Elden Ring is filled with hidden secrets and mysterious areas that can only be accessed through exploration, clever use of special items, and keen observation. Throughout the vast Lands Between, you will encounter locked doors, concealed passages, and puzzles that demand specific tools to open. The game offers a wide variety of Elden Ring items that play crucial roles in unlocking these secret locations, often leading to rare treasures, powerful bosses, and rewarding loot.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through 7 ways to unlock secret areas using special items in Elden Ring. By understanding how to use these items, you can uncover new areas, find hidden treasures, and expand your adventure even further.
Stonesword Keys are some of the most essential items in Elden Ring for accessing hidden areas. These special keys are required to open imp statues that are scattered across the world. When used, they unlock sealed gates, crypts, or hidden caves that are otherwise unreachable.
Best Use: Stonesword Keys are typically used on imp statues that block entrances to secret dungeons and areas. The more keys you have, the more hidden locations you can access, which often contain powerful items or bosses.
Where to Buy: Stonesword Keys can be found in various locations throughout Elden Ring, or they can be purchased from merchants like Patches or the Nomadic Merchant.
The Telescope may not seem like a crucial item for unlocking hidden areas, but it plays a significant role in accessing distant locations. This item allows you to zoom in on distant landmarks and objects, some of which may be related to puzzles or hidden paths.
Best Use: Use the Telescope to inspect distant parts of the world that might otherwise be overlooked. You may spot hidden messages, mysterious objects, or far-off structures that hint at secret areas or puzzles to solve.
Where to Buy: The Telescope can be purchased from an NPC merchant located at specific points in the game.
The Transposing Katalyst is a special item that allows you to transmute or change the properties of certain items, such as boss souls or rare weapons. Though primarily used for crafting and upgrading, it also plays a pivotal role in unlocking hidden areas.
Best Use: You will need the Transposing Katalyst to transmute special items or unlock hidden doors in specific locations. It’s most commonly used after defeating certain bosses, where you need to exchange boss souls for powerful rewards.
Where to Buy: This item can be found during your quest or obtained by progressing through specific parts of the story.
The Mimic Tear Ashes are a special Spirit Ash that summons a clone of your character to fight alongside you. This item can also be used to unlock hidden areas or puzzles that require precise actions or unique interactions. By summoning your Mimic Tear, you may trigger mechanisms or platforms that allow access to otherwise unreachable places.
Best Use: Use the Mimic Tear Ashes in areas where you must duplicate actions or solve puzzles that require a second person. The clone will mimic your movements and help unlock doors or create pathways.
Where to Buy: The Mimic Tear Ashes are found in the game world, and they can be acquired after completing specific quests or defeating certain bosses.
Located beneath Ainsel River, the Well Depths is one of the most secretive areas in the game. To access this area, you will need the Ainsel River Well Depths Key or an equivalent special item. Once you unlock this area, it reveals several secret bosses, treasures, and rare Elden Ring items.
Best Use: The Well Depths key opens hidden tunnels and provides access to some of the best loot in the game. It’s often worth unlocking early in your exploration for powerful rewards.
Where to Buy: You can purchase or find the Well Depths Key from merchants or quest rewards.
Divine Dragon’s Scales are rare items that can be used to activate hidden passages or secret areas within the Lands Between. These scales are often associated with dragon-themed dungeons or areas that involve combat challenges.
Best Use: You’ll need Divine Dragon’s Scales when you encounter hidden dragon shrines or when trying to unlock specific doors related to dragon-themed lore. These scales allow you to access powerful dragon bosses or hidden lore.
Where to Buy: You can find Divine Dragon’s Scales through boss drops, exploration, or in rare merchant inventories.
The Forgotten Key is one of the most elusive and secretive items in Elden Ring, and it plays a critical role in unlocking legendary locations. Once acquired, this key opens secluded vaults, hidden towns, or forgotten temples that hold some of the best loot and upgrades.
Best Use: The Forgotten Key is used to unlock areas or dungeons hidden deep within the game world, often tied to the lore of Elden Ring. These locations are usually home to powerful enemies, rare weapons, and valuable resources.
Where to Buy: The Forgotten Key is often hidden in secluded areas, and players will need to progress through the main storyline or complete complex quests to acquire it.
Unlocking secret areas in Elden Ring is one of the most rewarding aspects of the game, and understanding how to use the right special items is crucial to unveiling these hidden locations. Whether you’re using Stonesword Keys to open imp statues, employing the Mimic Tear Ashes to solve puzzles, or utilizing Divine Dragon’s Scales to access secret dragon shrines, these Elden Ring items are essential for discovering some of the game’s best rewards and hidden gems.
For those looking to obtain these special items, knowing where to buy items in Elden Ring is important. Many of these items can be found through exploration, boss drops, or purchasing from key merchants located in specific regions of the game. By stocking up on these items and exploring every nook and cranny of the Lands Between, you’ll uncover the secrets that will make your journey all the more exciting and rewarding.