Neon Abyss 2: How to Use Wonder Jars (Hexjars Controls Guide)

Default Keybinds to Activate Wonder Jars in Neon Abyss 2

Wonder Jars function as specialized active utility items rather than standard passive loot or throwable physics objects in Neon Abyss 2 on Steam. When you first pick up a jar, the game does not prominently display an on-screen tutorial prompt, leading many players to attempt shooting, melee attacking, or bombing the vessel to break it open. None of those actions will trigger the item.

According to verified developer responses from Veewo Games on the Steam community forums, Wonder Jars must be held in your character's active item slot and triggered via a dedicated activation key. The default bindings depend entirely on whether you play on keyboard or gamepad.

PC Keyboard Controls

On standard keyboard and mouse layouts, Wonder Jars require two distinct keys: one to draw or holster the item, and another to trigger its magical effect.

• Equip / Stow Item: Press Q to bring the jar out into your character's hands, or press Q again to put it away into your reserve pocket.
• Activate Wonder Jar: Press F while the jar is actively equipped to unleash its power.

If you have customized your control settings in the options menu, these inputs map to your designated "Swap Active Item" and "Use Active Item / Interact" bindings.

Controller and Steam Deck Controls

For players using an Xbox controller, PlayStation gamepad, or playing on a handheld PC like the Steam Deck, the default button configuration splits cycling and activation between face buttons and shoulder bumpers.

• Equip / Cycle Item: Press Y (Triangle on PlayStation controllers) to swap to the Wonder Jar.
• Activate Wonder Jar: Press RB (R1 on PlayStation controllers) to release the jar's effect.

1. Walk over the Wonder Jar on the floor to pick it up into your active inventory slot.
2. Press Q on keyboard or Y on controller until your agent visually holds the jar.
3. Position your character toward target enemies, chests, or safe floor space depending on the jar type.
4. Press F on keyboard or RB on your gamepad to shatter or activate the vessel.

Understanding Hexjars: Checking Effects in the Codex

A frequent point of confusion among players stems from inconsistent naming between in-run pickup notifications and the compendium menu. While on-screen prompts and run logs refer to these items as Wonder Jars, the game records their mechanical profiles under a different header in the knowledge database.

Developer YsbrydPicsel clarified that players looking for detailed stat breakdowns, durations, and secondary hazards should inspect the in-game Codex under the Hexjars category.

To review what a specific jar does before wasting it during a boss encounter, pause your run or visit the main lobby. Navigate through the menus following this path:

1. Open the pause screen or interact with the terminal in the lobby.
2. Select the Codex tab.
3. Open the Items directory.
4. Scroll down to the Hexjars sub-section.

Inside the Hexjars menu, you can read the intended outcome of each jar model you have previously discovered. Hexjars typically contain situational power spikes, room-clearing elemental bursts, special companion spawns, or temporary stat conversions. Because their activation consumes the item upon release, reading the Codex entry prevents you from triggering a defensive shield or utility field in an empty room.

Handling Quirks: The Coin Pickup and Item Interaction Bug

Carrying an active Wonder Jar introduces a few handling quirks that can disrupt standard dungeon clearing if you do not manage your item slots carefully.

Player experiences shared across community forums highlight a specific bug: while your character physically holds a Wonder Jar in their hands, passive pickup collision can malfunction. Most notably, agents holding a jar cannot collect gold coins scattered on the floor.

Warning

Holding a Wonder Jar in your active hands temporarily disables auto-collecting coins and can occasionally interfere with picking up dungeon keys or hearts. Always press Q (or Y on gamepad) to stow the jar away before vacuuming up room rewards.

Common Misconceptions When Handling Jars

Because Neon Abyss 2 features heavy physics interactions, destruction mechanics, and environmental hazards, new players frequently mistake Wonder Jars for destructible stage props. Review these common handling mistakes:

• Shooting the Jar: Firing your primary gun at a jar on the ground will not break it open, nor will bullet impacts prime it.
• Melee Strikes: Melee weapons pass right through grounded jars without cracking the seal.
• Throwing or Dropping: Unlike explosive barrels, Wonder Jars cannot be picked up and chucked across the room using an aim arc. They remain in your inventory until consumed via F or RB.
• Bombing the Item: Detonating a grenade or bomb next to an uncollected jar does not force its contents out; it merely pushes the sprite along the floor or wastes ordnance.

Controls Comparison: Keyboard vs. Controller Mapping

The table below outlines how the two primary control schemes handle item swapping, execution, and inventory cycling for Wonder Jars:

Unlocking Jar-Related Achievements

For completionists, Wonder Jars are tied directly to platform achievements. Community reports indicate an endgame achievement requiring players to find and unleash a total of 30 Wonder Jars across their dungeon runs.

Because active item drops rely on procedural generation and room rewards, progressing through this challenge can feel slow if you ignore specific room types. To maximize your chances of encountering jars:

• Prioritize treasure rooms, secret vaults, and shop rerolls whenever you have surplus currency or keys.
• Avoid leaving jars behind on the floor. Even if a jar provides a utility buff you do not urgently need, activating it immediately with F or RB advances your cumulative counter toward the 30-use milestone.
• Check shops for discounted utility items; purchasing a low-cost Hexjar and burning it right at the shopkeeper's counter counts toward lifetime achievement progress.

Troubleshooting Wonder Jar Controls

If pressing the activation button does not produce any visual or magical effect, verify your current control setup and character state using the checklist below.

• [ ] Is the jar visibly in hand? Press Q (PC) or Y (Gamepad) to verify your sprite has drawn the item.
• [ ] Are default keybinds modified? Check Settings > Key Bindings to ensure your "Interact / Use Active" key is mapped to an operational button.
• [ ] Is your character animation-locked? If rolling, dashing, or suffering knockback, wait until the sprite returns to a neutral standing or running frame before pressing the use key.
• [ ] Are you holding a passive relic instead? Confirm the item in your hud is a usable Hexjar rather than a passive trinket that cannot be manually triggered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my character hold the jar without anything happening?

Picking up a Wonder Jar only equips it to your active utility slot. You must explicitly press the secondary trigger button (F on PC, RB on gamepad) while holding the jar to unleash its magic.

Can I drop a Wonder Jar on the floor to pick up another active item?

Wonder Jars cannot be placed back on the ground once added to your inventory. To free up your active slot, you must trigger the jar's effect by activating it, or swap to another active item if you possess an item-cycling relic.

Why are Wonder Jars called Hexjars in the menu?

The development team categorized this specific family of consumable vessels under the internal classification "Hexjars" in the Codex. Both terms refer to the exact same item pool.

What should I do if a Wonder Jar blocks me from collecting coins?

Press Q on your keyboard or Y on your controller to stow the jar back into your inventory. Once your character's hands are free, walk over the coins to vacuum them up normally.