Simple Key Locations in Hollow Knight: A Concise Guide

Introduction

Hollow Knight, the critically acclaimed metroidvania from Team Cherry, immerses players in the hauntingly beautiful world of Hallownest. A fallen kingdom teeming with insects, ghosts, and secrets, Hallownest is a vast and interconnected place. Navigating this complex world is crucial to your success, and some doors can only be opened with a special item: the Simple Key. These keys are essential tools for unlocking hidden areas, accessing powerful upgrades, and furthering your quest to uncover the mysteries of Hallownest. This article will serve as your concise guide to the Simple Key locations in Hollow Knight, offering practical tips and strategies to maximize their value. If you are struggling to find the key and which doors to open with it, then this is the guide for you.

What is a Simple Key?

A Simple Key in Hollow Knight is a unique item that functions as a master key, capable of unlocking certain specific locked doors and other mechanisms scattered throughout Hallownest. Unlike normal keys which can only open a specific door, simple keys can be used on multiple doors and can be found scattered throughout Hallownest. These Simple Keys are not unlimited, so finding all of them and making the decision on what doors you want to open is a vital part of playing the game.

Simple Key Locations

Finding the Simple Keys is the first step. Knowing where they are and how to acquire them is crucial for progressing through the game. Below are descriptions of the simple key locations.

Dirtmouth

The easiest Simple Key to acquire is located in Dirtmouth, the desolate town where your adventure begins. As you stand next to the well, jump left and cling to the wall. Jump up and over the overhang, continue left and up onto the ledge. Go into the building on the left. Then simply fall down and break the floor to find the Simple Key. The process to retrieve this key is extremely simple, as the name suggests. Dirtmouth itself is a quiet and somewhat melancholic hub. As you progress through the game, you’ll find more and more non player characters finding their way to this sleepy town and offering new items and services.

City of Tears

The City of Tears, with its constant downpour and grand architecture, holds a Simple Key within its confines. To find it, you’ll need to travel to the lower regions of the City, close to the entrance to the Royal Waterways. Find the large room with a broken elevator shaft and numerous patrolling enemies. The key is hidden behind a breakable wall near the bottom of this room. You’ll likely need to defeat the enemies to clear the path and prevent being knocked into spikes or acid. The City of Tears itself is a testament to Hallownest’s former glory, now a decaying and dangerous place. The constant rain creates a gloomy atmosphere, and the intricate pathways are home to many challenging enemies. This key is a key piece to find and use!

Ancient Basin

Deep below the surface lies the Ancient Basin, a desolate and challenging area. Here, a Simple Key is guarded by a powerful Mawlurk. This massive enemy will prove difficult to defeat, so it is wise to find this key later in the game. Once the mawlurk is defeated, the Simple Key is yours! The Ancient Basin is a stark contrast to the City of Tears, offering a sense of isolation and decay. The broken architecture and dangerous enemies make it a formidable area to explore.

Forgotten Crossroads (Infected)

After the infection spreads to the Forgotten Crossroads, a new path opens up. In the top left of the Crossroads, just past the area you first enter from Dirtmouth, there is an area that has changed significantly from the start of the game. Climb to the top of this area and proceed towards the left. The key is hidden in a chest within a small room. Be wary of the infected enemies that now patrol this previously safe area. This area, changed by the infection, highlights the dynamic nature of Hallownest and how revisiting familiar places can yield new discoveries. This simple key in Hollow Knight may be missed by many players.

Using the Simple Key

Once you have secured a Simple Key, the next crucial decision is: where do you use it? Here are some of the most valuable options.

Royal Waterways – Opening the Junk Pit

One of the most worthwhile uses for a Simple Key is in the Royal Waterways. Located deep beneath the City of Tears, the Royal Waterways is a grim and filthy place. Using the Simple Key on the locked door will grant you access to the Junk Pit. Within the Junk Pit you will find a Stinkbug known as Leg Eater, who will sell you fragile charms at a discounted price. These charms, while breakable, offer powerful buffs to your character. It is a good idea to save a simple key for the Royal Waterways.

City of Tears – Opening Sly’s Basement

In the City of Tears, a Simple Key can unlock a secret beneath Sly’s shop. Upon opening the door, you’ll find Sly imprisoned and bound. Freeing Sly will allow him to return to Dirtmouth and open up his shop. Upon opening his shop, Sly will become a valuable source of new items, charms, and mask shards. Accessing Sly’s wares can significantly improve your character’s capabilities.

Kingdom’s Edge – Opening the Colosseum of Fools (Optional)

In the far east of Hallownest, within the windswept Kingdom’s Edge, lies the Colosseum of Fools. This arena, accessible with a Simple Key, offers a series of increasingly difficult combat challenges. Completing these trials will reward you with Geo and other valuable items, but the difficulty is high. While the rewards can be substantial, the Colosseum is best tackled later in the game with a well-equipped character. If you are looking for a challenge, this is the place for you!

Tips and Strategies

Finding and using Simple Keys effectively requires planning and a bit of strategy. Consider these tips to maximize their value.

Planning Your Route

Before embarking on your key-hunting expedition, it’s wise to consider your priorities. Do you need access to Leg Eater’s fragile charms to enhance your combat abilities? Do you want to unlock Sly’s shop quickly for access to more items? Understanding your goals will help you determine the order in which you acquire and use the keys. Knowing what you want can drastically change the order in which you tackle the world. Simple keys in Hollow Knight are important for getting everything you need!

Minimizing Travel

Hallownest is a sprawling world, and traveling between key locations can be time-consuming. Utilize Stag Stations to quickly traverse the map. Look for shortcuts and hidden passages to reduce travel time. Efficient navigation will allow you to gather the keys and unlock their corresponding areas more quickly, saving you valuable time.

Conclusion

Simple Keys are more than just ordinary keys in Hollow Knight; they are tools of opportunity. Each Simple Key holds the power to unlock new paths, access valuable resources, and shape your journey through Hallownest. By understanding where to find these keys and carefully considering their usage, you can greatly enhance your experience and uncover the secrets that lie hidden within this captivating world. The choices you make with these keys will define your path. So, take the journey, explore, and discover the rewards that await you in Hollow Knight. The Simple Key is a key (pun intended) aspect of Hollow Knight.