Hollow Knight: Silksong Guide – Quick Spoiler-Free Tips & Tricks

The bell tolls, the cage shatters. You are Hornet, princess-protector, now a captive in the haunted kingdom of Pharloom. Your journey is not one of descent into darkness, but a defiant ascent towards a shining Citadel. This is not just a guide; it is a hunter’s almanac, a collection of whispers and wisdom gathered from the silk and song of this new land. Within these pages lie the secrets to survival, combat, and mastery in Hollow Knight: Silksong. This comprehensive report contains over 101 spoiler-free tips and tricks designed to aid players of all skill levels, from the first tentative steps into Moss Grotto to the mastery of Pharloom’s deepest secrets. The focus here is on mechanics, systems, and strategies—the “how” of your journey, not the “what” or “why.” Your story is your own to uncover. Let us begin your climb.

First Steps in a Haunted Kingdom – Essential Survival Tips

Your initial hours in Pharloom will test your resolve. The kingdom is vast, its inhabitants are hostile, and its rules are different from those of Hallownest. Mastering these fundamental principles of survival is the first step toward conquering the Citadel.

The Rhythm of Pharloom – Movement and Agility

The world of Hollow Knight: Silksong is built around a protagonist who is fundamentally more athletic and nimble than the Knight of the first game. Pharloom itself is a testament to this, a kingdom of towering spires and deep chasms designed to be conquered by an acrobatic hunter. Its very structure, with stacked vertical layers and sprawling, interconnected passages, demands a shift in perspective. You must constantly be aware of the space above and below, as the path forward is as often up as it is across.

1. Master the Mantle. Hornet’s single greatest advantage from the very beginning is her ability to grab and pull herself up ledges. This is not an upgrade; it is an innate skill. Use it constantly. It makes platforming faster, more fluid, and significantly more forgiving than in the original Hollow Knight. A missed jump is often not a failure, but an opportunity to grab the ledge and recover.
2. Embrace the Swift Step. Early in your journey through the Deep Docks, you will acquire the Swift Step ability. This is your dash and sprint. Tapping the button performs a quick dash, essential for dodging attacks and crossing small gaps. However, holding the button allows Hornet to break into a full sprint, covering ground at incredible speed.
3. Control Your Sprint. Sprinting is powerful but has drawbacks. You cannot instantly change direction while sprinting, making it easy to run into hazards. To stop your momentum, you can either release the sprint button or perform a short jump while holding the opposite direction.
4. Beware the Sprint Jump. Jumping while sprinting locks you into a long, fixed arc. To perform a normal, controllable jump, you must release the sprint button just before you leap. A light tap of the jump button during a sprint will result in a “super hop,” a useful technique for maintaining speed over small obstacles.
5. Glide with the Drifter’s Cloak. After assisting the Seamstress in the Far Fields, you will be rewarded with the Drifter’s Cloak. This allows you to glide, slowing your descent and allowing you to cross much wider gaps. It is particularly useful for navigating areas with strong updrafts.
6. Cling to Walls. The Cling Grip ability, found in Shellwood, unlocks wall jumping. This is a cornerstone of traversal in Hollow Knight: Silksong and is required to access many of the game’s later areas. Practice jumping from wall to wall to ascend vertical shafts with speed and precision.

The Art of Binding – A New Way to Heal in Hollow Knight: Silksong

The healing system in Hollow Knight: Silksong is a radical departure from the first game’s Focus mechanic, and it fundamentally reshapes the entire flow of combat. It is an aggressive, high-stakes system that rewards proactive play and careful resource management.

7. Understand the All-or-Nothing Heal. To heal, you must use the Bind ability. This requires a completely full Silk meter, represented by the spool icon in the top-left of your screen.
8. Heal in Bursts. Activating Bind instantly restores a batch of three health masks. It is a powerful burst heal, not a gradual one.
9. Every Bind Costs Everything. Using Bind consumes your entire Silk meter, regardless of whether you are missing one mask or three. This creates a constant tactical dilemma: should you use your Silk for a powerful offensive skill to end a fight quickly, or save it for a crucial, life-saving heal? This risk-reward calculation is at the heart of every combat encounter.
10. Heal in Mid-Air. The most significant advantage of Bind is that it can be performed while jumping. This is your safest and most reliable way to heal. When facing ground-based enemies, leap into the air before activating Bind to float safely above their attacks.
11. Timing is Everything. The Bind animation is fast, but not instant. If you are struck by an enemy while binding, the heal will be canceled, you will still take damage, and your entire Silk meter will be lost. Choose your healing windows carefully.
12. Collect Mask Shards. Just as in Hallownest, collecting four Mask Shards will grant you an additional health mask. Crucially, completing a set of four shards also fully restores your health, which can be a lifesaver.
13. Expand Your Silk Spool. Seek out Spool Fragments. Every two you collect will increase your maximum Silk capacity, giving you more resources to work with in battle.

The Cocoon’s Call – Understanding Death and Recovery

Death in Pharloom is not the end, but it comes with a cost. Understanding how to manage your recovery is essential to minimize frustration and preserve your hard-earned resources.

14. Retrieve Your Cocoon. Upon death, Hornet leaves behind a Silken Cocoon at the spot where she fell. This cocoon contains all of the Rosaries (the game’s currency) you were carrying.
15. Don’t Die Twice. If you die again before reaching your cocoon, it will vanish, and the Rosaries it held will be lost forever. Retrieving your cocoon should always be your first priority after respawning.
16. Use the Cocoon as a Resource. Breaking your cocoon does more than just return your Rosaries; it also instantly refills your Silk meter to full. In a difficult boss runback, this is a powerful strategic advantage. You can intentionally leave the cocoon untouched, engage the boss, and then break the cocoon mid-fight for a free, emergency heal.
17. Find a Silk Eater. If your cocoon is in a particularly dangerous or hard-to-reach location, look for a consumable item called a Silk Eater. Using one of these will instantly retrieve your cocoon and all its contents from anywhere on the map, eliminating the risk of a second death.

The Way of the Needle – Core Combat Techniques in Hollow Knight: Silksong

Hornet is a hunter, a dancer of silk and steel. Combat in Hollow Knight: Silksong is faster and more acrobatic than its predecessor. The enemies of Pharloom are smarter and more aggressive, often feinting, guarding, and backstepping. To survive, you cannot be passive. You must embrace Hornet’s agility and use her full toolkit to control the battlefield. Her speed is not an optional playstyle; it is the baseline requirement for survival.

The Diagonal Pogo – More Than an Attack

Hornet’s downward attack is fundamentally different from the Knight’s. It is a diagonal dive that requires a new approach to master.

18. Pogo for Repositioning. The primary purpose of the diagonal pogo is not damage, but movement. Use the bounce it provides to leap over an enemy’s head, landing behind them for a counter-attack. It is an evasive and offensive tool in one.
19. Attack from Safety. The diagonal angle allows you to strike enemies from a safe position above and to the side, minimizing your risk of taking damage.
20. Chain Bounces. With practice, you can chain pogo bounces off multiple enemies without touching the ground, a key skill for navigating crowded rooms and certain boss fights.
21. Switch to the Wanderer Crest for a Classic Feel. If you struggle to adapt to the diagonal pogo, seek out the Chapel of the Wanderer in Bonegrave. Completing its challenge will reward you with the Crest of Wanderer, which changes your pogo to a more traditional, straight-downward slash.

Parrying and Deflection

A well-timed strike can turn an enemy’s offense against them.

22. Parry Enemy Attacks. Attacking just as an enemy’s strike is about to land will parry it, negating the damage and briefly stunning the foe. The timing window for parries in Hollow Knight: Silksong is generally more forgiving than in the first game, thanks to Hornet’s larger needle and longer-lasting attack animations.
23. Parry to Create Openings. Use a successful parry as an opportunity to unleash a quick combo or to create space to heal.
24. Deflect Projectiles. This is a critical advanced technique. Most physical projectiles can be swatted out of the air with a simple needle strike. This is often easier and safer than trying to dodge them.
25. Return to Sender. Deflected projectiles will continue to travel and can damage other enemies, turning the battlefield into your weapon.

Mastering Mobility in Combat

In Hollow Knight: Silksong, standing still is a death sentence. The game’s encounters are designed around the assumption that you will be constantly moving, dashing, and leaping.

26. Fight in the Air. Use Hornet’s high jump and ability to briefly float to stay airborne. Many enemy attacks are ground-based, and the air is often the safest place to be. It also gives you a moment to assess the situation and plan your next move.
27. Dash Through Attacks. The Swift Step dash provides a brief moment of invincibility. Time your dashes to pass directly through enemies and their attacks without taking damage.
28. Use Sprint Attacks to Engage. Attacking out of a full sprint executes a unique running strike. With the default Hunter Crest, this attack propels you forward and slightly upward, a perfect way to initiate combat and immediately get airborne.
29. Combine Movement and Attack. The best players will seamlessly blend their movement and combat abilities. A typical sequence might be: sprint attack to launch into the air, pogo off the enemy’s head to land behind them, and then unleash a quick flurry of strikes.

Weaving Your Playstyle – A Guide to Crests, Tools, and Skills

The heart of customization in Hollow Knight: Silksong lies in its interconnected system of Crests, Tools, and Skills. This replaces the Charm system of the first game, offering a much deeper and more flexible way to tailor Hornet’s abilities to your preferred playstyle.

The Seven Crests – Defining Your Combat Style

Crests are the foundation of your build. They are not just equipment; they are entire fighting styles that fundamentally change how Hornet wields her needle. They alter your basic attack speed and range, your pogo, and your sprint attack. They also determine the number and type of slots you have available for equipping Tools. This system is a brilliant piece of design; it provides a built-in solution for players who hit a wall. If a boss feels too fast for your slow, heavy-hitting Reaper Crest, the game isn’t just telling you to improve your timing. It’s encouraging you to visit a bench and switch to the lightning-fast Wanderer Crest, fundamentally changing your approach to the problem. This transforms Crests from a simple choice into a strategic problem-solving toolkit, boosting both accessibility and replayability.

30. Find the Chapels. New Crests are unlocked by completing challenges in hidden Chapels scattered throughout Pharloom. Keep an eye out for these unique locations.
31. Experiment at Benches. You can swap between any of your unlocked Crests for free at any bench. If you’re struggling with a particular area or boss, don’t be afraid to try a different combat style.
32. Upgrade Your Crests with Memory Lockets. Find hidden Memory Lockets to add more Tool slots to your favorite Crests. Note that these upgrades are specific to each Crest; slots unlocked on the Hunter Crest do not carry over to the Beast Crest.

Crest Name	Combat Style Description	Unique Feature	Initial Tool Slots
Crest of Hunter	Balanced, lethal strikes with good range. The default style.	Gains a ‘Focus’ damage buff for attacking without being hit (requires upgrade).	1 Red, 1 Blue, 1 Yellow
Crest of Wanderer	Swift, nimble, and precise strikes. Sacrifices range for attack speed.	Pogo attack is a straight downward slash, similar to the original Hollow Knight.	1 Red, 2 Blue, 3 Yellow
Crest of Beast	Savage, tearing slashes in wide arcs.	Using Bind grants temporary lifesteal on all attacks.	2 Red, 2 Yellow
Crest of Reaper	Heavy, arcing slashes. Slower but with the longest range.	After using Bind, attacks cause enemies to drop extra Silk fragments.	2 Red, 2 Blue, 2 Yellow
Crest of Witch	Sweeping, whip-like needle swings.	Using Bind sprouts tendrils that steal life from nearby enemies.	2 Red, 2 Blue
Crest of Architect	Fast, drill-like piercing attacks.	Hold ‘Up’ while Binding to replenish Red Tool uses instead of healing.	3 Red, 2 Blue, 2 Yellow
Crest of Shaman	Casts the blade forward, empowering Silk Skills.	Basic attacks send out a small shockwave. Can be charged for a larger one.	2 Blue

The Hunter’s Arsenal – Understanding Tools

Tools are Hornet’s gadgets and passive buffs, equipped into the colored slots provided by your Crest.

33. Know Your Colors. Tools are divided into three main categories:
    • Red Tools: Active combat items. These are your projectiles (Straight Pin), traps (Sting Shard), and bombs (Pimpillo).
    • Blue Tools: Passive defensive and combat effects. These can grant resistances, reduce damage, or add effects to your Bind.
    • Yellow Tools: Passive utility and exploration perks. These might increase your Rosary drops or help you find secrets.
34. Manage Your Shell Shards. Red Tools have a limited number of uses. To replenish them, you must rest at a bench and spend Shell Shards, a resource dropped by enemies and found in the environment. Running out of shards mid-boss fight can be devastating, so manage them wisely.
35. Craft New Tools. Hornet can craft new and powerful tools at workbenches found throughout Pharloom. This requires Rosaries and a special material called Craftmetal. There are only eight pieces of Craftmetal in the entire game, so choose your crafting projects carefully.
36. Seek Tool Pouch Upgrades. Find Tool Pouch upgrades to increase the number of times you can use your Red Tools before needing to replenish them at a bench.
37. The Straight Pin is Your Best Friend. One of the first tools you can find, the Straight Pin, is a simple throwing needle. It is invaluable for safely dealing chip damage to dangerous enemies from a distance.
38. Control Crowds with Sting Shards. The Sting Shard is a placeable trap that damages any enemy that walks over it. It’s excellent for controlling the battlefield and dealing with swarms of smaller foes.
39. Speed Up with Flea Brew. This consumable tool temporarily increases your movement and attack speed, perfect for blitzing down a difficult boss or navigating a tricky platforming section.
40. Get a Companion with Cogfly. This craftable tool summons a small, flying cogwork companion that will automatically attack nearby enemies, providing a steady stream of passive damage.

Unleashing the Thread – Powerful Silk Skills

Silk Skills are your ultimate abilities. They are powerful, active skills that consume a portion of your Silk meter and must be equipped in a Crest’s single white slot. The way these skills are acquired creates a wonderfully rewarding gameplay loop. Some are found at the end of treacherous platforming gauntlets, rewarding pure exploration. Others are granted only after defeating a powerful, often hidden, boss, rewarding combat mastery. This dual system ensures that players are constantly empowered; the explorer finds a skill that makes them stronger in a fight, while the warrior earns a skill that opens up new paths to explore.

41. Silkspear: The Key and the Spear. This is often the first Silk Skill you will find, located in Mosshome. Hornet hurls her needle forward with immense force. It deals heavy damage, pierces enemies, and is your primary tool for breaking through thick, silk-like barriers that block paths. It is essential for progression.
42. Thread Storm: The Crowd Clearer. Found at the apex of a difficult climb in Greymoor, Thread Storm unleashes a whirlwind of silk that damages all enemies around Hornet. It’s the perfect “get off me” button when you’re feeling overwhelmed by smaller enemies.
43. Cross Stitch: The Perfect Parry. Your reward for defeating the secret boss Phantom in The Mist. Cross Stitch is a defensive counter. Time it correctly to parry an incoming attack and unleash a devastating flurry of retaliatory strikes.
44. Sharpdart: The Repositioning Strike. Hidden deep within the Wormways, Sharpdart is a piercing dash that damages all enemies in its path. It’s an excellent tool for both dealing damage and quickly repositioning yourself behind a boss.
45. Pale Nails: The Homing Attack. A late-game skill found in The Cradle after defeating Grand Mother Silk. Pale Nails summons three homing projectiles that automatically seek out and strike nearby enemies, allowing you to focus on dodging while still applying pressure.
46. Rune Rage: The Area Denial. Guarded by the fearsome First Sinner boss in The Slab, Rune Rage creates a series of delayed silk explosions around Hornet. It’s a powerful tool for controlling space and dealing with large, slow-moving targets.

The Pilgrim’s Path – Mastering Exploration in Hollow Knight: Silksong

Pharloom is a massive, labyrinthine kingdom, nearly double the size of Hallownest. Getting lost is part of the experience, but these tips will help you navigate its winding paths like a seasoned pilgrim.

Shakra the Cartographer – Your Guide to Pharloom

47. Always Buy the Map. In every new region, your first priority should be to find Shakra, the traveling cartographer. You can often hear her singing before you see her. Purchase the area map from her immediately.
48. Never Forget the Quill. A map is useless without a Quill. After buying a map, you must also purchase the Quill. This allows you to fill in the details of the map as you explore. Your map only updates when you rest at a bench.
49. The Compass is Non-Negotiable. The Compass is another essential purchase from Shakra. It places an icon of Hornet on your map, showing your current location. Without it, navigating is significantly more difficult.
50. Buy Map Pins. Shakra also sells various pins that you can use to mark important locations on your map, such as benches, Bellway stations, and vendors.
51. Use Custom Markers. Purchase Shell, Ring, and Hunt Markers to place your own custom waypoints on the map. Use these to mark dead ends you can’t access yet, tough enemies you want to return to later, or the locations of valuable resources.

The Secrets in the Walls

Pharloom is a kingdom of secrets, many of them hidden just out of sight.

52. Strike Every Wall. If a wall looks suspicious, hit it with your needle. Pharloom is filled with breakable walls that hide shortcuts, treasure, and even benches.
53. Listen for a Hollow Thud. Breakable walls often make a different sound and produce a distinct visual effect when struck. Train your eyes and ears to notice these tells.
54. Watch the Ants. A fascinating and easily missed tip: pay attention to the small, non-hostile ants that scurry around in the background of many areas. They will sometimes crawl towards hidden passages or interact with secret mechanisms, guiding you to secrets.
55. Revisit Old Areas with New Abilities. This is the core of the Metroidvania genre. Once you acquire a new movement ability like the double jump or the Clawline grapple, make it a habit to revisit previous areas. Paths that were once inaccessible may now be open to you.

The Ringing of Bells – Fast Travel

Getting around the massive world of Hollow Knight: Silksong would be a chore without a reliable fast travel system.

56. Free the Bell Beast. To unlock the Bellway fast travel network, you must first defeat the Bell Beast. Once defeated, this creature becomes your loyal mount, similar to The Last Stag.
57. Activate Bellway Stations. As you explore, you will find Bellway stations. You must often pay a fee in Rosaries to activate them, linking them to the network.
58. Summon Your Mount with the Needolin. A wonderful hidden secret: in certain open areas, you can play your Needolin instrument to summon the Bell Beast directly to your location, allowing you to fast travel without having to find a station.

The Hunter’s Hoard – Acquiring and Managing Resources

A hunter is only as good as her supplies. Mastering the economy of Hollow Knight: Silksong is key to affording the upgrades, tools, and services you’ll need to succeed.

Farming Rosaries in Hollow Knight: Silksong

Rosaries are the lifeblood of your progression. The game’s economy is tighter than in Hollow Knight, but Team Cherry has intentionally designed specific, highly efficient farming routes. These act as “pressure release valves,” allowing players who are short on cash to quickly catch up without hours of aimless grinding, thus keeping the game’s pacing smooth and enjoyable.

59. Know Your Sources. Rosaries can be found by defeating certain humanoid enemies, breaking hanging Rosary strings, destroying Rosary statues, and opening chests.
60. The Best Early-Game Rosary Farm: Greymoor. Just outside the Halfway Home bench in Greymoor, there is a small area with a trio of roaming pilgrim enemies. You can run out, defeat them for approximately 29 Rosaries, run back to the bench to respawn them, and repeat. Each loop takes less than 30 seconds, allowing you to earn nearly 5,000 Rosaries per hour.
61. The Best Mid-Game Rosary Farm: Choral Chambers. Once you reach the Citadel in Act 2, the area just outside the Songclave bench is an excellent farming spot. The Grand Reed enemies here drop a significant number of Rosaries. A full clear of the route and a quick “quit to menu” to respawn at the bench can yield 4,000-4,500 Rosaries per hour.
62. Equip the Thief’s Mark. To maximize your farming efficiency, acquire the Thief’s Mark tool. It significantly increases the number of Rosaries dropped by enemies. Be warned, however: with this tool equipped, you will also drop some Rosaries whenever you take damage.
63. Use the Magnetic Brooch. Purchase the Magnetic Brooch from a vendor in Bone Bottom. This tool automatically pulls in nearby Rosaries, saving you the trouble of running around to collect them.

Managing Your Wealth

Losing a large sum of Rosaries can be heartbreaking. Learn to protect your assets.

64. Bank Your Rosaries. Many vendors sell consumable items called Rosary Strings or Frayed Rosary Strings. You can spend your loose Rosaries to purchase these. These items are not lost upon death. When you need cash, you can simply consume them from your inventory to get the Rosaries back. Before tackling a difficult boss or a treacherous new area, always visit a vendor and convert your currency into these safe assets.
65. Invest in Upgrades First. Prioritize spending your Rosaries on permanent upgrades that will help you survive and explore, such as maps, the compass, new tools, and bench unlocks.

Secrets of the Silk – Advanced Mechanics and Hidden Knowledge

Beyond the basics lies a deeper layer of mechanics and secrets in Hollow Knight: Silksong. These are the techniques and pieces of knowledge that are never explicitly taught, intended for the most dedicated players to discover and share. Mastering them will elevate your play from simple survival to true artistry.

Advanced Combat Techniques

66. Pogo Animation Canceling. You can cancel the upward momentum of a pogo bounce by immediately performing a dash. This allows you to stay low to the ground and perform rapid-fire bounces on an enemy, dealing immense damage in a short amount of time.
67. Hunter’s Crest Dash Combo. With the Hunter’s Crest, the sprint attack launches you into the air. You can immediately animation cancel this upward movement with a basic attack, then use a tool like the Sawtooth Circlet, and cancel that animation with another basic attack, all in less than a second.
68. Use the Taunt. A completely undocumented mechanic: pressing down on the right analog stick (or the ‘V’ key on keyboard) will cause Hornet to perform a taunt. This isn’t just for show; it costs a small amount of Silk and will actively lure nearby enemies, especially flying ones, to come closer and attack. Use it to draw foes into your traps or bring them into melee range.
69. Clawline as an Offensive Tool. The Clawline grapple hook isn’t just for traversal. You can fire it directly at enemies. It will pull you towards them, deal damage, and set you up for an immediate pogo or aerial combo. It is exceptionally effective against fast-moving or flying enemies.
70. Double Damage Attacks. Many of Hornet’s attacks, especially those tied to specific Crests, hit twice. The Hunter’s Crest dash attack, for example, is a two-hit move that flips you into the air, perfectly setting up a third hit from a pogo. Learn which moves in your favorite Crest’s moveset deal multiple hits to maximize your damage output.

Hidden Interactions and Easter Eggs

The world of Pharloom is alive with small details and secrets for the observant player.

71. Play the Needolin for NPCs. Once you acquire the Needolin instrument, try playing it near friendly NPCs. Many will react, sometimes singing along with you, and often revealing their inner thoughts or hidden bits of lore.
72. Play for the Dead. You can even use the Needolin near certain corpses. If you see a faintly lit string of silk, playing your instrument there may reveal the bug’s final words or memories.
73. Revisit Boss Arenas. After defeating a major boss, return to their arena later. You may find new NPCs have appeared, such as the researcher Nuu, who will offer unique dialogue about the fallen foe.
74. The Bellhart Haunting. There is a small chance that when you load your save file at the bench in Bellhart (before the area boss is defeated), a secret cutscene will play, showing Hornet being ensnared in the same silken webs as the other townsfolk.
75. Trobbio Plays Possum. After you defeat the theatrical boss Trobbio, he will die in a very dramatic fashion. If you leave the room and immediately return, you can catch him “playing dead.”
76. Ants are Thieves. Those small background ants do more than lead you to secrets. If you drop Rosaries, Shell Shards, or even placeable tools near them, they will scurry over and attempt to carry them away!
77. Shakra’s Challenge. After acquiring Shakra’s Throwing Ring tool, equipping it changes Hornet’s taunt animation to mimic Shakra’s own challenge pose.

Game-Changing Secret Builds

78. The Plasmium Phial Overdose. This is one of the most powerful hidden mechanics in Hollow Knight: Silksong. The Plasmium Phial is a tool that grants you temporary blue health masks. By using the Architect Crest (for its numerous blue tool slots) and other synergistic tools, it is possible to stack nine blue masks. When you do, Hornet “overdoses,” and her entire health bar turns blue.
79. Achieve Regenerating Health. In this “overdosed” state, any blue mask that takes damage will regenerate on its own after about six seconds, as long as you don’t take further damage. This effectively gives you a constant source of healing, similar to the Hiveblood charm but much more powerful.
80. The Overdose Drawbacks. This powerful state is not without its costs. While active, your Bind ability is mostly disabled; it will only instantly refill a mask that is currently in the process of regenerating. The effect also ends the moment you rest at a bench or fast travel, so you must travel on foot to maintain it.
81. When to Use the Overdose. This build is best used for navigating extremely difficult platforming sections or for boss fights where finding a safe window to Bind is nearly impossible. It provides sustained survivability at the cost of burst healing.

Facing the Guardians of Pharloom – Spoiler-Free Boss Preparation

The bosses of Hollow Knight: Silksong are formidable guardians, each a unique puzzle of patterns and mechanics. This section will not spoil their identities but will prepare you for the archetypes you will face.

82. Study, Don’t Panic. The single most important tip for any boss fight is to be patient. Spend your first few attempts focusing on dodging and learning the boss’s attack patterns, not on dealing damage.
83. Take a Break. If you find yourself getting frustrated after an hour of attempts, step away from the game. Let your mind and hands rest. Often, when you return, you will find you’ve built the muscle memory needed and will defeat the boss on your first or second try.
84. Adapt Your Loadout. Do not stick to a single Crest and Tool build for the entire game. If a boss feels too fast, switch to a faster Crest. If it deals fire damage, equip a tool that grants fire resistance. The game gives you the tools to counter every challenge.
85. Prepare for The Skill Check. Some bosses are designed to test your mastery of a specific mechanic, such as the dash or the pogo. In these fights, focus on using that mechanic correctly. The boss is a final exam for the skills you’ve been learning.
86. Prepare for The Swarm Summoner. These bosses will frequently fill the arena with smaller minions. For these fights, equip for crowd control. Tools like Sting Shards and Silk Skills like Thread Storm are invaluable for clearing out the adds so you can focus on the main target.
87. Prepare for The Large Brute. These are massive bosses with slow, powerful, and highly telegraphed attacks. The key to these fights is patience and positioning. Don’t get greedy. Wait for the big openings after their attacks and get in a few safe hits.
88. Prepare for The Duelist. These are fast, aggressive bosses that fight like you do. They will test your reflexes, your parry timing, and your ability to stay mobile. Constant movement is key. Use your dash, pogo, and Clawline to dance around them, looking for the small windows between their combos to strike back.
89. Manage Your Resources. Don’t waste all of your Shell Shards on your first few attempts at a boss. Learn the patterns first, and only start using your powerful Red Tools once you feel confident you can win.
90. Use Offense to Create Healing Windows. Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. Instead of saving all your Silk for a risky heal, use a powerful Silk Skill to stagger the boss, creating a guaranteed safe window to Bind.

More Tips and Tricks for the Ascending Hunter

Here are more pieces of wisdom to aid your journey through the land of silk and song.

91. Upgrade Your Needle. Find Pale Oil to upgrade your needle’s damage at the Pinmaster. This is one of the most important upgrades in the game.
92. Complete Wish Board Quests. The towns of Pharloom have Wish Boards where NPCs post requests. Completing these side quests is a great source of Rosaries and unique rewards.
93. Listen to the World. The sound design in Hollow Knight: Silksong is immaculate. Listen for the hum of a hidden grub, the song of Shakra, or the telltale audio cue of a boss’s special attack.
94. Don’t Underestimate Environmental Hazards. Lava, thorns, and acid pits can be just as deadly as any enemy. Your pogo can be used to bounce off most spikes and other hazards, a crucial skill for traversal and combat in dangerous arenas.
95. The Architect Crest is a Tool Master’s Dream. The Architect Crest is unique in that it allows you to equip three Red Tools at once, but it removes your white slot for a Silk Skill. Its special Bind ability also replenishes your tool uses instead of healing, making it perfect for builds that rely heavily on gadgets.
96. The Beast Crest Enables Aggressive Lifesteal. The Beast Crest’s unique feature transforms your Bind into a temporary buff that makes all your needle attacks steal health. This rewards an extremely aggressive, in-your-face playstyle.
97. The Reaper Crest Generates Extra Silk. For players who love using Silk Skills, the Reaper Crest is a top choice. After you Bind, your attacks will cause enemies to drop extra Silk fragments, allowing you to quickly refill your meter for another powerful attack.
98. Talk to Everyone. NPCs in Hollow Knight: Silksong are full of life, lore, and sometimes helpful hints. Exhaust their dialogue whenever you meet them.
99. Read the Signs. The world is filled with signs and tablets. Read them. They often provide crucial gameplay tips or cryptic clues about the kingdom’s history.
100. Find the Flea Caravan. Seek out the lost members of the Flea Caravan. Helping them will grant you access to unique items and services, including the powerful Flea Brew.
101. Experiment with Tool Synergies. Many tools have hidden synergies with each other or with certain Crests. For example, the Quick Sling tool, which doubles the number of tools thrown, is devastating when combined with high-damage projectiles.
102. Check Patch Notes. Team Cherry actively supports their games. Keep an eye on patch notes for bug fixes and balance changes. For example, an early patch reduced the difficulty of the bosses Moorwing and Sister Splinter and increased Rosary rewards from several sources.
103. Accessibility Options. Explore the game’s settings menu. You can adjust HUD size, remap most controls, and turn off controller vibration, which can be helpful for both accessibility and personal preference.

Conclusion: The Song Never Ends

The ascent through Pharloom is a challenging one, a pilgrimage that will test your skill, your patience, and your curiosity. But with every new ability learned, every boss defeated, and every secret uncovered, you will grow stronger. The tips in this almanac are your foundation, but true mastery comes from experimentation. Try new Crests, combine different Tools, and develop a fighting style that is uniquely your own.

The world of Hollow Knight: Silksong is a living one. Team Cherry has already confirmed plans for post-launch content and future DLC, meaning new mysteries will be woven, and new challenges will arise. The hunt is not over. The song of Pharloom has only just begun. Now go, Ascend.

Disclaimer: This is an unofficial fan work, all trademarks and copyrights for Hollow Knight: Silksong belong to the developer Team Cherry.

Find the game here! Hollow Knight: Silksong