All Simple Key Locations in Hollow Knight Silksong: Complete Lock & Reward Guide

Find all 4 Simple Keys in Hollow Knight Silksong and discover where to use them. Complete location guide with rewards, strategy tips, and priority recommendations.

Simple Keys are among the most valuable consumable items in Hollow Knight: Silksong, serving as golden tickets to hidden areas packed with powerful upgrades, rare tools, and essential progression paths. With only four keys available throughout your entire journey in Pharloom, every decision about where to use them becomes critically important.

I’ve experimented with different key usage strategies across multiple playthroughs, and I’m here to share the optimal approach for maximizing your Simple Key investments. Whether you’re a completionist seeking every upgrade or a speedrunner looking for the most efficient progression routes, this guide will help you make informed decisions about these precious resources.

Understanding Simple Keys: The Foundation of Strategic Exploration

Before diving into specific locations, it’s crucial to understand what makes Simple Keys so valuable in Silksong’s interconnected world.

Key Characteristics:

• Single-use items – Each key works only once, making choice permanent
• Universal compatibility – Any Simple Key works on any Simple Lock
• No expiration – Keys remain in your inventory until used
• Strategic value – Unlock areas containing game-changing upgrades

Strategic Considerations: The beauty of Simple Keys lies in their flexibility. Unlike specialized keys that work on specific doors, Simple Keys give you the power to prioritize which areas to unlock based on your current needs and playstyle preferences.

Complete Simple Key Location Guide

Let me walk you through each Simple Key location with detailed acquisition strategies and timing recommendations.

Simple Key #1: Bone Bottom Merchant

Location: Bone Bottom – Pebb’s Shop Cost: 500 Rosaries Requirements: None (available from game start) Acquisition Strategy:

This first key represents your entry into the Simple Key system. While 500 Rosaries feels expensive early in the game, I recommend prioritizing this purchase after securing basic upgrades.

Early Game Rosary Farming Tips:

• Complete available wishes and side quests first
• Explore thoroughly for hidden Rosary caches
• Consider this key essential for mid-game progression planning

Simple Key #2: Sinner’s Road Combat Challenge

Location: Sinner’s Road, northeastern corner Requirements: Double jump OR Clawline grappling hook Challenge Type: Mini-boss encounter

Detailed Acquisition Process:

1. Navigate to the top floor using wall-climbing abilities
2. Activate the lever to access the upper chamber
3. Prepare for ambush – a significant enemy encounter awaits
4. Defeat the guardian to claim your reward

Combat Tips: This enemy hits hard but telegraphs attacks clearly. Focus on patient dodging and punish recovery frames. The fight serves as excellent practice for larger boss encounters later in the game.

Simple Key #3: Sands of Karak Corpse Discovery

Location: Sands of Karak, far eastern section Requirements: Precise timing and platforming skills Discovery Method: Environmental puzzle

Step-by-Step Navigation:

1. Strike the branch mechanism to activate temporary platforms
2. Move quickly eastward before the path disappears
3. Continue east until you reach the isolated bench area
4. Examine the deceased bug to claim the Simple Key

Exploration Note: This key requires understanding Sands of Karak’s unique environmental mechanics. The disappearing platforms add urgency to exploration, making this one of the more challenging keys to obtain.

Simple Key #4: Wandering Merchant Reward

Location: Available through Jubilana’s Wandering Merchant quest Cost: 650 Rosaries (after quest completion) Requirements: Complete merchant quest line, unlock First Shrine

Quest Completion Strategy:

1. Locate and assist Jubilana during your exploration
2. Complete her questline to unlock merchant services
3. Return to First Shrine to access her expanded inventory
4. Purchase the key once you’ve accumulated sufficient Rosaries

This represents the most expensive Simple Key but becomes affordable by the time you complete the prerequisite quest.

Strategic Simple Key Usage Guide

Now comes the crucial decision: where should you use these valuable keys? Let me break down each option with strategic analysis.

Priority #1: Deep Docks Expansion (Highly Recommended)

Location: Deep Docks, accessible from Bellway Strategic Value: ★★★★★ Rewards: Massive area expansion, alternative access routes

Why This Should Be Your First Choice: The Deep Docks Simple Lock opens up the largest amount of new content relative to any other key usage. This expanded area becomes accessible from Far Fields later with advanced abilities, but using a Simple Key here provides immediate access to:

• Extensive exploration opportunities without waiting for late-game abilities
• Multiple upgrade locations scattered throughout the expanded area
• Alternative routing options for speedrun strategies
• Early access advantage to area-specific resources

Navigation Path: From Deep Docks Bellway → Right to lower door → Activate lever → Descend to path below Forge Daughter → Locate and unlock the Simple Lock

Priority #2: Green Prince Liberation (Quest Essential)

Location: Sinner’s Road, near Shakra’s singing bench Strategic Value: ★★★★☆ Rewards: Quest progression, character development

Important Quest Context: Despite the Green Prince’s pleas not to be freed, liberation is required for quest progression. This creates an interesting moral choice that ultimately benefits both the character and the player.

Access Instructions:

• Locate the vertical room adjacent to Shakra’s bench
• Climb the cage structures to gain elevation
• Glide left to reach the Simple Lock mechanism
• Free the Green Prince to trigger subsequent quest events

Priority #3: Wormways Skill Unlock (Combat Enhancement)

Location: Wormways entrance area Strategic Value: ★★★★☆ Rewards: Sharpdart skill, Wanderer Crest, quest completion

Major Rewards Analysis:

Sharpdart Skill Access: This powerful combat ability significantly enhances your offensive capabilities. The skill is hidden behind a Needolin door requiring both Clawline and double jump abilities, making it a mid-game upgrade worth pursuing.

Additional Benefits:

• Alchemist’s Assistant quest completion opportunities
• Access to Moss Grotto through continued exploration
• Wanderer Crest acquisition for expanded abilities

Navigation Strategy: Proceed left from Wormways entrance → Avoid falling worms → Locate door → Use key → Explore systematically for all rewards

Priority #4: High Halls Treasure Chamber (Resource Collection)

Location: High Halls station area Strategic Value: ★★★☆☆ Rewards: Rosary Cannon, Pale Rosary Necklace, significant Rosary collection

Treasure Analysis:

Primary Rewards:

• Rosary Cannon: Useful tool for specific situations
• Pale Rosary Necklace: Valuable accessory upgrade
• Large Rosary cache: Significant currency injection

Risk vs. Reward: While the rewards are substantial, this usage provides the least amount of new explorable content compared to other options. Consider this choice if you’re prioritizing resource accumulation over area exploration.

Navigation Challenge: The path involves navigating dangerous wheel obstacles and choosing between multiple reward paths. Explore downward first for the Rosary Cannon, then upward for the necklace and currency.

Strategic Decision Framework

To help you make the best choices for your specific playthrough, consider these decision factors:

Playstyle Considerations:

Exploration-Focused Players:

• Prioritize: Deep Docks, Wormways
• Reasoning: Maximum new content and discovery opportunities

Combat-Focused Players:

• Prioritize: Wormways (Sharpdart), Green Prince (quest progression)
• Reasoning: Enhanced combat abilities and character development

Resource-Focused Players:

• Prioritize: High Halls, Deep Docks
• Reasoning: Significant material and currency gains

Progression Timing:

Early Game (Acts 1-2): Use keys conservatively. The Deep Docks expansion provides the best early-game value for exploration and alternative routing.

Mid Game (Act 2-3): This is the optimal time for Wormways and Green Prince liberation, as you’ll have the abilities needed to fully capitalize on the rewards.

Late Game: High Halls becomes more attractive when you have abundant resources and want to maximize collection efficiency.

Advanced Optimization Strategies

For players seeking to maximize their Simple Key efficiency, consider these advanced approaches:

Route Planning:

• Map out your intended progression path before using any keys
• Consider ability acquisition timing when planning key usage
• Account for quest requirements that might influence priorities

Resource Management:

• Balance key usage with other major purchases and upgrades
• Consider opportunity costs of different key usage orders
• Plan for endgame resource needs when making early decisions

Speedrun Considerations:

• Deep Docks first for routing flexibility
• Skip High Halls unless specific route requires those resources
• Time Wormways access with ability acquisition for maximum efficiency

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Through multiple playthroughs, I’ve observed several patterns that can reduce Simple Key effectiveness:

Strategic Errors:

• Using keys too early without understanding the full reward picture
• Prioritizing immediate gratification over long-term progression benefits
• Ignoring quest requirements that make certain key usage mandatory

Tactical Mistakes:

• Poor timing of key acquisition relative to ability unlocks
• Inadequate preparation for combat challenges required for some keys
• Insufficient resource planning leading to delayed key purchases

Integration with Overall Progression

Simple Keys work best when integrated thoughtfully into your broader Silksong progression strategy:

Synergistic Elements:

• Coordinate with tool acquisition timing
• Plan around major quest lines
• **Consider ability unlock requirements

Long-term Strategy:

• View keys as investments in exploration and progression efficiency
• Balance immediate needs with future optimization opportunities
• Maintain flexibility for unexpected discoveries and route changes

Conclusion: Making Your Simple Key Decisions

Simple Keys represent some of the most impactful decisions you’ll make in your Silksong journey. While there’s no single “correct” order for using them, understanding the rewards and strategic implications of each choice empowers you to make decisions that align with your goals and playstyle.

My general recommendation for most players: start with Deep Docks for the exploration benefits, followed by quest-essential Green Prince liberation, then choose between Wormways and High Halls based on whether you prioritize combat enhancement or resource accumulation.

Ready to begin your key-hunting adventure? Experience Hollow Knight: Silksong on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox.

For additional strategic insights, explore our guides on essential beginner tips and advanced progression strategies. Every Simple Key you use wisely brings you closer to mastering the mysteries of Pharloom!

Remember: in Silksong, the best key usage is the one that enhances your personal journey through this beautiful, dangerous world.