Seth Boss Guide (More Than a Boss)

Shrine Guardian Seth is a uniquely memorable boss in Hollow Knight: Silksong, found guarding a forgotten secret in a hidden area of the Grand Gate. Unlike most foes, Seth speaks directly to Hornet, seeking a clean, honorable duel. His incredible speed and relentless attacks make him a formidable challenge, but the fight is underscored by unusually slow, somber music that hints at a deeper story.

This boss is not just a character, but a heartfelt tribute.

Main Boss

Shrine Guardian Seth

Location: Grand Gate (Beneath the Citadel)

Rewards: Shellwood Shrine Key, 200 Rosaries, Access to Nyleth

A Tribute to a Fan

Seth is a special character, created as a tribute to Seth Goldman, a young Hollow Knight fan. Through the Marty Lyons Foundation, Seth, who was battling Ewing Sarcoma, had his wish granted to meet Team Cherry. They offered him the chance to design a character for Silksong.

Though Seth Goldman sadly passed away before the game’s release, his legacy lives on as this proud warrior. Team Cherry described him as a character who “guards a secret long forgotten” and “will fight until the very end, and beyond.” Seth got to see footage of his creation in action, calling him “amazing and fast.” This boss fight is a memorial to his courage and passion.

Seth Goldman’s original concept drawing for his character, Seth.

How to Find Seth

Seth is located in a hidden passage beneath the Citadel. To reach him, navigate to the main elevator shaft within the Grand Gate. Instead of taking the elevator, use your abilities to climb to the very top of the shaft. Once you’re on the same level as the elevator car, look for a breakable wall on your left. Smash through it and follow the path downward, using pogo jumps where necessary, to find the shrine that Seth guards.

Build & Preparation

Seth respects a clean fight, and many loadouts are viable. However, his speed is his greatest weapon. This build focuses on controlling the arena with traps and punishing him from a safe distance.

Ability

Pale Nails

Seth moves constantly, making it hard to land melee hits. Pale Nails is crucial for dealing damage from a safe range as he repositions.

Crest

Reaper Crest

The increased tool slots and wider nail slashes are both beneficial. The wide slashes can catch Seth at the end of his dashes more easily.

Tools

Straight Pin

A reliable throwing tool. Use it to chip away at Seth’s health when he’s across the arena or after he finishes an attack.

Tacks

One of the best tools for this fight. Scatter Tacks across the floor to punish Seth’s constant ground movement and control his positioning.

Warding Bell

Seth’s speed leaves very few safe windows to heal. Warding Bell gives you the protection needed to recover health without being punished.

How to Beat Seth

This is a duel of patience. Don’t chase Seth; let him come to you and punish the openings he leaves.

1. Time Your Attacks, Don’t Chase Seth is too fast to chase down. Wait for him to finish a combo, like his lunge or pounce. In the brief moment he pauses, dash in for one or two hits, then back away.

2. Control the Floor with Traps At the start of the fight, litter the ground with Tacks or Sting Shards. Seth dashes and runs constantly, and he will frequently run into your traps, taking passive damage while you focus on dodging.

3. Punish the Shield Throws Seth’s shield throws are a golden opportunity. When he throws it, jump over it and immediately move to where it will be caught. He is vulnerable for a moment as he recovers, allowing for easy damage.

4. Stay Grounded and Patient in Phase Two After taking enough damage, Seth becomes more aggressive, chaining multiple Dive Attacks. Focus on dodging the dives and the shockwaves they create. Aerial attacks are risky due to his shield. Wait for his final lunge in the combo, dodge it, and then punish.

Attack Patterns & Counters

Seth’s attacks are fast and well-telegraphed. Learning his wind-up animations is the key to victory.

Lunge Attack

Melee / Dash

Seth draws his sword back, then lunges across the ground with a powerful stab, followed by a stationary slash.

Counter: As he lunges, jump up and dash over him to land behind him. This will dodge both the lunge and the follow-up slash, leaving him open for a counter-attack.

Pounce Attack

Melee / Leap

Seth telegraphs by hopping backward slightly. He then pounces forward with a wide sword swing, followed by another slash.

Counter: The backward hop is your cue. Immediately jump and dash over him. You will land safely behind him as he finishes his combo.

Rising Slash

Melee / AoE

Seth raises his shield defensively and winds up his sword. He then performs a quick slash followed by a rising upward strike.

Counter: This is a close-range attack. As soon as you see the shield go up, simply dash away to create distance. Do not try to attack him during this animation.

Dive Attack

Melee / Aerial

Seth leaps or teleports into the air, pauses, and then dives diagonally with his shield. Upon landing, his shield creates a golden shockwave on the ground.

Counter: Watch which way he’s facing in the air and dash in the opposite direction. Be prepared to jump over the shockwave. It’s too risky to punish this move; focus on defense.

Shield Toss

Ranged

Seth pulls his arm back and throws his shield horizontally like a boomerang. He will dash to catch it as it returns.

Counter: Jump straight up to let the shield pass underneath you. Run towards where he will catch it and attack him as he recovers.

Shield Bounce

Ranged / Aerial

Seth jumps into the air and throws his shield diagonally at the ground. It bounces back up into the air, where he teleports to catch it.

Counter: Wait for the shield to hit the ground, then dash underneath its bounce path. He is vulnerable when he reappears to catch it.

Rewards For Beating Seth

Defeating Seth does not kill him. He honors the duel and opens the way forward. This also begins a unique sidequest.

• Immediate Rewards: You will receive the Shellwood Shrine Key, 200 Rosaries, and gain access to the path leading to the Nyleth boss fight.
• A New Friend: Seth survives and becomes a wandering NPC you can encounter across Pharloom. He appears in areas like Greymoor, Shellwood, and Fleatopia, offering new dialogue each time.
• The Guardian’s Memento: In Fleatopia, Seth reveals he has set high scores in all the flea mini-games. If you manage to beat all of his scores, he will award you the Guardian’s Memento, a special medallion you can display in Bellhome.
• A Final Tribute: After meeting him in Fleatopia, if you play your Needolin in front of Seth, he will sing along—a final, touching ode to perseverance and courage, cementing his journey from a solemn guardian to a fulfilled traveler.