The "Simple Key" in the Deep Docks area of Hollow Knight: Silksong unlocks a locked ornate door beyond a lava gap. Opening this door reveals a significant sub-area under the docks containing new enemies, platforming challenges, and valuable items such as the Flintslate tool, which adds fire damage to the Needle, and Craftmetal for building tools. Getting to this door requires the Swift Step ability for the dash jump across lava and one of the four single- use Simple Keys found throughout the game. This Deep Docks door is one of four locations in the game where Simple Keys can be used, the others being Bone Bottom (opening Wormways shortcut), Sinner’s Road (freeing the Green Prince), and High Halls (accessing a rosary vault). The Deep Docks key door offers early combat upgrades and an alternate route but is optional for main story progression. Key points about Deep Docks Simple Key door:
- Reach it by going right from the Deep Docks Bellway sign, clearing waves of enemies, then dash-jumping across a lava gap with Swift Step.
- Unlocking it consumes one Simple Key (keys are single-use).
- Behind the door is a hazard-filled area with rewards like Flintslate and Craftmetal.
- Further exploration of this area requires later mobility upgrades (hook-style grapple, double jump).
- It's an optional content area, not a mandatory shortcut or progression gate.
Simple Keys can be acquired from Bone Bottom, Sinner’s Road, the First Shrine (Songclave) after a quest, and Sands of Karak. In summary, the Deep Docks Simple Key door is an optional but rewarding side area unlocked by one of the four Simple Keys, with the dash ability Swift Step required to reach it.
