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Roguelikesare known for their optional, much more challenging content to keep hardcore players engaged. Not only do you get bragging rights for beating this content, but often special rewards and advantages.Darkest Dungeon 2is no different in its approach. One opportunity for skilled players to prove their mettle is The Sluice.
Related:Darkest Dungeon 2: How To Beat The Dreaming GeneralThe Sluice is a unique region in Darkest Dungeon 2 that has a chance to appear at each inn. For everything you need to know about this region, from which locations and enemies it harbors to the special loot you’re able to find there, keep reading.
Traversing The Sluice
The Sluice is one of the five regions that have a chance to show up at each inn. Upon choosing the Sluice, simply finish your rest in the inn and depart as normal.
All Confessions in Darkest Dungeon 2 except the first, Denial, can contain The Sluice. The Sluice can only be traversed once per run, similar to other regions in the game.
Unlike other regions in Darkest Dungeon 2, The Sluice will not have an optional objective or an associated reward.
The Map in The Sluice
Something to be aware of while traversing the Sluice is that the map does not work in this region. If you open the map tab, a region banner is all that you will see. It is therefore advisable to replace any scouting gear you might have on your stagecoach with something better (should you have access to other items).
Related:Darkest Dungeon 2: Tips & Tricks For Beginners
Locations In The Sluice
There are fewer possible locations in The Sluice than in other regions. This is partially because the region is smaller and partially to represent its more difficult nature.You will not find a Lair in The Sluice, so beware if you do not yet have a trophy to enter The Mountain.
Academic’s Study
The Academic Study is a moderately common location in The Sluice and often shows up one to two times per run. However, this is a neutral encounter at best due to the unreliability of the rewards and the potential to pick up a negative quirk.
Shrine of Reflection
The Shrine of Reflection, where you can play through past chapters of each Hero’s story and unlock additional abilities, is rarely found in The Sluice. Finding one is often a good sign for your run, as it means that the Heroes will get a chance to rest and face one fewer negative encounters.
Creature Dens
You are likely to find Creature Dens alongside the Swine themed locations in The Sluice. These dens have two waves of spider and centipede enemies.
When a creature den is cleared, the player will receive a special drop that can be turned into the innkeeper for great discounts and the occasional buff. If you have the ability, definitely clear these out.
The Warren
The Warren will be the site of all combat encounters in The Sluice (except road battles). Here is where you will encounter Swine. Expect these encounters to be slightly harder than the average Resistance Encounter, and much more frequent.
Swine’s Cache
Similar to the Supply Cache location found in other regions, the Swine’s Cache is home to welcome loot. Not only will you get currency such as Baubles and Relics, but you may also find rare Trinkets and Combat Items exclusive to the region.
This is a great find and one of the main reasons to enter the Sluice.
Related:Darkest Dungeon 2: All Heroes Ranked
Hazards In The Sluice
The dangers of The Sluice are not horrifically difficult when compared to other regions, however, they are certainly more dangerous because you will not have a map. There is no way of choosing to avoid encounters you are ill-prepared for.
Road events in The Sluice are largely unchanged from other regions - you can expect tests of your stagecoach’s wheels and armor as well as bandit attacks and Void Tears.
In addition to the difficulty of navigating these hazards blind, you won’t be able to reduce your Loathing with Resistance encounters or patch up the Stagecoach and the Flame at Assistance Encounters. The ability to escape the region without a Confessional Blessing or an Emergency Repairs event is almost entirely luck-based.
In The Sluice, the main faction is Swine. There are three enemies in the Swine faction, as well as a rare mini-boss:
The Swine Brute is a Bruiser with high health and high melee damage, while the Skulker is a stealth-based assassin. Expect to take a lot of Bleed damage from these enemies. The Swine Skivver is a very fragile enemy with innate dodge tokens, who will cripple your Rank 1 hero with stuns, movement, and debuffs.
Wilbur, the mini-boss of the Swine faction, is a Critical Damage focused melee bruiser. He typically takes direction from other Swine he spawns with to do massive amounts of damage but falters when these minions are removed.
As with most regions, you can encounter Pillagers at road battles. The Shambler can also be encountered should you meet its other spawn requirements.
Rewards In The Sluice
Time spent in The Sluice is rarely wasted. Players are at least guaranteed to receive a large amount of Relics and Baubles from each Warren encounter. Additionally, a successful Sluice run will net you extra Mastery Points. This can be especially valuable early on in your run, or to recover from a Hero death.
In addition, this region does not count toward the number of regions until the Mountain. It is essentially a small detour to buff your Heroes for the main challenge.
