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Silksong Wiki

Rune Rage

Rune Rage is a powerful, wide-range Silk Skill in Hollow Knight: Silksong. This forgotten Weaver technique allows Hornet to channel her power and sew multiple runes of blazing silk upon her enemies, which explode for area-of-effect damage after a short delay.

This ability is a strategic tool for damaging multiple enemies at once, with the runes forming based on the positions of your foes.

Silk Skill
Rune Rage icon

Rune Rage

"Forgotten Weaver technique. Sew rending runes upon one's enemies."

Location: The Slab

How to Get Rune Rage

Section titled “How to Get Rune Rage”

Rune Rage is the reward for defeating the First Sinner boss, who is locked away at the bottom of The Slab. Unlocking the path to this boss requires finding a key in a different region first.

  1. Acquire the Key of Apostate First, you must find the Key of Apostate. Travel to the Putrefied Ducts region and explore the lower-left corner to find this key.

  2. Go to The Slab With the key in hand, travel to The Slab. Make your way to the lower-right corner, near the bench and fast travel point, where you will find a locked door.

  3. Unlock the Path Use the Key of Apostate to open the door and proceed along the corridor.

  4. Defeat the First Sinner At the end of the path, you will encounter the First Sinner boss. You must defeat them in combat.

  5. Complete the Platforming Section After the fight, a short platforming section will open up. Successfully navigate through it.

  6. Acquire the Skill You will be rewarded with the Rune Rage ability at the end of the platforming section.

How to Use Rune Rage

Section titled “How to Use Rune Rage”

Once acquired, Rune Rage must be equipped to a skill slot on your active Crest. Activating it consumes Silk and causes Hornet to briefly leap and channel, summoning 6-7 golden runes that detonate after a moment.

Controls

Section titled “Controls”

Press the assigned tool or skill key to unleash Rune Rage.

PC: F PlayStation: R1 Xbox: RB Switch: R

Strategic Notes

Section titled “Strategic Notes”
  • Anticipation is Key: The runes have a delayed explosion. Unlike reactive skills like Thread Storm, Rune Rage should be used proactively when you anticipate an enemy will be in a certain position. It is not an effective “panic button”.
  • Smart Placement: The runes’ formation depends on enemy locations, allowing them to appear on the ground or in the air. This makes the skill effective at hitting multiple targets across different elevations.
  • Not a Guaranteed Hit: Because of the delay, fast-moving enemies can dodge the explosions before they detonate. It is most effective against slower or more predictable foes.