Mastering combat may not be the primary focus in Stardew Valley, but it definitely enhances your gaming experience and helps you gather valuable resources for crafting or gift-giving. The Mines serve as a typical dungeon, but there’s a more perilous area known as the Skull Cavern which offers even greater rewards. If you’ve discovered it, you’ll notice that the entrance is locked and requires a hidden key to access. While there are shortcuts to unlock the door, we recommend following the steps below to obtain the key the intended way first.
How to Obtain the Skull Key
The Skull Key is an essential item in the game, and there’s only one way to get it. Be prepared for a grind, so equip yourself with powerful weapons like the Meowmere if possible.
Step 1: Descend to the bottom level of the Mines.
The Mines are not an infinite dungeon; they actually have a final level. Once you navigate through all 120 floors, you’ll reach the bottom, where a chest containing the Skull Key awaits you.
Step 2: Take the Skull Key to the Skull Cavern located in the desert. If this area is still locked for you, complete the Vault Bundle in the Community Center first. Once you’ve arrived, simply interact with the door to unlock access to the Skull Cavern using the key.
Keep in mind that the Skull Cavern is generally more challenging than the Mines, and you won’t be able to save your progress after every few floors. This means you’ll need to explore as far as you can in one trip without getting defeated or falling asleep to gather rewards. Although there are no elevators in the cavern, every floor provides a ladder back to the surface for a strategic retreat. There’s no designated endpoint, so the deeper you go, the better the loot you’ll find. Good luck on your adventures!