How to Get Red Cave Key The Forge (March 2026) Raven Quest Guide

Looking to unlock the most important endgame content in The Forge? The Red Cave Key is your gateway to the Raven Cave, home to legendary gear, rare ores, and the path to the Dragon Head Pickaxe. I’ve spent countless hours mastering this questline, and I’m here to share everything you need to know about obtaining this crucial key.
| Requirement | Details | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Player Level | 70+ | Complete all Island 2 quests first |
| Required Item | Portal Tool | Finish Sensei Moro’s questline |
| Location | Frostspire Expanse (Island 3) | Use Portal Tool at main forge |
| Main Quest | Complete Raven Quest 2 | Must finish Raven Quest 1 first |
| Key Reward | Red Cave Key | One-time use, permanent access |
What You Need Before Starting? (Prerequisites)
Don’t even think about heading to Island 3 unprepared. I learned this the hard way after multiple wasted trips. Here’s exactly what you need:
Level and Progression Requirements
- Reach Player Level 70 – This is a hard gate. The game literally won’t let you progress without it
- Complete Sensei Moro’s Questline – This rewards you with the essential Portal Tool
- Travel to Frostspire Expanse – Use your Portal Tool at the main forge to teleport to Island 3
Recommended Gear Setup
Based on my experience grinding these quests, here’s what brings the best results:
Weapons:
- Katana or Claymore (forged, preferably with good stats)
- Bring backup weapons in case of durability issues
Armor:
- Samurai or Viking set (minimum)
- Higher tier armor if you have it – these quests can be surprisingly challenging
Tools:
- Titanium Pickaxe (minimum) – You’ll be doing a lot of mining
- Luck-boosting accessories if you have them
- Luck Potions – Absolutely essential for the rare drops
Consumables:
- Stack of health potions
- Multiple Luck Potions (I recommend at least 10-15)
- Food items for stat boosts
Complete Raven Questline Walkthrough
The Raven questline consists of three main quests, but you only need to complete the first two to get the Red Cave Key. Let me break down each step in detail.
Step 1: Find the Raven NPC (First Location)
After arriving on Frostspire Expanse, head toward the Spider Cave. Just to the right of the cave entrance, you’ll find a small campsite with an Excalibur monument. The Raven NPC – a large, crow-like figure with crimson red eyes – is waiting here.
Pro Tip: The campsite is easy to miss if you’re not looking carefully. Look for the fire and the distinctive Excalibur sword stuck in the ground.
Step 2: Complete Raven Quest 1 – “Raven’s Initial Task”
This quest introduces you to the Spider Cave grind and tests your basic combat and mining skills.
Objectives:
- Kill 5 Crystal Spiders (the blue spiders inside the cave)
- Mine 10 Icy Pebbles (the light blue, icy rock nodes)
- Obtain 1 Aetherit (a rare drop from mining Icy Pebbles)
My Strategy for Maximum Efficiency:
- Farm the first few chambers of Spider Cave systematically
- Kill every Crystal Spider you encounter – don’t skip any
- Mine every Icy Pebble node you see, even after getting your 10
- Use a Luck Potion before you start mining – seriously, this dramatically increases your Aetherit drop chances
- Create a loop – clear chamber 1, move to chamber 2, then chamber 3, then reset
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don’t leave the cave after getting your 5 spider kills and 10 pebbles. Stay and keep mining until you get the Aetherit, or you’ll waste time re-clearing the cave.
Reward: Recipe for the Raven Helmet – a solid mid-game armor piece that’s worth crafting immediately.
Step 3: Locate Raven Again (Second Location)
After completing Quest 1, Raven relocates. She now stands directly in front of a massive, imposing red door built into the island’s cliffs. This is the entrance to the Raven Cave. You can’t miss it – it’s the giant red door behind the forging area.
Step 4: Complete Raven Quest 2 – “Raven’s Challenge” (The Key Quest)
This is where the real grind begins. Be prepared for a test of patience and luck.
Objectives:
- Kill 10 Diamond Spiders (shiny white spiders found deeper in the cave)
- Kill 1 Prismarine Spider (a larger, colorful mini-boss)
- Obtain 1 Snowite (a very rare legendary drop from mining Icy Pebbles)
Advanced Strategy for Quest 2:
For Diamond Spiders:
- Head deeper into Spider Cave (chambers 3-5 work best)
- They’re more common than Crystal Spiders but have more health
- Bring a good weapon – they hit harder than Crystal Spiders
For Prismarine Spider:
- This is a mini-boss that spawns randomly in deeper chambers
- You might need to clear multiple rooms to find one
- Server hopping trick: If you can’t find one, try switching servers
- It has significantly more health than regular spiders
For Snowite (The Real Challenge):
- EXTREMELY RARE – we’re talking 0.1% drop rate or lower
- Maximize your Luck stat:
- Use Legendary Luck Potions if you can afford them
- Equip any luck-boosting accessories
- Consider luck-boosting armor if available
- Mining strategy: Hit EVERY Icy Pebble node you encounter while spider hunting
- Patience is key: I spent 3+ hours on this part alone
Reward: Recipe for the Raven Chestplate and, most importantly, the Red Cave Key. The key is added to your inventory automatically.
Step 5: Use the Red Cave Key
With the key in your possession, return to the giant red door where you found Raven for the second quest. Face the lock mechanism (not just the door) and press E to interact. The door will swing open in a short cutscene, granting you permanent access to the Raven Cave.
Important Note: The key is consumed when used, but the door remains open permanently for your character. You won’t need another key.
Pro Tips for an Efficient Grind
After completing this questline multiple times across different accounts, here are my top efficiency tips:
Don’t Stop After Quest 1
When you finish the first quest, immediately accept Quest 2 from Raven at the red door and continue farming in the same Spider Cave session. You might already have some progress toward the new objectives.
Luck is Your Best Stat
The entire questline hinges on rare drops (Aetherit, Snowite). Never farm without a Luck Potion active. Equip any Lucky Charms or luck-boosting accessories you own.
Optimize Your Cave Route
Create a loop in the 2-3 largest chambers of the Spider Cave. Clear all enemies and nodes, then leave the cave entirely to reset it. Re-enter and repeat. This is much faster than waiting for respawns deep inside.
Server Hop for Rare Spawns
If the Prismarine Spider isn’t spawning, don’t waste time. Leave the cave, switch servers, and try again. This resets all spawn timers.
Time Your Luck Potions
Pop a Luck Potion right before entering the cave, then time your mining to coincide with the potion’s duration. Don’t waste potion time running between locations.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
I’ve encountered every issue imaginable during this questline. Here’s how to solve them:
| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Raven isn’t at the camp | You’re not on Island 3 or below Level 70 | Confirm you’re Level 70 and have used the Portal Tool to reach Frostspire Expanse |
| Aetherit/Snowite won’t drop | Extremely low drop rate | Boost your Luck stat with potions and gear. Be patient—this is the intended grind |
| Prismarine Spider not spawning | Bad RNG or stalled spawn | Clear the entire cave of all enemies. Exit fully and re-enter, or try a new server |
| Finished Quest 2 but no key | Inventory full or minor UI bug | Check your inventory. If missing, try relogging or speaking to Raven again |
| Can’t interact with red door | Not facing the lock correctly | Stand directly in front of the keyhole on the door, not just the door itself |
What’s Inside the Raven Cave?
Getting the Red Cave Key opens up a whole new endgame experience. Here’s what awaits you:
New Ores and Resources
- Heart of the Island – Requires 650+ mine power
- Stolen Heart – Used in advanced quests
- Evil Eye – High-tier crafting material
- Duranite, Gulabite, Moon Stone, Frogite, Coinite – Various rare ores
Enemies and Challenges
- Three levels of spiders (Mini Demonic, Demonic, Demonic Queen)
- Strange cultists including Aida and other NPCs
- Much tougher enemies than Spider Cave
Advanced Questlines
- Raven Quest 3 – For the Berserker Armor recipe
- Secret Cult quests – Leading to the Dragon Head Pickaxe
- Goblin Lord quests – For the Goblin Crown
Beyond the Red Cave Key: Your Path Forward
Congratulations on getting the Red Cave Key! This is the single biggest progression milestone on Island 3. Here’s what I recommend doing next:
Immediate Next Steps
- Explore the Raven Cave – But be prepared, enemies are significantly tougher
- Consider Raven Quest 3 – Inside, you’ll find Raven again for the infamous final quest
- Seek the Secret – Look for hidden paths near the giant red crystal for Cult NPCs
Long-term Goals
- Dragon Head Pickaxe – The ultimate mining tool
- Berserker Armor – Best armor set in the game
- Complete all questlines – For full game completion
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip Raven Quest 1 and go straight for the key?
No. The Raven quests are strictly sequential. You must complete Quest 1 before Quest 2 becomes available, and the key cannot be obtained without finishing the earlier steps.
Is the Red Cave Key consumed when I use it?
Yes. The Red Cave Key is a one-time-use quest item that disappears after unlocking the door. However, once unlocked, the door stays permanently open for your character.
What’s the fastest way to farm Snowite?
Focus on maximizing your Luck using potions and gear, then create an efficient mining loop inside the Spider Cave. Make sure to hit every Icy Pebble node, and use mining speed boosts to rotate through spawns faster.
What should I do right after getting the key?
Immediately enter the Raven Cave. This triggers the next progression stage, unlocking Raven Quest 3, the hidden Cult questline, and your path toward the Dragon Head Pickaxe.
Can I give the key to a friend?
No. All key-related quest items are soulbound (account-bound). Each player must complete the questline and earn their own key.
How long does the entire questline take?
For experienced players with good gear, the full questline usually takes 2–4 hours. Beginners should expect 6–10+ hours, with most of the time spent grinding Snowite.
What level should I be for optimal success?
Although Level 70 is the minimum requirement, it’s strongly recommended to be Level 75–80 with solid gear for smooth and efficient completion of this questline.
Final Thoughts
The Red Cave Key questline is one of the most rewarding progression paths in The Forge. While the grind can be intense, especially for Snowite, the payoff is enormous. You’ll unlock access to some of the best content in the game, including legendary gear and rare resources.
Remember to stock up on Luck Potions, bring your best gear, and be patient with the drop rates. The Raven Cave is worth every minute of the grind, and you’ll thank yourself later when you’re crafting legendary gear and mining the rarest ores in the game.
Bookmark this guide and check back regularly for updates, as The Forge frequently receives new content and balance changes that might affect quest requirements or strategies.
Happy forging, and may your luck be ever in your favor!
Related Content
For more The Forge guides and tips, check out these comprehensive resources:
- The Forge Island 3 Guide – Complete Frostspire Expanse walkthrough
- Best Armor Recipes The Forge – All armor crafting combinations
- The Forge Progression Guide – Fast leveling strategies
- All The Forge Blueprints – Complete blueprint collection
