Spelunky 2 Secrets and Strategies Guide

Spelunky 2 has a reputation for being both punishing and endlessly surprising, even for players who thought they'd seen everything in the caves of the original game. Between the game's hidden pathways, mysterious items, and unpredictable hazards, every run feels like a new puzzle to solve. Whether you’re hoping to make it just a bit farther than last time or looking to piece together some of the game’s deeper mysteries, knowing a few of the right strategies—and being aware of some of Spelunky 2’s best-kept secrets—can make a big difference. It’s a game where curiosity is rewarded, but a little guidance can help you survive long enough to see what’s waiting one layer below.

Secret Path Guide

Spelunky 2 is packed with hidden routes and alternate endings, and unlocking the “secret path” is one of its most exciting challenges. The secret path is a long, intricate sequence that takes you through optional areas and requires careful planning. You’ll need certain items, knowledge of secret entrances, and a lot of patience—one mistake, and you’ll need to start your run from scratch.

This guide will break down everything you need to know about tackling Spelunky 2’s secret path, including which items to prioritize, route decisions, and tricky obstacles to watch out for along the way.

What Is the Secret Path?

The secret path, sometimes called the “Cosmic Ocean route” or “True Ending path,” is a series of steps leading to hidden levels far beyond the normal temple of Olmec. This route runs from the Dwelling all the way to the Cosmic Ocean: an endless gauntlet that challenges even expert players.

Following this route requires you to unlock key shortcuts, gather specific items, and defeat special bosses.

Step-by-Step: How To Follow the Secret Path

1. Unlock the Udjat Eye

In the Dwelling (World 1), look for a lock-and-key chest and a golden key.
Bomb your way to reach both, then unlock the chest.
The Udjat Eye helps you find the Black Market later and is the first major step on this hidden route.

2. Collect the Ankh

In the Jungle (World 2-1 to 2-4), the Udjat Eye will start blinking when you’re near the Black Market entrance.
Bomb or dig your way in to find the Ankh, a blue artifact sold for $50,000.
Gather enough money beforehand—stealing is an option, but shopkeepers will become hostile.

3. Self-Resurrect at the Moai

Choose the Tide Pool (over Volcana) as your next path.
In 4-2, you’ll find the Moai statue. Let yourself die inside this level (suiciding creatively if needed), and the Ankh will resurrect you inside the Moai chamber, granting you the Hedjet.

4. Obtain the Scepter

Take the shortcut to Abzu or Duat next. If you continued through Tide Pool, seek Kingu at 6-4 (Abzu). For the Temple of Anubis (Duat route), defeat Anubis in 4-1 for the Scepter.
The Scepter is needed to progress further—be careful, it’s a dangerous weapon that can turn on you.

5. Reach the City of Gold or Abzu

If you have the Hedjet and Scepter and are on the Temple route, you can open the door to the City of Gold (4-3).
For Tide Pool, defeat Kingu in 6-4 with your Scepter and enter the portal to Abzu.

6. Claim the Crown or Tablet of Destiny

After completing Abzu or the City of Gold, you receive either the Crown or the Tablet of Destiny, depending on your route.
These items are necessary to get the final key item.

7. Step on the Sun Challenge and Collect the Arrow of Light

After obtaining required items, journey to the Sunken City (7-1 to 7-4).
Find the “Sun Challenge” room and survive the challenge to earn the Arrow of Light.
This is essential for defeating the final boss and accessing the Cosmic Ocean.

8. Defeat Hundun and Enter the Cosmic Ocean

Use the Arrow of Light to defeat Hundun, the final boss in the Sunken City.
After victory, drop down the hole Hundun leaves behind. Here, you’ll reach the Cosmic Ocean: Spelunky 2’s true final destination.

Tips for a Successful Secret Path Run

Prioritize resources: You can’t pull off the secret path without plenty of bombs, ropes, and health. Managing resources is key—always look for crates, and don’t waste bombs unless you must.

Keep key items safe: Accidentally dropping or destroying crucial items like the Scepter or Hedjet ends the run. Handle them with care, watch for hazards and enemies that could snatch or destroy them.

Know your path: Once you start down the secret route, mistakes are costly. Map out your preferred route, and stick to it. Each branch (Abzu vs. Duat/Temple) offers different risks and rewards.

Practice tricky sections: The Sun Challenge, Black Market, and bosses like Kingu and Hundun can snowball runs. Practice these individually if you can.

Useful Shortcuts and Item Interactions

Teleporters and Jetpacks: Both are huge time-savers but risky. Many players prefer the Jetpack for its control, but always keep an eye on your fuel.
Pets/Health: Bring pets to the end of levels for quick health boosts, especially before challenges or boss fights.
Back Whip: Use the whip behind you to grab valuable items or trigger traps safely.

Conclusion

Making it through Spelunky 2’s secret path is a brutal test of skill, patience, and planning. With the right approach, understanding which steps to take and items to grab, you can unravel this hidden route and see what lurks beyond the deepest layers. Take your time, learn from mistakes, and celebrate each step forward—there are few victories in gaming as satisfying as surviving the secret path. Resource management sits at the heart of any successful Spelunky 2 run, but on the secret path, it makes the difference between an exciting attempt and a short-lived venture. Keeping track of your resources—bombs, ropes, gold, health, and key items—is essential at every stage. For players chasing the Cosmic Ocean or even those just aiming to reach the later worlds reliably, here’s a detailed guide to squeezing the most out of every pickup and avoiding waste.

Mastering Bomb and Rope Usage

Bombs and ropes aren’t just tools—they're your lifelines. Running out often means skipping life-saving shortcuts, missing critical items, or leaving valuable loot behind.

Bombs

Bombs help with navigation, accessing secret rooms, and dispatching tough enemies. On the secret path, they get used up quickly, especially in the Dwelling when finding the Udjat Eye chest or breaking into the Black Market.

Best Practices

Plan Ahead: Don’t blow up random terrain. Think about whether you can get around obstacles with a clever jump or a rope instead.
Crate Priority: Always check hard-to-reach corners and small alcoves—crates are likeliest to hide in tricky spots and often contain extra bombs.
Double Value: Use bombs for multiple objectives. For example, bomb open a shortcut and also kill a group of enemies, or reveal two crates stacked behind the same wall.

Ropes

Ropes are more plentiful, but just as easy to waste. They’re essential for vertical movement, escaping shops, or grabbing a pet that’s out of easy reach.

Helpful Habits

Jump First: Can you reach the ledge with a running jump, back whip, or enemy bounce before using a rope? Try those first.
Emergency Use: Save a rope or two for panic moments—falling into spike pits, escaping rising lava, or climbing out of the Black Market.
Team Game: In co-op, coordinate rope use so both players don’t ladder the same spot, burning through your shared stash.

Safeguarding Key Items

Progressing through the secret path often means carrying unique items from one level to the next. Accidentally losing or breaking these can end a run early, even if you're loaded with bombs.

The Udjat Eye, Ankh, Hedjet, and Scepter

These are non-negotiable. If they’re lost (thrown into a pit, blown up by an explosion, or left behind), you won’t be able to continue along the secret path.

Hold on to Them: Resist the urge to juggle items unless necessary—don’t toss them where projectiles, enemies, or traps can reach.
Enemy Awareness: On levels like the Temple of Anubis, watch for teleporting sorceresses or flying enemies that can knock items away.
Bomb Safety: Don’t bomb while your key item is sitting where it can get destroyed by the blast.

Shop Purchases and Offense

Gold lets you buy bombs, ropes, and important gear (like the Ankh in the Black Market), or bribe shopkeepers with hired hands. Plan purchases based on what you lack most.

Budgeting: If you spot the Black Market and don’t have the $50,000 for the Ankh, backtrack for more gold, whip open pots, and prioritize money bags and valuable gems.
Stealing: Robbing gives you everything in a shop, but it turns all shopkeepers against you. If you go this route, recognize that resource management also means managing the extra risk.

Managing Health and Saving Pets

Health keeps you alive through mistakes and unavoidable damage. Gaining extra hearts early is especially valuable for later risks.

Prioritize Pets: Always try to carry the pet to the exit for a free heart—unless it’s genuinely life-threatening to do so.
Kapala Opportunities: Try to sacrifice pets or stunned enemies on altars for the Kapala, which lets you restore health by collecting enemy blood.
Conserve Hearts: Don’t rush. Take time to scan each room for arrow traps, spikes, and enemies before jumping in.

Dealing with Enemy Drops and Level Loot

Every level is sprinkled with items: some helpful, others dangerous. Knowing what’s worth risking and what to leave boosts your efficiency.

Crates vs. Pots: Crates usually offer bombs, ropes, or rare gear; pots can hide spiders or snakes. Use the whip or thrown objects to open pots safely from a distance.
Secret Shops/Rooms: Some levels quietly hide shops or vaults. Never skip bombable walls if you have extra resources—they might just contain game-changing loot.

Resource Management for Key Challenges

Black Market: Often needs at least one bomb to enter (unless the entrance is exposed). Inside, shop wisely—you may find a Bomb Box or Jetpack for sale.
Sun Challenge: The gauntlet fills three minutes with enemies and traps, so having bombs, ropes, and health gives you room for mistakes.
Cosmic Ocean: Rely on every resource. Bombs let you break out of tight spots, ropes save you from bottomless falls, and health cushions against accidental hits.

Efficient Item Juggling and Risk Assessment

Sometimes, you’ll need to carry multiple items—like the Scepter, a pet, and maybe a weapon—all while dodging pitfalls.

Order of Importance: Always give priority to items needed for progression. For less important loot, weigh the risks versus your current health and supply situation.
Safe Drop-offs: Set items down in safe corners before fighting enemies or bombing; don’t risk losing them mid-chaos.

Resource Mindset: Adapt and Improvise

Spelunky 2 rewards creative solutions. If you run low on bombs, use push blocks, enemy movements, and physics to your advantage. If you’re out of ropes, bounce off enemies or use wall slides and double jumps from mounts.

Flexibility is the ultimate resource. Squeeze every bit of value out of what you find—and remember, sometimes making it to the next stage with the bare minimum is all you need to keep moving toward the Cosmic Ocean.

By staying smart about every item, coin, and heart, you’ll improve your odds at the secret path and the toughest ends of Spelunky 2. Adjust your playstyle based on your inventory, and always keep your eyes peeled for new ways to grab, stash, and use every resource at your disposal.

Enemy Avoidance

Getting through Spelunky 2 isn’t just about handling enemies with a whip or a shotgun. Often, the best play is not to fight at all. Every zone tosses new threats your way—some are easy to dodge with a little timing, others need patience and careful movement. Here’s a playbook for keeping out of trouble and reaching the exit with your health and gear intact.

Understanding Enemy Types

Each enemy in Spelunky 2 follows a predictable pattern, but those patterns change based on the zone you’re in. Learning what each one does—and how it reacts to your movement—can help you slip by untouched.

Basic Enemies: Bats, snakes, and spiders follow simple paths. Bats track you when you’re vertical or horizontal to them. Snakes slither back and forth. Spiders drop when you get close.
Aggressive Chasers: Cavemen, cave moles, and shopkeepers will run straight at you. They’re harder to ignore but can be lured into traps or avoided with smart platforming.
Unique Gimmicks: Some enemies, like Mantraps, wait for you to make a move. Others, like sorceresses or robots, can hit you from a distance with projectiles.

Take a second to identify threats in each room before you act. Rushing almost always results in avoidable damage.

Movement Basics

Getting the hang of Spelunky 2’s movement is your first defense. Jumping, running, crouching, and grabbing edges—with the occasional sprint—let you get past most foes reliably.

Walk, Don’t Rush: Slow steps give you more reaction time. Hold down while approaching new ledges to peek below before you drop.
Edge Hang: Hanging from a ledge limits hitboxes—bats and spiders will often miss you if you’re dangling just right.
Bounce Techniques: Jumping off enemies (like stunned snakes or cavemen) lets you reach higher ground while avoiding direct contact.

Mastering movement also means knowing when not to act. Sometimes the best move is to pause, let an enemy pass, or reposition for a cleaner route.

Enemy Path Manipulation

Many enemies react to your position. You can use this to set up a safe passage or trick them into hazards.

Luring and Baiting

Move In, Move Out: Step closer to wake a bat or spider, then back away so it comes to your level, making it easier to jump over or pass by.
Lead Into Traps: Enemies that follow you can be used to trigger arrow traps or land on spikes. If you spot both in a row, let the enemy go first.
Item Throws: Tossing rocks or skulls can draw attention or trigger enemy behaviors. This is especially helpful for waking up sleeping foes from a distance.

Manipulating Aggressive Enemies

Cavemen/Moles: Let them fall into pits or get stuck on platforms. They’ll often eliminate themselves as you focus on navigation.
Shopkeepers: If angered, wait just off-screen and peek in to manipulate their pattern. Shopkeepers tend to run and jump erratically when hostile, making direct avoidance risky. Use bombs or ropes to slip by when possible, or choose an alternate route.

Zone-Specific Avoidance Tips

Each world introduces new enemy behaviors. Knowing the signature threats is key:

Dwelling (World 1)

Bats and snakes excel at cornering careless players. Always clear your drop area before leaping.
Watch out for cave moles burrowing through the dirt—they can surprise you by popping up where you plan to land.

Jungle (World 2A)

Frogs and mosquitoes have unpredictable, high jumps. Give them plenty of space instead of charging through.
Mantraps will devour anything that touches them—even pets or other enemies. Toss objects to set them off before moving forward.

Volcana (World 2B)

Robots explode when hit, so it’s much safer to run past them or use their blast for other enemies.
Firebugs have erratic flight paths; keep your eye on their timing and avoid climbing when they’re near.

Tide Pool, Temple, and Beyond

Sorceresses and crocmen can hit you from afar. Stay off their visual path, or use obstacles as cover.
Crabs and crate-carrying enemies in Tide Pool slide along platforms—jump over, don’t stand still.
Mummies in Temple spit locusts in an arc—duck behind solid terrain and move only when the coast is clear.

Using Items and the Environment

You don’t always need bombs or ropes to keep enemies away. Everyday objects are your friend:

Skulls, pots, and rocks: Tossing these can stun or kill most basic enemies without risk.
Push blocks: Setting off traps with loose blocks clears a path and saves your health.
Mounts: Turkeys and others let you absorb a hit or make longer jumps, giving extra security when dodging crowded areas.

If you end up in a spot with multiple threats, consider using a bomb or rope as a get-out-of-jail card rather than risking direct contact.

Identifying Safe Paths

Every room in Spelunky 2 has more than one way through. Pause and look for gaps, ladders, and open drops that route you around enemies instead of through them.

Scan Before You Leap: Move slowly and plan a route that bypasses high-risk zones.
Vertical Stacks: If enemies cluster, sometimes it’s better to go around horizontally or even backtrack briefly.
Pet Placement: If Monty (the pet) is near enemies, weigh if the health is worth the risk. Sometimes skipping a pet is smarter than taking a hit.

Patience and Adaptation

Avoiding enemies is about more than muscle memory; it’s a test of staying calm and reading the room. Don’t hesitate to wait a second for a bat to pass or for a patrol to turn around. Haste often ends in disaster.

If a lot has gone wrong—enemies blocking exits, tough layouts, shopkeepers gone berserk—take a breath. Assess your bombs, ropes, and items for emergency use. Remember that surviving with low resources is a win compared to dying with plenty unused.

Conclusion

Practicing enemy avoidance will not only increase your survival rate but also keep your resources in check for the tougher challenges ahead. With time, reading enemy movement and picking low-risk paths becomes second nature. Take it one screen at a time, stay alert, and you’ll make it deeper into Spelunky 2’s layers without turning every level into a brawl.

Shopkeeper Strategies

Shops in Spelunky 2 can swing your run from desperate to stacked—but no one forgets the first time a shopkeeper ruins everything. Whether you’re there to shop fair and square or pulling off a heist, handling shopkeepers takes more than quick reflexes. Here’s how to deal with them safely, plus what happens when things go sideways.

Understanding Shopkeeper Behavior

Shopkeepers stand behind their counters, guarding whatever loot is for sale. As long as you don’t steal, attack, or set off any explosions inside their shop, they stay neutral. Trouble starts if you:

Steal an item (leave without paying)
Attack the shopkeeper (directly or with thrown objects, pets, or bombs)
Accidentally break a shop crate, chest, or pot
Let a bomb, arrow, or even another enemy hit the shopkeeper

Once provoked, shopkeepers become aggressive not just in that level, but in every shop and exit for the rest of your run. This is called being “wanted.” Future shopkeepers will shoot on sight and block exits, making every level much more tense.

Tips for Legitimate Shopping

If you want to keep shopkeepers friendly, basic care goes a long way:

Holster your items: Don’t walk into shops holding a thrown object; drop it outside.
Use gentle movement: Avoid sliding or sprinting inside, since you might bump the shopkeeper by accident.
Check your surroundings: Sometimes enemies or stray projectiles can trigger the shopkeeper. Clear danger before browsing.
Mind pets: Bringing Monty or another critter into a shop can cause chaos. Leave them outside if possible.

If you’re short on cash, smashing pots and crates elsewhere on the floor can boost your wallet before you shop. Never smash them inside the store!

Stealing: The Basics

Some runs need bolder moves. To successfully rob a shop and live, you’ll need good timing and a fast exit:

The Snatch-and-Run

Line up near the item you want.
Grab and sprint: As soon as you pick something up, run toward the exit. The shopkeeper will draw his shotgun and start firing.
Jump over or around: Most shopkeepers shoot straight ahead. Jumping over his head can help get you out the door safely.
Use bombs or ropes: Sometimes a quick bomb or rope creates an alternate escape, especially if the entrance is awkward.

Smarter Shop Heists

Advanced players might toss a bomb at the shopkeeper or lure him out first—but be aware, shopkeepers are extremely fast and deadly:

Freeze Ray/Weapons: Using a freeze ray traps him, giving you a window to grab items or take him out.
Drop Items On His Head: Stunned, he drops his shotgun. You have to act fast; he recovers quickly.
Drop from Above: Dropping onto the shopkeeper from high up can deflect his aim for a split second. Use with caution.

Each robbery makes you wanted for the rest of your session.

Handling Angry Shopkeepers

Once you’ve angered them, shops turn into mini-boss fights. Here’s what helps:

Surviving Exit Shopkeepers

Angry shopkeepers wait at the level’s exit, running and firing the moment you show yourself.

Use bombs: Blasting a new path (often through the terrain above or beside the exit) avoids fighting head-on.
Distract: Sometimes, pets or thrown objects draw his fire, letting you slip by.
Peek and bait: Barely nudge the camera so he dashes away, then quickly follow and try to pass.
Stun and run: Toss items to stun him momentarily. Take his shotgun as you leave if possible.

Remember, shopkeepers move faster than most monsters, even climbing ladders and jumping gaps.

Dealing with Multiple

Later levels or vaults may have two or more. In these cases:

Wait for them to separate: If both are together, timing an escape is tough. Sometimes letting one move off-screen gives you an opening.
Bomb traps: Use bombs at the entrance to catch them both off guard.
Weapons: Shotguns, freeze rays, even teleports can break through tough setups, but come with risk.

The Value of Shopkeeper Loot

Robbing shops gives you every item inside, plus a shotgun—a huge advantage if you survive. Future shops stay full, but every one comes with a new fight at the door.

Special Shops: Vaults and Hired Hands

Vault Shopkeepers: These guard stacks of gold. They always start hostile.
Hired Hands: Sometimes, shops sell these helpers. Once a shopkeeper is angry, handling hired hands inside shops is risky—they might get hurt and escalate things further.

To Steal or Not to Steal

Sometimes, robbing a shop makes sense: No cash, game-changing items, or just for the fun of it. But every theft means a harder path from then on. If you’re low on health or just starting, playing by the rules may take you farther.

Shopkeeper Strategy Quick Tips

Don’t bring weapons, bombs, or pets into shops unless you’re ready for chaos.
Always have an escape planned before doing anything risky.
After a robbery, treat every exit with caution; a shopkeeper will be waiting.
Once wanted, prioritize picking up shotguns from exits to defend yourself in the next level.
Shopkeeper aggro never resets; they’ll be after you until you win or die.

Final Thoughts

Shopkeepers put serious pressure on every run—one mistake can turn a casual stroll into a desperate dash for survival. Choose your moments carefully, and remember: a little planning means the difference between a legendary heist and a quick game over.

Shortcut Guide

Shortcuts in Spelunky 2 are one of the game’s best ways to practice later worlds and make progress without starting from scratch. These unlockable passageways let you skip ahead to key stages, making challenging biomes more accessible. Getting shortcuts open, though, takes effort, resources, and a bit of planning. Here’s how they work, what each requires, and some practical tips to help you unlock them.

Where to Find Shortcuts

Shortcuts always show up at base camp—Ol’ Meaty Tun waits by a gate to the right of the main doors. Talk to her, and she’ll explain what she needs to set up each one. Unlike the first Spelunky, shortcuts in Spelunky 2 use the new hub, so they’re easier to find and manage from run to run.

You only unlock shortcuts after reaching her in a run and meeting her demands. Once you do, a quick door at camp takes you straight to the start of the selected world—super handy for learning tricky areas like Volcana or Tide Pool.

How Shortcuts Work

There are three shortcut doors:

1. To the Jungle or Volcana (start of World 2)
2. To the Ice Caves or Temple (start of World 3)
3. To the Temple of Anubis or Tide Pool (start of World 4)

Each shortcut leads to both biomes in that world, letting you choose which path to take. But you can’t bring every item through—read on for those rules.

What Gets Left Behind

Shortcuts don’t let you smuggle in gear from the first world. No gold, bombs, ropes, weapons, pets, or special items; you’ll start each shortcut run with just your basic resources. This keeps things fair, so no cheesing later biomes with loads of loot. Only the Udjat Eye passes through shortcut doors if you’re carrying it, since it’s needed for certain secrets, but most runs leave you with the bare essentials.

Unlocking Shortcuts: What Tun Asks For

Tun’s shortcut demands always come in a set order for each door, and you need to fulfill each task in a single trip. If you die along the way, you’ll have to start over for that unlock.

Shortcut #1: To World 2 (Jungle/Volcana)

First Requirement: $2,000
Second Requirement: Bring a bomb (regular Bomb, not Paste).
Third Requirement: Bring a rope

All three need to be handed to Tun at the end of 1-4 (the end of Dwelling). You can bring surplus, but she’ll only take what’s required.

Shortcut #2: To World 3 (Ice Caves/Temple)

First Requirement: $10,000
Second Requirement: Bring a shotgun
Third Requirement: Bring a hired hand

These are given to Tun at the end of 3-1 (the first level of the new world). For the shotgun, you can get one from a shopkeeper (but beware the risks), or sometimes in weapon shops or from dead cavemen. Hired hands can be bought or released from coffins.

Shortcut #3: To World 4 (Tide Pool/Temple of Anubis)

First Requirement: $50,000
Second Requirement: Bring a landmine
Third Requirement: Bring yourself with a pet (Monty, Percy, or Poochi)

The landmine is most common in Volcana or from shops, and you’ll need to keep a pet alive until the end. It’s a tough list, but these shortcuts save loads of time once you unlock them.

Shortcut Tips and Tricks

Stockpile for Requirements

Knowing what Tun wants ahead of time makes a huge difference. Hoard bombs, ropes, or gold on the floors before meeting her. Try not to waste resources—you can always find more, but supplies get tight in the deeper stages.

Using Shops Wisely

Shops almost always have ropes and bombs for the early request. Sometimes shops or weapon shops spawn a hired hand (rare, but possible) or a shotgun for shortcut #2. If you’re really lucky, you might find everything you need on sale; just watch for shopkeeper trouble.

Transporting Tricky Items

Some things Tun wants aren’t easy to tote to the shortcut gate. The landmine, for example, is fragile—one hit or fall, and it explodes. Carry it gently, or toss it short distances if you’re confident.

With pets, just bring them to the exit; you can’t carry both a landmine and a pet, so loop back for one if needed. Time is limited—try not to dawdle.

Practice Runs

You don’t need to complete a whole run to practice the shortcut unlock. Focus on fulfilling each demand rather than reaching the end. If you blow it, restart. Each step you finish gets saved, so you won’t have to repeat it.

Use Co-op to Make It Easier

With friends, you can split up—have someone grab a hired hand, another carry the shotgun, and someone else amass treasure. Co-op runs mean more hands for every request.

Why Unlock Shortcuts?

Shortcuts are more than convenience—they’re your main way to get comfortable with Spelunky 2’s trickiest worlds. If one biome keeps ending your runs, shortcutting ahead lets you keep practicing without repeating the first four levels every time.

Once shortcuts are open, they stay unlocked forever—even after you quit the game. Use them to practice boss fights, hidden routes, or speedrun tactics. And if you’re aiming for Spelunky 2’s secret endings or achievements, you’ll appreciate every time-saver you can get.

Conclusion

Shortcuts aren’t just a nice bonus—they’re a smart tool for anyone wanting to push deeper into Spelunky 2’s wild, dangerous caverns. With a bit of planning, careful item management, and maybe a little luck, you’ll have those doors open in no time. Whether you’re a new player or grinding for tougher achievements, shortcuts keep the action moving and take the sting out of early-game mistakes.

Secret Path Guide

What Is the Secret Path?

Following this route requires you to unlock key shortcuts, gather specific items, and defeat special bosses.

Step-by-Step: How To Follow the Secret Path

1. Unlock the Udjat Eye

In the Dwelling (World 1), look for a lock-and-key chest and a golden key.
Bomb your way to reach both, then unlock the chest.
The Udjat Eye helps you find the Black Market later and is the first major step on this hidden route.

2. Collect the Ankh

In the Jungle (World 2-1 to 2-4), the Udjat Eye will start blinking when you’re near the Black Market entrance.
Bomb or dig your way in to find the Ankh, a blue artifact sold for $50,000.
Gather enough money beforehand—stealing is an option, but shopkeepers will become hostile.

3. Self-Resurrect at the Moai

Choose the Tide Pool (over Volcana) as your next path.
In 4-2, you’ll find the Moai statue. Let yourself die inside this level (suiciding creatively if needed), and the Ankh will resurrect you inside the Moai chamber, granting you the Hedjet.

4. Obtain the Scepter

Take the shortcut to Abzu or Duat next. If you continued through Tide Pool, seek Kingu at 6-4 (Abzu). For the Temple of Anubis (Duat route), defeat Anubis in 4-1 for the Scepter.
The Scepter is needed to progress further—be careful, it’s a dangerous weapon that can turn on you.

5. Reach the City of Gold or Abzu

If you have the Hedjet and Scepter and are on the Temple route, you can open the door to the City of Gold (4-3).
For Tide Pool, defeat Kingu in 6-4 with your Scepter and enter the portal to Abzu.

6. Claim the Crown or Tablet of Destiny

After completing Abzu or the City of Gold, you receive either the Crown or the Tablet of Destiny, depending on your route.
These items are necessary to get the final key item.

7. Step on the Sun Challenge and Collect the Arrow of Light

After obtaining required items, journey to the Sunken City (7-1 to 7-4).
Find the “Sun Challenge” room and survive the challenge to earn the Arrow of Light.
This is essential for defeating the final boss and accessing the Cosmic Ocean.

8. Defeat Hundun and Enter the Cosmic Ocean

Use the Arrow of Light to defeat Hundun, the final boss in the Sunken City.
After victory, drop down the hole Hundun leaves behind. Here, you’ll reach the Cosmic Ocean: Spelunky 2’s true final destination.

Tips for a Successful Secret Path Run

Prioritize resources: You can’t pull off the secret path without plenty of bombs, ropes, and health. Managing resources is key—always look for crates, and don’t waste bombs unless you must.

Know your path: Once you start down the secret route, mistakes are costly. Map out your preferred route, and stick to it. Each branch (Abzu vs. Duat/Temple) offers different risks and rewards.

Practice tricky sections: The Sun Challenge, Black Market, and bosses like Kingu and Hundun can snowball runs. Practice these individually if you can.

Useful Shortcuts and Item Interactions

Teleporters and Jetpacks: Both are huge time-savers but risky. Many players prefer the Jetpack for its control, but always keep an eye on your fuel.
Pets/Health: Bring pets to the end of levels for quick health boosts, especially before challenges or boss fights.
Back Whip: Use the whip behind you to grab valuable items or trigger traps safely.

Conclusion

Mastering Bomb and Rope Usage

Bombs and ropes aren’t just tools—they're your lifelines. Running out often means skipping life-saving shortcuts, missing critical items, or leaving valuable loot behind.

Bombs

Best Practices

Plan Ahead: Don’t blow up random terrain. Think about whether you can get around obstacles with a clever jump or a rope instead.
Crate Priority: Always check hard-to-reach corners and small alcoves—crates are likeliest to hide in tricky spots and often contain extra bombs.
Double Value: Use bombs for multiple objectives. For example, bomb open a shortcut and also kill a group of enemies, or reveal two crates stacked behind the same wall.

Ropes

Ropes are more plentiful, but just as easy to waste. They’re essential for vertical movement, escaping shops, or grabbing a pet that’s out of easy reach.

Helpful Habits

Jump First: Can you reach the ledge with a running jump, back whip, or enemy bounce before using a rope? Try those first.
Emergency Use: Save a rope or two for panic moments—falling into spike pits, escaping rising lava, or climbing out of the Black Market.
Team Game: In co-op, coordinate rope use so both players don’t ladder the same spot, burning through your shared stash.

Safeguarding Key Items

Progressing through the secret path often means carrying unique items from one level to the next. Accidentally losing or breaking these can end a run early, even if you're loaded with bombs.

The Udjat Eye, Ankh, Hedjet, and Scepter

These are non-negotiable. If they’re lost (thrown into a pit, blown up by an explosion, or left behind), you won’t be able to continue along the secret path.

Hold on to Them: Resist the urge to juggle items unless necessary—don’t toss them where projectiles, enemies, or traps can reach.
Enemy Awareness: On levels like the Temple of Anubis, watch for teleporting sorceresses or flying enemies that can knock items away.
Bomb Safety: Don’t bomb while your key item is sitting where it can get destroyed by the blast.

Shop Purchases and Offense

Gold lets you buy bombs, ropes, and important gear (like the Ankh in the Black Market), or bribe shopkeepers with hired hands. Plan purchases based on what you lack most.

Budgeting: If you spot the Black Market and don’t have the $50,000 for the Ankh, backtrack for more gold, whip open pots, and prioritize money bags and valuable gems.
Stealing: Robbing gives you everything in a shop, but it turns all shopkeepers against you. If you go this route, recognize that resource management also means managing the extra risk.

Managing Health and Saving Pets

Health keeps you alive through mistakes and unavoidable damage. Gaining extra hearts early is especially valuable for later risks.

Prioritize Pets: Always try to carry the pet to the exit for a free heart—unless it’s genuinely life-threatening to do so.
Kapala Opportunities: Try to sacrifice pets or stunned enemies on altars for the Kapala, which lets you restore health by collecting enemy blood.
Conserve Hearts: Don’t rush. Take time to scan each room for arrow traps, spikes, and enemies before jumping in.

Dealing with Enemy Drops and Level Loot

Every level is sprinkled with items: some helpful, others dangerous. Knowing what’s worth risking and what to leave boosts your efficiency.

Crates vs. Pots: Crates usually offer bombs, ropes, or rare gear; pots can hide spiders or snakes. Use the whip or thrown objects to open pots safely from a distance.
Secret Shops/Rooms: Some levels quietly hide shops or vaults. Never skip bombable walls if you have extra resources—they might just contain game-changing loot.

Resource Management for Key Challenges

Black Market: Often needs at least one bomb to enter (unless the entrance is exposed). Inside, shop wisely—you may find a Bomb Box or Jetpack for sale.
Sun Challenge: The gauntlet fills three minutes with enemies and traps, so having bombs, ropes, and health gives you room for mistakes.
Cosmic Ocean: Rely on every resource. Bombs let you break out of tight spots, ropes save you from bottomless falls, and health cushions against accidental hits.

Efficient Item Juggling and Risk Assessment

Sometimes, you’ll need to carry multiple items—like the Scepter, a pet, and maybe a weapon—all while dodging pitfalls.

Order of Importance: Always give priority to items needed for progression. For less important loot, weigh the risks versus your current health and supply situation.
Safe Drop-offs: Set items down in safe corners before fighting enemies or bombing; don’t risk losing them mid-chaos.

Resource Mindset: Adapt and Improvise

Enemy Avoidance

Understanding Enemy Types

Basic Enemies: Bats, snakes, and spiders follow simple paths. Bats track you when you’re vertical or horizontal to them. Snakes slither back and forth. Spiders drop when you get close.
Aggressive Chasers: Cavemen, cave moles, and shopkeepers will run straight at you. They’re harder to ignore but can be lured into traps or avoided with smart platforming.
Unique Gimmicks: Some enemies, like Mantraps, wait for you to make a move. Others, like sorceresses or robots, can hit you from a distance with projectiles.

Take a second to identify threats in each room before you act. Rushing almost always results in avoidable damage.

Movement Basics

Getting the hang of Spelunky 2’s movement is your first defense. Jumping, running, crouching, and grabbing edges—with the occasional sprint—let you get past most foes reliably.

Walk, Don’t Rush: Slow steps give you more reaction time. Hold down while approaching new ledges to peek below before you drop.
Edge Hang: Hanging from a ledge limits hitboxes—bats and spiders will often miss you if you’re dangling just right.
Bounce Techniques: Jumping off enemies (like stunned snakes or cavemen) lets you reach higher ground while avoiding direct contact.

Mastering movement also means knowing when not to act. Sometimes the best move is to pause, let an enemy pass, or reposition for a cleaner route.

Enemy Path Manipulation

Many enemies react to your position. You can use this to set up a safe passage or trick them into hazards.

Luring and Baiting

Move In, Move Out: Step closer to wake a bat or spider, then back away so it comes to your level, making it easier to jump over or pass by.
Lead Into Traps: Enemies that follow you can be used to trigger arrow traps or land on spikes. If you spot both in a row, let the enemy go first.
Item Throws: Tossing rocks or skulls can draw attention or trigger enemy behaviors. This is especially helpful for waking up sleeping foes from a distance.

Manipulating Aggressive Enemies

Cavemen/Moles: Let them fall into pits or get stuck on platforms. They’ll often eliminate themselves as you focus on navigation.
Shopkeepers: If angered, wait just off-screen and peek in to manipulate their pattern. Shopkeepers tend to run and jump erratically when hostile, making direct avoidance risky. Use bombs or ropes to slip by when possible, or choose an alternate route.

Zone-Specific Avoidance Tips

Each world introduces new enemy behaviors. Knowing the signature threats is key:

Dwelling (World 1)

Bats and snakes excel at cornering careless players. Always clear your drop area before leaping.
Watch out for cave moles burrowing through the dirt—they can surprise you by popping up where you plan to land.

Jungle (World 2A)

Frogs and mosquitoes have unpredictable, high jumps. Give them plenty of space instead of charging through.
Mantraps will devour anything that touches them—even pets or other enemies. Toss objects to set them off before moving forward.

Volcana (World 2B)

Robots explode when hit, so it’s much safer to run past them or use their blast for other enemies.
Firebugs have erratic flight paths; keep your eye on their timing and avoid climbing when they’re near.

Tide Pool, Temple, and Beyond

Sorceresses and crocmen can hit you from afar. Stay off their visual path, or use obstacles as cover.
Crabs and crate-carrying enemies in Tide Pool slide along platforms—jump over, don’t stand still.
Mummies in Temple spit locusts in an arc—duck behind solid terrain and move only when the coast is clear.

Using Items and the Environment

You don’t always need bombs or ropes to keep enemies away. Everyday objects are your friend:

Skulls, pots, and rocks: Tossing these can stun or kill most basic enemies without risk.
Push blocks: Setting off traps with loose blocks clears a path and saves your health.
Mounts: Turkeys and others let you absorb a hit or make longer jumps, giving extra security when dodging crowded areas.

If you end up in a spot with multiple threats, consider using a bomb or rope as a get-out-of-jail card rather than risking direct contact.

Identifying Safe Paths

Every room in Spelunky 2 has more than one way through. Pause and look for gaps, ladders, and open drops that route you around enemies instead of through them.

Scan Before You Leap: Move slowly and plan a route that bypasses high-risk zones.
Vertical Stacks: If enemies cluster, sometimes it’s better to go around horizontally or even backtrack briefly.
Pet Placement: If Monty (the pet) is near enemies, weigh if the health is worth the risk. Sometimes skipping a pet is smarter than taking a hit.

Patience and Adaptation

Conclusion

Shopkeeper Strategies

Understanding Shopkeeper Behavior

Steal an item (leave without paying)
Attack the shopkeeper (directly or with thrown objects, pets, or bombs)
Accidentally break a shop crate, chest, or pot
Let a bomb, arrow, or even another enemy hit the shopkeeper

Tips for Legitimate Shopping

If you want to keep shopkeepers friendly, basic care goes a long way:

Holster your items: Don’t walk into shops holding a thrown object; drop it outside.
Use gentle movement: Avoid sliding or sprinting inside, since you might bump the shopkeeper by accident.
Check your surroundings: Sometimes enemies or stray projectiles can trigger the shopkeeper. Clear danger before browsing.
Mind pets: Bringing Monty or another critter into a shop can cause chaos. Leave them outside if possible.

If you’re short on cash, smashing pots and crates elsewhere on the floor can boost your wallet before you shop. Never smash them inside the store!

Stealing: The Basics

Some runs need bolder moves. To successfully rob a shop and live, you’ll need good timing and a fast exit:

The Snatch-and-Run

Line up near the item you want.
Grab and sprint: As soon as you pick something up, run toward the exit. The shopkeeper will draw his shotgun and start firing.
Jump over or around: Most shopkeepers shoot straight ahead. Jumping over his head can help get you out the door safely.
Use bombs or ropes: Sometimes a quick bomb or rope creates an alternate escape, especially if the entrance is awkward.

Smarter Shop Heists

Advanced players might toss a bomb at the shopkeeper or lure him out first—but be aware, shopkeepers are extremely fast and deadly:

Freeze Ray/Weapons: Using a freeze ray traps him, giving you a window to grab items or take him out.
Drop Items On His Head: Stunned, he drops his shotgun. You have to act fast; he recovers quickly.
Drop from Above: Dropping onto the shopkeeper from high up can deflect his aim for a split second. Use with caution.

Each robbery makes you wanted for the rest of your session.

Handling Angry Shopkeepers

Once you’ve angered them, shops turn into mini-boss fights. Here’s what helps:

Surviving Exit Shopkeepers

Angry shopkeepers wait at the level’s exit, running and firing the moment you show yourself.

Use bombs: Blasting a new path (often through the terrain above or beside the exit) avoids fighting head-on.
Distract: Sometimes, pets or thrown objects draw his fire, letting you slip by.
Peek and bait: Barely nudge the camera so he dashes away, then quickly follow and try to pass.
Stun and run: Toss items to stun him momentarily. Take his shotgun as you leave if possible.

Remember, shopkeepers move faster than most monsters, even climbing ladders and jumping gaps.

Dealing with Multiple

Later levels or vaults may have two or more. In these cases:

Wait for them to separate: If both are together, timing an escape is tough. Sometimes letting one move off-screen gives you an opening.
Bomb traps: Use bombs at the entrance to catch them both off guard.
Weapons: Shotguns, freeze rays, even teleports can break through tough setups, but come with risk.

The Value of Shopkeeper Loot

Robbing shops gives you every item inside, plus a shotgun—a huge advantage if you survive. Future shops stay full, but every one comes with a new fight at the door.

Special Shops: Vaults and Hired Hands

Vault Shopkeepers: These guard stacks of gold. They always start hostile.
Hired Hands: Sometimes, shops sell these helpers. Once a shopkeeper is angry, handling hired hands inside shops is risky—they might get hurt and escalate things further.

To Steal or Not to Steal

Shopkeeper Strategy Quick Tips

Don’t bring weapons, bombs, or pets into shops unless you’re ready for chaos.
Always have an escape planned before doing anything risky.
After a robbery, treat every exit with caution; a shopkeeper will be waiting.
Once wanted, prioritize picking up shotguns from exits to defend yourself in the next level.
Shopkeeper aggro never resets; they’ll be after you until you win or die.

Final Thoughts

Shortcut Guide

Where to Find Shortcuts

How Shortcuts Work

There are three shortcut doors:

1. To the Jungle or Volcana (start of World 2)
2. To the Ice Caves or Temple (start of World 3)
3. To the Temple of Anubis or Tide Pool (start of World 4)

Each shortcut leads to both biomes in that world, letting you choose which path to take. But you can’t bring every item through—read on for those rules.

What Gets Left Behind

Unlocking Shortcuts: What Tun Asks For

Tun’s shortcut demands always come in a set order for each door, and you need to fulfill each task in a single trip. If you die along the way, you’ll have to start over for that unlock.

Shortcut #1: To World 2 (Jungle/Volcana)

First Requirement: $2,000
Second Requirement: Bring a bomb (regular Bomb, not Paste).
Third Requirement: Bring a rope

All three need to be handed to Tun at the end of 1-4 (the end of Dwelling). You can bring surplus, but she’ll only take what’s required.

Shortcut #2: To World 3 (Ice Caves/Temple)

First Requirement: $10,000
Second Requirement: Bring a shotgun
Third Requirement: Bring a hired hand

Shortcut #3: To World 4 (Tide Pool/Temple of Anubis)

First Requirement: $50,000
Second Requirement: Bring a landmine
Third Requirement: Bring yourself with a pet (Monty, Percy, or Poochi)

The landmine is most common in Volcana or from shops, and you’ll need to keep a pet alive until the end. It’s a tough list, but these shortcuts save loads of time once you unlock them.

Shortcut Tips and Tricks

Stockpile for Requirements

Using Shops Wisely

Transporting Tricky Items

With pets, just bring them to the exit; you can’t carry both a landmine and a pet, so loop back for one if needed. Time is limited—try not to dawdle.

Practice Runs

Use Co-op to Make It Easier

With friends, you can split up—have someone grab a hired hand, another carry the shotgun, and someone else amass treasure. Co-op runs mean more hands for every request.