Locked doors in Dragon’s Dogma 2 are barriers you’ll find in caves, villages, and castles. They block treasures, shortcuts, or quest paths. Unlike other games, there’s no lockpicking skill here. Instead, you need keys, clever tricks, or story progress to get through. These doors make exploration exciting but can be a headache if you don’t know the game’s tricks. Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with simple ways to open them!
Why Locked Doors Matter
Locked doors often hide awesome loot, like gold, weapons, or armor. For example, in the Hidden Cavern, I found a shiny Archistaff behind a locked door, perfect for my Mage pawn. They also create shortcuts, saving you time in places like Trevo Mine. Plus, opening them feels like solving a mini-puzzle, making your adventure more fun. Let’s look at how to crack these doors open.
Easy Ways to Open Locked Doors
There are several ways to open locked doors in Dragon’s Dogma 2. I’ve tried them all, and some are easier than others. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the most common methods, with examples to make it clear.
1. Find or Use a Key
The simplest way to open a locked door is with a key. Some doors, like those in Vernworth Castle, need specific keys you find or earn.
- Step 1: Check your inventory for keys like the Vernworth Vault Key.
- Step 2: Approach the door and select the key when prompted.
- Step 3: Walk through and grab the loot!
Example: In the “Tolled to Rest” quest, I got the Ancient Battleground Key after helping a villager. It opened a door to a chest with 1,000 gold. Keys are often tied to quests, so talk to NPCs and explore.
2. Wait for the Right Time
Some doors only open at certain times of day. This tripped me up at first—I kept banging on a door in Melve until I realized it was a nighttime thing.
- Step 1: Check the door’s location and time (day or night).
- Step 2: Rest at a nearby inn or bench to change the time.
- Step 3: Return and try the door again.
Example: In the Ancestral Chamber, I camped until nightfall, and a Skeleton Lord broke the door open while attacking me. Timing is everything
3. Break the Lock with Force
Some doors have wooden beams you can smash. This is where your vocation or pawns shine.
- Step 1: Look for a beam or bar on the door.
- Step 2: Use a ranged attack (like an Archer’s arrow) or magic (Mage’s Flagration) to break it.
- Step 3: If you’re a Fighter, try throwing an explosive barrel or even a pawn!
Example: In the Hidden Cavern, I tossed an explosive barrel at a locked door’s beam. It blew open, revealing 2,000 gold and a Helical Archistaff.
4. Find Another Entrance
Some locked doors are exits, not entrances. You need to find another way in, like a hidden passage or window.
- Step 1: Explore around the door for tunnels, ladders, or roofs.
- Step 2: Use vocations like Sorcerer to levitate or Fighter to climb.
- Step 3: Unlock the door from the other side.
Example: In Cropper’s Quarter, I found a tunnel under a bridge that led to a ladder. I climbed up, slashed the beam, and opened the door to get Silver Ore.
5. Progress Through Quests
Some doors only open after you complete specific quests. This is common in story areas like Trevo Mine.
- Step 1: Check if the door is tied to a main or side quest.
- Step 2: Complete the quest (talk to NPCs or follow objectives).
- Step 3: Return to the door—it might unlock automatically.
Example: In Trevo Mine, the locked door stayed shut until I started the “Monster Culling” quest. Once I did, it opened, leading to a chest.
Tools and Vocations You’ll Need
To open locked doors, your vocation and pawns matter. Here’s a quick table to help you choose the right setup.
| Vocation | How It Helps | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Archer | Shoot beams through windows | Breaking locks from afar |
| Mage/Sorcerer | Fire spells to explode oozes or beams | Hidden Cavern doors |
| Fighter/Warrior | Climb or throw objects/pawns | Physical barriers |
| Thief | Agile climbing for hidden paths | Finding alternate entrances |
Table 1: Vocations for Opening Locked Doors
This table shows which vocations work best for different door types. Mix your party for versatility!
You’ll also need:
- Keys: Found in quests or bought from merchants.
- Explosive Barrels: Scattered in caves like Hidden Cavern.
- Pawns: Hire pawns with vocations you don’t have.
Tip: Always carry a Mage pawn with fire spells for oozes in places like Hidden Cavern. They’re a game-changer
Benefits and Drawbacks of Opening Locked Doors
Opening locked doors has big rewards but some risks. Here’s a quick look.
Benefits
- Loot: Gold, weapons, and armor (like the Archistaff in Hidden Cavern).
- Shortcuts: Save time traveling through Vermund or Battahl.
- Quest Progress: Some doors unlock story paths.
Drawbacks
- Enemies: Doors like the Ancestral Chamber’s spawn tough foes (Skeleton Lords!).
- Time: Waiting for nightfall or quest progress can be slow.
- Risk: Explosive barrels can hurt you if you’re not careful.
Alternative Approach: If a door’s too tough, skip it and explore elsewhere. I once spent hours on a door only to find better loot in a nearby cave. Come back later with stronger gear or pawns.
My Top Tips for Opening Locked Doors
After many failed attempts (and one hilarious moment where I threw a deer at a door—yes, it worked!), here are my best tips:
- Check Windows: Look for open windows to shoot beams with arrows or magic.
- Talk to Pawns: They often hint at alternate paths or time-based unlocks.
- Save Often: Before trying explosive barrels or fighting enemies, save to avoid losing progress.
- Explore Everywhere: Hidden tunnels or ladders are common near locked doors.
- Mix Vocations: A balanced party (Archer, Mage, Fighter) covers all door types.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring Time of Day: Don’t keep trying a door that needs nightfall, like in Ancestral Chamber.
- Wrong Vocation: Don’t use a Fighter for a door needing ranged attacks. Switch vocations at an inn.
- Missing Quests: Check your quest log—some doors won’t open without story progress.
- Not Exploring: Don’t give up! Look for hidden paths or talk to NPCs for clues.
Comparing Door-Opening Methods
Here’s a table to compare methods so you can pick the best one.
| Method | Ease (1-5) | Time Needed | Best Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use a Key | 5 (Easy) | Fast | Vernworth Castle |
| Wait for Time | 3 (Medium) | Slow | Ancestral Chamber |
| Break Lock | 3 (Medium) | Medium | Hidden Cavern |
| Find Entrance | 2 (Hard) | Slow | Cropper’s Quarter |
| Quest Progress | 3 (Medium) | Slow | Trevo Mine |
Table 2: Comparing Door-Opening Methods
This table helps you choose based on speed and ease. Keys are the easiest, but finding entrances can be tough!
Visual Ideas for Better Understanding
To make this guide even clearer, here are some visual ideas (sorry, I can’t include them!):
- Diagram of Hidden Cavern: Show the pit and barrel-throwing path to the locked door.
- Map of Cropper’s Quarter: Mark the bridge and tunnel to the ladder.
- Time-of-Day Chart: Show day/night cycles for doors like Ancestral Chamber’s.
These would make it super easy to follow along, especially for beginners!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know If a Door Needs a Key?
Check your inventory or quest log for keys like the Vernworth Vault Key. If you don’t have one, explore nearby for NPCs or chests.
Can I Break Every Locked Door?
No, some doors need quests or specific times to open. Try breaking beams with barrels or magic, but check for alternate paths first.
What’s the Best Vocation for Locked Doors?
Archers and Mages are great for shooting beams or using fire spells. Fighters help with climbing or throwing. Mix your party!
Why Won’t the Ancestral Chamber Door Open?
Visit at night after the “Trial of Archery” quest. A Skeleton Lord should break it open. Save and retry if it doesn’t work.
Are Locked Doors Worth Opening?
Yes! They hide gold, weapons, and shortcuts. For example, Hidden Cavern’s door gave me 2,000 gold and an Archistaff.
How Do I Find Hidden Entrances?
Look for tunnels, ladders, or roofs near the door. Use a Sorcerer to levitate or a Fighter to climb. Check Cropper’s Quarter!
Can Pawns Help with Locked Doors?
Yes, pawns give hints or break beams if you throw them. Hire a Mage with fire spells for places like Hidden Cavern.
Conclusion
Opening locked doors in Dragon’s Dogma 2 is like solving a fun puzzle. Use keys, wait for the right time, break beams, find hidden paths, or progress in quests to get through. My first door took forever, but now it’s a breeze! Try these tips on your next adventure, and you’ll be looting treasures in no time. Share your favorite door-opening story in the comments or on forums like Reddit’s DragonsDogma—I’d love to hear it! For more tips, check out GameRant or Dot Esports. Now, go kick that ox, Arisen!