What to know
- The Lantern Cave is located in the Backwaters – Shanty Swamp region.
- You must first obtain Pinky’s Ladder from Pinky’s shop in Nox’s Bayou.
- The ladder is required to reach the otherwise inaccessible cave entrance.
- The cave contains valuable rewards including a Bone Stone Shard and a Vial Pouch upgrade.
If you’re exploring every secret in Mina the Hollower, the Lantern Cave is one of the more easily missed locations in the Backwaters. Reaching it requires a special environmental item rather than a permanent ability, making it one of the game’s more unusual hidden areas. Fortunately, once you know where Pinky’s Ladder is and how to transport it across the swamp, getting inside becomes much more manageable.
Quick overview of Pinky’s Ladder location and use
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Backwaters – Shanty Swamp |
| Requirement | Pinky’s Ladder |
| Starting Point | Nox’s Bayou Train Station |
| Main Objective | Reach and enter Lantern Cave |
| Notable Loot | Bone Stone Shard |
| Upgrade Reward | Vial Pouch Upgrade |
| Extra Benefit | Shortcut activation |
Where to find Pinky’s Ladder in Mina the Hollower
Your journey begins by taking the train to Nox’s Bayou. From the station, head left and continue through the surrounding swamp paths until you reach the red-paved area containing Pinky’s shop.
Pinky sells several items, but the ladder itself is the important object. After accessing the shop and obtaining the opportunity to move the ladder, you can carry it outside and transport it through the swamp. Players discovered that the ladder can be removed from Pinky’s area and used elsewhere in the Backwaters, opening access to secrets that are otherwise unreachable.
Location of the Lantern Cave
The Lantern Cave entrance is found within Shanty Swamp in the Backwaters region. The entrance sits in an elevated area that cannot normally be reached without assistance.
After carrying Pinky’s Ladder through the swamp, continue toward the cave location while clearing nearby enemies to make transportation easier. Once you arrive at the correct spot, place the ladder beneath the ledge and use it to access the cave entrance. Community reports place the cave near the Bayou entrance area, requiring the ladder to reach the rope and elevated doorway.
How to reach the cave entrance
Travel to Nox’s Bayou using the train network. Head to Pinky’s location in the red pavement section of the swamp.
Acquire and carry Pinky’s Ladder. Transport the ladder through Shanty Swamp, using it to cross gaps and navigate difficult terrain.
Continue toward the Lantern Cave area while defeating enemies that could interfere with carrying the ladder. Place the ladder beneath the elevated entrance and climb up to access the cave.
Activate the shortcut and explore the cave interior for its hidden rewards.
What happens inside the Lantern Cave
The Lantern Cave is notably darker than most areas in the game. Darkness mechanics play a major role inside, and lingering in complete darkness for too long can trigger a frightening encounter that sends Mina back similarly to falling into a pit. Players should move carefully and stay aware of their surroundings while exploring.
Despite the danger, the cave is worth visiting because it contains useful collectibles and permanently opens a convenient shortcut.
Lantern Cave rewards
| Reward | Description |
|---|---|
| Bone Stone Shard | Valuable upgrade material found within the cave |
| Vial Pouch Upgrade | Increases your healing capacity |
| Shortcut | Creates easier future access to the area |
These rewards make the Lantern Cave one of the more worthwhile optional discoveries in the Backwaters, especially if you’re looking to strengthen Mina before tackling tougher late-game content.
Why the Lantern Cave is worth visiting
The combination of permanent progression rewards and a useful shortcut makes this hidden cave a strong detour for completionists. Since Pinky’s Ladder can also be used to access other secrets in the Backwaters, learning how to transport and use it effectively becomes valuable beyond just this single cave. Some players may already recognize the ladder from its connection to additional hidden treasures and trinkets found throughout the region.
The Lantern Cave is a secret area in Backwaters’ Shanty Swamp that requires Pinky’s Ladder to access. After traveling from Nox’s Bayou, borrowing the ladder from Pinky, and carrying it through the swamp, you can reach the hidden entrance, unlock a shortcut, and collect a Bone Stone Shard alongside a Vial Pouch upgrade. For players aiming for full completion, it is one of the most rewarding hidden locations in the Backwaters.
