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Keyring with keys.
Keyring with keys.

The keyring was a sixth bag slot that could be opened with the Button-Keyring button that held a number of keys, most usefully dungeon keys among other keys, with dynamic capacity. Not all keys or items with key in their names were compatible with the keyring.

When a player first acquired a key, they automatically acquired a keyring that held compatible keys. The keyring sized dynamically for the number of keys in possession, up to 32 keys.

Removal

In patch 4.2.0, the keyring was removed, as were many of the keys within it. Keys that still had a purpose were moved to the player's inventory, while those that weren't were deleted. Deleted keys that could be sold to vendors were converted into gold and mailed to the player by The Keymaster:

Reclaimed Key

We discovered a key belonging to you in the twisting nether and noted that it was no longer useful.

Please accept this recompense in lieu of your key.

For dungeons, any locked door that required a dungeon key was changed into a simple door that can be clicked on to open it.

Keyring UI

The keyring was the leftmost button on the  bar.

The keyring was the leftmost button on the bag bar.

Compatible keys

Dungeon keys

These keys are used to access dungeons, or to summon bosses or access areas within dungeons.

Unlimited use

  1.  [Workshop Key] aka Gnomeregan key
  2.  [The Scarlet Key] aka Scarlet Monastery key (also usable in Stratholme to enter the Scarlet Bastion)
  3.  [Prison Cell Key] opens Blackrock Depths prison cells
  4.  [Shadowforge Key] aka Blackrock Depths key
  5.  [Crescent Key] aka Dire Maul key
  6.  [Skeleton Key] aka Scholomance key
  7.  [Key to the City] aka Stratholme key
  8.  [Shadow Labyrinth Key] Opens the doors to the Shadow LabyrinthBc icon
  9.  [Shattered Halls Key] Opens the doors to the Shattered HallsBc icon
  10.  [Key to the Arcatraz] Opens the doors to the ArcatrazBc icon
  11.  [The Master's Key] Opens the doors and allows access to KarazhanBc icon
  12.  [Reservoir Key] Allows access to Heroic Coilfang ReservoirBc icon
  13.  [Key of Time] Allows access to Heroic Caverns of TimeBc icon
  14.  [Warpforged Key] Allows access to Heroic Tempest KeepBc icon
  15.  [Flamewrought Key] Allows access to Heroic Hellfire CitadelBc icon
  16.  [Auchenai Key] Allows access to Heroic AuchindounBc icon
  17.  [The Eye of Haramad] Summons Yor from Nexus-Prince Shaffar's Stasis Chamber in Heroic Mana-Tombs Bc icon
  18.  [Essence-Infused Moonstone] Summons Anzu in Heroic Sethekk Halls, Druids Only Bc icon
  19.  [The Violet Hold Key] Violet Hold key Wrath-Logo-Small
  20.  [Key to the Focusing Iris] Opens the Normal difficulty version of the Focusing Iris within the Eye of Eternity Wrath-Logo-Small
  21.  [Heroic Key to the Focusing Iris] Opens the Normal and Heroic difficulty versions of the Focusing Iris within the Eye of Eternity Wrath-Logo-Small

One-time use

  1.  [Executioner's Key] Opens cage in Zul'Farrak
  2.  [Gordok Courtyard Key] (Patch 2.0.1) Only available in Dire Maul, key leaves inventory if player leaves Dire Maul
  3.  [Viewing Room Key] Opens door to inner part of Scholomance

World keys

These keys are unlimited use.

  1.  [Key to Searing Gorge] Alliance side only, through a quest
  2.  [Jump-a-Tron 4000 Key] Turns on the Jump-a-tron 4000. Bc icon
  3.  [Deathforge Key] Allows access to the Deathforge. Bc icon
  4.  [Icehammer's Harpoon Controller] Activates the large Nifflevar harpoon gun. Wrath-Logo-Small Alliance side only, through a quest

Machine keys

These keys are one-time use.

  1.  [Key to Refurbished Shredder] Activates shredders in Venture Bay Wrath-Logo-Small

Blacksmithing keys

These are a non-rogue alternative to Lockpicking; each can unlock doors, chests, and lockboxes up to a certain Lockpicking level. One-time use.

  1.  [Silver Skeleton Key]
  2.  [Golden Skeleton Key]
  3.  [Truesilver Skeleton Key]
  4.  [Arcanite Skeleton Key]
  5.  [Cobalt Skeleton Key] Wrath-Logo-Small
  6.  [Titanium Skeleton Key] Wrath-Logo-Small
  7.  [Obsidium Skeleton Key] Cataclysm

Loot keys

These unlock specific items or objects. One-time use.

  1.  [Captain's Key]
  2.  [Relic Coffer Key] as of Patch 2.0.1
  3.  [Gordok Shackle Key] (Patch 2.0.1?) unique, but can leave dungeon
  4.  [Scarab Coffer Key] can leave dungeon
  5.  [Greater Scarab Coffer Key] can leave dungeon
  6.  [Coilskar Chest Key] Bc icon opens chests in Shadowmoon Valley
  7.  [Ethereum Prison Key] Bc icon opens prisons, or turn in 5 for  [Ethereum Stasis Chamber Key]
  8.  [Bash'ir's Skeleton Key] Bc icon opens larger prisons
  9.  [Ethereum Stasis Chamber Key] received from N [25-30G] Purging the Chambers of Bash'ir Bc icon opens larger prisons
  10.  [Shaffar's Stasis Chamber Key] received from N [25-30] Nexus-Prince Shaffar's Personal Chamber Bc icon
  11.  [Dark Keeper Key]
  12.  [Elders' Square Postbox Key]
  13.  [King's Square Postbox Key]
  14.  [Market Row Postbox Key]

Quest keys

These keys are available during quests. They disappear once the relevant quest is finished.

  1.  [Bristlelimb Key] Alliance only
  2.  [Gatekeeper's Key] Horde only
  3.  [Benedict's Key]
  4.  [Burning Key]
  5.  [Cresting Key]
  6.  [Thundering Key]
  7.  [Sha'naar Key]
  8.  [Cho'war's Key]
  9.  [Shackle Key]
  10.  [Shackle Key] Horde only
  11.  [Cuergo's Key] repeatable with  [Cuergo's Treasure Map]
  12.  [Boulderfist Key] Bc icon
  13.  [Lianthe's Key] Quest Bc icon
  14.  [Crystalline Key] Bc icon
  15.  [Veil Skith Prison Key] Bc icon
  16.  [Warmaul Prison Key] Bc icon
  17.  [The Warden's Key] Bc icon
  18.  [The Doctor's Key] Bc icon
  19.  [Panther Cage Key] Horde side only through a quest
  20.  [Camp Anger Key] Bc icon
  21.  [Ignition Key] Quest
  22.  [Derelict Caravan Chest Key] QuestBc icon
  23.  [Restored Apprentice's Key] QuestBc icon
  24.  [Grimtotem Key]

Incompatible "keys"

These items cannot be put on the keyring, despite being used as keys.

  1.  [Grimesilt Outhouse Key] Quest Key (note: this key was in the keyring from patch 2.0.1 but was reverted to a regular item as of Patch 2.1)
  2.  [Drakefire Amulet] aka Onyxia "key"
  3.  [Grim Guzzler Key] one time use
  4.  [Goblin Transponder] for Gnomeregan (Horde) made into a poor quality item
  5.  [Mallet of Zul'Farrak] aka Gahz'rilla summoning "key" No longer a key
  6.  [Scepter of Celebras] aka Maraudon "key" (more like a portal) (Patch 2.0.1) No longer a key
  7.  [Seal of Ascension] aka UBRS "key" (Patch 2.0.1)
  8.  [Burning Legion Gate Key] Quest keyBc icon
  9.  [Fel Cannon Activator] Quest keyBc icon

Patch changes

See also