Hollow Knight Silksong Complete Walkthrough

Hollow Knight Silksong can be overwhelming with its sprawling world and non-linear progression. This complete walkthrough will guide you through all three acts, every major area, and help you achieve 100% completion without missing crucial upgrades or getting hopelessly lost.

Complete journey through Pharloom from start to finish

🎯 How This Walkthrough Works

Structure: We follow the optimal progression route that maximizes efficiency while ensuring you don't miss essential upgrades.

Three Act System: Silksong is divided into three distinct acts:

Act 1: Ends when you defeat the Last Judge in Blasted Steps
Act 2: New upper areas unlock, leading to the Citadel
Act 3: Endgame content and final challenges

100% Requirements: Tools, Mask Shards, Spool Fragments, major quests, and boss defeats (Mementos and Hunter's Journal are NOT required for 100%).

📍 Essential Systems You Need to Understand

Mapping System Revolution

The Big Change: Unlike the original Hollow Knight, Silksong starts you completely mapless.

How It Works:

Moss Grotto: No map available (intentionally confusing)
The Marrow: Meet Shakra, the cartographer who sells maps
Every New Area: Purchase maps (40-60 Rosary Beads each)
Essential Tools: Buy the Quill (150 Rosaries) to mark explored rooms

Critical Tip: Always buy the map immediately when entering a new area. The cost is worth never getting lost.

Shakra the cartographer and the mapping system

Quest System (New to Silksong)

Major Addition: Silksong introduces actual quest tracking unlike the original game.

How Quests Work:

NPCs give you specific objectives
Quest items stay in your inventory until completed
Some quests are mandatory for progression
Others unlock optional areas and powerful Tools

Key Quest Lines:

Flexile Spines: Essential for Far Fields progression
Bell Keeper: Unlocks fast travel system
Needle Upgrades: Critical combat improvements

🗺️ Act 1: The Foundation (Optimal Progression Order)

1. Moss Grotto - Tutorial Mastery

Why Start Here: You literally have no choice - Hornet starts here after escaping her cage.

Essential Learning:

Basic Combat: Needle attacks, aerial combat, and dodging
Bind System: Silk-based healing (completely different from Soul)
Movement: Mantling, precise jumping, and air attacks

Key Objectives:

✅ Defeat Moss Mother (your first real boss test)
✅ Learn all basic controls thoroughly
✅ Find the exit to The Marrow

Don't Miss: Practice aerial combat extensively - you'll need it constantly.

Moss Mother boss fight and combat fundamentals

2. The Marrow - Getting Your Bearings

Why This Order: Immediately after Moss Grotto, this is where the game truly begins.

Critical Milestone: Meet Shakra - This changes everything about navigation.

Essential Purchases (Priority Order):

The Marrow Map (40 Rosaries) - See where you are
Quill (150 Rosaries) - Mark explored rooms
Compass (220 Rosaries) - Show your location on map

Key Progression:

✅ Establish bench network for safe progression
✅ Learn the Rosary economy (kill enemies, find hidden caches)
✅ Identify blocked paths for later return

Navigation Tip: The Marrow connects to multiple areas - memorize the connections.

3. Bone Bottom - Your First Hub

Strategic Importance: This serves as your early game hub with multiple essential services.

Key Services Available:

Shops: Equipment and upgrades
Bench Network: Multiple safe rest points
NPC Interactions: Begin major quest lines

Essential Acquisitions:

Mask Shard (purchasable for 300 Rosaries) - immediate health upgrade
Basic Tools: Start building your equipment loadout
Quest Items: Begin the Flexile Spines quest line

Progression Gates: Some paths require specific Tools - note these for later.

Bone Bottom hub area with key services

4. Deep Docks - Environmental Challenges

Difficulty Spike: This area introduces environmental hazards (lava, moving platforms).

Major Boss: Lace - Your first real skill check.

Lace Boss Strategy:

Phase 1: Learn her attack patterns (fencing strikes, lunges)
Phase 2: More aerial attacks, circle special attack
Key Tactic: Hit-and-run with Swift Step dodges
Platform Awareness: Don't fall in the lava!

Essential Upgrades: Use Rosaries earned to buy Swift Step ability if not yet acquired.

Area Rewards:

✅ Combat confidence boost
✅ Access to connected areas
✅ Tool upgrades from defeating Lace

5. Far Fields - The Progression Test

Common Stumbling Block: Many players get stuck here without the Flexile Spines quest completion.

Prerequisites (Critical):

Flexile Spines Quest: Collect spine materials from Balloon enemies
Swift Step: Essential for wind current navigation
Adequate healing items: Stock up before entering

Navigation Strategy:

Complete Flexile Spines quest BEFORE entering
Find Bellway NPC to unlock fast travel
Use wind currents to reach upper areas
Activate fast travel points for later convenience

If You're Stuck: Return to collect more Flexile Spines - this is the most common blockage point.

Far Fields wind current navigation and Bellway location

6. Greymoor - Vertical Challenges

Scale: One of the largest areas in Silksong with massive vertical sections.

Hidden Boss: Moorwing - Optional but rewarding challenge (requires ~75 attacks to defeat).

Exploration Strategy:

Map First: Buy the Greymoor map immediately (expensive but essential)
Vertical Navigation: Master climbing and aerial maneuvers
Hidden Paths: Extensive secret areas and alternate routes
Cheese Strategy: Right-side terrain advantage against Moorwing

Key Rewards: Significant Tool upgrades and preparation for Act 1 finale.

7. Bellhart - Pre-Finale Preparation

Purpose: Final preparation area before Act 1's climax.

Essential Upgrades:

Maximum health possible (collect all available Mask Shards)
Silk capacity improvements (Spool Fragments)
Best available Tools equipped and upgraded
Fast travel network fully activated

Strategic Preparation: Stock healing items and ensure you're comfortable with advanced combat.

8. Blasted Steps - Act 1 Finale

Climax Area: Contains the Last Judge - the final boss of Act 1.

Environmental Challenges:

Drill-headed Great Conchflies - New enemy type requiring specific strategies
Complex platforming sections leading to the boss

Last Judge Boss Fight:

Preparation: This is a significant difficulty spike
Strategy: Utilizes all skills learned throughout Act 1
Rewards: Act 2 unlocks, massive story progression

Victory Conditions: Defeating Last Judge unlocks all upper areas for Act 2.

Last Judge boss fight and Act 1 completion

🏰 Act 2: The Citadel Ascent (Intermediate Progression)

New Areas Unlocked

Major Change: Defeating Last Judge unlocks upper sections of previous areas plus entirely new regions.

Key New Locations:

High Halls - Vertical challenge areas
Citadel approaches - Leading to the main fortress
Advanced boss encounters - Significantly harder than Act 1

Recommended Act 2 Progression

1. Explore Upper Sections:

Return to familiar areas with new vertical access
Essential upgrades hidden in previously inaccessible areas
Advanced Tools required for Citadel entry

2. High Halls Navigation:

Master advanced movement techniques
Precision platforming becomes critical
Multiple route options - some more efficient than others

3. Citadel Approach:

Preparation intensive - ensure maximum upgrades
Complex puzzle mechanics integrated with combat
Story revelations about Pharloom and Hornet's purpose

Advanced Combat Evolution

Skill Requirements: Act 2 expects mastery of all combat systems:

Silk management becomes crucial
Tool combinations for maximum efficiency
Environmental awareness in every encounter

Boss Difficulty: Act 2 bosses require pattern memorization and precise execution.

🎭 Act 3: The Endgame (Master-Level Content)

Final Challenges

Content Warning: Act 3 represents significant difficulty spike - only attempt with near-maximum upgrades.

Requirements:

All essential Tools acquired and upgraded
Maximum health (all Mask Shards found)
Maximum Silk capacity (all Spool Fragments)
Combat mastery of all systems

Endgame Progression Strategy

1. Final Preparation Phase:

100% exploration of all accessible areas
Complete all major quest lines
Acquire all optional upgrades

2. Final Boss Sequence:

Multiple consecutive battles without rest opportunities
Everything you've learned will be tested
Story conclusion and multiple endings possible

📋 100% Completion Checklist

Essential Collectibles (Required for 100%)

Tools (All Required):

✅ Combat Tools (Red socket items)
✅ Utility Tools (Blue socket items)
✅ Passive Tools (Yellow socket items)
✅ Special ability Tools

Health & Silk Upgrades:

✅ All Mask Shards found and collected
✅ All Spool Fragments for maximum Silk capacity
✅ Needle upgrades from Pinmaster Plinney

Major Quests:

✅ Flexile Spines quest line
✅ Bell Keeper fast travel quest
✅ All NPC quest lines completed

Boss Defeats:

✅ All mandatory bosses (40+ total)
✅ Optional bosses (including Moorwing)
✅ Secret boss encounters

NOT Required for 100%

Mementos: Lore items - interesting but not required Hunter's Journal: Combat records - optional completion Decorative collectibles: Aesthetic items don't count

🚨 Common Progression Mistakes

Getting Stuck in Far Fields

Problem: Missing Flexile Spines quest completion Solution: Return to collect spine materials from Balloon enemies

Combat Frustration

Problem: Rushing into fights without Silk management Solution: Master Bind timing and defensive positioning

Problem: Exploring without maps and tools Solution: Always buy maps first - the cost is worth it

Missing Critical Upgrades

Problem: Skipping optional areas with essential upgrades Solution: Thorough exploration before boss fights

🎯 Final Progression Tips

Pacing Strategy

Don't Rush: Silksong rewards thorough exploration over speed running Preparation Pays: Over-leveling is better than being underprepared Story Integration: Pay attention to lore - it provides progression hints

Resource Management

Rosary Economy: Spend freely on maps and essential tools Silk Conservation: Master combat efficiency to reduce healing needs Tool Experimentation: Try different loadouts for different challenges

When to Take Breaks

Stuck on Boss: Explore other areas for upgrades before retrying Navigation Confusion: Buy missing map tools before continuing Frustration: Take breaks - Silksong rewards patience over persistence

🏆 Walkthrough Conclusion

Completing Hollow Knight Silksong requires patience, skill development, and thorough exploration. This walkthrough provides the optimal path, but don't be afraid to deviate for exploration - some of the best discoveries come from curiosity.

Key Success Factors:

Master the mapping system early
Complete essential quests before progression walls
Prioritize upgrades over speed
Learn from each death - every defeat teaches something valuable

Remember: Silksong is designed to be challenging but fair. Every obstacle has a solution, every boss has a strategy, and every area has rewards for those brave enough to explore thoroughly.

Need specific help with particular bosses or areas? Check our individual boss guides and area walkthroughs for detailed strategies.

Complete Hollow Knight Silksong Walkthrough: 100% Progression Guide