Unlocking the Dark Citadel in Heroes of Hammerwatch 2

Your adventures in Heroes of Hammerwatch 2 will take you to various places, starting in the quiet forest and eventually reaching the expansive Dark Citadel. Although there’s an entrance to the Dark Citadel in the first area, you can’t access it right away; you need to complete some tasks first.

The Dark Citadel is the central location you will explore throughout the game, typically in a linear fashion from start to finish. If you’re looking to unlock the entrance and bypass some challenges, here’s what you need to do.

How to Access the Dark Citadel Entrance

You can find the entrance to the Dark Citadel in the initial level of a new run, known as Forest 1. If you search the area carefully, you will encounter the locked entrance to the Dark Citadel. However, to unlock it, you’ll need to make your way to Crypt 1.

Once you arrive at the Crypt, you might encounter the Architect in a spacious room filled with ice turrets and various foes. Defeat the enemies, and then engage with the Architect, who will return to your town.

Next, head back to town and upgrade the Architect for 25 stone and 25 magic crystals at the Guild Hall. This upgrade allows you to utilize the Architect’s features, such as automatically revealing the map, lowering enemy counts, disabling traps, and more.

With this upgrade, you can now access the Dark Citadel through its main entrance. Start a new run and explore Forest 1 until you find the Dark Citadel, then speak to the Architect waiting outside. He will unlock the door and grant you entry.

Activities in the Dark Citadel

Once inside the Dark Citadel, you’ll discover multiple candles and a switch located in the center. Light the candles and then activate the switch. Waves of shades will attack you. Once you defeat them, a red portal will appear that leads you deeper into the Dark Citadel, specifically to the level corresponding to the number of candles you’ve lit.

Essentially, the Dark Citadel functions as a significant shortcut system that tests your abilities by challenging you to battle waves of powerful shades. Successfully completing the challenge allows you to skip many sections of your run and instantly progress further into the dungeon.