Silksong: Beginner's Guide - 10 Crucial Tips

Welcome to Pharloom! Hollow Knight: Silksong builds upon the challenging formula of the original, but introduces a host of new mechanics. This guide provides the 10 most essential tips to help you survive your first few hours and start your pilgrimage on the right foot.

1. Your Silk is Your Lifeline

   Unlike The Knight’s Soul, Hornet’s Silk is a resource you must constantly replenish. Your powerful healing ability, Bind, consumes the entire spool at once. Play aggressively to keep your Silk meter topped up.

2. Your Cocoon is a Tactical Advantage

   When you die, you leave behind a cocoon. Breaking it instantly replenishes your entire Silk spool. If you’re struggling with a tough room or boss, dying once can be a strategic way to start the next attempt with a full heal ready to go.

3. Crafting is Not Optional

   The Charm system is gone. Your power comes from Tools. Always pick up Shell Shards dropped by enemies. Visit benches frequently to craft new Tools and replenish their uses.

4. Secure Your Rosaries

   Rosaries are your trading currency and can be lost on death. Shell Shards, your crafting currency, are not. Find special Holy Benches to convert your loose Rosaries into Rosary Strings, which are safe from being dropped when you die.

5. Check the Notice Boards in Every Town

   Silksong has a formal Quest System. In every new town, make it a priority to check the notice board. These quests (Gather, Hunt, etc.) are your primary source of direction and rewards.

6. Hornet New Moveset

   Hornet is not The Knight. Her downward attack is a diagonal dive kick, not a vertical pogo. She can sprint and mantle onto ledges. Spend your first hour mastering this new, faster moveset detailed in our Abilities Guide.

7. Talk to Everyone, Multiple Times

   With a voiced protagonist, dialogue is more important than ever. Talk to every NPC you meet. They are your main source of lore, quest information, and secrets.

8. Find the Weavers

   Silk Skills are powerful, Silk-consuming abilities learned from the Weavers hidden throughout Pharloom. These are the equivalent of The Knight’s spells. Actively search for these five masters to unlock your full potential.

9. Experiment with Cloaks

   Cloaks are believed to be swappable equipment that provide non-combat movement abilities. Look for different cloaks to unlock new traversal options like a double jump or a glide.

10. Listen to the World

    The kingdom of Pharloom is ruled by “Silk and Song.” Pay close attention to auditory and visual motifs. They will often guide you to important locations, secrets, or powerful enemies.