess) plus the Thorn Ring residue. The resulting item, Cursed Vine, radiates a dark purple aura.

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Overgrown Diner Alley Shady Trade

If the vendor offers ordinary food or refuses to speak, you missed an enemy kill in the Garden. Reload your save file from the first flowerbed.

4. The Point of No Return (Greenhouse Lock)

Once you command Kris to freeze the roots in the Royal Greenhouse, a heavy metallic portcullis slams shut behind you.

The Overgrown Diner becomes completely deserted. All patrons and Merchant Clover vanish.
The ambient music in the Flower Kingdom ceases entirely, replaced by distant wind gusts.
Ralsei expresses severe distress and will refuse to offer commentary during room transitions.
Any uncollected Pink Coins become unobtainable, and the Pink secret boss door cannot be opened.

5. Weird Route Exclusive Boss: Desiccated Flowery

At the summit of the Flower Castle, the final encounter transforms dramatically. Instead of the radiant sovereign, you face Desiccated Flowery—a withered, thorn-bristling monstrosity fueled by desperation.

No Orange SOUL: The fight bypasses the movement mechanics and traps Kris in a tight black box surrounded by rapid tracking thorns.
No Mercy Available: Sparing is completely disabled. The ACT button is grayed out throughout the battle.
Susie’s Hesitation: Susie will hesitate on turns 3 and 7, requiring Kris to spend TP to force her attack command.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo the Weird Route after equipping the Cursed Vine?

No. Once the Cursed Vine is equipped and the Greenhouse roots are withered, the route divergence is permanently saved to your profile data.
Do recruits still join Castle Town on the Weird Route?

No. Because all encounters must be defeated with lethal force, your recruit counter for Chapter 5 will remain at 0/14.
Does the Weird Route unlock a unique weapon?

Yes. Defeating Desiccated Flowery drops the Black Rose Blade, an exceptionally strong Light World weapon that carries over into Chapter 6.

Chapter 5 Main Walkthrough Chapter 2 Snowgrave Walkthrough All Chapter 5 Bosses Pink Secret Boss Guide