Lace Boss Guide: Your First Real Challenge

Lace is the first boss in Hollow Knight Silksong that will truly test your skills. Located in Deep Docks, this lightning-fast fencer demands mastery of Hornet's movement abilities and represents your first real challenge in Pharloom.

🚨 Why Lace is So Challenging

The Reality Check: While Moss Mother was a tutorial, Lace is a skill check boss with "blindingly fast attacks" that will punish any mistakes harshly.

Key Challenge Factors:

• Lightning-fast combo attacks that can delete your health instantly
• Lava platform arena - fall off and you're dead
• Precise timing required for dodges and counterattacks
• Demands Swift Step mastery to survive her rush attacks

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📍 Location & Requirements

Location: Center-east portion of Deep Docks, on a platform above lava
Required Ability: Swift Step (dash) - You MUST have this unlocked
Nearest Bench: Look for the bench before jumping onto Lace's platform

How to Reach Lace:

1. Progress through Deep Docks until you find the locked gate
2. Use Swift Step to reach the platform above
3. Unlock the gate mechanism
4. Jump onto the lava platform where Lace waits

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⚔️ Lace's Attack Patterns

1. Fencing Strike (Flurry Attack)

What she does: Stationary 2-second rapid strike sequence
Telegraph: Lace plants her feet and raises her sword
Counter: Stay far away - easy to avoid with distance

2. Lunge Attack

What she does: Two-handed sword stance followed by forward thrust
Telegraph: Sword pulled back, brief pause
Counter: Jump and Swift Step behind her immediately

3. Aerial Blitz

What she does: Dashes and slashes in mid-air
Strategy: Make her strike behind you, then counterattack from behind
Timing: Wait for her to commit to the attack direction Phase: Appears in Phase 1 (after Lunge Attack) and becomes more frequent in Phase 2

4. Circle Special Attack ⚠️ MOST DANGEROUS

What she does: Channels for 3 seconds, then aerial combo ending in ground slam
Telegraph: Large circle with star appears in front of her
Counter: Dash away instantly - this attack can combo you to death

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🛡️ Winning Strategy

Core Combat Approach: Hit-and-Run

The Golden Rule: After every attack Lace makes, there's always a delay before her next move.

Execution:

1. Jump dash to avoid her attack
2. Swift Step behind her during recovery
3. Strike once - don't get greedy!
4. Retreat immediately and repeat

Advanced Techniques

Blocking Counter:

• When Lace raises her guard, never attack from the front
• Jump over her and attack from behind
• If you hit her sword, Swift Step away immediately

Aerial Combat Focus:

• Master downward attacks (pogo)
• Use aerial superiority to stay above her ground attacks
• Heal in the air during her recovery periods

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🔥 Lava Platform Survival

Platform Hazards

• Lace cannot fall off the platform
• Hornet CAN fall and will be killed by lava instantly
• Stay center-platform during intense combat phases

Safe Zones

• Center of platform is safest during circle attacks
• Behind Lace after she commits to forward attacks
• Above her during ground-based combos

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⚕️ Healing Strategy

When to Heal Safely

Best Opportunities:

• During aerial attacks - when she's airborne and laggy
• Every 12 hits - Lace gets staggered briefly
• After circle attack - long recovery window

Healing Technique:

1. Jump into the air
2. Start Bind healing mid-air
3. Complete heal before landing
4. Never heal on ground during active combat

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🛠️ Recommended Equipment

Essential Tools

Straight Pin Tool:

• Throw small needles without consuming Silk
• Use during Lace's recovery windows for extra damage

Sting Shard (if available):

• Sets traps around the arena
• Excellent against mobile bosses like Lace

Silk Management

• Save Silk primarily for healing
• Use offensive Silk skills only when you have full health
• Don't waste Silk on weak attacks

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💡 Pro Tips & Common Mistakes

✅ DO:

• Master Swift Step timing - practice before the fight
• Stay patient - wait for safe attack windows
• Use the stagger windows - every 12 hits for maximum damage
• Practice parrying - can negate her combo damage entirely

❌ DON'T:

• Get greedy - one hit then retreat
• Challenge her in the air - her aerial attacks have priority
• Panic during circle attack - dash away calmly
• Ignore the lava edges - platform positioning is crucial

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🎯 Phase Breakdown

Early Phase (100%-60%)

• Fencing Strike and Lunge Attack are primary moves
• Aerial Blitz appears occasionally after Lunge attacks
• Focus on learning her attack telegraphs and timing
• Build confidence with hit-and-run tactics

Late Phase (60%-0%)

• Aerial Blitz becomes much more frequent and aggressive
• Circle Special Attack appears more often - the most dangerous phase
• Higher damage potential but more healing opportunities during recovery windows

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🏆 Mastering the Fight

The Learning Curve

Expect to die several times - Lace is designed to teach you Silksong's advanced combat mechanics. Each death teaches you:

• Better Swift Step timing
• Attack pattern recognition
• Safe positioning fundamentals
• Resource management under pressure

Victory Rewards

• Story progression to new areas
• Confidence boost for future challenging encounters
• Combat skill foundation for harder bosses ahead

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🎪 Summary: Conquering Your First Real Challenge

Lace represents the moment Silksong stops holding your hand. Master these fundamentals:

1. ⚡ Swift Step mastery is non-negotiable
2. 🎯 Hit-and-run tactics over aggressive rushing
3. 🛡️ Defensive positioning to avoid combos
4. 💨 Patience over aggression wins the fight
5. 🔥 Platform awareness prevents instant death

Remember: Lace isn't just a boss - she's a skill check preparing you for the challenges ahead. Every technique you learn here will be essential for future encounters.

Once you defeat Lace, you'll have truly mastered Hornet's combat fundamentals and earned your place among skilled Silksong players!

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Conquered Lace? Ready for the next challenge? Check our complete boss guide collection for advanced strategies.