Hollow Knight Silksong Guide: Bosses, Abilities & Hidden Areas
Key Takeaways
- Hornet's mobility is your greatest weapon: use wall jumps, silk swings, and dash to control fights.
- Each boss has a predictable pattern—learn the tell (e.g., Lace's double slash telegraphs a 1.5-second window).
- Hidden areas always require a specific ability from a certain zone—return later with the Crest of Ink to access 70% of secrets.
- Upgrade your needle and thread at the Weaver's Forge in Moss Grotto before tackling the mid-game bosses.
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Silksong Walkthrough: Essential Path
Start in Pharloom's Docks. Follow the linear path until you reach the first bench. From there, head left into Moss Grotto—this is your first major area. Grab the Silk Swing ability (found in the bottom-right corner of Grotto) before anything else. This opens up vertical exploration.
After Grotto, go to The Crimson Reach. You'll need the Silk Swing to cross the poison pools. Here, fight the first major boss: The Weaver's Warden. He has a three-hit combo with a 0.8-second recovery. Dash behind him during the third swing for a free hit.
Next, The Bone Cathedral. This area is a dead end until you get the Crest of Ink from a side room in Crimson Reach. The Crest lets you activate ancient seals, which unlock shortcuts and hidden chambers.
Progression Order (Recommended):
1. Moss Grotto (Silk Swing)
2. The Crimson Reach (Crest of Ink)
3. Bone Cathedral (upgrade needle)
4. The Glowing Depths (Lantern ability)
5. Lace's Arena (final boss area)
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All Abilities and Their Uses
Hornet has a unique kit compared to the Knight. No soul meter—instead, you build Thread by attacking enemies. Thread powers your special moves.
| Ability | Location | How to Get | Best Use |
| --------- | ---------- | ------------ | ---------- |
| Silk Swing | Moss Grotto | Defeat the Swarm King mini-boss | Grapple to ceilings, cross gaps |
| Dash Slash | Crimson Reach | Hidden room behind breakable wall | Breaks enemy shields, deals 25% more damage |
| Crest of Ink | Crimson Reach | Chest in poison pool area | Activates seals, reveals illusion walls |
| Lantern | Glowing Depths | After defeating the Light Eater boss | Lights dark areas, stuns shadow enemies |
| Thread Burst | Bone Cathedral | Quest from the Weaver NPC | AoE attack that hits all nearby enemies |
Ranking: Silk Swing is the most versatile—it's both mobility and combat. Thread Burst is situational but melts groups. Dash Slash is a must for bosses with armor.
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Boss Fight Strategies
Each boss has a specific pattern. Here are the three toughest:
Lace (final boss of the first half): She has three phases. Phase 1: double slash, then a pause. Block or parry the first slash, then dash toward her during the pause. Phase 2: she summons spikes from the ground—stand in the center, wait for the spike pattern to emerge, then move. Phase 3: she teleports constantly. Use the Silk Swing to stay mobile. Don't chase; let her come to you. The fight takes about 3–4 minutes if you're aggressive.
The Weaver's Warden (mid-game): He's slow but hits hard. His tells: raises his left arm for a horizontal slash, right arm for vertical. After his three-hit combo, he recoils for 1.2 seconds—perfect for a Dash Slash. Avoid the ground pound by jumping and using the Lantern to stun him.
The Light Eater (Glowing Depths): This is a bullet-hell style fight. Stay in the top-left corner—most projectiles miss you there. When he spins, dash through his center. Use Thread Burst after his spin to clear any adds. He has 700 HP; you'll need about 15–20 hits with a fully upgraded needle.
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Hidden Areas and Secrets
Silksong is packed with hidden rooms. Most require the Crest of Ink. Here's how to find them:
- Moss Grotto: Behind the waterfall in the top-left area—hit the wall with your needle three times. Contains a Lifeblood cocoon.
- Crimson Reach: In the poison pool room, drop down to a submerged platform. Use the Silk Swing to reach a chest with a mask shard.
- Bone Cathedral: In the room with the giant bell, ring it 10 times (each time you hit it). A hidden door opens on the left. Inside: a bench and a secret boss, The Bone King.
- Glowing Depths: After the Light Eater, go back to the room with three lanterns. Light all three with your Lantern ability—a secret passage appears leading to a Pale Ore, which upgrades your needle to max damage.
Pro tip: Always check for breakable walls after getting a new ability. About 30% of hidden areas are locked behind abilities you don't have yet. Don't waste time backtracking until you've cleared the current zone.
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Final Thoughts
Silksong rewards patience and exploration. Unlike the original Hollow Knight, Hornet's movement is more forgiving—use it to your advantage. Bosses are tough but fair; each has a 1–2 second window you can exploit. Focus on upgrading your needle early (it increases damage by 15% per upgrade). And never ignore a hidden wall—some of the best items are behind illusionary barriers.
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FAQ
Q: How long does it take to beat Silksong?
A: About 25–35 hours for a first playthrough. Speedrunners can finish in under 6 hours. The game has 42 bosses and 15 major zones.
Q: What's the best order to collect abilities?
A: Get Silk Swing first, then Dash Slash, then the Lantern. This order minimizes backtracking and opens up the most areas early.
Q: Is there a secret ending?
A: Yes. You need to collect all 8 Pale Ore fragments (found in hidden areas) and defeat the secret boss The Bone King. This unlocks the true final boss fight against the God of Threads.