Hollow Knight Silksong Guide: Tips for Getting Started Fast
Key Takeaways
- Master the Thread and Needle early – Hornet's signature weapon has a longer reach than the Knight's Nail, but uses Silk for special moves. Conserve Silk for healing and area-denial attacks.
- Prioritize the Crest of the Weavers – This early-game upgrade reduces Silk cost for your main attack by 20%, letting you spam more combos.
- Explore every vertical path – Pharloom is built upward. Many hidden areas are above eye level, reachable by wall-jumping or using the Silk Bind ability (get this before the first major boss).
- Bosses have predictable patterns – Most early bosses like the Forlorn Priestess have a 3-hit combo followed by a 2-second pause. Use that window to heal or land 2-3 needle throws.
---
Introduction
Hollow Knight Silksong is finally here, and while it feels familiar, it's a very different beast from the original. You play as Hornet, and she's faster, more agile, and has a completely new moveset. If you jump in expecting to play like the Knight, you'll get wrecked in the first hour. This guide covers the essentials: what abilities to grab first, how to survive early boss fights, and where to find secrets that make the journey easier.
I've spent about 30 hours in Pharloom so far (yes, I took a few days off work), and I've died enough times to know what works and what doesn't. Let's get you started without the frustration.
---
Early Abilities You Need ASAP
Hornet's moves are tied to Silk, a resource that regenerates slowly over time or faster when you hit enemies. Here's the order to prioritize:
- Silk Bind – Found in the Weavers' Den (bottom-left of the Mossy Grotto). This lets you grapple to walls and ceiling spots. Without it, many areas are inaccessible. Grab this before fighting any boss.
- Crest of the Weavers – In the same area, behind a breakable wall (hit it with a charged needle throw). Reduces Silk cost of your basic attack from 15 to 12. Sounds small, but it means 3 extra hits before you run dry.
- Dusk Shroud – A defensive ability that makes you invisible for 1.5 seconds. Costs 20 Silk. Use it to dodge boss attacks that are too fast to run from. Found in the Sunken Cathedral, guarded by a mini-boss called the Luminous Warden (he's weak to blunt damage, so use your needle's pogo attack).
| Ability | Silk Cost | Where to Find | Why It Matters |
| --------- | ----------- | --------------- | ---------------- |
| Silk Bind | 10 | Weavers' Den | Unlocks vertical exploration |
| Crest of the Weavers | Passive | Weavers' Den (secret wall) | Saves 3 Silk per attack |
| Dusk Shroud | 20 | Sunken Cathedral | Invincibility frames for dodging |
---
Boss Strategies for the First Three Major Fights
1. Forlorn Priestess (Mossy Grotto)
This is the first real skill check. She has three attacks:
- Soul Lances – She shoots three projectiles in a spread. Jump over them, don't try to dodge sideways.
- Teleport Slam – Disappears and reappears above you, slamming down. Roll away as soon as you see her shadow.
- Despair Wave – A wide horizontal blast. Only way to avoid is to jump and use Dusk Shroud mid-air.
Strategy: Stay close. She's vulnerable to melee after her slam (2-second window). Land 3 needle hits, then back off. Repeat. Healing is only safe during the Soul Lance phase—hide behind the pillar on the left. Expect to die 3-4 times before you get the timing.
2. The Hollow Knight's Echo (Crimson Tower)
Yes, it's a callback to the original game, but this version is faster. It copies your moves with a 1-second delay. So if you attack, it attacks the same way. Trick: Use a charged needle throw (hold attack for 1 second) and then immediately jump. The Echo will do the same, but its projectile will go straight while you're airborne. Punish it during its recovery.
Health: 350 HP. Your needle does 15 damage per hit. That's 24 hits minimum. Don't get greedy—it can kill you in 3 hits if you're not careful.
3. The Looming Widow (Silk Road)
A giant spider that hangs from the ceiling. It drops webs that slow you down. The key is to break the webs with your needle before they hit the ground (they have 10 HP each). The Widow itself only attacks when you're directly below it. Stay on the edges of the arena, throw needles at its face (weak point), and run in for 2 hits when it drops down stunned.
---
Hidden Areas and Secrets in the First Two Zones
Mossy Grotto
- Hidden Bench – Above the entrance to the Weavers' Den. Wall-jump up the left side, then go right. There's a bench behind a false wall. Save your game here—it's a fast travel point.
- Silkflower – A collectible that increases your max Silk by 5. Found by dropping down the well in the central hub (you'll need the Silk Bind to get back up). There's one in every zone, so always explore downward.
Crimson Tower
- Charm Fragment – Behind a breakable floor in the room with the spinning blades. Wait for the blades to align horizontally, then drop down. You'll need 3 fragments to get a new charm slot.
- Lore Tablet – On the top floor, there's a lore tablet that explains why Pharloom is falling apart. It also gives you a map marker for a hidden boss (The Stalker) in the next zone. Read it—it's worth it for the XP.
---
FAQ
1. How do I heal in Silksong? Is there a focus like in Hollow Knight?
No, there's no focus mechanic. Instead, you use Silk to perform a Weave (hold the ability button for 1 second). This consumes 25 Silk and restores 1 mask of health. You can only Weave when standing still, so find safe spots during boss fights. Upgrade your Silk capacity early to store more health.
2. What's the best charm to start with?
Sturdy Shell (reduces damage taken by 1 mask) is a lifesaver in the first 5 hours. You find it in the Mossy Grotto, hidden behind a wall of thorns (use the needle to cut through). Pair it with Quick Focus (speeds up Weave time) once you find it in the Crimson Tower. These two together let you survive most early mistakes.
3. I'm stuck in the Silk Road area—how do I get past the giant web?
That web requires the Sharpened Needle upgrade, which you get after defeating the Looming Widow. Without it, the web is indestructible. Go back and explore the Crimson Tower more thoroughly—there's a side path near the top that leads to a mini-boss that drops a key item. Don't waste time trying to brute-force the web.
---
*This guide covers the first 3-4 hours of Silksong. Once you get the hang of Hornet's flow, the game opens up dramatically. Good luck—you'll need it.*