Equipment System Complete Guide: Tools, Crests & Skills Mastery

Hollow Knight: Silksong completely revolutionizes character customization with its new Equipment System that replaces the original charm system. This comprehensive guide covers Tools, Crests, Skills, and Memory Lockets—everything you need to master Hornet's vast arsenal of abilities.

🎯 Equipment System Overview

What Replaced Charms?

Tools are Silksong's primary equipment pieces (51 total), Crests function as loadout templates, and Skills are special silk-depleting abilities. This system offers dramatically more customization than Hollow Knight's 40 charms.

Key Differences from Hollow Knight:

• More variety: 51 Tools vs 40 Charms
• Loadout system: Crests let you save multiple configurations
• Active abilities: Skills require silk management
• Crafting element: Red Tools require materials to replenish

---

🛠️ Tools: Your Primary Equipment (51 Total)

Tool Categories Explained

Tools are divided into three color-coded categories, each serving distinct purposes:

🔴 Red Tools: Active Weapons & Consumables

Function: Subweapons and active abilities with limited uses Replenishment: Rest at benches to craft more using Shell Shards Usage: Activated manually for combat or exploration

Key Red Tool Examples:

• Needle weapons: Enhanced combat options
• Throwable items: Ranged damage and utility
• Explosive tools: Area damage and wall breaking
• Mobility tools: Temporary movement enhancements

Red Tool Management Strategy:

• Monitor usage carefully - you can't replenish mid-area
• Stock up at benches before challenging encounters
• Collect Shell Shards regularly to maintain supply

🔵 Blue Tools: Combat Enhancement

Function: Passive improvements to offense and defense Examples: Extended reach, extra healing, damage bonuses Strategy: Essential for boss fights and challenging areas

Essential Blue Tools:

• Needle extension tools: Increased attack range
• Healing amplifiers: Faster or more effective recovery
• Defense boosters: Damage reduction and resistance
• Combat modifiers: Attack speed, combo extensions

Blue Tool Priority:

1. Healing improvements for survivability
2. Reach extensions for safer combat
3. Damage amplifiers for efficiency
4. Defensive options for tough areas

🟡 Yellow Tools: Utility & Exploration

Function: Support abilities for exploration and resource gathering Benefits: Mobility upgrades, loot bonuses, convenience features Usage: Quality-of-life improvements and exploration aids

Essential Yellow Tools:

• Movement enhancements: Faster travel, better jumping
• Resource multipliers: More Rosary Beads, better drop rates
• Map improvements: Enhanced navigation and area awareness
• Exploration aids: Secret detection, accessibility improvements

Yellow Tool Strategy:

• Equip loot bonuses when exploring new areas
• Use mobility tools for faster traversal
• Switch to utility tools for specific challenges

---

🏆 Crests: Loadout Management System

Understanding Crests

Crests are equipment templates that hold your Tools and Skills in predetermined slot configurations. Each Crest offers different numbers of Red, Blue, and Yellow slots, plus unique bonuses.

Crest Mechanics

Slot Distribution: Each Crest has different slot counts for each tool type Locked Slots: Many slots start locked and require Memory Lockets to open Crest Bonuses: Each Crest provides unique passive abilities HUD Changes: Visual indicator shows which Crest is equipped

Starting Crest: Wanderer Crest

Your default loadout comes with basic slot distribution:

• Red Tool Slots: 2 (expandable)
• Blue Tool Slots: 3 (expandable)
• Yellow Tool Slots: 2 (expandable)
• Special Bonus: Balanced stats for new players

Early Game Strategy:

• Stick with Wanderer Crest until you find Memory Lockets
• Focus on unlocking slots rather than switching Crests
• Learn the slot system before experimenting with other Crests

Advanced Crest Selection

Combat-Focused Crests: More Red and Blue slots for intense battles Exploration Crests: Emphasis on Yellow tools for area traversal Balanced Crests: Even distribution for versatile gameplay Specialized Crests: Unique bonuses for specific playstyles

Crest Switching Strategy:

• Prepare loadouts for different areas or bosses
• Experiment with combinations to find your preferred style
• Don't stick to one Crest - the system rewards adaptation

---

🧠 Memory Lockets: Expanding Your Arsenal

What Memory Lockets Do

Memory Lockets unlock additional slots on your current Crest, allowing you to equip more Tools and expand your capabilities.

Key Memory Locket Facts

Crest-Specific: Unlocked slots don't transfer between Crests Permanent Upgrade: Once unlocked, slots stay open on that Crest Resource Management: Memory Lockets are rare - use them wisely Strategic Planning: Consider which Crest deserves your investment

Memory Locket Strategy

Early Game Approach:

1. Hoard Memory Lockets until you're sure about Crest preference
2. Test different Crests before committing to upgrades
3. Focus on your main Crest rather than spreading upgrades thin

Late Game Planning:

• Specialize Crests for different purposes (combat, exploration, bosses)
• Maximize key slots that align with your playstyle
• Consider endgame content when planning upgrades

---

⚡ Skills: Silk-Powered Abilities

Skills vs Tools

Skills are active abilities that consume Silk (your mana resource) rather than having limited uses like Red Tools.

Skill Characteristics:

• Silk consumption: Each use drains your silk meter
• Powerful effects: Generally stronger than comparable Tools
• Combat integration: Often combo with normal attacks
• Resource management: Requires careful silk conservation

Skill Management Strategy

Silk Conservation:

• Use Skills strategically during tough encounters
• Monitor silk levels constantly during combat
• Learn silk regeneration patterns and timing
• Balance Skill use with Bind healing (which also uses silk)

Skill Selection Tips:

• Prioritize versatile Skills that work in multiple situations
• Match Skills to encounter types (single target vs groups)
• Coordinate with Tools for maximum effectiveness
• Practice combo timing to maximize efficiency

---

🔧 Crafting and Resource Management

Shell Shards: Red Tool Fuel

Shell Shards are essential for maintaining your Red Tool arsenal. These resources determine how often you can use active abilities.

Crafting System Basics

Automatic Crafting: Happens when you rest at benches Resource Conversion: Shell Shards become Red Tool uses Capacity Limits: Each Tool has maximum charges you can carry Strategic Resting: Plan bench visits around Tool management

Resource Collection Strategy

Shell Shard Sources:

• Enemy drops: Common from many enemy types
• Environmental collection: Found throughout areas
• Exploration rewards: Hidden caches and secret areas
• Combat efficiency: Defeating groups yields more resources

Efficiency Tips:

• Collect regularly to avoid resource shortages
• Plan Tool usage around available resources
• Don't waste charges by crafting at full capacity
• Scout bench locations before major encounters

---

🎮 Practical Equipment Strategies

Loadout Building Philosophy

Situational Adaptation: Silksong rewards players who change equipment based on circumstances rather than sticking to one loadout.

Boss Fight Loadouts

Recommended Setup:

• Blue Tools: Focus on survivability (healing, defense)
• Red Tools: High-damage options for burst phases
• Skills: Complement your combat style
• Crest Choice: Combat-focused with maximum Red/Blue slots

Exploration Loadouts

Recommended Setup:

• Yellow Tools: Mobility and resource gathering
• Blue Tools: Quality-of-life improvements
• Red Tools: Utility options for obstacles
• Crest Choice: Yellow-slot emphasis for maximum utility

Area-Specific Adjustments

Fire Areas: Heat resistance and mobility tools Water Areas: Swimming aids and pressure resistance Vertical Areas: Enhanced jumping and wall-climbing tools Dense Combat Areas: Defensive tools and healing amplifiers

---

📊 Equipment System Comparison

Silksong vs Original Hollow Knight

Why the New System Works

Increased Complexity: More options mean more strategic depth Better Specialization: Dedicated loadouts for different content Resource Interaction: Multiple resource types create interesting decisions Experimentation Rewards: System actively encourages trying new combinations

---

💡 Pro Tips for Equipment Mastery

✅ Essential Do's

• Experiment constantly - Don't get locked into one loadout
• Plan around resources - Know your Shell Shard and Silk management
• Specialize Crests - Have different setups for different purposes
• Collect Memory Lockets - They're rare but game-changing
• Adapt to challenges - Switch equipment based on what you're facing

❌ Common Mistakes

• Sticking to one Crest throughout the entire game
• Ignoring Yellow Tools - utility is more powerful than it appears
• Hoarding Memory Lockets - use them to unlock useful slots
• Neglecting Skills - they're often more powerful than comparable Tools
• Poor resource management - running out of Red Tool charges mid-area

Advanced Optimization

Meta Loadout Building:

1. Identify your playstyle preferences first
2. Choose a main Crest that supports your style
3. Invest Memory Lockets in your chosen Crest
4. Build secondary Crests for specific challenges
5. Master switching between loadouts efficiently

---

🏆 Equipment System Mastery Summary

Understanding the Basics:

• ✅ 51 Tools divided into Red (active), Blue (combat), Yellow (utility)
• ✅ Crests serve as loadout templates with different slot distributions
• ✅ Skills consume Silk for powerful active abilities
• ✅ Memory Lockets unlock additional slots on specific Crests

Resource Management:

• ✅ Shell Shards fuel Red Tool crafting at benches
• ✅ Silk powers Skills and Bind healing
• ✅ Strategic resting maintains your arsenal

Strategic Approach:

• ✅ Adapt equipment to challenges rather than using one setup
• ✅ Specialize Crests for different content types
• ✅ Experiment boldly - the system rewards exploration
• ✅ Plan Memory Locket investments carefully

The Bottom Line: Silksong's equipment system is designed around adaptation and experimentation. Master the art of switching between loadouts, and you'll have access to solutions for every challenge Pharloom throws at you.

Unlike Hollow Knight's more static charm system, Silksong rewards players who embrace change and tailor their approach to each situation. The depth is there for those who seek it, but the system remains approachable for players who prefer simpler loadouts.

---

Ready to dive deeper into specific Tools and Crests? Check our complete Silksong systems guide collection for detailed breakdowns of every equipment piece in the game.