All Abilities & Skills
Hornet full range of abilities in Hollow Knight: Silksong forms the core of the gameplay, divided into two distinct types: Ancestral Arts and Silk Skills. This guide provides the complete list of every ability in the game, explaining step by step, with detailed visuals, how and in what order to get them.
- Ancestral Arts: These are core abilities that fundamentally change how you explore and traverse the world. They are often required for progression.
- Silk Skills: These are powerful combat techniques that consume Silk, similar to The Knight’s spells. They provide potent offensive and defensive options.
List of Abilities (Ancestral Arts)
Section titled “List of Abilities (Ancestral Arts)”Ancestral Arts are the cornerstones of Hornet’s journey through Pharloom. Without these, you can neither ascend to the kingdom’s peak nor uncover its deepest secrets. Here are all the Arts that redefine Hornet’s mobility:
Swift Step (Dash & Sprint)
The essential movement ability, allowing for a quick dash on the ground and in the air, as well as a continuous sprint.
Drifter's Cloak (Glide)
Flare your cloak to gracefully glide through the air, covering large horizontal distances.
Cling Grip (Wall Jump)
Cling to vertical surfaces and leap between walls to rapidly scale heights.
Faydown Cloak (Double Jump)
Leap again while airborne to reach seemingly inaccessible heights. The key to vertical exploration.
Clawline (Grappling Hook)
Fling your needle like a harpoon and launch yourself forcefully towards it, enabling rapid traversal.
Needle Strike (Charge Attack)
Hold the attack button to charge your needle and unleash a far more powerful strike.
Needolin (Melodic Needle)
Play an ancient melody with your needle to ensnare enemies in silk, temporarily immobilizing them.
Silk Soar (Super Jump)
Harness the soul of silk to launch Hornet high into the air, reaching new heights.
Ability Progression Order (Recommended Path)
Section titled “Ability Progression Order (Recommended Path)”As a Metroidvania-style game, Hollow Knight: Silksong may allow players to acquire some abilities in a different order. However, the list below outlines the general acquisition sequence for a standard playthrough. Use this as a roadmap to guide your journey through Pharloom.
| No. | Ability | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swift Step (Dash & Sprint) | Deep Docks |
| 2 | Drifter’s Cloak (Glide) | Far Fields |
| 3 | Cling Grip (Wall Jump) | Shellwood |
| 4 | Faydown Cloak (Double Jump) | Mount Fay |
| 5 | Needolin | Bellhart / Widow’s Lair |
| 6 | Needle Strike (Charge Attack) | Blasted Steps |
| 7 | Clawline (Grappling Hook) | The Underworks |
All Ancestral Arts Locations
Section titled “All Ancestral Arts Locations”Swift Step (Dash & Sprint)
Section titled “Swift Step (Dash & Sprint)”This is the first and most crucial ability you will acquire. It’s essential for both combat and exploration.
- How to Obtain:
- Enter the Deep Docks.
- Proceed to the right, moving past the elevator that leads to a Rest Bench.
- Ascend to the highest point you can reach and transition into the next area.
- In the lava area with jumping skeleton enemies, continue right until you find a lone platform surrounded by lava.
- To reveal a hidden passage, cross the lava to new platforms and strike the orange, explosive ball on the ceiling. Its explosion will open a new path.
- Go through the new passage and head left. You will eventually reach the Swift Step idol. Interact with it to unlock the ability.
- Veteran’s Tips: This isn’t just a dash. Holding the button allows you to sprint continuously, speeding up backtracking and farming routes. The air dash is a lifesaver for dodging boss attacks and navigating complex platforming sections.
Drifter’s Cloak (Glide)
Section titled “Drifter’s Cloak (Glide)”Used to cross wide horizontal gaps and perform precise landings.
- How to Obtain:
- Find the Seamstress in her balloon-like home in the Far Fields to start her quest.
- The quest requires you to collect 25 Spine Cores.
- These cores are harvested from floating enemies known as “Hokers” in Far Fields. Bait them into shooting their spikes; once the spikes are stuck in the ground, break them with your needle to collect the cores.
- Return the 25 cores to the Seamstress to be rewarded with the Drifter’s Cloak.
- Veteran’s Tips: The glide isn’t just for traversal. It buys you precious time in the air to observe enemy patterns below or reposition yourself after dodging an attack.
Cling Grip (Wall Jump)
Section titled “Cling Grip (Wall Jump)”The key to vertical progression in the layered world of Pharloom.
- How to Obtain:
- Start from a Bench in the lower west part of Shellwood.
- Head east past a signpost and climb the ascending platforms to the top.
- Continue onward until you see an elevator. Go right from the elevator and jump up to a higher platform.
- From this platform, proceed left, and you will encounter the boss, Sister Splinter.
- After defeating the boss, follow the linear path, navigating the obstacles. The Cling Grip idol awaits at the end.
- Veteran’s Tips: Wall jumping offers incredible mobility when combined with Swift Step (Dash). You can leap off a wall and immediately air dash to clear massive gaps that would otherwise be impossible.
Faydown Cloak (Double Jump)
Section titled “Faydown Cloak (Double Jump)”The equivalent of Hollow Knight’s Monarch Wings, this ability opens up a new dimension of exploration.
- How to Obtain:
- Found in the Mount Fay region. This is typically a mid-to-late game area, and the ability is often located at the end of a long vertical climb requiring the Cling Grip.
- Veteran’s Tips: The double jump is a powerful combat tool. Use it to vault over enemy attacks and create openings for a downward strike or to reposition safely.
Clawline (Grappling Hook)
Section titled “Clawline (Grappling Hook)”A dynamic and fast traversal tool that uses Hornet’s needle.
- How to Obtain:
- Enter The Underworks via the Ventrica.
- In the room to the right is a switch that opens a bridge. Jump onto a platform above the entrance to go under the bridge, gliding down.
- Descend to the lowest platform on the right side of the area and keep moving forward.
- You will reach a narrow passage requiring you to use Cling Grip on the walls. Wall jump your way up to a switch that opens a door.
- Inside, you must glide over lava to reach the Clawline.
- Veteran’s Tips: The Clawline can attach to more than just walls; it can grapple onto certain enemies and objects. Use this to rapidly close the distance in a fight or pull yourself behind an armored foe.
List of Silk Skills
Section titled “List of Silk Skills”Silk Skills are powerful techniques that enrich your combat arsenal. They consume Silk, which is replenished by striking enemies or breaking open shimmering cobwebs found throughout the world.
Silkspear
A deadly Weaver technique. Throws your needle forward with force.
Thread Storm
An Area-of-Effect (AoE) attack that whips a storm of Silk around Hornet, lashing nearby foes.
Cross Stitch
A defensive technique that binds Silk to deflect enemy attacks and instantly counter-strike.
Sharpdart
Dash forward in a blur, releasing a Silk blade that pierces through multiple enemies.
Pale Nails
Spin talons from thread that automatically seek out and strike nearby enemies.
How Silk Skills Work
Section titled “How Silk Skills Work”How to Obtain and Equip
Section titled “How to Obtain and Equip”Silk Skills are typically learned by interacting with special statues or by defeating certain bosses. Once learned, a skill must be equipped at a Bench via the Crest Menu. Each Silk Skill requires a white crest slot to be active.
How to Use & The Silk Mechanic
Section titled “How to Use & The Silk Mechanic”Once equipped, you can use a skill by pressing the default key: [F] (PC) or [RB]/[R1] (Console). Each use consumes a portion of your blue Silk meter, located below your health. To refill your Silk, strike enemies with your needle or destroy the glowing cobwebs scattered around Pharloom.
Detailed Silk Skills Guide
Section titled “Detailed Silk Skills Guide”Silkspear
Section titled “Silkspear”The perfect solution for flying or distant enemies.
- How to Obtain:
- Found at the top of the large room just outside of the Moss Druid’s cave in Moss Grotto, by interacting with a statue.
- Veteran’s Tips: Ideal for dealing safe, long-range damage. It allows you to maintain pressure on slow but powerful bosses while keeping your distance. Silk Cost: 4
Thread Storm
Section titled “Thread Storm”A lifesaver when you’re surrounded or dealing with swarms of smaller, faster enemies.
- How to Obtain:
- Obtained from a statue north of Craw Lake in Greymoor. It is found at the top of a long ascent involving chains and balloons.
- Veteran’s Tips: Provides instant area control. Use it when you’re cornered or overwhelmed. It can also be used in mid-air, making it incredibly versatile. Silk Cost: 4
Cross Stitch
Section titled “Cross Stitch”Mastering the timing of this skill functions similarly to a “parry” mechanic, rewarding precision with a powerful counter-attack.
- How to Obtain:
- Earned by defeating the Phantom boss in The Mist area.
- Veteran’s Tips: Incredibly effective against enemies and bosses with clear attack telegraphs. Learning to parry attacks with Cross Stitch can make you feel nearly invincible, as it negates damage and deals it back instantly.