Hollow Knight: Silksong: Where to Find and Use Every Simple Key

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by

Leo Circuit

The labyrinthine world of Hollow Knight: Silksong is filled with intriguing mysteries, and among the earliest you’ll encounter is the elusive purpose of the Simple Key. This humble item, a hefty 500 Rosaries investment from Pebb in Bone Bottom, hints at secrets far grander than its name suggests. As seasoned explorers of digital realms know, Metroidvanias often tuck away critical paths or invaluable resources behind such seemingly minor gates, offering early access to pivotal areas or powerful upgrades. For fellow tech enthusiasts and adventurers eager to make informed decisions in Pharloom, unraveling where to deploy this crucial item is key to strategic progression. This guide from Digital Tech Explorer, crafted by TechTalesLeo, will not only pinpoint the prime locations for your initial Simple Key but also illuminate the paths to acquiring and utilizing every other key in your journey.

Hollow Knight: Silksong Simple Key - Pebb

Where to Use Your First Simple Key in Silksong

The first Simple Key you acquire from Pebb unlocks two distinct, strategically valuable locations early in the game:

Directly Above Bone Bottom

This door becomes accessible after obtaining the Swift Step dash ability in the Deep Docks. To reach it:

  1. Travel to The Marrow Bellway and proceed left through Mosshome.
  2. Drop down at the far end, past the pilgrim enemies.
  3. Head immediately left to find yourself above Bone Bottom.
  4. Jump up to the chasm’s edge and use your midair dash to reach the hanging cage, then dash again to cross to the other side.
  5. Enter the passage and take cover under a platform from the acid-spitting bug. Sprint to the far end to evade it.

In the very next room, you’ll discover the locked door on the left, which grants access to the verdant Wormways region.

Hollow Knight: Silksong Simple Key - Wormways door

At the Far Side of the Deep Docks

This path opens just beyond the mini-boss encounter with the ringing bell and numerous forge enemies. Here’s how to get there:

  1. Head to the Deep Docks Bellway.
  2. Proceed right across Deep Docks and activate the lever to descend instead of continuing toward Lace.
  3. Take the lifts down and move right to locate the miniboss arena.
  4. Continue past the arena and across the lava to find the locked door.

Opening this door reveals a sub-area within the Deep Docks, a location you’ll be required to visit later as part of The Dark Below quest in Act 3, making early access a valuable strategic advantage.

Hollow Knight: Silksong Simple Key - Deep Dock door

Beyond the First: More Simple Key Locations and Their Uses

Beyond the initial Simple Key from Pebb, three more can be discovered throughout Pharloom, each unlocking further crucial pathways or rewards:

  1. Dropped by a Roachkeeper miniboss at the top of Sinner’s Road: Access this area directly above the Halfway House in Greymoor. Scale the left tower in Greymoor (housing the Chapel of the Reaper), then take the right upper walkway, activate the elevator shortcut, and ascend further to reach Sinner’s Road.
  2. Found on a body sitting at the far right of the Sands of Karak area: Enter the Sands of Karak via the left side of the Blasted Steps after acquiring the clawline ability. Simply defeat the Great Conchflies boss and utilize the clawline above the Pinstress’s balloon.
  3. Purchased from Jubilana the merchant at Songclave: To unlock this merchant, you must first rescue her during The Wandering Merchant quest, which appears on the First Shrine’s Wish Wall.

These additional keys unlock two significant areas that offer further progression and valuable resources:

  • Unlocking the Green Prince’s cell in Sinner’s Road: This is a vital step toward eventually accessing the Verdania area in Act 3. Since the Green Prince’s cell is conveniently located near Sinner’s Road’s entrance, it’s an ideal use for the key found in that very region.
  • Unlocking the vault in the High Halls area: This vault contains a substantial amount of Rosaries and the powerful Rosary Cannon tool. Given its proximity to Jubilana and Songclave, this vault is an excellent target for her key. The vault itself is situated just above the entrance to the High Halls gauntlet, ensuring you’ll naturally encounter it while seeking the Conductor’s Melody.
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