Hollow Knight: Silksong: Ultimate Beginner's Guide

Team Cherry's highly anticipated sequel brings a fresh take on the beloved Metroidvania formula, with Hornet as your agile protagonist. Unlike the Knight's soul-based abilities, you'll master an entirely new silk-based combat system while ascending through mysterious kingdoms. Whether you're a Hollow Knight veteran or newcomer, Silksong introduces mechanics that'll challenge everything you think you know.

Hollow Knight: Silksong: Ultimate Beginner's Guide

What Makes Silksong Different from Hollow Knight?

Hornet's journey flips the original's descent into darkness on its head - you're climbing upward toward a kingdom's peak. After being captured and taken to this strange land, Hornet must battle through mossy grottos, coral forests, and shining citadels to uncover the truth behind her kidnapping.

The core difference lies in Hornet's incredible mobility. Where the Knight moved with deliberate precision, Hornet flows like silk itself. Every attack chains into acrobatic tumbles, giving you extended air time for positioning. The new mantling system lets you grab ledge edges automatically - no more frustrating falls when you barely miss a platform.

The Silk System

Forget everything you knew about Soul - Silk operates completely differently. You generate Silk by dealing damage to enemies, then spend it on healing (geng) or powerful abilities. Here's the crucial difference: Binding heals 3-4 health at once but consumes significant Silk and can be interrupted.

Silk Generation Strategy:

• Aggressive combat builds Silk faster
• Each successful hit adds to your Silk gauge
• Skills and tools consume varying amounts
• Binding requires the most Silk investment

Hollow Knight: Silksong The Silk System

The Crest System 

Crests replace Hollow Knight's charm system entirely. Think of them as equipment loadouts that define your playstyle. The Wanderer Crest starts you with one slot each for red (offensive tools), blue (utility), and yellow (passive benefits).

Hollow Knight: Silksong Crests  

Advanced Crests like the Reaper's Crest double your slots and add central abilities that transform Hornet's basic attacks. The Harp Crest reduces Binding costs while changing attack visuals - perfect for defensive players.

Essential Tool Categories

Red Tools (Offensive):

• Knife Throw: Basic ranged attack
• Trip Pin: Triple knife barrage
• Rolling Spike Barrel: Ground-based area damage
• Sting Shards: Aerial mines you can bounce off

Blue/Yellow Tools (Utility):

• Magma Bell: Heat resistance for lava areas
• Caltrops: Ground traps for crowd control
• Crafting Kit: Enhanced tool effectiveness

Hollow Knight: Silksong Crests  

Combat Fundamentals

Hornet's combat rewards constant pressure. Unlike the Knight's defensive focus, you'll want to stay close and maintain offensive momentum. Shell Shards fuel your tools - manage this resource carefully since you'll need to craft replacements.

Hollow Knight: Silksong Combat 

Core Combat Loop:

1. Engage with basic attacks to build Silk
2. Use tools (R + direction) for crowd control
3. Spend Silk on skills for burst damage
4. Bind only during safe windows

Movement Mastery

Hornet's movement toolkit expands dramatically as you progress. The needle throw + pull technique costs minimal Silk but opens incredible traversal options. You can target hanging rings, moving platforms, or even enemies to zip across gaps.

Advanced Movement Techniques:

• Pogo attacks: Bounce off enemies and objects for extended air time
• Wall climbing: Slide, climb, and hang on vertical surfaces
• Ring swinging: Target environmental objects for momentum
• Enemy pulling: Use flying foes as movement anchors

Hollow Knight: Silksong Movement 

Swimming and Environmental Navigation

Unlike Hollow Knight's limited water interaction, Silksong includes basic swimming mechanics. While not revolutionary, it opens new exploration paths and escape routes during combat encounters.

Progression 

Health Upgrades work identically to Hollow Knight - collect Mask Shards scattered throughout the world. Early upgrades require 3-4 shards, with later ones demanding 5 or more.

Needle Upgrades replace nail progression. Find the hidden blacksmith equivalent and bring Rosaries (the new currency) plus rare materials. Expect 4 total upgrade tiers, each significantly boosting damage output.

Trading and Economy Management

Rosaries replace Geo as your primary currency. Unlike Hollow Knight's sometimes scarce economy, you'll collect Rosaries regularly from defeated enemies. The Bellbeast system handles fast travel between discovered locations - think stag stations with a silk-themed twist.

Hollow Knight: Silksong Rosaries 

Essential Early Purchases:

• Crafting Kit: Better tool effectiveness
• Magma Bell: Access to lava areas
• Sting Shards: Versatile offensive tool

Boss Strategy: 40+ Unique Encounters Await

With over 40 unique bosses confirmed, adaptability becomes crucial. Lace, your primary rival, appears multiple times with evolving movesets. This acrobatic fighter mirrors Hornet's mobility, demanding precise timing and aggressive counterplay.

Universal Boss Tips:

• Learn attack patterns before attempting healing
• Use Silk skills during stun windows
• Switch Crests between attempts for different approaches
• Tools provide consistent damage without Silk investment

Remember: this isn't about rushing to completion. Silksong's world rewards curious exploration and patient mastery. When the speedrunning community eventually breaks the game wide open, you'll appreciate having experienced it at your own pace first. Don't get too attached to any single Crest or strategy. Silksong rewards experimentation and adaptation above rigid optimization.

Seven Years Later

Seven years of memes, fan theories, and “Silksong when” jokes later, it is finally happening. Team Cherry did not just cook, they slow cooked this game to perfection. Silksong feels like Hollow Knight turned all the way up, with faster combat, a bigger world, and movement options that make you feel like a nimble assassin exploring a deadly playground.

If you thought the first game was tough, get ready. Pharloom is not here to hold your hand, it is here to smack it away and then dare you to try again. But that is part of the magic. Every boss victory and secret discovery will feel like a personal achievement.

So sharpen your needle, grab some snacks, and prepare for a game that will take over your free time in the best way possible. Silksong is finally here, and it is ready to pull you into a world you will not want to leave.

If you’re planning ahead, you might also want to look at our Hollow Knight: Silksong Boss Guide, where we break down strategies to help you conquer every major foe. You might also check our list of games since there could be something there that sparks your interest.