Salt and Sanctuary
Salt and Sanctuary

The Hardlight Brand — Salt and Sanctuary Walkthrough

Learn how to acquire the Hardlight Brand in Salt and Sanctuary. This brand is crucial for navigating impassable barriers of light in the game's later stages.

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The Hardlight Brand

The Hardlight Brand is an essential tool for traversing the later stages of Salt and Sanctuary, allowing you to bypass previously impassable barriers of light. Obtaining it requires a specific sequence of actions and a journey through some challenging areas. This guide will walk you through the precise steps to acquire this invaluable brand.

Prerequisites

  • You must have defeated the Kraeken Cyclops in the Mire of Stench to gain access to the Bandit's Pass.
  • It is highly recommended to have the Vertigo Brand (obtained from the Dome of the Forgotten) as it will significantly ease navigation in the Pitchwoods.
  • Be prepared for combat; the areas you'll traverse are filled with dangerous enemies.

Walkthrough: Obtaining the Hardlight Brand

  1. Travel to the Bandit's Pass:
    • From the Mire of Stench Sanctuary, head right and up the platforms to enter the Bandit's Pass.
    • Proceed through the Bandit's Pass, fighting or bypassing the various bandits and hounds. Your goal is to reach the far right side of this area.
  2. Enter the Pitchwoods:
    • At the easternmost exit of the Bandit's Pass, you will find the entrance to the Pitchwoods. This area is dark and treacherous, so proceed with caution.
    • If you have the Vertigo Brand, you can use it to climb the tall, narrow shafts, bypassing some of the more dangerous ground-level encounters.
  3. Locate the Pitchwoods Sanctuary:
    • Navigate through the Pitchwoods, generally heading downwards and to the right. The path can be confusing due to the darkness and verticality.
    • Your immediate goal is to find the Sanctuary within the Pitchwoods. It's typically located in a more open, central area of the woods, often requiring some platforming to reach.
    • Rest at the Pitchwoods Sanctuary to set a new respawn point.
  4. Proceed to the Ziggurat of Dust Entrance:
    • From the Pitchwoods Sanctuary, continue heading downwards and to the right. You'll eventually find an exit leading to a transition area that connects to the Ziggurat of Dust.
    • This transition area often features a few powerful enemies, such as the Pitchwoods Knight.
  5. Enter the Ziggurat of Dust:
    • Once you enter the Ziggurat of Dust, you'll immediately notice the distinct architecture and new enemy types, including the powerful Caged Man.
    • The Hardlight Brand is located relatively early within the Ziggurat.
  6. Acquire the Hardlight Brand:
    • From the entrance of the Ziggurat of Dust, proceed carefully. You'll encounter several Caged Men and other undead enemies.
    • Look for a path that leads downwards and to the left from the main entrance area.
    • You will eventually come to a small, enclosed chamber or alcove. The Hardlight Brand will be found on a corpse or pedestal within this chamber. It's usually quite visible once you enter the correct room.
    • Upon picking it up, you'll receive a notification that you've acquired the Hardlight Brand.

Using the Hardlight Brand

Once acquired, the Hardlight Brand is automatically active. You can now walk through the shimmering, translucent barriers of light that previously blocked your path in various areas of the game. These barriers are often found in:

  • Red Hall of Cages: Unlocking shortcuts and optional paths.
  • Dome of the Forgotten: Accessing hidden areas and items.
  • Hager's Cavern: Opening up new routes and secrets.
  • Castle of Storms: Essential for progression and finding collectibles.

Experiment with your new ability! Revisit older areas to uncover secrets and shortcuts that were previously inaccessible. The Hardlight Brand is crucial for 100% completion and exploring the full extent of the island.