Understanding Dark Citadel Guide: Heroes of Hammerwatch 2

RoguelikeRPG

Jan 22

*Image Credits: Crackshell, Heroes of Hammerwatch II*

The Dark Citadel is the big, spooky castle you’ll want to conquer in Heroes of Hammerwatch 2. The good news? You’ll see its entrance on the very first level of the game. The bad news? That door isn’t opening anytime soon. Honestly, it’s for the best—what’s behind it would squash you like a bug if you walked in unprepared.

Why Can’t You Just Enter?

If you’ve played any action RPG before, you know the drill: level up, get better gear, and stop thinking you’re invincible. Oh, and the citadel’s front door is locked. You’ll need to find another way in first. Let’s break down how to do that without pulling your hair out.

Step 1: Rescue the Architect

The Architect is the guy with the keys—figuratively speaking. He’s an NPC you’ll find while exploring the Crypt. Look for a big room full of monsters and ice-shard-shooting obelisks. Doesn’t that sound cozy? Clear the room, and the Architect will join your team.

Pro Tip: Use your overlay map during runs. It shows handy stuff like NPC locations, chests, and items, so you don’t wander around like a lost puppy.

Step 2: Unlock the Front Gate

Once you’ve saved the Architect, he’ll work his magic and unlock the citadel’s main entrance. From then on, you won’t have to slog through the Forest every time you want to visit. (It’s like upgrading to express shipping for your runs—totally worth it.)

What’s Inside the Dark Citadel?

The Citadel is the endgame area. Expect powerful monsters, valuable loot, and plenty of ways to die in style. You can access it through the Dungeon (a long, winding Forest path) or the now-unlocked front gate. Bonus: Opening the gate also unlocks the Sorcerer class.

Modifying Your Runs

Once you’re in, the Architect lets you tweak how the Citadel works—if you’re willing to shell out Gold and materials. Here are some modifiers he offers:

Far Sight: Reveals the whole map.
Toppled Towers: Destroys all towers.
Weak Defenses: Fewer enemies.
Safe Corridors: Disables traps.
Poor Training: Fewer elites spawn.
Righteous Flames: More chances to find a Pyre.

Be warned: using more than one modifier makes the costs skyrocket. So, pick wisely—this isn’t an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Shortcuts Make Life Easier

As you progress, you’ll unlock shortcuts to skip parts of the Forest. For example, beating the Totem boss removes a barricade, letting you skip straight to Forest Level 3. Similarly, the Citadel’s main entrance becomes a shortcut once it’s open. Work smarter, not harder.

Final Blurb

The Dark Citadel is tough, but it’s where the best loot and biggest challenges are. Take your time, gear up, and don’t forget to rescue that poor Architect. And hey, if you die trying? At least it’ll be a dramatic way to go. Happy looting!

Andrew has spent over five years writing about video games and is the primary contributor/editor for GamerBlurb. With a background in creative writing and past experience in the industry, he’s mastered the art of turning hours of gaming into something that sounds like work. When he’s not writing he’s either getting distracted by various sidequests or occasionally pretending he’s good at League of Legends (#iron).