IGN's Walkthrough for Hollow Knight: Silksong will guide you through Pharloom's various caverns, tunnels, forests, and areas. This guide features an in-depth walkthrough of every major quest and every area in the game, with detailed breakdowns of how to defeat all of its challenging bosses and find every secret.
In Hollow Knight: Silksong, you play as Hornet, who is transported to Pharloom and ends up on a deadly pilgrimage to the peak of the kingdom. As a Metroidvania, you will come across several inaccessible areas as you play and new tools to unlock secrets and allow you to access previously unreachable areas in the world.
Walkthrough Index- Progression Guide
- Silksong Walkthrough Sections (page does not exist)">Walkthrough by Sections
Select an area below to get guides for each section, including tips on fighting new enemies you'll encounter, a detailed overview of all the items to find, and all the secrets hidden away in the environment. You will also find a full guide on the challenging boss fights and parkour challenges tucked away throughout Pharloom.
Temporarily, this walkthrough is divided into areas as we discover more about Hollow Knight:
Silksong. This may be altered to follow specific quests in the near future.
Silksong General Progression Guide
Because Silksong is a metroidvania, there are many viable routes to the end of the game. Exploring whichever areas you stumble upon and discovering secrets can be a fun way to play the game! But if you're not interested in those, you follow this rough outline if you want to get on track to hit those credits sooner.
We've also noted any important unlocks and encounters, though for a complete guide, be sure to check out the walkthrough sections!
| Spoilers for skill and item unlocks and bosses follow! |
|---|
Act 1 - Pharloom
- 1. Moss Grotto
- Defeat Moss Mother Boss.
- Gain access to Bone Bottom village.
- 2. The Marrow and Mosshome
- Meet Shakra and purchase her maps.
- Obtain Silk Spear skill in Mosshome.
- Defeat Bell Beast boss to earn a Silk Heart and unlock the Bellways.
- Unlock the Wishboard Sidequests in Bone Bottom.
- 3. Deep Docks
- Obtain Swift Step skill.
- Defeat Lace Boss to gain access to Far Fields.
- 4. Far Fields
- Obtain Drifter's Cloak from the Seamstress.
- Defeat the Fourth Chorus Boss.
- 5. Hunter's March (Optional)
- Defeat the giant red skull ant in The Marrow to get access to Hunter's March.
- Enter the Chapel of the Beast and defeat the Savage Beastfly Boss to gain the Beast Crest.
- 6. Greymoor
- Climb to the top of Craw Lake to obtain the Thread Storm skill.
- Enter the Chapel of the Reaper and earn the Reaper Crest.
- Defeat the Moorwing Boss.
- (Optional) Find enough Lost Fleas to ride the caravan to Greymoor and skip the boss.
- 7. Shellwood
- Defeat the Sister Splinter Boss.
- Obtain the Cling Grip ability.
- 8. Bellhart
- Defeat Widow Boss and gain the Needolin ability.
- Restore Bellhart, unlock the Wishboard Sidequests, and upgrade your Needle weapon.
- 9. Weavenest Atla (Optional)
- Encounter Eva and upgrade your Hunter Crest.
- 10. Wormways (Optional)
- Help Alchemist Zylotol with his Plasmium Wish.
- Reach the Chapel of the Wanderer behind Moss Grotto, and obtain the Wanderer Crest.
From here, there are two methods to reach Act 2:
- 11. Blasted Steps
- Defeat the Great Conchflies Boss to reach the Pinstress and learn the Needle Strike ability.
- Defeat The Last Judge Boss to enter the Citadel.
- 12. Sinner's Road
- Find the hidden route to The Mist.
- 13. The Mist
- Defeat the Phantom Boss and learn the Cross Stitch Skill and enter the Citadel.
- 14. The Slab (Optional)
- Escape the Slab after being taken prisoner.
Act 2 - Citadel of Song
Note: Depending on how you reached the Citadel, you may have a different starting area.
- 15. Grand Gate
- Find the lift leading down to the Underworks.
- 16. Underworks
- Unlock the first Ventrica Station.
- 17. Choral Chambers
- Unlock the Grand Bellway.
- Locate Loyal Mergwin to begin the Great Taste of Pharloom Sidequest.
- Reach the First Shrine to establish the settlement of Songclave.
- Obtain the White Key from the First Shrine.
- 18. Lower Cogwork Core
- Defeat the Clockwork Dancers Boss to start the Threefold Melody Quest.
- Open a path to the Whispering Vaults.
- 19. Whispering Vaults
- Meet Vaultkeeper Cardinus to unlock the Psalm Cylinder archive.
- Unlock the Shortcut to the Choral Chamber's Pinmaster Shop to find Pale Oil to upgrade your Needle.
- Defeat Trobbio Boss to unlock the lift to the Cauldron.
- Obtain the Clawline ability in the Cauldron.
- Purchase the Architect's Key from the Twelfth Architect to obtain the Architect Crest.
- Take the path under the lift to return to the Whispering Vaults to obtain the Sacred Cylinder and learn the Vaultkeeper's Melody.
- 20. Whiteward (Optional)
- Unlock the alternate path to the Cauldron.
- Find the Surgeon's Key to reach and defeat The Unravelled Boss, and earn a Silk Heart.
- 21. High Halls
- Defeat the enemies in The Forum to reach Conductor Ballador and learn the Conductor's Melody.
- 22. Upper Cogwork Core
- Solve the Architect's Puzzle to learn the Architect's Melody.
- 23. The Cradle
- Defeat Lace Boss a second time.
- Confront the Final Boss.
Defeating the final boss here will trigger an ending for Act 2, but it is not the True Ending. To uncover the third and final act, you'll need to venture outside the Citadel.
- 24. Sands of Karak
- Find Shakra and purchase her map.
- Locate the Crustnut for the Taste of Pharloom Quest.
- Defeat the Raging Conchfly Boss.
- Enter the Coral Tower and obtain the Conchcutter.
- 25. Mount Fay
- Find Shakra and purchase her map.
- Obtain the Faydown Cloak ability.
- 26. Wisp Thicket (Optional)
- Unlock the shortcut to the Underworks.
- Defeat the Father of the Flame to gain the Wispfire Lantern.
- 27. Memorium
- Unlock the path to the Putrified Ducts.
- 28. Putrified Ducts
- Obtain the Wreath of Purity.
- Locate Vog, the Lost Flea Hunter.
- Collect at least 20 Lost Fleas to move the Caravan to the Pale Lake in the Putrified Ducts.
- Locate the Key of Apostate to access the First Sinner Boss in The Slab, and unlock the Rune Rage Skill.
- 29. Bilewater
- Find Shakra and purchase her map.
- Defeat Groal the Great Boss and obtain the Seeker's Soul.
- Undertake Shakra's Quest (once all her maps are bought).
- Complete All Other Wishboard Quests in Bone Bottom, Bellhart, and Songclave.
- 30. Talk to the Caretaker in Songclave to begin the Silk and Soul Wish.
- Obtain the Seeker's Soul in Bilehaven.
- Obtain the Maiden's Soul in Moss Grotto.
- Obtain the Hermit's Soul in Bellhart.
- Obtain the Snare Setter in Weavenest Atla.
With the Silk and Soul Wish complete, you may challenge the Final Boss in The Cradle once more, but this time, play your Needolin instead of Binding them when they are defeated, and you will conclude Act 2.
Act 3 - The Abyss
In Progress
Silksong Walkthrough Sections
- Moss Grotto (Tutorial) Walkthrough - Help Hornet escape the chasm she falls into, in hopes of learning more about the land she has found herself in.
Tasks available or that can be progressed in Moss Grotto:
| Task
| Description
| Area Task Is Obtained
| Quest Type
| Reward
| Complete?
|
|---|
| Berry Picking | Sweetness! Sourness! Bitterness! I need it all with hastiness! If you have the precious fruits, come to me in Mosshome and share all you have!
| Mosshome (accessed via The Marrow)
| Gather Quest
| Druid's Eye (Tool)
| Berry Picking |
|---|
Passing Through Moss Grotto- The Marrow Walkthrough - Hornet seeks out the Citadel and finds herself in a charred cavern filled with deadly threats, new NPCs to meet, and some key upgrades that will play an important role in her journey.
Tasks available or that can be progressed in The Marrow:
| Task
| Description
| Area Task Is Obtained
| Quest Type
| Reward
| Complete?
|
|---|
| The Great Citadel
| Ascend through the lands of Pharloom to reach the Citadel at the kingdom's peak.
| Moss Grotto | Main Quest
| N/A
| The Great Citadel |
|---|
| The Lost Fleas | Seek fleas across the lands of Pharloom and guide them to the Flea Caravan.
| The Marrow | Side Quest
| N/A
| The Lost Fleas |
|---|
| Berry Picking
| Sweetnes! Sourness! Bitterness! I need it all with hastiness! If you have the precious fruits, come to me in Mosshome and share all you have!
| Mosshome (accessed via The Marrow)
| Gather Quest
| Druid's Eye (Tool)
| Berry Picking |
|---|
| Bone Bottom Repairs | A lotta repairs to be done around here, but I need more materials! All I wish for is some shell shards so I can get to work. Not asking too much, am I?
| Bone Bottom (accessed via the Wishwall after defeating the Bell Beast)
| Donate Quest
| N/A
| Bone Bottom Repairs |
|---|
| Garb of the Pilgrims | Those mad, violent pilgrims who haunt the great path... we could make use of their shawls here in Bone Bottom. And felling them would surely be a mercy!
| Bone Bottom (accessed via the Wishwall after defeating the Bell Beast)
| Hunt Quest
| Rosary String
| Garb of the Pilgrims |
|---|
The Marrow- Deep Docks Walkthrough - Hornet continues on her journey to the Citadel, passing through the ancient docks overun with lava, facing some threats on the way, as well as an optional fight against Lace.
| Task
| Description
| Area Task Is Obtained
| Quest Type
| Reward
| Complete?
|
|---|
| The Lost Fleas | Seek fleas across the lands of Pharloom and guide them to the Flea Caravan.
| The Marrow | Side Quest
| N/A
| The Lost Fleas |
|---|
Deep Docks- Far Fields Walkthrough - Hornet faces off against some of the most challenging platforming and enemies yet as she helps the Seamstress out with a task and faces the Fourth Chorus boss. In return, she gets a useful traversal upgrade, key to exploring the next few areas of Pharloom.
| Task
| Description
| Area Task Is Obtained
| Quest Type
| Reward
| Complete?
|
|---|
| Flexile Spines | Hunt Hokers in the Far Fields and collect Spine Cores.
| The Marrow | Hunt Quest
| Drifter's Cloak
| Flexile Spines |
|---|
| The Lost Fleas | Seek fleas across the lands of Pharloom and guide them to the Flea Caravan.
| The Marrow | Side Quest
| N/A
| The Lost Fleas |
|---|
Far Fields- Hunter's March Walkthrough - On the search for the Crest of the Beast, Hornet takes a diversion towards the Hunter's March. This deadly region is a trap-laden nightmare full of challenging fights, painstakingly tough parkour sections, and one of the most frustrating bosses in Act 1: the Savage Beastfly.
| Task
| Description
| Area Task Is Obtained
| Quest Type
| Reward
| Complete?
|
|---|
| The Lost Fleas | Seek fleas across the lands of Pharloom and guide them to the Flea Caravan.
| The Marrow | Side Quest
| N/A
| The Lost Fleas |
|---|
Hunter's March- Greymoor Walkthrough - Hornet explores the feathered town of Greymoor as she continues towards the Citadel. This area has a lot of secrets hiding within it, including an optional boss against Moorwing. You can also skip most of it by travelling to Greymoor with the Flea Caravan after finding all the Lost Fleas.
| Task
| Description
| Area Task Is Obtained
| Quest Type
| Reward
| Complete?
|
|---|
| Bugs of Pharloom | Defeat the many creatures of Pharloom and fill out the Hunter's Journal.
| Greymoor | Learn Quest
| N/A
| Bugs of Pharloom |
|---|
Greymoor- Shellwood Walkthrough - Hornet obtains a vital traversal upgrade that allows her to solve the riddle in Bellhart and visit new areas scattered throughout Pharloom. Throughout Shellwood, she encounters a host of new bug types and faces off against Sister Splinter.
| Task
| Description
| Area Task Is Obtained
| Quest Type
| Reward
| Complete?
|
|---|
| Bugs of Pharloom | Defeat the many creatures of Pharloom and fill out the Hunter's Journal.
| Greymoor | Learn Quest
| N/A
| Bugs of Pharloom |
|---|
| Rite of the Pollip | Collect Pollip Hearts from the purple flowers of Shellwood.
| Shellwood | Gather Quest
| Pollip Pouch Tool
| Rite of the Pollip |
|---|
Shellwood- Bellhart Walkthrough - Hornet faces off against her toughest fight yet against Widow in Bellhart as she explores the tunnels and uncovers the secret truth of the haunted area.
| Task
| Description
| Area Task Is Obtained
| Quest Type
| Reward
| Complete?
|
|---|
| Bugs of Pharloom | Defeat the many creatures of Pharloom and fill out the Hunter's Journal.
| Greymoor | Learn Quest
| N/A
| Bugs of Pharloom |
|---|
| Silver Bells | Collect Silver Bells in the bellvein tunnels above and below Bellhart.
| Bellhart
| Gather Quest
| Rosary Necklace
| Silver Bells |
|---|
| Crawbug Clearing | Hunt Crawbugs in Greymoor and collect their Ragpelt.
| Bellhart
| Hunt Quest
| Crafting Kit
| Crawbug Clearing |
|---|
| My Missing Courier | Search for traces of the courier, Tipp, and track his location. Tipp was last seen in lower Shellwood.
| Bellhart
| Wayfarer Quest
| Vendor Shop
| My Missing Courier |
|---|
Bellhart- Weavenest Atla Walkthrough - Upon exploring the later areas of Act 1, Hornet has the option to explore a mysterious area deep within Pharloom that holds some fascinating secrets about the mysterious world she has found herself in.
| Task
| Description
| Area Task Is Obtained
| Quest Type
| Reward
| Complete?
|
|---|
| Bugs of Pharloom | Defeat the many creatures of Pharloom and fill out the Hunter's Journal.
| Greymoor | Learn Quest
| N/A
| Bugs of Pharloom |
|---|
Weavenest Atla- Wormways Walkthrough - Another side area Hornet can explore as she heads towards the Citadel, the Wormways offer dark wyrm-filled tunnels that leave little room for respite. She also meets a mysterious alchemist who helps her out as she makes her way through the area towards Bonegrave and the Chapel of the Wanderer.
| Task
| Description
| Area Task Is Obtained
| Quest Type
| Reward
| Complete?
|
|---|
| Alchemist's Assistant | Collect Plasmium from Plasmium buds in the lower Wormways. Plasmium can be extracted from buds using a fully charged stab from the Needle Phial tool.
| Wormways | Gather Quest
| N/A
| Alchemist's Assistant |
|---|
| Bugs of Pharloom | Defeat the many creatures of Pharloom and fill out the Hunter's Journal.
| Greymoor | Learn Quest
| N/A
| Bugs of Pharloom |
|---|
Wormways- Blasted Steps Walkthrough - Hornet finally makes her way to the Citadel. But, before she reaches the Grand Gate, she has to face off against a variety of threats in the windy cliffs of the Blasted Steps. In the process, she can face off against two bosses: Great Conchflies and Last Judge.
| Task
| Description
| Area Task Is Obtained
| Quest Type
| Reward
| Complete?
|
|---|
| Bugs of Pharloom | Defeat the many creatures of Pharloom and fill out the Hunter's Journal.
| Greymoor | Learn Quest
| N/A
| Bugs of Pharloom |
|---|
Blasted Steps- Sinner's Road Walkthrough - Offering an alternative path to the Citadel, Sinner's Road is a horrifying, trap-filled, bug-infested land with tricks, dangers, and threats to be constantly wary of.
| Task
| Description
| Area Task Is Obtained
| Quest Type
| Reward
| Complete?
|
|---|
| Bugs of Pharloom | Defeat the many creatures of Pharloom and fill out the Hunter's Journal.
| Greymoor | Learn Quest
| N/A
| Bugs of Pharloom |
|---|
| Roach Guts | Hunt the Muckroaches of Sinner's Road and collect Roach Guys from their bodies
| Sinner's Road | Hunt Quest
| Tacks Tool
| Roach Guts |
|---|
Sinner's Road- The Mist Walkthrough - After exploring Sinner's Road, Hornet finds herself in the haze of The Mist, facing off against threats she can't escape from. Before long, she passes through to the Exhaust Organ, which is hiding behind the mist, and faces off against Phantom.
| Task
| Description
| Area Task Is Obtained
| Quest Type
| Reward
| Complete?
|
|---|
| Bugs of Pharloom | Defeat the many creatures of Pharloom and fill out the Hunter's Journal.
| Greymoor | Learn Quest
| N/A
| Bugs of Pharloom |
|---|
The Mist- The Slab Walkthrough - If caught by a devious bug in Act 1, Hornet will end up at The Slab and have to find her way out, before returning here later in Act 2.
Escape The Slab- Grand Gate Walkthrough - The Grand Gate serves as a connecting area between the Blasted Steps and several Act 2 areas. It also leads to some additional secrets, which can't be accessed until later in the game.
Grand Gate- Underworks Walkthrough - After finally entering the Citadel, Hornet finds herself falling deep into the Underworks of the grand building, facing off against worker bugs and avoiding deadly traps to return to the main chambers. On the way, she will also unlock her first Ventrica station in the citadel.
Underworks- Choral Chambers Walkthrough - After escaping the Underworks, Hornet finds herself in the opulent halls of the citadel, exploring the Choral Chambers. Meeting some fresh faces, she will find her way around the maze of halls and restore the town of Songclave. At the same time, she will work towards her final objective as she defeats the Cogwork Dancers.
| Task
| Description
| Area Task Is Obtained
| Quest Type
| Reward
| Complete?
|
|---|
| Bugs of Pharloom | Defeat the many creatures of Pharloom and fill out the Hunter's Journal.
| Greymoor | Learn Quest
| N/A
| Bugs of Pharloom |
|---|
| Building Up Songclave | If this place must provide shelter for every ragged bug who wanders in, we'll need supplies and currency. So if you're reading this, empty your pockets!
| Choral Chambers | Donate Quest
| N/A
| Building Up Songclave |
|---|
| Fine Pins | Our Settlement sits defenceless! No More! When the worst comes, we must stand ready. Bring us pins of the choirbugs, those blades still sharp and strong.
| Choral Chambers | Hunt Quest
| Rosary Necklace
| Fine Pins |
|---|
| The Wandering Merchant | The old merchant pilgrim, Jubliana, was seen wandering down in the Choral Chambers, but she never made it up here. Has some four fortune befallen her?
| Choral Chambers | Wayfarer Quest
| Rosary Necklace
| The Wandering Merchant |
|---|
| Great Taste of Pharloom | Collect rare delicacies of Pharloom.
| Choral Chambers | Gather Quest
| Pale Oil
| Great Taste of Pharloom |
|---|
Choral Chambers- Lower Cogwork Core Walkthrough - After defeating the Cogwork Dancers, Hornet explores the Lower Cogwork Core to find some shortcuts to other areas and take on a challenging parkour sequence before progressing towards the Whispering Vaults.
Lower Cogwork Core- Whispering Vaults Walkthrough - Hornet finds herself in the archives of the citadel, facing off against Trobbio and discovering the Vaultkeeper Cardinius.
| Task
| Description
| Area Task Is Obtained
| Quest Type
| Reward
| Complete?
|
|---|
| Balm For The Wounded | For the sake of our ailing brothers and sisters, I will descend into the holy Whiteward and search for healing supplies. If you are able, please join me! Company will make the work much merrier.
| Choral Chambers | Wayfarer Quest
| N/A
| Balm For The Wounded |
|---|
Whispering Vaults- Whiteward Walkthrough - Before continuing to obtain the songs of the Citadel, Hornet makes a pitstop in Whiteward to rescue Sherma and also discover a horrifying set of experiments lurking in the region. This includes the fearsome The Unravelled boss.
| Task
| Description
| Area Task Is Obtained
| Quest Type
| Reward
| Complete?
|
|---|
| Balm For The Wounded | For the sake of our ailing brothers and sisters, I will descend into the holy Whiteward and search for healing supplies. If you are able, please join me! Company will make the work much merrier.
| Choral Chambers | Wayfarer Quest
| N/A
| Balm For The Wounded |
|---|
Whiteward- High Halls Walkthrough - Hornet heads to the High Halls with the Clawline ability to find the Conductor's Melody. On the way, she discovers some new bugs and summons help to take on one of the toughest arena battles in the game.
High Halls- Upper Cogwork Core Walkthrough - After obtaining the other songs of the Citadel, Hornet ascends to the top of the Cogwork Core, taking on a challenging parkour gauntlet using all of her abilities so far. On top of that, she finds a puzzle that holds the secret to the Architect's Melody.
Upper Cogwork CoreFrom here, you can proceed toThe Cradle, or fully explore a number of optional areas to ensure you reach thetrue endingand Act 3. This progression guide follows the path toAct 3.
- Mount Fay Walkthrough - With everything explored, Hornet now has the option to explore several optional areas, including Mount Fay after passing through The Slab. Here the fabled mountain holds a secret creature and a brand new power for Hornet atop its peak.
Mount Fay- Bliewater Walkthrough - With everything explored in The Slab and Mount Fay, it is now time for Hornet to head to Bilewater and explore its many secrets lurking within the infested land. She will also find Shakra once again and face off against Groal The Great.
Bilewater- Memorium Walkthrough - After exploring several optional areas, Hornet makes her way to the Citadel's Memorium to meet some strong foes hiding within its glass coridoors and overgrown halls. She will also make her way to the bridge over the Citadel, which leads to a secret area in the far northwest of Pharloom.
| Task
| Description
| Area Task Is Obtained
| Quest Type
| Reward
| Complete?
|
|---|
| The Lost Merchant | Our dear merchant left to scavenge treasures from the Citadel's Memorium. She's been gone for too long. Please make sure she's safe!
| Memorium | Wayfarer Quest
| N/A
| The Lost Merchant |
|---|
Memorium- Putrified Ducts Walkthrough - After exploring Memorium, Hornet discovers the secret Putrified Ducts hidden within Pharloom that houses a mysterious entity known as The Huntress, some deadly sewers, and the way to the Pale Lake and Fleatopia. On top of that, she obtains a key that allows her to access The Slab in full and fight the deadly First Sinner.
| Task
| Description
| Area Task Is Obtained
| Quest Type
| Reward
| Complete?
|
|---|
| Broodfeast | Use tools to acquire organs of various types so Huntress may feed her brood.
| Putrified Ducts | Hunt Quest
| Longclaw Tool
| Broodfeast |
|---|
Putrified DuctsThis page is a work in progress, and more information about items and locations to look out for will be added soon, alongside additional areas.
Up Next: Moss Grotto and Bone Bottom Walkthrough
PreviousEssential Tips and TricksNextMoss Grotto and Bone Bottom Walkthrough
Top Guide Sections
- Differences and New Features
- Essential Tips and Tricks
- Walkthrough
- Boss Guides and Boss Order
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Hollow Knight: SilksongTeam CherryInitial Release: Sep 4, 2025
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