To progress into the Courtyard and unlock more missions, you’ll need the valuable Invitation. Here’s a quick guide explaining how exactly to acquire one and delve deeper into the Darkest Dungeon: The Crimson Court dlc.

The crumbling Courtyard of The Crimson Court is the brand new location available for Darkest Dungeon‘s first DLC. It’s an opulent garden that’s since fallen to decay and supernatural oddities, filled with bloodsucking insects and former aristocrats that still stalk the massive party area, spreading infection and disease as they enjoy empty frivolities that mirror their grotesque former lives.

There’s so much new in The Crimsion Court it can be overwhelming. We’re starting with something simple here — this is how you’ll make basic progression in The Courtyard.

More Darkest Dungeon: The Crimson Court guides on The Escapist:

• Darkest Dungeon: Crimson Court – How To Cure The Crimson Curse | Affliction Breakdown
• Darkest Dungeon: Crimson Court – Courtyard Location Survivor Guide | Tips

How To Get Courtyard Invitations

The Courtyard Invitation is required to access the Courtyard area, a new location available in The Crimson Court DLC.

The first time your party enters the Courtyard, you are not required to carry a Courtyard Invitation, but each subsequent visit (after completing the first mission) requires one of these items. Missions cannot be launched without a Courtyard Invitation, and only one special enemy is carrying the keys to the gate.

Let’s breakdown exactly how to get more Courtyard Invitations.

• After completing the very first quest in The Courtyard area, the location will be locked off and future visits require the Courtyard Invitation item.
• Completing the first Courtyard quest also causes a vampiric insect infestation to occur in other dungeons. The infestation level will increase each dungeon run.
• Once a dungeon reaches max level infestation, a special enemy called a Gatekeeper will spawn.
• Gatekeepers, short, squat men with a large invitation note in their hands, will randomly spawn with groups of Bloodsuckers. Kill them to loot their invitation.

And that’s all it takes. After the second round of combat, Gatekeepers can also use an ability called “Elusive Exit” to immediately escape the area.

Invitations are a rare commodity indeed, so make sure you’re fully prepared before entering Courtyard missions. Some areas of the courtyard are over 100+ rooms long. That’s completely cruel, but that’s Darkest Dungeon for you.