Tracking down every vial pouch location in Mina the Hollower is no small feat, as many are cleverly tucked away. However, the effort is well worth it: securing them allows you to carry up to 10 plasma vials at once—a significant upgrade over the modest three you start with.
Here is your comprehensive guide to tracking down every vial pouch scattered throughout the game.
How to unlock every vial pouch in Mina the Hollower
There are seven vial pouches in total, hidden across five distinct regions. Since plasma vials are essential for restoring Mina’s health, you’ll want these upgrades as early as possible. If you happen to deplete your supply, you can always retreat to the Underlab to restock, though be mindful that doing so will cause all overworld enemies to respawn.
The most straightforward way to bolster your inventory is by visiting the Emporium in Ossex, though prepare to part with a substantial amount of bones. Upgrades found out in the wild are technically “free,” but gaining access to them usually requires at least one kear. It is highly recommended to stock up on kears at the Kears Institute in Ossex before heading out on your search.
If you need further assistance navigating the world or unlocking shortcuts, be sure to check out our dedicated guides on area navigation, unlocking train stations, and finding every mirror location in Mina the Hollower.
Vial Pouch #1: The Emporium (Ossex)
Your first three potential pouches are conveniently located in Ossex. Head to the Emporium in the City Center—it’s the shop marked with a rose emblem, situated right next to the Kears Institute. The initial pouch is available for 1,000 bones, though the price will scale upward after your first purchase.
Graphic: Marloes Valentina Stella/Polygon | Source: Yacht Club Games
Vial Pouch #2: Spike Vault (Mourner’s Mile)
You can find the next upgrade inside the Spike Vault treasure chest on Mourner’s Mile. While we cover the specific mechanics of the vault in our full walkthrough, the quick route is to locate the northern graveyard, destroy the second headstone in the top row, and burrow through the hidden tunnel to emerge directly beside the chest containing the pouch.
Graphic: Marloes Valentina Stella/Polygon | Source: Yacht Club Games
Vial Pouch #3: Lantern Cave (Backwaters)
Obtaining this pouch requires a bit of preparation: ensure you have a kear, a spark orb, and the ability to maneuver Pinky’s ladder. Reach Backwaters: Shanty Swamp either via the train to Nox’s Bayou or by trekking west from Ossex through the Western Wilds. Navigate past the large lake and find Pinky’s Parlor.
Graphic: Marloes Valentina Stella/Polygon | Source: Yacht Club Games
Move Pinky’s ladder by purchasing a plasma vial or the Spark Catcher. Once you exit the shop, head east, loop around to the back door, and retrieve the ladder. Use your burrow ability to reposition and place the ladder against the ledge near Buffo the frog to reach the spark door. This grants entry to Lantern Cave.
Inside, be cautious of the darkness—lingering for more than five seconds will drain your health. Head left and follow the path to the end, then burrow eastward. Clear the bushes, follow the light, and use the water to reach the lower platform where the treasure chest awaits.
Vial Pouch #4: Rail Tunnel (Kindlewood)
To reach this one, start in Kindlewood: Farm Crossing—you will need two kears. Head north from the station area through a small shack to enter the tomato patch. Break the damaged pipe in the top right to reach the Rail Tunnel. After climbing down, use a kear to proceed east, and use the local torch to navigate the dark corridor.
In the following chamber, use the fireballs emitted by the lion statues to illuminate your path. You’ll need to navigate a series of pipes: enter the southern one to emerge in the north, then take the leftmost pipe in the top-right corner to arrive at the vial pouch.
Vial Pouch #5: Sandfalls
The final location is in Sandfalls: Sifted Sands. You will need one kear to open the chest. Whether arriving by train at Bone Beach or trekking through the Cave Network from the south, navigate to the large area filled with purple sand. Head to the southeast corner, hop onto the moving platforms heading west, and burrow into the cave to unlock the final chest.
Source: Polygon
