The Old Hearts is a late‑game main quest in Act 3 that sends you into three sealed spaces to recover ancient Hearts. Expect heavy platforming and multiple boss encounters. Minor story beats are referenced below.

Prerequisites and how the quest unlocks

Access to Act 3 is required. Progress the story until you meet the Snail Shamans and follow their lead into the Abyss.

Step 1: Finish the Act 3 unlock sequence so you can reach the Abyss and attempt to descend at its lowest point. You’ll find the drop is blocked, signaling you need additional tools.

Step 2: Acquire the Farsight item and the Silksoar super jump. Silksoar lets you gain significant vertical height to breach shafts and hidden passages, while Farsight reveals paths and secrets used throughout this act.

Step 3: Return to the Snail Shamans to receive Elegy of the Deep for your Needolin. This melody lets Hornet slip into Pharloom’s forgotten past at specific seals tied to the Old Hearts.

Step 4: Three objectives appear in your journal: Claim the Hunter’s Heart, the Encrusted Heart, and the Pollen Heart. Travel to each marked site and play Elegy of the Deep at the seal to enter the trial area.

These areas demand durability and damage output. Before starting, stabilize your build and supplies:

  • Collect Mask Shards to increase survivability during boss gauntlets.
  • Gather Spool Fragments to expand your silk capacity for movement and heals.
  • Apply Pale Oil upgrades to your needle to shorten boss phases.

Heart of the Wild — Hunter’s Heart

This route connects Hunter’s March to a hidden section of Far Fields and culminates in a duel with a Skarrsinger.

Step 1: Reach the rabbit statue landmark in Hunter’s March. This is your orientation point for the hidden approach.

Step 2: Use Silksoar near the statue to access a concealed passage. The route opens into another slice of Far Fields that isn’t reachable earlier in the game.

Step 3: Play Elegy of the Deep at the seal to shift into the Heart’s domain. Expect platforming segments that test aerial control and recovery.

Step 4: Defeat Skarrsinger Karmelita. Watch for rhythm shifts and multi‑hit strings; staying grounded between flurries reduces punish windows.

Step 5: Optional: Explore the far‑right side to meet Sprintmaster Swift. Win all races here to earn a Mask Shard for a permanent health boost.

Heart of Might — Encrusted Heart

Set in the Sands of Karak, this path layers a mini‑dungeon, survival encounters, and a throne‑room duel.

Step 1: In Sands of Karak, Silksoar up the rightmost vertical shaft to its top. Move left into the shell dome to locate the seal.

Step 2: Before playing the Elegy, find the bench tucked in a small nook to the right of the dome. This gives you a nearby respawn for the upcoming gauntlets.

Step 3: Activate the seal with Elegy of the Deep. Clear an opening fight against the Raging Conchfly to advance.

Step 4: Optional: Climb to the top of the central shaft to enter the Voltnest mini‑dungeon and challenge Voltvyrm. This is a side boss; skip it if you’re low on resources.

Step 5: Ascend the Coral Tower and survive roughly 30 enemy waves spread across multiple arenas. Maintain silk for recoveries; taking fewer risks here reduces retries.

Step 6: Fight Crust King Khann in the throne room. If you fall, you respawn at the throne‑room bench but must redo the final gauntlet encounter before re‑challenging Khann, so prioritize consistency over greed.

Heart of the Woods — Pollen Heart

The entrance hides along the Citadel’s Grand Gate lift shaft with a breakable passage and climb‑drop route.

Step 1: Head to the Grand Gate. A reliable approach is via the Blasted Steps Bellway, then across the chamber with shifting scale platforms to reach the big lift shaft used in early game segments.

Step 2: Use Silksoar to climb above the main thoroughfare and traverse the upper passages until you can break back into the lift shaft from above. This sets up the left‑wall search.

Step 3: On the left side of the shaft, midway down, look for a fragile section and smash it open. This concealed door is the primary entrance to the Heart’s route.

Step 4: Drop through the new passage, then cut through the vines on your right to access the shaft’s lower level. Keep left as you fall; another breakable wall reveals the final approach.

Step 5: Play Elegy of the Deep at the seal to enter the domain. Prepare for a two‑phase boss sequence: Shrine Guardian Seth first, followed by Nyleth. Manage resources between phases—topping off silk during transition moments reduces risk in the closer.

Turn in the Hearts and claim your reward

With Hunter’s, Encrusted, and Pollen Hearts secured, return to the Snail Shamans to trigger a short Red Memory segment. Completing it grants Hornet the Everbloom, a traversal power that lets you push further into the Abyss’s dark vortex and advance the endgame.

Tips to reduce retries

Step 1: Set a fast bench near each seal before playing the Elegy. Shorter corpse runs keep attempts focused and consistent.

Step 2: Allocate charms for sustain and control during gauntlets. Reliable healing and aerial recovery shorten time lost to late‑wave mistakes.

Step 3: Use Silksoar to route vertical arenas. Climbing early to establish safe angles often avoids multi‑enemy crossfire.

Collecting all three Hearts streamlines the final stretch of Act 3. With Everbloom in hand, you can push deeper, clean up remaining upgrades, and prepare for the campaign’s last fights.