The Clock Puzzle in Deltarune Chapter 1 is one of the game’s earliest timing-based challenges, located in the Field of Hopes and Dreams, just beyond the Great Door. This puzzle tests your ability to move quickly and accurately using the sprint mechanic, and later, your teamwork with Susie and Ralsei to unlock new paths.
In this guide, we’ll explain where to find the clock puzzle, how to solve both stages, and how to use your party members effectively to clear the platform traps and spike paths.
What Is the Clock Puzzle in Deltarune?
The Clock Puzzle is a two-part platforming challenge built around stepping on floor panels in the correct sequence while a timer counts down. Players must first complete it solo, then later return to solve a more complex version involving all three party members.
This puzzle is memorable for introducing timed pressure mechanics, making it a standout moment in Chapter 1’s early gameplay.
Where to Find the Clock Puzzle
You’ll encounter the first clock puzzle shortly after entering the Field of Hopes and Dreams, the lush area that follows your initial journey through the Great Door.
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Look for a large clock mounted on the wall and glowing floor tiles in front of it.
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Interacting with the clock begins the puzzle and activates the countdown.
Later in the chapter, after Susie officially rejoins your team, you’ll find a second clock puzzle deeper in the field. This version is more intricate and introduces multiplayer mechanics.
First Clock Puzzle – Solo Sprint Challenge
The first version of the puzzle is all about speed and timing. Once the clock is activated, you’ll see several glowing floor panels arranged in a pattern.
How to Solve:
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Step on the clock to begin the countdown.
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Immediately sprint (hold the run button) across the panels in the correct order as they light up.
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If done correctly and within time, the spike barriers ahead will lower, allowing you to pass.
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If you run out of time, the puzzle resets and you can try again.
Tip: Sprinting is essential here. On PC, hold Shift to run faster. On consoles, use the appropriate dash button for your platform.
This section teaches players to observe light patterns and respond quickly, a skill that becomes more crucial in later chapters.
Second Clock Puzzle – Party Coordination
Once Susie officially joins your party, a second version of the clock puzzle appears. This time, the challenge isn’t just speed—it’s team coordination.
How It Works:
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You’ll see three floor panels, each needing one party member to stand on.
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Unlike the first version, solving this requires positioning Kris, Susie, and Ralsei to stand on the correct platforms simultaneously.
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Once everyone is in place, the mechanism triggers and unlocks the next section.
How to Solve:
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Walk each character to their designated glowing tile.
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When each tile is occupied, the game automatically detects the correct positioning.
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A sound effect confirms the puzzle is complete, and the door or platform ahead becomes accessible.
Note: You don’t manually switch characters. The game handles movement as a unit, but the position of the group relative to the tiles matters.
This puzzle emphasizes group-based problem-solving, a recurring mechanic in later areas of Deltarune.
Puzzle Tips and Common Mistakes
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Watch the lights on the floor panels. They blink in a specific sequence you must match.
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Don’t spam movement—plan your route before stepping on the first tile.
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Sprinting too late or stepping on the wrong tile will reset the puzzle.
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In the second puzzle, make sure you align the entire party so all characters stand over their tiles at once.
If you find the timing tight, pause briefly before activating the clock to mentally rehearse the path.
Final Thoughts
Solving the Clock Puzzle in Deltarune Chapter 1 is an early but important challenge that introduces platforming, timing, and party-based puzzle mechanics. By mastering sprint controls and paying attention to glowing panel sequences, players can clear both stages with ease and continue their journey through the Field of Hopes and Dreams.
While it may seem simple at first, this puzzle lays the groundwork for more complex coordination and timing mechanics found in later chapters. Take your time, stay calm, and let the rhythm of the lights guide you.