Driver FixRecommendedSound, Wi-Fi or graphics acting up? Check drivers firstFind missing or outdated drivers fast.Check DriversOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsSlow PC?RecommendedPC slow today? Run a repair scan before it gets worseResolve common Windows issues and optimize system performance.Scan Now×
Skip to content
VGSources
Blog

How to Get the Key of Apostate in Hollow Knight: Silksong

The Key of Apostate is in a breakable cage in Putrified Ducts. Here’s how to reach it and what it unlocks in The Slab.
WorldHollow Knight: Silksong Length2 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The Key of Apostate is in Putrified Ducts, in a smashable cage at the end of a dark passage. Find the main shaft, descend to the bottom, go left, and climb into the left-going tunnel. The key opens Apostate-marked locks in The Slab; it can also open the Slab’s main gate if story events have not already taken you inside.

Where to find the Key of Apostate

The key is in Putrified Ducts, west of Huntress’s home and beside a Wardenfly corpse. Follow the route through the ducts to reach it: look for the large main shaft, descend, then head left and climb into the dark passage that continues left. Break the cage at the passage’s far end to collect the key. The Hollow Knight Wiki’s item entry gives the location landmarks; PC Gamer’s route describes the shaft, passage, and cage.

How to reach Putrified Ducts

PC Gamer describes two approaches. Choose based on which route you have opened; the sources do not establish that either is faster or easier.

Route What it requires or uses
Through Memorium Reach Memorium from Choral Chambers after obtaining Faydown Cloak, then proceed to Putrified Ducts.
Groal the Great shortcut Defeat Groal the Great and use the shortcut above him.

Another route description via Bilewater includes a spiked vertical climb that uses Faydown Cloak and Cling Grip, plus a gap that calls for Swift Step. Those are requirements for that described approach, not universal requirements for collecting the key; the Memorium and Groal shortcut routes are described separately. The Silksong Wiki’s key walkthrough covers the Bilewater route.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Hollow Knight: Silksong Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]
  • Discover the fallen insect kingdom of Pharloom! Explore mossy grottos, gilded cities and misted moors as you ascend to the shining citadel at the top of the world.
  • Engage in lethal acrobatic action! Wield a huge suite of deadly moves as you dance between foes in swift, beautiful combat.
  • Craft powerful tools! Master an ever-expanding arsenal of weapons, traps, and mechanisms to vanquish your enemies and explore new heights.
  • Solve shocking quests! Hunt down rare beasts and solve ancient mysteries to grant the wishes of the downtrodden and restore the kingdom’s hope.
  • Face over 200 ferocious foes! Beasts and hunters, monsters and knights. Defeat them all with bravery and skill!
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What the Key of Apostate unlocks

The key opens locks marked Apostate in The Slab. One leads to a large room in the northeast with a platform challenge and a Mask Shard at the end. The Slab has three separately acquired keys: Apostate, Indolent, and Heretic. After obtaining a second key, Hornet combines the keys onto a keyring. The item entry lists the keys and the Apostate-marked locks.

The Key of Apostate can also open The Slab’s main gate if you have not already been brought into the area by story events. If you have entered through the story, the key is not necessarily needed for that initial access. The Slab access guide explains this distinction.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 2
Hollow Knight (Nintendo Switch)
Hollow Knight (Nintendo Switch)
Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
$38.49
SaleBestseller No. 3
Bestseller No. 4
Hollow Knight - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]
Hollow Knight - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]
Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
$14.99
Rank #4
Hollow Knight - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]
  • Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
  • Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
  • 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!
  • Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favorites and make your journey unique!
  • An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
Rank #3
Sale
Hollow Knight - For Nintendo Switch
  • Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
  • Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
  • Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
  • An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
  • Leap into minds with the Dream Nail. Uncover a whole other side to the characters you meet and the enemies you face.
Rank #2
Hollow Knight (Nintendo Switch)
  • Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
  • Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
  • Explore a vast interconnected world of forgotten highways, overgrown wilds and ruined cities.
  • Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
  • 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!.Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favourites and make your journey unique!.An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation..

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More quests from Patch Notes

  1. How to Host a Mindustry Server in 2026: server-release.jar, Port 6567 and the Commands That MatterBlog7min
  2. Left 4 Dead 2 Server Hosting (2026): 5 Best Hosts for Co-op and VersusBlog8min
  3. How to Set Up a Subnautica Nitrox Server (2026): Launcher, Port 11000 and server.cfgBlog8min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.