There are several different locations your runs inHeroes of Hammerwatch 2will take you, starting in the humble forest before progressing through the massive Dark Citadel. While the Dark Citadel has an entrance in the first area, you won’t be able to enter it until you’ve completed a few steps.

The Dark Citadel itself comprises the majority of the locations you’ll explore in the game, although these are typically progressed through in order from start to finish. If you want to unlock the entrance to the Dark Citadel and skip portions of the run, here’s how to do it.

A red portal appearing next to the player and a lit candle in the center of the Dark Citadel in Heroes of Hammerwatch 2.

How To Open The Dark Citadel Entrance

The entrance to the Dark Citadel is visitable from the first level of a new run,Forest 1. Here, if you explore thoroughly, you can find thelocked entrance to the Dark Citadel. Before you can open it, you’ll need to progress further, until you reachCrypt 1.

The progression to get to the Crypt is as follows: Forest 1, Forest 2, Dark Caves 1, Dark Caves 2, Forest 3, Temple, Crypt 1.

Here, you have a chance tofind the Architectin alarge open room with ice turretsand several enemies. Defeat these enemies, then talk to the Architect, and he will head back to your town.

Now, return to town andupgrade the Architect for 25 stone and 25 magic crystalsfrom the Guild Hall. With this upgrade, you will now be able to access the Architect’s features, including altering runs to automatically reveal the map, reduce the number of enemies, disable traps, and more.

Additionally, with the Architect upgrade, you can nowenter the Dark Citadel through its front entrance. Start a new run andexplore around Forest 1 until you find the Dark Citadel, then speak to the Architect outside of it. He will open the door and let you inside.

What To Do In The Dark Citadel

Inside the Dark Citadel, you will find aseries of candlesand aswitchin the center of the area.Light the candles, then flip the switch, and waves of shades will swarm you. If you manage to defeat them, ared portal will openthat willtake you further into the Dark Citadel, theexact stage corresponding to the number of lit candles.

A new candle will unlock each time you beat a new boss.

Essentially, the Dark Citadel is a largeshortcut systemthat first tests your ability by making you fight waves of powerful shades. Pass the test, and you’re able to skip large portions of a run andimmediately begin further into the dungeon.

The first time you enter the Dark Citadel, you can alsounlock the Sorcerer classby speaking to the NPC in the hallway.