How to Use the Ancient Key in Don’t Starve

The Ancient Key is a crucial quest item in Don’t Starve, but its use differs drastically depending on whether you are playing the Single-Player version (including Reign of Giants, Shipwrecked, and Hamlet) or Don’t Starve Together.

Please confirm your game version first, then refer to the corresponding section below.

I. Ancient Key in Single-Player Don’t Starve

In the single-player version, this item is commonly known as the “Skeleton Key.”

How to Obtain:

• In the Reign of Giants DLC, you need to find the Chessboard Biome where the “Wooden Thing” part is located. There, you will see a skeleton skull with a key stuck in it. Simply pick it up to obtain the Ancient Key.

What is it for?

• It is an essential item for starting Adventure Mode or “world hopping.”

How to Use (Step-by-Step):

1. Collect all four “Things” (Metal Potato Thing, Ring Thing, Crank Thing, and Box Thing).

2. Find the “Wooden Thing” base somewhere in the world.

3. Assemble the four “Things” onto the base.

4. Finally, insert the Ancient Key into the keyhole at the center of the Wooden Thing.

5. Activate the mechanism. You can then choose to enter the next world (Adventure Mode) or proceed to a new Sandbox world while taking some of your inventory with you.

Single-Player Summary: It is the “final key” for completing Adventure Mode or connecting different Sandbox worlds, used specifically to activate the Wooden Thing.

II. Ancient Key in Don’t Starve Together

In Don’t Starve Together, the use of the Ancient Key is completely different. It is central to a core boss fight and subsequent storyline.

How to Obtain:

• In DST, the Ancient Key must be crafted.

• Crafting Location: At the Ancient Archive found on the Lunar Island (the glowing structure protected by a scientific barrier).

• Crafting Materials: Requires 1 point of Enlightenment (gained by being near a Gestalt, which grants the “Inspired” status) to unlock the crafting tab. Then, use 3x Enlightened Shards and 1x Ancient Key Blueprint to craft it.

• The Ancient Key Blueprint is a guaranteed drop from defeating the Ancient Fuelweaver, the final boss located in the Ruins (Caves level 3).

What is it for?

• Its primary purpose is to summon and initiate the battle against The Celestial Champion, a supreme summer boss in DST.

How to Use (Detailed Steps):

Prerequisites:

1. Defeat the Ancient Fuelweaver to obtain the Ancient Key Blueprint.

2. Travel to the Lunar Island and locate the Ancient Archive.

3. Gain the “Inspired” status (Enlightenment) by being near a Gestalt.

4. Craft the Ancient Key in the Archive’s crafting tab using the materials listed above.

Summoning the Boss:

1. During Summer, take the Ancient Key and find the Celestial Tribute.

2. The Celestial Tribute is an altar constructed on the Lunar Island after you (or another player) complete the three Trials of the “Celestial Portal.”

3. Insert the Ancient Key into the slot on the Celestial Tribute.

Initiating the Fight:

1. After inserting the key, the Tribute will begin absorbing surrounding light and heat, causing the summer to become intensely hot.

2. After a short time, The Celestial Champion (first appearing as the “Terrorbeak” form) will descend from the sky and land near the Tribute.

3. To damage the boss, you must attack the Ancient Key itself (which is now lodged in the Tribute) with your weapon, rather than directly attacking the Celestial Champion.

Rewards:

• Defeating The Celestial Champion yields rich rewards, including:

  • Dreadstone Armor: Powerful defensive equipment.

  • Dreadstone Crown: A potent helmet with special effects.

  • Pure Horror: A material used for crafting advanced items.

• The Ancient Key will revert to its item form and can be picked up again for reuse.

DST Summary: The Ancient Key is a reusable boss summoning item, used specifically in Summer to summon and challenge the ultimate boss, The Celestial Champion.