The fastest way out of The Slab is to find the Key of Indolent, reach Grindle’s bench and map, take the Key of Heretic from the last enemy in the northwest gauntlet, recover Hornet’s gear, then pay 50 Rosaries for the Bellway ticket. If a Wardenfly captured you, you arrive without your equipment, so avoid unnecessary fights until it is recovered. Some pickups are behind Apostate locks and can wait for a later visit.
How to reach The Slab
There are two approaches. A Wardenfly can capture Hornet in Deep Docks, Greymoor or Bilewater after Bell Beast and Cling Grip but before the Faydown Cloak, carrying her to The Slab. This route begins the full prison sequence, but Hornet arrives without her gear, including her needle and cloak. Her initial kick is weak, so avoid optional combat while making your way through the early rooms.
You can also reach the area from Choral Chambers. This gives limited access to the route toward the Bellway and Mount Fay. To open the broader locked section from this approach, you need the Apostate Key, which is found in Putrified Ducts.
The Slab escape route
Find the Key of Indolent
Move through the early prison rooms and the exposed cold section toward the western part of The Slab. The Key of Indolent hangs from a chain. Take it and use it on matching locks to reach the central section and the route toward Grindle’s bench. The exposed cold areas inflict frost damage if you linger, so keep moving rather than stopping to fight or explore.
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Get the map by Grindle’s bench
Rest at Grindle’s bench, then go to the right and break through the wall. The map is in the hidden room, on a husk. It is easy to miss if you continue along the main route without checking the wall.
Get the Key of Heretic and recover your gear
Continue through the locked and trapped sections toward the gear recovery route. In the northwest gauntlet, defeat the enemies; the final enemy drops the Key of Heretic. Use the matching locks to proceed toward Hornet’s equipment. Recovering it restores the tools needed for the rest of the escape.
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Reach the Bellway
After recovering your gear, use the remaining matching locks to continue into the lower area and reach the Bellway. PC Gamer’s walkthrough says the Bellway ticket costs 50 Rosaries, so keep that amount available if you plan to leave by this route: PC Gamer’s The Slab walkthrough.
Keys, map and exit at a glance
| Item or route | Where to find or use it |
|---|---|
| Key of Indolent | Hangs from a chain in western The Slab; opens matching locks on the route to the central section. |
| Key of Heretic | Dropped by the final enemy in the northwest gauntlet. |
| Key of Apostate | Found in Putrified Ducts beside a Wardenfly corpse, west of Huntress’s home. It opens the broader locked section for an approach from Choral Chambers. |
| Map | Break the wall to the right of Grindle’s bench; the map is on a husk. |
| Bellway exit | Reached after the gear recovery route; the cited PC Gamer walkthrough lists a 50-Rosary ticket. |
What can wait until a return visit?
If your goal is to escape, focus on the route keys, equipment recovery and Bellway. The area also contains a Mask Shard, Spool Fragment, Memory Locket, two fleas, Weaver Effigy, Frayed Rosary Strings and Shard Bundle. Some rewards are behind Apostate locks, so a first escape does not require collecting everything.
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Rune Rage is bound after defeating First Sinner and, according to the area guide, requires all Slab keys. Treat it as a completionist objective rather than part of the basic escape route. If you entered from Choral Chambers, obtaining the Apostate Key in Putrified Ducts is the step that opens access to more of the area.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Route choice: capture or Choral Chambers
| Approach | What it means |
|---|---|
| Wardenfly capture | Starts the full prison sequence and its equipment-recovery challenge. Hornet begins without her gear and has limited combat options. |
| From Choral Chambers | Provides limited access toward the Bellway and Mount Fay. The Apostate Key from Putrified Ducts is needed to open the broader locked section. |
For an immediate escape, prioritize the keys on the prison route and leave gated pickups for later. For a fuller clear, find the Apostate Key and return to explore the locked areas.
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- Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!
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