Overview
Locked doors are scattered throughout Pywel in Crimson Desert. Opening them requires a generic item simply called a Key. Unlike most RPGs where a specific key matches a specific lock, Crimson Desert uses a universal key system: any Key in your inventory works on any standard locked door, and the Key is consumed when it is used.
Locked doors are entirely optional. You never need to open one to progress the main story. However, the rooms and buildings behind them often contain loot worth grabbing, including silver, crafting materials, and equipment.
How the Key System Works
The lock-and-key system in Crimson Desert is straightforward but has a few quirks that can catch players off guard.
Automatic consumption: Walking into a locked door while you have a Key in your inventory will automatically consume the Key and open the door. There is no confirmation prompt. This means you can accidentally waste a Key on a door you did not intend to open.
No visual indicator: There is no way to tell whether a door is locked or unlocked before you walk into it. A locked door looks identical to an unlocked one from the outside.
One Key per door: Each locked door requires exactly one Key. Once a door has been opened, it stays unlocked for the rest of the playthrough.
Keys are consumed permanently: You cannot retrieve a used Key. Keys stack in your inventory, but every door you open removes one from the stack.
Where to Get Keys
Keys are not particularly rare, but they are limited at any given time. There are three main ways to obtain them.
Back Alley Shop
The quickest and most reliable source is the Back Alley Shop in Hernand. To find it, head east out of Hernand, past the model castle on the left side of the road, then take a left down the dirt track. The vendor sells up to three Keys at a time, each costing 30 copper. The stock restocks periodically, so you can return later for more.
The same vendor also sells masks (10 copper each), which are required for stealing. If you plan to loot houses after opening locked doors, picking up a mask here is a good idea.
Combat Loot
Enemies throughout Pywel can drop Keys when defeated. Bandits and goblins in the open world are common sources. The drop is not guaranteed, but fighting groups of enemies regularly will net you a few Keys over time. You may sometimes find more than one Key on a single enemy.
Stealing
Keys can be found inside small wooden boxes hidden in cabinets and drawers throughout homes and other buildings. You need a mask equipped to steal, and stealing reduces your regional Contribution. See the How to Steal Items guide for a full breakdown of the theft system.
Two confirmed free-standing key locations:
Church of Hernand: Enter the church, turn right down the corridor, and look to your right on top of a cabinet.
Oakenshield Manor: Enter through the main doors, go right into the room with the staircase, and check the cabinet straight ahead.
Key Sources at a Glance
Source | Cost / Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
30 copper per Key | Up to 3 at a time; restocks periodically | |
Enemy drops (bandits, goblins) | Free (defeat enemies) | Not guaranteed; sometimes multiple per enemy |
Wooden boxes (stealing) | Requires a mask | Found in cabinets and drawers inside buildings |
Free (stealing) | On top of a cabinet in the right corridor | |
Free (stealing) | Cabinet in the staircase room, straight ahead from the main doors |
Types of Locked Doors
Not every locked door in Crimson Desert works the same way. There are two broad categories.
Standard Locked Doors
The vast majority of locked doors in Pywel accept any generic Key. These are found on houses, storage rooms, and miscellaneous buildings across the world. Opening them gives you access to chests, shelves, and other lootable containers. The loot varies; you might find silver, crafting ingredients, or useful gear.
Quest-Specific Locked Doors
A handful of doors are tied to specific quests and require a named key item rather than a generic Key. These doors cannot be opened early, and the required key item is obtained as part of the quest progression. Notable examples include:
Associated Quest / Area | Details | |
|---|---|---|
Given by an old beggar; transforms into an iron key during the quest | ||
Hernand Castle (Mystical Key quest) | Used inside Hernand Castle to open a story-critical door | |
Crane Control Room | Opens the control room during a quest objective | |
Prisons and jail cells | Only works on cell doors at jails and barracks; does not open standard doors | |
Given by the head of the institute to unlock the tower |
What Is Behind Locked Doors
Every locked door in the game has something behind it. The contents vary from building to building, but you can generally expect one or more of the following:
Silver: Rooms may contain loose silver or coin pouches. Some rooms yield around 75 silver.
Chests and strongboxes: Lockboxes with gear, crafting materials, or consumables.
Stealable containers: Cabinets, drawers, and shelves that you can loot if you have a mask equipped.
Crafting materials: Ores, herbs, or other ingredients for recipes.
Not every room is worth the Key. Some locked doors lead to small storage closets with minimal loot. Because there is no way to preview what is inside before opening the door, spending Keys comes with a degree of uncertainty.
Special Case: Hernand Castle
Hernand Castle is a major location that requires special access. The castle gate is not opened with a Key. Instead, you must equip the Hernandian Attire (a purple outfit item in your inventory) before approaching the gate. Guards will deny entry if you are not wearing it. See the How to Enter Hernand Castle guide for the full walkthrough.
Once inside the castle, several doors are tied to the Mystical Key quest line and require specific named key items rather than generic Keys.
Tips and Strategies
Walk carefully near doors. Because Keys are consumed automatically, avoid hugging walls or walking at an angle near doors you do not want to open. A slight tilt in your movement can trigger a door you did not intend to unlock.
Stock up before exploring. Visit the Back Alley Shop and buy all three available Keys before heading into a new area. At 30 copper each, they are inexpensive relative to the loot you can find.
Prioritize buildings that look important. Larger buildings and manor houses generally have better loot behind their locked doors than small sheds or pantries.
Combine key runs with mask runs. If you are going to open locked doors, bring a mask along so you can steal from the containers inside as well. The Back Alley Shop sells both Keys and masks.
Fight enemies on the way. Bandits and goblins are common along roads. Engaging them costs nothing and gives you a chance at free Key drops, keeping your supply topped up without spending copper.
Do not waste generic Keys on quest doors. Quest-specific locked doors require their own named key items. If a door does not open when you walk into it and you still have Keys in your inventory, it means that door needs a specific quest item instead.