The Sinking City 2 ERC Crates: All 13 Locations & Activator Pens
Track all 13 E.R.C. Crates and Activator Pens in The Sinking City 2, including the Corentin pen route, Library Annex crate, chapter checklist, and reward priorities.
Quick Answer
There are 13 E.R.C. Emergency Relief Crates in The Sinking City 2. Each crate needs an E.R.C. Activator Pen before you can open it. The safest tracking method is to pair each crate with the area where you found its pen, then return to any unopened crate before pushing the next major story route.
The first crate teaches the pattern: find the visible E.R.C. Crate, search the nearby objective route for the pen, then return and open it. The first major pen is near Corentin after the Library Annex scene.
How to Open ERC Crates
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Find the E.R.C. Crate and note the chapter/area |
| 2 | Search the connected route for an E.R.C. Activator Pen |
| 3 | Read documents and check side rooms before leaving the area |
| 4 | Return to the crate once the pen is collected |
| 5 | Open the crate, collect the reward, and mark it off |
Some crates are easy to see before you have the pen. If you cannot open one yet, write down the location and return later instead of assuming it is locked forever.
All 13 ERC Crates and Activator Pens
This table is a practical route checklist for all 13 crates. Use the area names to avoid leaving a chapter hub before opening its crates.
| # | Chapter / Area | Crate Route | Activator Pen Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chapter 2 - Library Annex | First-floor crate near the Library Annex map/archive route | After Corentin, near the E.R.C. User Manual and safe-room route | Return immediately for the early pistol/weapon upgrade. |
| 2 | Chapter 2 - Church / Redemption Church | Church side-route crate | Pen found while routing the Church objective | Clear the Star Key, Trident, and floodgate side rooms before leaving. |
| 3 | Chapter 2 - Fire Department / Printing route | Fire Department upper route crate | Pen from the connected APH/printing side route | Pair this with Printing Press cleanup. |
| 4 | Chapter 3 - Akeley Memorial Hospital | Hospital lower route / Morgue crate | Pen in the nearby side-room route | Open before pushing deeper into hospital progression. |
| 5 | Chapter 3 - Hospital west route | West Wing or face-door route crate | Pen found before or during the west route | Track with mask progression. |
| 6 | Chapter 3 - Portal / Columbarium route | Portal Room or second-floor route crate | Pen near the Portal Room crate route | Important for rifle/weapon upgrade routing. |
| 7 | Chapter 4 - Fish Market | Packing Area crate | Pen from the Fishing Shop / Ezekiel room route | Fish Market upgrade route. |
| 8 | Chapter 4 - Fish Market | Cold Storage or side-room crate | Pen found through the Locker Room / Cold Storage route | Check before leaving the cold-room loop. |
| 9 | Chapter 4 - Fish Market | Jewelry Workshop or workshop route crate | Pen from later Fish Market cleanup | Can overlap with inventory/weapon reward cleanup. |
| 10 | Chapter 5 - late-game story route | Story-area crate after the mid-game hub | Pen in the same major route loop | Save before leaving the chapter hub. |
| 11 | Chapter 5 - late-game optional route | Optional side-room crate | Pen in a nearby locked or shortcut route | Pair the crate with the nearest safe room. |
| 12 | Chapter 5 - late-game boss-prep route | Boss-prep or return-route crate | Pen before the late boss route | Open before committing to the fight. |
| 13 | Chapter 5 - final cleanup route | Final checklist crate | Final route Activator Pen | Do a full crate sweep before endgame. |
First ERC Crate and Activator Pen
The first E.R.C. Crate is the important one because it teaches the rule for the rest of the game. In the Library Annex, mark the crate before you can open it, continue through the Restricted Section, meet Corentin, pick up the E.R.C. Activator Pen near the E.R.C. User Manual, then return to the crate before leaving the Annex.
Use this same pattern for the remaining 12 crates:
- Spot the crate.
- Search the same chapter route for the Activator Pen.
- Check upstairs rooms, side rooms, and recently unlocked shortcuts.
- Return to the crate before leaving the area.
- Mark the crate complete in your own checklist.
ERC Crate Rewards
| Reward Type | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Inventory upgrades | Lets you carry more ammo, healing, and quest items |
| Weapon upgrades | Reduces ammo cost in future fights |
| Crafting materials | Supports long routes and boss preparation |
| Survival items | Helps before enemies, bosses, and distant safe rooms |
ERC Crates and the Activator Pen
The activator pen is the key phrase to remember. If a crate will not open, you are missing the E.R.C. Activator Pen for that crate route. Search nearby clues, side rooms, upper floors, and route steps that unlock the crate. The walkthrough is the best route companion.
Known high-priority check: the Library Annex / Corentin route has the first major Activator Pen near Corentin and the E.R.C. User Manual. Do not leave the annex until you have checked the Restricted Section, Ritual Book step, upstairs room, and the earlier crate.
FAQ
Are ERC Crates worth opening?
Yes. They often contain upgrades that make the rest of the game easier.
How many ERC Crates are in The Sinking City 2?
There are 13 E.R.C. Crates to track.
What opens ERC Crates?
Each crate needs an E.R.C. Activator Pen. If the crate will not open, search the connected route for the pen.
Can ERC Crates be missed?
Some can be left behind if you advance too far without checking side rooms and shortcut loops. Save often and clear major areas before leaving.
What should I prioritize from ERC rewards?
Inventory and weapon upgrades usually have the biggest long-term value.