Slay the Spire 2: How to get Lantern Key and where to use it
If you spend enough time climbing the Spire in Slay the Spire 2, you will eventually run into a strange event involving a glowing key and a mysterious knight.
The first time I saw it during a run, I had no idea whether to keep it or give it back. Later runs made it clear that this small choice can lead to a very strong reward later in the game.
What is a Lantern Key in Slay the Spire 2?
The Lantern Key is not a normal card or relic. It is a special item tied to two events that happen during different Acts.
If you know when to take it and how to use it later, it can lead to a strong relic or some extra loot for your run.
How many acts are there in Slay The Spire 2?
How to get Lantern Key in Slay the Spire 2
You can get the Lantern Key during a random event in Act 2. When the event appears, you come across a faint glowing key lying on the ground.
As your character reaches for it, a mysterious knight suddenly appears and says he has been searching for the key.
At this moment the game gives you two options.
- Return the key to the knight and receive 100 Gold
- Keep the key and fight the Mysterious Knight
If you return the key, the event ends immediately and you walk away with the Gold. This is the safe option, especially if your deck is weak or your health is low.
If you decide to keep the key, you must defeat the Mysterious Knight in combat. Winning this fight rewards you with the Lantern Key, which will stay with you for the rest of the run until you use it.
From my own runs, the fight is manageable if your deck is already stable in Act 2. If you feel confident about your damage and defense, taking the fight is usually worth it because the key unlocks a valuable event later.
Where to use the Lantern Key in Slay the Spire 2
The Lantern Key becomes useful later in Act 3 during a special event called War Historian Repy.
In this event, you encounter an academic named Repy who is trapped inside a hanging cage. Next to the cage, there is also a treasure chest. While taking notes, the historian talks about one-time use keys.
This is where the Lantern Key finally becomes useful. The game lets you decide how to use it.
- Unlock the cage and free the historian
- Use the key to open the treasure chest
Freeing Repy consumes the Lantern Key and rewards you with the relic called History Course. This relic repeats the last Attack or Skill you played on the previous turn at the start of your next turn. In practice, this can double the effect of strong cards and create powerful combos.
The second option is using the key on the chest. Doing this also consumes the Lantern Key, but instead of a relic ability, you receive two random Relics and two random Potions.
Both rewards can help your run, but the History Course relic can be especially strong if your deck relies on repeating strong cards or building combos.
So, which Lantern Key choice is better? From my experience during several runs, the better choice usually depends on your deck.
If your deck has powerful Attacks or Skills that you want to repeat every turn, freeing Repy for the History Course relic can create a big advantage during Act 3 fights.
If your deck is still inconsistent or missing key relics, opening the chest for extra Relics and Potions might help stabilize the run instead.
Either way, the Lantern Key is worth picking up if you can win the fight in Act 2, because both rewards can make the final part of the run easier.
Slay The Spire 2: All Characters And How To Play Them
FAQs
How do you get the Lantern Key in Slay the Spire 2?
- You must fight and defeat the Mysterious Knight during a random Act 2 event instead of returning the key.
Where is the Lantern Key used in Slay the Spire 2?
- The key is used during the Act 3 event called War Historian Repy.
What happens if you free Repy in the event?
- You receive the relic History Course, which repeats the last Attack or Skill you played on the previous turn.
What do you get if you open the chest instead?
- You receive two random Relics and two random Potions.
Is the Lantern Key reusable?
- No, the Lantern Key is a one time use item that disappears after you use it in the Act 3 event.
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