Mortal Shell 2: Desolate Keep walkthrough (Part 16)
Overview & Key Takeaways
The Desolate Keep, hidden away behind an illusory wall in the Marrow Keep, is one of the most intriguing dungeons it's possible to find in Mortal Shell 2. It may not be the longest dungeon in the game, but it's likely the most layered, with multiple secret passages, and more than a few nods to one of the oldest and most iconic levels in gaming.
It's also far more challenging than most areas you can find in Fainweald, which is why we've left it until now to tackle. But now, it's time. Below I'll walk you through exactly how to 100% the Desolate Keep, revealing every secret with easy to follow, step-by-step instructions.
The Desolate Keep, hidden away behind an illusory wall in the Marrow Keep, is one of the most intriguing dungeons it's possible to find in Mortal Shell 2. It may not be the longest dungeon in the game, but it's likely the most layered, with multiple secret passages, and more than a few nods to one of the oldest and most iconic levels in gaming.
It's also far more challenging than most areas you can find in Fainweald, which is why we've left it until now to tackle. But now, it's time. Below I'll walk you through exactly how to 100% the Desolate Keep, revealing every secret with easy to follow, step-by-step instructions.
Want the walkthrough for a different area of the game? You'll find the full list of all our guides on our Mortal Shell 2 walkthrough hub page!
Desolate Keep walkthrough steps:
- Enter the Desolate Keep.
- Clear the lefthand passage.
- Fight through the main chamber.
- Kill the Necrite.
- Obtain the Blackmarrow Key.
- Unlock the passage below the Stoner.
- Kill the Grisha in the courtyard.
- Exit the Desolate Keep.
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1. Enter the Desolate Keep.
If you recall, the entrance to the Desolate Keep was at the back of Sester Genessa's room in Marrow Keep, behind an illusory wall marked with a white symbol.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Playstack
Head past the wall, and if you haven't already done so, cut all four chains connecting the censer to the walls. Once you've done that, interact with the censer to "Commune With Chaos", transporting you into the secret Desolate Keep dungeon.
Mark step as completed.
2. Clear the lefthand passage.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Playstack
Upon arriving in the Desolate Keep, you'll see a rectangular pool ahead of you. A Leechtongue is making its way from the pool to the lefthand side, where several Brigands are waiting. An Armed Knave is also slowly making its way from right to left on the far side of the pool.
Head into the pool on the righthand side and loot the 3x Weltcaps by the near pillar. Then cross the pool, and take out the Armed Knave first, while the Leechtongue is keeping the Brigands busy. Once it's dead, kill the Brigands and the Leechtongue (using the explosive barrels nearby if desired).
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Playstack
Watch out, though. These Brigands are scaled considerably higher than you've seen before, and they won't get staggered easily by your blows. Treat them with greater respect than usual.
Once they're dead, collect the 3x Weltcaps from the nearest corner of the pool to the Brigands. Then head further along this lefthand passage, and kill the next two Brigands at the base of the stairs.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Playstack
Head up the stairs and you'll find another Armed Knave and three Brigands (two of them Crossbowmen). Kill them all. Then loot the various tables around you for 2x Burnt Effigies and 3x Common Moonshine. Also open the chest at the base of the statue for 500x Coin.
Double back down the stairs, and check behind the pillar to your left. You'll find a lever; pull it, and then head back to the pool. You'll see that there's a new ramp leading out from the pool into a courtyard. But we'll actually leave that for now and head in a different direction to reach the courtyard.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Playstack
Mark step as completed.
3. Fight through the main chamber.
Head along the left side (previously far side) of the pool. Around the next couple of corners you'll find an Armed Knave standing in front of what looks to be a dead end. Kill the Knave, then walk towards the dead end. The wall will open up, revealing a much larger main chamber.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Playstack
This chamber is filled with enemies: a Headsman and several Brigands, as well as two Subjugated Sentries. These large enemies are amped up Stoners: instead of hurling boulders, their heads are ballistae which fire very powerful shots at you with less warning than their Stoner kin.
Bait the Headsman and Brigands away from the Sentries and kill them off carefully; then cross the chamber and kill the Sentries in melee.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Playstack
Once the Sentries are dead, 5 more Brigands will appear in the chamber. Kill them all (again, they're hard to stagger and deal lots of damage, so don't get complacent).
Now you can loot the chest the Sentries were guarding for a Tooth Of Nochte, and also loot the 2x Common Moonshine on either side of the steps as well.
Once that's done, head around to the very back of the room. You'll find some Martyr's Ash to collect, and also a path forward in the corner. Kill the Subjugated Sentry in your way and head around the corner into the next room.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Playstack
Mark step as completed.
5. Obtain the Blackmarrow Key.
Head straight on towards the far wall behind the Necrite. Again the wall will ascend out of view, revealing another room filled with explosive barrels, Wretches, and another Subjugated Sentry. Kill them all.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Playstack
On either side of this room, you'll find grated walls, with Armed Knaves behind them. You can head around the far corners to access these side areas and kill the Knaves.
With that done, just head to the far wall of the room, and let it open the way for you. In this final room there's a chest; open it for another Blackmarrow Key, like the one you just obtained after defeating The Lost Child.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Playstack
Behind the chest is the orb that will teleport you out of the dungeon, but don't use it yet. We're not quite finished!
Mark step as completed.
8. Exit the Desolate Keep.
That's everything! Now just backtrack out of the courtyard until you reach the corridor behind the zigzag room once more. Then head to the end of the dungeon where you looted the Blackmarrow Key, and activate the glowing light in order to transport yourself back out of the Desolate Keep.
Mark step as completed.
Well, now. You've hit quite a milestone if you've stuck with us this far in our Mortal Shell 2 walkthrough. Why? Because now it's time, at long last, to venture into the land to the south of Marrow Keep. Mammon is a far tougher and more dangerous place than anywhere in Fainweald, but with the skills, weapons, and experience you've earned thus far, you're now equal to the task. Join us in Part 17 for our Outskirts Of Mammon walkthrough!
