Bosses GuideMedium

Bell Beast Guide: Unlock Fast Travel Mount

Master the Bell Beast boss fight to unlock fast travel in Hollow Knight Silksong. Learn to counter double-damage attacks, perfect pogo timing, and claim your mount for exploring Pharloom.

HollowKnightSilksong.app Team
6 min read

The Bell Beast in Hollow Knight Silksong is much more than just a boss fight—defeating it unlocks the entire fast travel system for exploring Pharloom. Located in The Marrow, this creature becomes your faithful mount once freed and conquered.

Bell Beast complete appearance showing bells and size

🔔 Why Bell Beast Matters

Critical Progression Boss: This isn't optional—Bell Beast unlocks the Bellways fast travel system, transforming how you explore the world.

Key Stakes:

  • Fast travel unlock - Essential for efficient exploration
  • Double damage attacks - All hits deal 2 masks instead of 1
  • Three-phase escalation - Gets progressively more dangerous
  • Pogo practice arena - Perfect place to master diagonal pogo mechanics

📍 Prerequisites & Location

Required Abilities

Must Have: Silkspear ability (obtained from Mosshome)

How to Get Silkspear

  1. From Shakra's location, go left then up to Mosshome sub-zone
  2. Navigate trap-filled rooms until you reach the Weaver symbol
  3. Interact with the plaque to unlock Silkspear ability
  4. Equip Silkspear at any bench

Silkspear ability icon and acquisition location

Finding Bell Beast

Location: The Marrow, northernmost point (above Shakra's first location)
Initial State: Trapped in spider silk - unusable until freed

Liberation Process:

  1. Use Silkspear to break all silken bindings simultaneously
  2. Bell Beast becomes agitated and immediately starts fighting
  3. No opportunity to heal between freeing and fighting

Bell Beast trapped in silk restraints before liberation


⚔️ Combat Overview: Double Damage Warning

☠️ CRITICAL: Every Bell Beast attack deals 2 masks of damage instead of 1
Result: With base health, this becomes a 3-hit kill boss fight

The Three-Phase Structure

Phase 1 (100%-67%): Basic attacks, ground charges, air leaps
Phase 2 (67%-33%): Adds falling bells from ceiling
Phase 3 (33%-0%): Arena shaking + random ceiling bells after every attack


🎯 Phase 1: Learning the Patterns

Attack 1: Ground Charge

Telegraph: Ground shakes, Bell Beast appears on left or right
Attack: Charges across the entire arena
Counter: Jump above and pogo on its back as it passes underneath

Bell Beast movement path during ground charge attack

Perfect Pogo Timing:

  • Jump early when you see the telegraph
  • Attack diagonally downward (not straight down)
  • Bounce off its back for free damage and safe positioning
  • Land behind it automatically after the bounce

Attack 2: Flying Leap

Telegraph: Bell Beast rears back slightly
Attack: Arcs through the air toward your position
Counter Options:

  • Run underneath and slash its belly (risky but rewarding)
  • Back against wall so jump doesn't reach you, then attack its nose

Bell Beast aerial attack trajectory and counter positions

Attack 3: Double Bell Toss

Telegraph: Bell Beast creates dust cloud in center, pops up
Attack: Tosses two large bells in opposite directions
Counter Strategy:

  1. Move to nearest wall when you see the dust cloud
  2. Jump over the rolling bell as it approaches
  3. Don't get caught in center - you'll be hit by both bells

Damage Potential: 4 masks if both bells hit you - instant death

Bell Beast performing double bell toss attack


🔔 Phase 2: Falling Bells Hell

Trigger: Bell Beast roars, bells start falling randomly from ceiling

New Hazard: Ceiling Bells

Warning Sign: Dust trickles from ceiling before each bell drops
Damage: 2 masks per bell hit
Duration: Continues for the rest of the fight

Dust markers indicating where ceiling bells will fall


💥 Phase 3: Maximum Chaos

New Mechanic: Arena violently shakes after jumping slams and bell tosses
Additional Hazard: Random third bell drops from ceiling after each attack

Survival Strategy

  1. Always watch for dust signaling falling debris
  2. Stay mobile - standing still guarantees getting hit
  3. Center positioning between attacks to react to any direction
  4. Never panic-jump - accidental contact with falling bells is deadly

Bell Beast final phase showing multiple hazards simultaneously


🛡️ Winning Strategy

Core Combat Principles

1. Defensive Mindset

  • Never rush the Bell Beast - let it come to you
  • Patience over aggression - dodging is more valuable than attacking
  • Attack only during Ground Charge and after Flying Leap

2. Positioning Priority

  • Head to center after each attack sequence
  • Avoid corners during Bell Burst attacks
  • Watch ceiling constantly for dust markers

3. Perfect Pogo Execution

  • Diagonal pogo strikes (not vertical)
  • Jump early for maximum hit chance
  • Use Bell Beast as practice for advanced pogo mechanics

Recommended safe attack windows and positioning


⚕️ Healing Strategy

Golden Rule: Only heal between attack patterns, never during

Safe Healing Windows:

  • After Ground Charge when Bell Beast is repositioning
  • Before Phase transitions when there's a brief pause
  • Never heal when ceiling bells are actively falling

Timing Warning: Healing takes longer than expected - ensure you have 2+ seconds of safety


🏆 Victory Rewards

Immediate Benefits

  • Bell Beast becomes your mount for fast travel
  • Bellways system unlocked - 10 fast travel points across Pharloom
  • First major exploration upgrade in the game

Fast Travel System

How it Works: Bell Beast stations marked with three-chevron signposts
Activation Cost: 50 Rosaries per new Bellway
Function: Instant travel between discovered stations

Fast travel interface showing Bell Beast mount system

Available Bellways:

  • The Marrow (first station)
  • Deep Docks
  • Far Fields
  • Greymoor
  • Bellhart
  • And 5 more locations...

💡 Pro Tips & Common Mistakes

✅ DO:

  • Master diagonal pogo - this fight is perfect practice
  • Stay patient - rushing leads to taking unnecessary double damage
  • Watch dust markers religiously for falling bells
  • Use center positioning to react to attacks from any direction

❌ DON'T:

  • Panic during Phase 3 - stay calm and watch patterns
  • Ignore ceiling hazards - falling bells will combo you to death
  • Get cornered during Bell Burst attacks
  • Attempt healing under pressure - you'll lose health and silk

Common positioning mistakes that lead to taking double damage


🎪 Fight Progression Summary

Phase 1: Foundation

  • Learn basic pogo timing on Ground Charge
  • Practice safe positioning for Flying Leap
  • Build confidence with the double-damage reality

Phase 2: Complexity

  • Add ceiling hazard awareness
  • Master the Double Bell Toss dodge
  • Maintain calm under increased pressure

Phase 3: Mastery

  • Handle multiple simultaneous hazards
  • Perfect your positioning and timing
  • Claim victory and unlock fast travel

🌟 Post-Victory: Your New Best Friend

Once defeated, the Bell Beast transforms from enemy to ally:

New Relationship: Your faithful mount across Pharloom
Travel Method: Ride between discovered Bellway stations
Exploration Impact: Dramatically reduces backtracking time
Story Significance: First major progression milestone

The Bell Beast fight represents more than just combat skill—it's your gateway to truly exploring the vast world of Pharloom efficiently!


Ready to explore more of Pharloom? Check our area exploration guides and advanced boss strategies for your next challenges.

Tags

bell beastfast travelpogo attacksdouble damagethe marrowboss guide