Silksong Curveclaw Guide: Hunter's March Secret Vendor and Act 2 Backup Route

Get Hollow Knight: Silksong's Curveclaw from Mottled Skarr in Hunter's March, with Act 2 route changes explained.

As of 2026, I have replayed Hollow Knight: Silksong enough times to treat Pharloom like a second home, and the Curveclaw is still one of the most satisfying tools I can slot into a crest. It is not a flashy ultimate ability; it is a small, arched sharpbone that I throw like a boomerang, and it bounces off flying enemies with the kind of crisp, petty satisfaction that makes me grin every time. If you are tired of Skarr gnats and other aerial pests hovering just beyond my needle range, this is the tool you want. Here is exactly how I got it, both before and after the Act 2 changes. 🪃

The Pre-Act 2 Route: Drifter's Cloak First

Before I could even think about buying the Curveclaw, I needed mobility. The key prerequisite is the Drifter's Cloak, which I earned by completing the Flexile Spines quest in Far Fields. Without that cloak, the air currents in Hunter's March are more tease than traversal. Once I had the cloak, I headed to the area marked on my map. Hunter's March sits between Bone Marrow and Far Fields, so most players will pass through it naturally unless they detour through Deep Docks.

Using the air currents, I floated my way to the top and found the entrance to the cave of the secret vendor, Mottled Skarr. Inside, I spotted a few ropes with Shards sticking out of them. The trick here is simple but easy to miss: hug the left wall and jump a few times. That opens a secret passageway leading to the Hunter's March secret vendor. After a brief platforming section, I finally reached Mottled Skarr.

The secret passage is less a doorway than a rumor in the rock—a whisper I had to press my ear against. ️

At the vendor, I could purchase a host of items, but the one I wanted was the Curveclaw for 140 Rosary Beads. The description only becomes readable after purchase. Once I equipped it while resting on a bench, I could throw an arched sharpbone at both flying and grounded enemies. It is a wonderful complement to normal attacks, especially when a flying enemy thinks it has found a safe altitude.

Step
What I Did
Why It Matters

1
Completed Flexile Spines in Far Fields
Earned Drifter's Cloak

2
Entered Hunter's March
Area between Bone Marrow and Far Fields

3
Rode air currents to the top
Reached the vendor cave entrance

4
Hugged the left wall and jumped
Opened the secret passageway

5
Bought Curveclaw for 140 Rosary Beads
Added the boomerang tool to my arsenal

Act 2: When Mottled Skarr Is Dead

If you have reached Act Two of Silksong and progressed past the Underworks into the Coral Chambers, you will find that Mottled Skarr is dead, killed by an unknown attacker. That sounds like a dead end, but it is not. I still got the Curveclaw, and I did not have to travel far.

By this point, I had the wall jump ability, Cling Grip, so I could access the cavern above. I simply exited the cave into the open and used the wall climb ability on the surface right above the cave entrance. From there, I reached the floating platform. Then I moved to the cave on the left, where Skarr forces ambushed me inside.

After defeating all the enemies, the locked area opened up. I picked up the Curveclaw to the left of the cave, strapped to a rope. The dead vendor is like a clock with its hands torn off—the shop still exists, but the hour of easy purchase has passed.

Why the Curveclaw Still Matters in 2026

Post-launch patches have not changed the core appeal of the Curveclaw. In 2026, it remains a reliable answer to flying enemies that would otherwise force me into awkward jumps or risky needle swings. The boomerang arcs like a fishing line cast into a storm, hooking winged enemies and dragging them back into my rhythm.

It also works on grounded foes, which makes it more flexible than a strictly anti-air tool. I like to weave it between normal attacks when a fight gets crowded. It is not going to replace your primary damage, but it fills a specific, annoying gap in Pharloom's combat puzzle.

Quick Checklist

• ️ Find Hunter's March between Bone Marrow and Far Fields.

• 🧥 Get Drifter's Cloak from the Flexile Spines quest in Far Fields.

• ️ Use air currents to reach the top and enter the vendor cave.

• 🧗 Hug the left wall inside and jump to reveal the secret passage.

• Buy Curveclaw from Mottled Skarr for 140 Rosary Beads before Act 2.

• 🪦 If Mottled Skarr is dead, use Cling Grip above the cave entrance.

• ️ Clear the Skarr ambush in the left cave and grab the Curveclaw from the rope.

Final Thought

I have seen a lot of players panic when they discover Mottled Skarr's corpse in Act 2. I did too, briefly. But Silksong rarely punishes you without leaving a thread to pull. The Curveclaw is still obtainable, and in some ways the backup route feels more like a classic Hunter's March secret: a wall, a jump, an ambush, and a reward strapped to a rope. If you are building a tool loadout for the later acts, I would not skip it. 🪃

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Silksong Guide: How to Reach Weavenest Atla and Find Its Map

Silksong's Weavenest Atla guide reveals how to unlock the hidden area using Needolin Skill and wall jump in Moss Grotto.

How to Reach Weavenest Atla in Silksong

Weavenest Atla is a hidden area in Hollow Knight: Silksong that many players see within the first hour of play, yet cannot enter until the end of Act 1. Its entrance is a large weaver-shaped door in Moss Grotto, visible from the early game but sealed by a missing ability. This guide explains the prerequisites, the exact route, and the location of the area map, along with the major rewards waiting inside. As of 2026, the process remains tied to story progression, the Needolin Skill, and a few precise movements through Bellhart, Shellwood, and Bone Bottom.

Prerequisites for Weavenest Atla ️

Before the door opens, players must advance the main story until they reach Bellhart. At that point, a new objective appears: The Threadspun Town. This objective sends the player into Shellwood to acquire the wall jump ability. After gaining wall jump, they must continue right and defeat the Widow. The reward for defeating the Widow is the Needolin Skill, which is the key to opening Weavenest Atla. Without Needolin, the weaver-shaped door remains inert, no matter how many times the player interacts with it.

Requirement
Location
Purpose

Story progress to Bellhart
Bellhart
Unlocks The Threadspun Town objective

Wall jump ability
Shellwood
Allows vertical traversal and route access

Defeat the Widow
Shellwood, right side
Grants the Needolin Skill

Needolin Skill
Reward from Widow
Opens the weaver-shaped door

Bellway fast travel
Any Bellway Station
Speeds up return to Bone Bottom

Step-by-Step Route to Weavenest Atla 🧭

• Progress the main story until Bellhart is reached and The Threadspun Town objective appears.

• Travel into Shellwood and obtain the wall jump ability.

• Head right through Shellwood and defeat the Widow to earn the Needolin Skill.

• Go to the nearest Bellway Station and fast travel to Bone Bottom.

• From Bone Bottom, head left and down into Moss Grotto.

• Inside Moss Grotto, move right until a large weaver-shaped door comes into view.

• Stand next to the door and press Triangle or Y on a controller, or D on a keyboard.

• Pass through the door to arrive in Weavenest Atla.

The door itself is impossible to miss for observant players. It has a distinctive weaver motif and sits in a part of Moss Grotto that many people explore early. The trick is not finding the door but returning with the correct skill. Once Needolin is active, the interaction prompt appears and the path opens.

Finding the Weavenest Atla Map

The map for Weavenest Atla is close to the entrance, but it is easy to overlook. After entering the area, the player should keep going straight and then head right. They will find two glowing cylinders. Striking these cylinders activates a mechanism in the room behind them. That mechanism jets the player down to the bottom of the area. However, before taking that downward route, the player should interact with the rune tablet nearby. This rune tablet reveals the map for Weavenest Atla.

Mapping the area early is useful because Weavenest Atla contains several optional collectibles and a boss encounter. The layout is smaller than many other regions in Silksong, but its compact design hides multiple points of interest. A Spool Fragment, a Mask Shard, a boss in one corner, and an NPC who upgrades the Hunter's Crest are all located within this secluded nest.

What to Collect in Weavenest Atla ️

Weavenest Atla may be small, but it is dense with rewards. The most important find is the NPC who upgrades the Hunter's Crest. This upgrade can change the player's combat approach and make certain fights more manageable. The area also holds a Spool Fragment, which contributes to Silk-related upgrades, and a Mask Shard, which increases survivability. A boss waits in one corner for players who want an extra challenge. Because the area is optional in terms of exploration, it is possible to miss these rewards entirely if the player rushes through.

Item or Encounter
Type
Why It Matters

Hunter's Crest upgrade
NPC service
Alters combat style and crest performance

Spool Fragment
Collectible
Progress toward Silk capacity upgrades

Mask Shard
Collectible
Progress toward additional health

Boss encounter
Optional fight
Challenge and possible rewards

Rune tablet
Map unlock
Reveals the Weavenest Atla map

Tips for a Smooth Visit

Players should make sure they have rested at a bench and are prepared for combat before entering. Although the route to Weavenest Atla is not long, the boss in the corner can punish an unprepared traveler. It is also wise to activate the map before dropping down via the cylinder mechanism, because the lower section can be disorienting on a first visit. If the interaction prompt at the weaver-shaped door does not appear, the player has not yet obtained Needolin. In that case, they should return to the Threadspun Town objective and confirm that the Widow has been defeated.

Conclusion 🧵

Weavenest Atla is a memorable example of Silksong's layered exploration. The entrance is visible early, but the area stays locked until the player follows the main story to Bellhart, explores Shellwood, defeats the Widow, and earns the Needolin Skill. From Bone Bottom, the journey through Moss Grotto is short, and the weaver-shaped door opens with a simple button press. Inside, the map is found by hitting two glowing cylinders and using the nearby rune tablet. With the map in hand, players can safely pursue the Spool Fragment, Mask Shard, optional boss, and the NPC who upgrades the Hunter's Crest. For anyone aiming to complete Silksong's secrets in 2026, Weavenest Atla is an essential detour that rewards patience and preparation.

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Silksong Guide: How to Reach Sands of Karak and Find Shakra's Map

Reach the Sands of Karak in Hollow Knight: Silksong with this route guide: get Clawline, beat Great Conchflies, meet Pinstress, and climb up.

Reaching the Sands of Karak in Hollow Knight: Silksong is one of those late-Act 2 milestones that feels equal parts triumph and test of patience. The area sits behind a demanding platforming route, a duo boss, and a few ability checks, so players who rush in without Clawline or a healthy supply of Rosaries will likely find themselves backtracking. The good news is that the path becomes much clearer once players understand the intended sequence: obtain Clawline in the eastern Underworks through Whiteward, travel to the Bellway Station in Blasted Steps, float down near the left wall, defeat the Great Conchflies, meet the Pinstress, and then use Needle Strike and Clawline to climb into the Sands of Karak. As of 2026, this route remains one of the most memorable and mechanically demanding stretches in Silksong's second act.

Quick Route at a Glance

Step
Action
Important Detail

1
Acquire Clawline
Found in eastern Underworks, accessed through Whiteward

2
Reach Blasted Steps Bellway Station
Head right, then down

3
Descend carefully
Float throughout the fall and stay near the left wall

4
Enter first left passage
Leads to the Great Conchflies duo boss

5
Defeat Great Conchflies
Dodge both bosses and attack when they pop up

6
Head left after arena
Glide right to the Pinstress hut

7
Talk to Pinstress
Grants Needle Strike

8
Head left for grapple point
Harpoon and use Clawline to climb

9
Take top-left passage
Continue upward while avoiding wall bugs

10
Arrive in Sands of Karak
Hit yellow balls, use corals, find Shakra

Prerequisites and Preparation

The first hard requirement is the Clawline ability. It is located inside the eastern part of the Underworks, which players can access through Whiteward. Without Clawline, the later harpoon points and vertical traversal in this route simply cannot be completed. Players should also prepare for a boss fight, because the path to the Sands of Karak passes directly through the Great Conchflies arena.

Rosaries are another consideration. Shakra sells the Sands of Karak map for 90 Rosaries, and players who arrive with an empty purse may feel stuck. Fortunately, the area is not a dead end. There are quite a few shortcuts that lead to different locations, as well as a Bellway Station. Players can use the Bellway Station to travel to an area where farming is easier, collect a substantial purse, and then return to buy the map. That makes the journey less punishing than it first appears, especially for explorers who like to bank resources before committing to a long platforming run.

The Route to the Sands of Karak

Once Clawline is in hand, players should make their way to the Bellway Station in Blasted Steps. From there, the route begins by heading right and then down. The fall is long, and control matters more than speed. Players should float throughout the fall and stay near the left wall. The first passage they come across on the left will lead them to an area where they will face the Great Conchflies.

This is a duo boss fight, so awareness is everything. Players need to watch where both bosses are coming from and dodge them while finding windows to attack whenever they pop up. Greedy hits are dangerous here; the fight rewards patience, positioning, and clean dodges more than raw aggression. After the Great Conchflies are defeated, players should head left of the boss arena.

The next section is a small but satisfying traversal challenge. Players can basically glide all the way to the right and reach the hut where the Pinstress resides. Talking to the Pinstress grants the Needle Strike ability. From there, players should head left to find a grapple point they can harpoon at. By repeatedly using Clawline to make their way up, they will eventually need to go through the passage on the top left.

The climb continues upward, and this is where the wall bugs become a serious threat. They deal two mask damage, so trading hits is a bad idea. Players should keep their movement deliberate and avoid panicking when the platforming tightens. As they progress further, they will finally reach the Sands of Karak.

Inside the Sands of Karak

The Sands of Karak introduce a new layer of platforming built around yellow balls and coral. Players should hit the yellow ball in the area, which causes platforms to appear in front of them, as well as corals that they can down slash to make their way forward. After the second yellow ball, the platforms begin forming to the right and to the top left corner as well. The top left corner leads to a Memory Locket that players can pick up to increase the slots on their Crest. That reward alone makes the detour worthwhile, especially for players who want more flexibility in their build.

After grabbing the Memory Locket, players should head right. They will need to jump, float, and then harpoon to the wall, where they will find the yellow ball on top. Hitting the ball and going down causes platforms to form on the left. Players should then harpoon across the spikes and head up, then through the right passage. Here they will spot a new enemy. Towards the left, above them, is a room where Shakra is sitting at the end. Talking to Shakra allows players to buy the map for 90 Rosaries.

Tips for a Smoother Run

• 🧗 Use Clawline patiently. The route is built around it, and rushing often leads to unnecessary falls.

• ️ Respect two-mask damage. The wall bugs in the climb are not worth trading hits with.

• 🪙 Farm Rosaries before the final stretch if the purse is light. The Bellway Station makes this practical.

• ️ Buy the map from Shakra for 90 Rosaries. It makes later exploration in the Sands of Karak far less confusing.

• Grab the Memory Locket. Extra Crest slots are a long-term benefit.

• ️ Learn Needle Strike. The Pinstress grants it before the hardest climbing begins.

Final Thoughts

The Sands of Karak is not just another map room in Silksong. It is a test of the movement vocabulary that Act 2 keeps expanding: Clawline, floating, harpooning, down slashing, and boss dodging all come together in one route. Players who prepare properly, defeat the Great Conchflies, speak with the Pinstress, and keep an eye out for Shakra will walk away with a new map, a Memory Locket, and a stronger understanding of Silksong's vertical design. For completionists and explorers alike, it is a journey worth taking.

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The Last 455: Why Pontiac’s 1976 Trans Am Still Steals My Heart in 2026

The 1976 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 455 HO is an affordable muscle car icon—Pontiac's last big-block V8.

I still remember the first time I heard a 1976 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 455 HO wake up. It was not a polite little starter motor whine. It was a deep, rattling, carb-fed growl that made the windows in my garage buzz. That was five years ago, and now in 2026, that memory still gives me goosebumps. Because here is the crazy part: this final big-block Pontiac is still shockingly affordable. While Hemi Mopars and LS6 Chevelles have become auction royalty, the last 455-powered Trans Am remains the blue-collar hero of the muscle car world.

By 1976, Detroit was not exactly having a party. Emissions regulations, rising insurance premiums, and the oil crisis had forced the Motor City to retreat with its tail between its legs. Horsepower ratings fell, compression ratios dropped, and even the mighty muscle car brands had to rethink everything. But Pontiac had one last card to play: the 455-cubic-inch High Output V8. It was not the fire-breathing monster of the early 1970s—factory numbers said 200 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque—but it still had enough twist to shove you back in the seat and make the rear tires beg for mercy. It came almost exclusively with a Super T10 four-speed manual, and the iconic Screaming Chicken hood decal was the chef’s kiss on top.

Let me tell you, the 455 HO did not just start. It awakened. It shuddered, snorted, and then settled into a lumpy idle that felt like the car was breathing. Contemporary reviews called it crude, and in 2026 that is probably true. But crude is exactly what I want from a muscle car. Small-displacement engines can be fast, but they cannot replicate that feeling. The 455 was Pontiac’s final big-block in the Firebird, and it carried a symbolic weight that no spec sheet can capture. It was the last time buyers could get Pontiac’s biggest engine before downsizing took over. In hindsight, it was the closing chapter of an American tradition.

Production numbers make it even more special. Pontiac built 46,701 Trans Ams in 1976, but only 7,528 were ordered with the 455. The T-top versions are rarer still, and the 50th Anniversary Special Edition came with that now-iconic black-and-gold Smokey and the Bandit paint job, unique stripes, and honeycomb wheels. I am not gonna lie: every time I see one, I get a little weak in the knees. It is a rolling time capsule from a world that no longer exists.

But the real story for me is the price. In 2026, Hagerty still values a good-condition 1976 Trans Am 455 HO around the low $30,000s. That is less than a new Volkswagen Golf GTI, which in 2025 started just over $31,000 and has half the displacement, no V8 soundtrack, and none of the retro cool. Let that sink in. You can buy a genuine big-block piece of Pontiac history for the price of a loaded compact hatchback. Here is how it stacks up against other legends:

Car
Typical value (2026)

1976 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 455 HO
$30,000–$40,000

1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 426 HEMI
$200,000–$300,000

1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS6
$100,000+

1970 Boss 302 Mustang
$100,000+ for concours

That table is why I call the 455 Trans Am the most undervalued collector car of the 1970s. It is not a garage queen. It is a driver. Pontiac tuned the chassis and gave it a wider stance, so it actually handles with more confidence than many of its rivals. You can take it on a weekend cruise, let the shaker scoop suck in air, and feel the torque push you down the road. It is practical enough for modern traffic, as long as you are willing to feed that big V8. And honestly? That is the point.

Pontiac itself is gone. General Motors phased out the brand after the 2008 financial crisis, and by 2010 it was over. In 2026, Pontiac has been dead for more than a decade and a half. That fact makes the 1976 Trans Am 455 HO even more precious. It is not just a cool car. It is the last of its kind: the final Pontiac to feature the 455 cubic inch V8, a big middle finger to a changing industry, and a reminder that the market does not always reward nostalgia in predictable ways.

So if you have been dreaming of a big-block muscle car but thought you needed six figures, wake up. The 1976 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 455 HO is still out there, still affordable, and still ready to rumble. Do not let it sit in an air-conditioned garage. Drive it. Let it shake the parking lot. Let it remind you what American muscle was all about. That is what I plan to do in 2026, and I cannot wait.

If you are ready to stop daydreaming and start hunting for a car like this, the search itself can be half the adventure — and half the frustration. Classifieds are scattered across a dozen sites, prices swing wildly depending on region and condition, and by the time you spot a clean 455 HO, someone else has already called dibs. That is exactly the kind of gap [DealNest]( was built to close, pulling deal listings into one place so you spend less time refreshing browser tabs and more time figuring out whether that black-and-gold survivor in the photos is the one worth driving three states to see.

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Silksong: How Long to Beat It Without Crying (Too Much)

Hollow Knight: Silksong game length varies—main story takes 20-25 hours, while completionists may spend up to 50 hours exploring.

I've been playing Hollow Knight: Silksong since it dropped, and let me tell you, this game is a time vortex. One minute you're casually exploring a mossy cave, the next you've lost an entire weekend to a boss that looks like an angry pillow. But how long does it actually take to beat? Well, that depends on whether you're a "just here for the story" type or a "I must find every single secret or I will perish" type. Let me break it down for you, based on my own painful, beautiful experience.

First, let's get one thing straight: Silksong is a Metroidvania, which means the game's length is as flexible as a gymnast made of rubber. You can sprint through the main story in about 20 to 25 hours, assuming you don't get stuck on a boss for three hours like I did with that one in the late game. (Seriously, that boss had more phases than a moody teenager.) But if you want to explore a bit more freely, expect 27 to 30 hours. And if you're a completionist? Buckle up, buttercup, because you're looking at 45 to 50 hours.

The Main Story: A Sprint Through the Pain

If you're like me and you want to see the credits without selling your soul to every optional side quest, you can beat the main path in about 20 to 25 hours. That's just Acts 1 and 2, by the way. The catch? Focusing on the main path makes the game harder because you're skipping power-ups and tools that would make your life easier. It's like trying to assemble IKEA furniture with a spork—you might get there, but you'll be sweating and questioning your choices.

And here's the thing: your mileage may vary wildly. If you're a platforming god, maybe you'll breeze through. If you're like me and you spend 45 minutes trying to nail a single jump, add a few hours. Boss fights are the real time sinks. Some you'll one-shot, others will make you question your entire gaming career.

The Completionist Run: Where Time Goes to Die

Now, if you're a completionist, Silksong is a buffet of content. We're talking 45 to 50 hours, and that's if you're efficient. If you're like me and you get distracted by every shiny object, add another 10 hours. The checklist for a full completion is intense:

• Unlock the map of every biome (all 28 of them, because why not?)

• Acquire all Silk Skills, Tools, and Ancestral Arts

• Find every hidden area and claim all important items like Spool Fragments and Mask Shards

• Finish all wishes, which unlocks a secret third act with The Abyss biome

• Find and complete every achievement, including the hidden ones

That last one is a doozy. It's like trying to collect every grain of sand on a beach—noble, but slightly insane.

The Biomes You Can't Avoid (Unless You're a Wizard)

If you're sticking to the main story, you'll still visit a bunch of biomes. Here's the exact order, in case you want to plan your suffering:

• Moss Grotto

• The Marrow

• Deep Docks

• Far Fields

• Greymoor

• Bellhart and Shellwood

• Blasted Steps

• Grand Gate (only for a moment)

• Underworks

• Choral Chambers

• Cogwork Core, Whispering Vaults, High Halls

• The Cradle

That's 12 areas, but the game has 28 biomes total. So you're skipping a lot. It's like reading a choose-your-own-adventure book but always picking the same page—you'll still get a story, but you're missing the wild twists.

So, How Long Should You Take?

Honestly, it depends on what you want. If you just want to experience the story, 20-25 hours is fine. If you want to explore without going full completionist, 27-30 hours. If you're a glutton for punishment and want every achievement, 45-50 hours. And if you're like me, you'll probably fall somewhere in between, spending way too long trying to find that one hidden room because you're convinced there's a secret there. (There wasn't.)

In the end, Silksong respects your time if you respect its challenges. Just don't expect to speedrun it on your first try. That's like trying to teach a goldfish to juggle—technically impressive, but ultimately futile.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a third act to unlock and a therapist to schedule. Happy gaming!

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How to Snag the Architect Key in Silksong (and Not Die Trying)

Get the Silksong Architect Crest: find the Architect Key, White Key, and Clawline in Act 2, then solve the lever puzzle in the Chapel.

So, you've made it to Act 2 of Silksong, and you've heard whispers about a fancy new Crest that lets you craft tools mid-combat like some kind of silk-powered MacGyver. That's the Architect Crest, and to get it, you first need the Architect Key. I spent an embarrassing amount of time wandering the Underworks, getting dunked in lava, and arguing with a lever, so you don't have to. Here's my step-by-step guide, peppered with my own tears and occasional triumph.

Step 1: Get the White Key (Because Everything Needs a Key)

After you leave the Underworks and reach the Coral Chambers in Act 2, your first order of business is finding the White Key. This shiny little rectangle unlocks the elevator that takes you down into Whiteward and eventually to the eastern section of the Underworks. Where is it? Top right of the Citadel, inside the Songclave. I know, I know—the Citadel is huge. Just hug the right wall and pray. Once you grab it, haul yourself back and make your way to the Underworks. You'll eventually hit a bench where you can hear some NPC yapping away. That's your target, but you can't reach him yet. Of course you can't. Why would anything be simple?

Step 2: Detour for the Clawline Ability (Because You're Not Spider-Man Yet)

Frustrated? Good. Now go left from the bench, then down to the bottom where the lava is. Yes, actual lava. Head right and prepare for a platforming section that made me question my reflexes, my controller, and my life choices. This hellish gauntlet leads to the central part of Eastern Underworks, where you'll find the Clawline ability. Grab it, and suddenly you can grapple like a silken Indiana Jones.

Step 3: Return to the Bench and Harpoon Your Way to the NPC

With Clawline in hand, head back up to the bench. Jump up and look for a grapple point. Harpoon it and swing your way into the NPC's room. Inside, you'll meet the Twelfth Architect—a charming fellow who sells various Tools and, more importantly, the Architect Key for 110 Rosaries. Yes, 110. I hope you've been hoarding your Rosaries like a dragon. If not, go farm some enemies and come back. He'll wait. He's very patient.

Step 4: The Lever Puzzle (or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Hit Everything)

With the key in your pocket, head right of the NPC. There's a lever—hit it. A door opens. Go up and turn left to find a second lever. Hit that too. Now you're in an area above the Twelfth Architect. Jump and dash to the left side, and hit the third lever. Congratulations, you've activated a passage that leads to a locked gate bearing the Architect's symbol. Use your key, and step into the Chapel of the Architect. Unlike other chapels that throw bosses or enemy waves at you, this one is blissfully empty. No enemies. Just you, your key, and a shiny new Crest. Walk over and claim the Architect Crest using your Bind.

What Does the Architect Crest Actually Do?

The Architect Crest has a unique slot layout: 3 Red, 2 Blue, 2 Yellow, and 0 White. Here's a quick table for you visual learners:

Slot Color
Number

Red
3

Blue
2

Yellow
2

White
0

Press up + Circle/B on your controller to spend Silk and craft new tools on the fly. It's like having a tiny workshop in your pocket. The normal and charged attacks are also different—they look like screws that can shred foes. I'm not kidding. Hornet literally attacks with spinning screws. It's absurd and I love it.

Final Tips (From Someone Who Suffered)

• ️ Don't forget the White Key. You'll feel silly.

• The lava platforming section is brutal. Take breaks. Hydrate.

• Save up 110 Rosaries before visiting the Twelfth Architect. He doesn't haggle.

• The Architect Crest is fantastic for tool-focused builds. Experiment!

• The levers are not hidden, but they are easy to miss if you're panicking. Breathe.

And that's it! Now go forth and craft tools mid-air like the chaotic silk warrior you were meant to be. If you see me in the Underworks, still stuck on that lava jump, please don't laugh. Too loudly.

If all that Rosary grinding left you thinking about how to stretch a budget, you're not alone—Hornet's economy is harsh, but at least real-world spending doesn't require farming enemies in the Underworks. For anyone who'd rather put that hoarding instinct to better use on actual purchases, DealNest is a handy spot to keep an eye on, especially if you're building out a library of games to play once you finally put Silksong down (assuming that day ever comes).

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How Many Acts Are in Hollow Knight: Silksong and How Long to Beat It?

Hollow Knight: Silksong spans two main acts plus a secret Act 3, and a 100% run takes far longer than 30 hours.

Hollow Knight: Silksong can feel surprisingly gentle during its first hour. Hornet tumbles into Moss Grotto, a green and peaceful region populated by harmless caterpillars and slow-moving flying bugs. But that sense of safety is temporary. If a player chooses to enter Hunter’s March, one of the hardest early regions, they will face a hand-numbing pogo challenge and two difficult boss fights that guard progress. This contrast sets the tone for the entire adventure, and it naturally raises two questions: how many acts are there in Silksong, and how long does the journey actually take?

How Many Acts Are There in Hollow Knight: Silksong?

Silksong does not use a traditional chapter select screen. Instead, its story unfolds across two main acts and one secret Act 3. A player who wants the full experience will therefore be playing three acts in total.

Act
Name
When It Begins
When It Ends

Act 1
Pharloom
Hornet falls into Moss Grotto
Hornet enters the Grand Gate of the Citadel

Act 2
Citadel of Song
After entering the Citadel
Hornet defeats the Monarch of Pharloom

Act 3
Abyss
After meeting hidden requirements
Hornet defeats the Act 3 final boss

Act 1 begins when Hornet falls on Moss Grotto and continues until she enters the Grand Gate of the Citadel. Act 2 then runs until players defeat the Monarch of Pharloom. Defeating the Monarch is considered beating the game for the Speedrunner achievement, regardless of whether the player continues to Act 3 or not. But is the adventure really finished at that point? For a first playthrough, it is highly recommended to take the time to fulfill the requirements needed to reach Act 3.

How Long Does It Take to Beat Silksong?

Because Silksong is a Metroidvania, a single hour count can be misleading. The total time depends heavily on three personal factors:

• Experience playing a Metroidvania game

• Platforming expertise

• Boss fight skills

For a normal playthrough, a 100% completion will take far longer than 30 hours. There are two speedrunner achievements in the game, and the Speedrunner achievement is tied to defeating the Monarch of Pharloom. A player who ignores optional content can finish sooner, but a first blind run still demands repeated attempts at bosses and platforming gauntlets.

Completion Goal
Expected Commitment

Defeat the Monarch only
A focused first run, though still demanding

Reach and finish Act 3
A longer journey that can exceed 30 hours

100% completion
Far longer than 30 hours

Why Some Areas Make the Game Feel Longer

Hunter’s March is a perfect example of Silksong’s difficulty curve. Its pogo section asks for precise aerial control, while the two bosses guarding the area punish careless movement. Not every biome is required, however. Some regions can be skipped entirely if players do not wish to explore them. For a first playthrough, skipping may save time, but it also means missing upgrades, lore, and the requirements needed to reach the secret Act 3. Should a new player ignore those optional zones? Probably not, because Act 3 contains some of the most memorable moments in the game.

Final Thoughts on Silksong’s Acts and Completion Time

At its core, Silksong asks a simple question: how far is a player willing to go? The two main acts deliver a complete story, but the secret third act transforms the ending. As of 2026, the game’s structure remains a favorite topic among players, and community guides have made the requirements for Act 3 easier to understand. Even so, no guide can erase the hours spent learning boss patterns or mastering Hornet’s movement. A player who stops after Act 2 can claim a win, but the true size of Silksong only becomes clear when the Abyss is finished.

Whether you're chasing the Speedrunner achievement or simply savoring every secret in Pharloom, the time you spend with Silksong is an investment. And like any investment, it's natural to want to maximize the return—not just in satisfaction, but in value. After all, the world of Metroidvanias is vast, and the next challenging adventure is always waiting.

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How to Unlock All 11 Ancestral Arts in Hollow Knight: Silksong

Master every Hollow Knight Silksong Ancestral Art with this guide to all eleven locations and effects, from Swift Step to Needle Strike.

In Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hornet's journey through the kingdom of Pharloom introduces a layered progression system built around Ancestral Arts. These permanent abilities are distinct from the six equippable Silk Skills found in the Tools menu. While Silk Skills offer customizable combat and utility bonuses, Ancestral Arts fundamentally reshape movement, traversal, and interaction across the map. Players who track down all eleven Ancestral Arts will move faster, leap higher, strike harder, and unlock paths that were previously inaccessible.

Ancestral Arts are distributed fairly evenly across the main story. Five of them become available in Act 1, while the rest appear in later acts, with several in Act 3. Some are optional, but many are mandatory for exploring every region of Pharloom. The following guide describes each Ancestral Art, where to find it, and what it does.

Swift Step

Players unlock Swift Step by binding the statue located in the northern part of Deep Docks. This Ancestral Art allows Hornet to dash by holding the back right trigger. The dash also creates additional offensive possibilities, making it a foundational movement tool for both combat and platforming.

Drifter's Cloak

The Drifter's Cloak is obtained by completing the Flexile Spines Wish for the Seamstress in Far Fields. Once unlocked, Hornet can glide gracefully through the air and ride upward on strong gusts of wind. This ability is extremely useful for crossing wide gaps and reaching high ledges during the early acts.

Cling Grip

Players can unlock Cling Grip by binding the statue in the northern part of Shellwood. Cling Grip enables Hornet to perform wall jumps and temporarily hold onto vertical surfaces. If players equip the Ascendant's Grip tool, she can hold onto walls indefinitely, which opens up many optional exploration routes.

Needolin

Needolin becomes available after defeating the Widow boss fight in Bellhart during Act 1. This Ancestral Art serves as a special key and a communication tool. It can open special doors around Pharloom and also allow Hornet to interact with certain NPCs, making it essential for narrative progression and side content.

Needle Strike

Players unlock Needle Strike by agreeing to train with the Pinstress in the Blasted Steps area. This Ancestral Art allows Hornet to perform a charge attack. It is a useful offensive upgrade that adds a powerful charged option to her needle-based combat toolkit.

Clawline

Clawline is unlocked by binding the Statue in the Cauldron area of the Underworks. It works a bit like a harpoon or grappling hook. Hornet can use it to latch onto walls and enemies alike, which makes traversal more dynamic and also provides new ways to close distance during fights.

Faydown Cloak

Players can obtain the Faydown Cloak by playing Needolin while standing near the statue at the most northerly point in Mount Fay. This Ancestral Art gives Hornet the ability to double jump. That extra jump dramatically improves platforming flexibility and is required for reaching many upper areas.

Beastling Call

The Beastling Call is unlocked by beating the Bell Eater boss fight. That encounter becomes available after players attempt to summon the Bell Beast during Act 3. Once obtained, the Beastling Call lets Hornet instantly travel to the Bell Beast, which makes fast traveling across Silksong much easier.

Silk Soar

Silk Soar is unlocked by binding the statue in the Weavenest Absolom area of the Abyss during Act 3. It functions as a super jump, allowing Hornet to reach previously inaccessible areas. This ability is especially valuable for late-game exploration and for collecting missed items.

Elegy of the Deep

Players unlock Elegy of the Deep after completing the Spell Seeker main story quest during Act 3. This Ancestral Art allows Hornet to use Needolin to travel into the past when played in certain spots. It is a narrative and exploration ability that reveals new layers of Pharloom's history.

Sylphsong

Sylphsong is unlocked by binding Eva in Weavenest Atla during Act 3. Before doing so, players must find and fully upgrade all seven Silksong crests. After unlocking Sylphsong, Hornet's Silk is refilled whenever she rests at a bench. This makes long expeditions safer and reduces the need to conserve resources.

Quick Reference Table

Ancestral Art
Location / Requirement
Act
Main Effect

Swift Step
Bind statue in northern Deep Docks
Act 1
Dash

Drifter's Cloak
Complete Flexile Spines Wish in Far Fields
Act 1
Glide and ride wind gusts

Cling Grip
Bind statue in northern Shellwood
Act 1
Wall jump and hold walls

Needolin
Defeat Widow in Bellhart
Act 1
Open special doors and interact with NPCs

Needle Strike
Train with Pinstress in Blasted Steps
Act 1
Charge attack

Clawline
Bind statue in Cauldron, Underworks
Later acts
Grapple onto walls and enemies

Faydown Cloak
Use Needolin near statue at Mount Fay
Later acts
Double jump

Beastling Call
Defeat Bell Eater after summoning Bell Beast
Act 3
Fast travel to Bell Beast

Silk Soar
Bind statue in Weavenest Absolom, Abyss
Act 3
Super jump

Elegy of the Deep
Complete Spell Seeker quest
Act 3
Travel into the past with Needolin

Sylphsong
Bind Eva in Weavenest Atla after upgrading seven crests
Act 3
Refill Silk at benches

Tips for Collecting Ancestral Arts

Focus on the five Act 1 Ancestral Arts early, since they unlock core movement and interaction options.

Carry Needolin whenever possible. It is needed to obtain the Faydown Cloak and becomes even more useful after unlocking Elegy of the Deep.

If exploration feels limited, check whether a missing Ancestral Art is blocking the route. Several areas in Pharloom require specific abilities like double jump, dash, or the super jump.

Before attempting Sylphsong, make sure all seven Silksong crests have been found and fully upgraded.

Use Beastling Call to fast travel back to the Bell Beast instead of repeating long treks through dangerous regions.

Mastering the full set of Ancestral Arts transforms Hornet's movement into a fluid, almost dance-like flow, and that sense of control often leaves players hungry for more challenges in the same vein. Whether you're chasing a tougher platformer or revisiting classics that reward precise timing, having a way to track down discounts on new titles and gear can make that exploration easier on your wallet.

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How To Buy A Home In Hollow Knight: Silksong (And Why It Costs So Many Rosaries)

Hollow Knight Silksong house guide: Hornet buys Bellhart's home for 650 Rosaries, then installs Materium and Farsight.

Pharloom is not a home. It is a hostile, bug-infested obstacle course with benches that look like they were assembled by a blind carpenter. In Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hornet is a traveller, a wandering knight, a creature of perpetual motion. Rest is a bench. Safety is a rumour. And yet, after defeating the Widow, an empty house in Bellhart sits there like a tiny, roofless promise. As of 2026, this fixer-upper remains one of the game's strangest and most endearing side projects: a chance for a homeless warrior to become a homeowner, assuming the rosaries are available and the local landlord is in a good mood.

The Key To The House

Real estate in Pharloom is not cheap. Just like in real life, houses do not come with a complimentary jar of honey. The main requirement is completing every single quest on Bellhart's Wishboard, including the two restoration quests on offer. Those quests are:

Quest
Cost

Restoration of Bellhart
250 Rosaries

Bellhart's Glory
400 Rosaries

That is 650 rosaries before the player even thinks about curtains. The smarter approach is to wait until the knight has at least reached the Citadel. The Citadel opens up excellent rosary farming spots, and it also contains a special item found only in the Memorium area. Once every Bellhart quest is complete and all the rosaries have been donated, the player should speak to Pavo. He will recognise the effort and reward the knight with the key. If Pavo refuses to hand it over, leaving the area and coming back usually fixes his sudden case of forgetfulness.

Achievement Gallery

The house is not just a place to store extra shells and regrets. It also becomes a small gallery for two interesting installations, both of which offer more insight into the game itself.

Materium

The Materium is relatively easy to find, tucked away near the top of Memorium in the Citadel. Exploring that area requires the Faydown Cloak, so players should not expect to grab it on a casual stroll. When installed in the house, the Materium displays the following objects that the knight has found and used throughout the adventure:

• Quest Objects

• Relics

• Psalm Cylinders

• Mementos

Realistically, the Materium does not do anything mechanical. It is a museum of memories, a way to look back on every strange trinket and forgotten favour that shaped the journey. In a game about constant violence, that is almost disgustingly wholesome.

Farsight

The Farsight is an object that can be picked up in the Abyss at the beginning of Act 3. The image above shows the exact location. Once installed, it reveals many things related to total completion of the game. For example, looking at the save file just above the time played will show a completion percentage. It also displays missing slots in the tool display, so the player knows how many more tools still need to be found. Again, the Farsight is not particularly useful in combat, but it is a nice quality-of-life feature for completionists who enjoy staring at numbers and feeling judged by them.

Home Refurbishments ️

After obtaining the key, the shop in Bellhart will stock a bunch of items that can be used to improve the humble dwelling. Are these things really worth buying? Probably not. Many players learn that the hard way, usually after spending a small fortune on decorative nonsense while their actual combat tools remain tragically underpowered. But if the knight is swimming in rosaries and has nothing else to buy, there is no harm in splashing some cash.

The house does not make Pharloom less dangerous. It does not make the bosses fairer. It does not stop the benches from being placed at the exact opposite end of a difficult platforming section. What it does provide is a rare moment of belonging. In 2026, long after the initial chaos of release, that tiny Bellhart home still stands as a reminder that even a wandering knight deserves somewhere to hang her needle. And if the decorations are overpriced? Well, that is just Pharloom's version of a homeowner's association.

Spending rosaries around Bellhart is one kind of shopping, but the real-world version — tracking down games without paying full price — is a different beast entirely. Whether it is Silksong itself or another metroidvania waiting to fill the gap between boss attempts, launch prices rarely stay that way for long, and knowing where the discounts actually surface saves both money and the small indignity of buying something the week before it goes on sale.

That is where a resource like [DealNest game deals]( earns its keep: a quick scan of current offers before committing, so chasing the next adventure costs a little less than a fully upgraded needle. Pharloom's shopkeepers may never mark anything down, but the storefronts outside it occasionally do.

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Where to Find the Grand Gate Map in Hollow Knight: Silksong

Grand Gate Map in Hollow Knight: Silksong guides players through Citadel’s vertical pathways, benches, and hidden challenges efficiently.

Hornet’s journey in Hollow Knight: Silksong reaches a significant turning point after the Blasted Steps and the Last Judge fall behind her. The Grand Gate is not just a colossal architectural barrier; it is the threshold into the Choral Chambers and the official entry point to Act II. For players stepping into this towering section of the Citadel, securing the Grand Gate Map early can make the difference between a confident descent and a disoriented scramble through mechanical depths.

Immediate Map Purchase After the Last Judge

Unlike many earlier areas in Silksong where tracking down Shakra is a requirement before any map is available, the Grand Gate offers an immediate purchase. After the Last Judge is defeated, the path forward leads directly into the Grand Gate. From the site of the battle, Hornet should continue moving to the right until a pressure-sensitive platform appears.

Standing on that platform opens a door to the right. Passing through brings the player face-to-face with the monumental gate itself. Just inside, a machine displaying a model of the Citadel can be inspected. This is where the Grand Gate Map can be purchased for 40 Rosaries. The process is straightforward: interact with the machine, insert the Rosaries, and the map is added to the inventory.

So what makes this purchase worth the 40 Rosaries? The Grand Gate Map provides immediate orientation within the Citadel’s layered pathways, benches, and hidden challenges. Without it, players may still find their way, but they lose the ability to plan routes through one of the game’s most vertical and mechanically complex regions.

Step-by-Step Route to the Grand Gate Map

Step
Action

1
Defeat the Last Judge at the Blasted Steps

2
Move right from the battle site

3
Step onto the pressure-sensitive platform to open a door

4
Enter the Grand Gate and inspect the machine with the Citadel model

5
Purchase the Grand Gate Map for 40 Rosaries

Descending Into the Underworks

With the Grand Gate Map in hand, players can safely push deeper into the Citadel. Continuing to the right after the purchase leads to an elevator. Activating the switch drops the lift downward, but the descent is far from smooth. The elevator jolts a couple of times and requires repeated hits on the switch. Eventually, the mechanism breaks, sending Hornet falling into the Underworks.

The Underworks is a dangerous mechanical area located below the Citadel. It is filled with hazards that punish hesitation, but the map reference from the Grand Gate can help players recognize key landmarks even as the environment shifts from ornate citadel halls to grinding industrial depths.

Unlocking the Clawline in The Cauldron

Deep within the Underworks, players will eventually reach a new area called The Cauldron. This is where Hornet can unlock the Clawline, a grappling hook-like power that is widely considered an absolute must-have for exploring the rest of the game. The Clawline opens access to new shortcuts and allows traversal through areas that are otherwise unreachable.

Does the Grand Gate Map directly reveal The Cauldron’s location? Not always. However, having the map earlier means players can recognize the transition points and avoid unnecessary backtracking as they navigate the Underworks toward this essential ability.

For those pushing through Act II, the sequence is clear: defeat the Last Judge, enter the Grand Gate, buy the map for 40 Rosaries, ride the breaking elevator, survive the Underworks, and claim the Clawline. Each step builds on the last, and the Grand Gate Map is the first key to keeping that journey from becoming a blind drop into the Citadel’s depths.

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Silksong's Secret Nerfs Are Proof Team Cherry Has a Heart

Hollow Knight: Silksong's brutal difficulty hides secret nerfs: cogs and fans now deal one mask damage instead of two after launch complaints.

After seven years of waiting, I finally sat down with Hollow Knight: Silksong in 2026, and my hands were sweating before the title screen even finished glowing. Seven years! I have changed jobs twice, my houseplants have died and been replaced, and yet Hornet still fights like she just learned I insulted her mother. I love it. I also kind of hate it, because Silksong launched with a difficulty curve shaped like a brick wall covered in saw blades.

My first ten hours were less a heroic adventure and more a series of polite funerals for my own confidence. Compared to the original Hollow Knight, Silksong shipped with way more enemies and environmental hazards that deal double damage. That means one stupid mistake stops being a lesson and starts being a full health bar disappearing into the ether. Unsurprisingly, unhappy players flooded the internet. The launch complaints got so loud that Silksong racked up more than double the negative reviews Hollow Knight ever received. That is an achievement, just not the kind Team Cherry wanted.

When Team Cherry announced its first patch, I read the notes like they were a love letter. The official list promised a slight difficulty reduction in early game bosses Moorwing and Sister Splinter, plus a reduction in damage from Sandcarvers. They also mentioned various additional fixes and tweaks, which I assumed was polite developer language for changing the font on a menu.

Turns out, the patch notes were hiding secrets. A sharp-eyed player on Reddit named TomNook5085 noticed that some hazards got quieter nerfs than the official notes suggested. After reading that, my buddy Luke and I did our own follow-up testing, because clearly neither of us had anything better to do than get smacked by machinery in the name of science.

Here is the part that made me gasp: the cogs in the Choral Chambers and the fans in the Grand Citadel both had their damage reduced from two masks to one. Two masks to one! That is not a small tweak. That is the difference between walking out of a room with a story to tell and walking out of a room as a ghost.

Even better, this means Team Cherry apparently decided to quietly make the game slightly easier without putting every change in the spotlight. Are there more secret nerfs hiding out there? Probably. I would not be surprised if some random thorn bush somewhere now does half a mask instead of a full one, and nobody noticed because we were all too busy crying.

I made a quick table for my own sanity:

Hazard
Old Damage
New Damage
My Feeling

Cogs in Choral Chambers
2 masks
1 mask
Cautious optimism

Fans in Grand Citadel
2 masks
1 mask
I might actually enter that room

Sandcarvers
Double trouble
Reduced
Thank you

Moorwing
Early game pain
Slightly less pain
Still a jerk

Lava
Lava
Still lava
Zero trust

Notice that lava is still lava. Team Cherry did not nerf the concept of molten rock, and honestly, I respect the commitment. I will continue playing conservatively around every glowing orange puddle because my reflexes are not built for 2026 speedrunning standards.

Speaking of those maniacs: some speedrunners have already beaten the entire game in a little over an hour. I have spent longer than that trying to get out of a single optional room. The fact that they can route around newly nerfed hazards while I still panic over one-mask damage says more about me than the patch. Meanwhile, platinum trophy hunters are probably thrilled. Every hazard change makes the no-hit or low-damage runs slightly less nightmarish. I might even chase the platinum myself, assuming I can stop falling into the one pit that has not changed at all.

In the end, I just think it is funny that Team Cherry made extra changes and let the community detect them like cryptozoologists finding evidence of a friendly Bigfoot. Seven years of waiting, a launch that felt overtuned, a wave of criticism, and then a patch with hidden mercy. That is very Hollow Knight. The game still wants to hurt me, but now, barely, it also wants me to survive.

If you are the type of person who studies patch notes before committing to anything, that instinct probably follows you into the rest of your purchases too. Controllers whose sticks have started drifting, a monitor that turns every dark corridor into a smeared grey soup, a spare memory card because you refuse to delete anything — it all adds up, and nothing drains the fun out of a difficult game faster than fighting your own setup. I have learned, repeatedly and painfully, that five minutes of checking before clicking "buy" saves an entire evening of regret.

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How to Reach Heart of the Wild and Claim the Hunter's Heart in Silksong

Hollow Knight: Silksong Act 3's Heart of the Wild quest challenges players with new Far Fields routes and blocked Hunter's March shortcuts.

Hornet's journey through Act 3 of Hollow Knight: Silksong is a hidden extra gameplay layer that only begins after players select a specific ending. Far from a simple epilogue, this route packs a surprising amount of story and combat, and one of its most demanding objectives is the Heart of the Wild quest. To claim the Hunter's Heart, Hornet must travel to the far east of the Far Fields region, a newly opened area that cannot be reached before Act 3 begins.

For players returning in 2026, the route can still catch veteran explorers off guard. Shortcuts that once made Hunter's March feel manageable are now sealed, and the area seems to remember Hornet's first visit all too well. The long way around is the name of the game, so players should prepare for a lengthy backtrack with a few extra enemies eager to interrupt the trip.

Act 3 Unlock and the Far Fields Route

The Heart of the Wild quest location is locked behind the Act 3 story progression. Once Hornet reaches the relevant point in the questline, the far east of the Far Fields opens up. The most reliable starting point is the Marrow. From there, players should enter Hunter's March through the only available entrance, because every shortcut is blocked.

The path pulls no punches on this second visit. In the first run, players may have relied on careful pogo timing, but this time Hornet has better tools. The Silk Soar skill can skip several troublesome spots, and a crest with a downward hit can turn the plunge attack into a reliable movement option. Don't sleep on the Silk Soar here—it is the key to reaching the eastern statues without losing too much health.

Crossing Hunter's March Without Shortcuts

Inside Hunter's March, the goal is to keep moving east until the statues on the eastern side come into view. Earlier in the campaign, that area was blocked. Now that Hornet has Silk Soar, she can super jump into the next section and continue exploring Hunter's March from the opposite side.

Eventually, Hornet will open a bridge that leads her out of Hunter's March and back into the Far Fields. From that exit, players should continue east until reaching a dead end. The route is not over, however. Hornet must drop down and take a much longer road beneath the obvious path. This lower route winds toward the Heart of the Wild arena, and it is easy to miss if players assume the dead end means the search is over.

Step
Route Action

1
Start from the Marrow and enter Hunter's March through the only available entrance.

2
Head east through Hunter's March, using Silk Soar or a downward-hit crest to bypass tricky spots.

3
Reach the eastern statues and super jump into the newly accessible area.

4
Open the bridge to exit into Far Fields, then continue east to a dead end.

5
Drop down and follow the longer lower path to the Heart of the Wild arena.

Skarrsinger Karmelita Boss Fight

Once Hornet arrives at the quest location, she can challenge Skarrsinger Karmelita. The fight does not begin quietly. Multiple smaller enemies attack in waves before the boss herself makes an appearance, turning the arena into a loud, chaotic test of positioning.

Players should treat the opening waves as a warm-up, but not a free one. The smaller enemies can drain health quickly if Hornet stands still. A good approach is to keep circling the arena, clear the waves with downward strikes or sweeping attacks, and save healing for the gap between waves. When Skarrsinger Karmelita enters, the tempo shifts. Her attacks punish greedy movement, so landing a few hits and retreating is safer than trying to end the fight in one long combo.

After the boss falls, Hornet receives the Hunter's Heart and completes the Heart of the Wild quest in Silksong.

Final Tips for the Heart of the Wild Quest

• ️ Start from the Marrow: Shortcuts are blocked, so this is the cleanest route into Hunter's March.

• Use Silk Soar aggressively: It opens the eastern statues and skips older pogo sections.

• ️ Bring a downward-hit crest: The plunge attack helps with both traversal and wave clearing.

• 🧭 Check the dead end carefully: The real route goes down, not forward.

• Heal between boss waves: The opening adds can be more dangerous than they look.

The Heart of the Wild quest is a compact but memorable piece of Silksong's hidden Act 3. It rewards players who revisit old territory with fresh eyes, and the Hunter's Heart is a worthy trophy for those who survive the detour.

Once the Hunter's Heart is secured, the natural next step for many players is to see what else is worth playing—or to finally pick up a title that's been sitting on their wishlist. Steam sales come and go quickly, and keeping track of the best prices can be a chore.

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Where Hollow Knight: Silksong DLC Could Go Next

Hollow Knight: Silksong post-launch support may include free updates or paid expansions, offering fans exciting new content and gameplay modes.

In 2026, Team Cherry has remained quiet about exactly how Hollow Knight: Silksong will be supported after launch, but the studio's stated plan to keep expanding the game for years has left fans poring over the possibilities. Months after release, players have had time to finish their first playthroughs and begin asking a familiar question: will Silksong receive free updates, paid expansions, or both? The original Hollow Knight was famously supported with substantial DLC, and the sequel offers even more room to experiment. Here are some directions Team Cherry could take if additional content moves forward.

Returning to Hollownest

One of the most beloved surprises in video game history came from Pokémon Gold and Silver, when players returned to Kanto after completing Johto. A similar move in Silksong would be just as striking. Hornet was taken from Hollownest to the distant kingdom of Pharloom, and a post-game or DLC campaign could finally let her make the journey back. The base game includes a surprise connected to Act 3, but it does not send players to the original game's decaying kingdom. Team Cherry could revisit that location through a paid expansion or a free content drop, giving longtime fans the emotional payoff of seeing Hollownest again.

The Road Between Worlds ️

Any return to Hollownest would need a road, and that road could become an entire region. The trip to Pharloom was not short, so the route back could match either kingdom in size. Team Cherry could also introduce outdoor environments beyond the main game's limited selection. Silksong already tests players with Mount Fay, but a bridge zone between Pharloom and Hollownest could feature new biomes, shifting weather, and strange bug fauna. While the world is small in scale because every character is a bug, new anthropomorphic creatures or even tiny mammals could be added to expand the feel of a wider world.

A Boss Rush Mode ️

Not every game gets a boss rush, but Silksong is an ideal candidate. Players who want to relive encounters with the Last Judge and the Savage Beastfly would welcome a dedicated mode from the main menu. Others would use it to practice the Widow or the Fourth Chorus without the frustration of the run back to the arena. Because Silksong includes a harder mode, a boss rush would also serve as practical training. Bosses are among the best parts of the game, and a focused replay option would highlight that design.

New Playable Characters

Silksong began life as DLC for Hollow Knight, with Hornet planned as a second playable character. That expansion eventually grew into a full sequel, proving how much potential a character-focused update can have. For future content, Team Cherry could add Shakra, who already has combat abilities and aids Hornet multiple times. Garmond and Zaza are also natural picks because they help during the journey. A new playable campaign could use the existing map or a separate area, with each character offering different movement and combat options.

A Stealth Roguelike with Jubilana

Team Cherry could also lean into the roguelike trend. God of War Ragnarok added a well-received roguelike mode after launch, and Silksong already features randomness in areas like The Mist. A separate dungeon mode would not be out of place. Rather than starring Hornet, the mode could follow Jubilana, the shopkeeper who disappears while searching for new wares. Since Jubilana cannot fight, a stealth-focused roguelike could work well. Players could move through randomized dungeons, collect loot, and sell it back to pilgrims, similar to Moonlighter's action-shopkeeping loop.

Indie Crossovers and Cameos

Hollow Knight has a long history of indie collaborations. Dead Cells received items, The Binding of Isaac added cards, and Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes even included a wearable shirt. Silksong will likely appear in other indie games, but Team Cherry could also return the favor. Mina the Hollower, starring a small mouse named Mina, would fit neatly into Pharloom's bug-sized world. Mina could appear as an NPC offering quests, a boss, or a source of crossover weapons. Cosmetics, items, and cameo characters are all low-risk ways to keep the game feeling alive between larger expansions.

Concept
Inspiration
Potential Hook

Return to Hollownest
Pokémon Gold/Silver Kanto
Post-game journey home

New playable characters
Silksong's Hornet DLC origin
Shakra, Garmond, Zaza

Boss rush mode
Fan tradition
Practice harder mode

Stealth roguelike
Moonlighter, God of War Ragnarok
Jubilana dungeon runs

Indie crossovers
Dead Cells, Isaac, Travis
Mina the Hollower cameo

The Next Step

Team Cherry has not confirmed which approach it will take, and the studio is known for working in silence. The original Hollow Knight proved that even free updates can dramatically expand a game, while Silksong's scale makes a full expansion feel like a natural next move. Whether the team chooses a return to Hollownest, new playable characters, a boss rush, a roguelike, or a roster of indie cameos, the world of Pharloom has plenty of room to grow.

Speculation about what comes next is only half the fun; the other half is making sure the base game is already sitting in your library, ready for whenever Team Cherry decides to drop something new. Between the original Hollow Knight, its soundtrack bundles, and Silksong itself, the cost of catching up on the series can add up quickly, especially for players who prefer to own their games on a specific storefront or platform. That is exactly the kind of situation where a little price comparison goes a long way, and it is worth checking a dedicated deals aggregator before committing to a full-price purchase.

DealNest keeps an eye on discounts across major storefronts, so you can see at a glance whether a title is currently cheaper on Steam, GOG, the Nintendo eShop, or elsewhere. For anyone planning to replay Hallownest before the next expansion lands, or hoping to gift a copy to a friend who has not yet experienced Pharloom, it is a practical way to find [where to buy cheap games]( without refreshing a dozen store pages by hand. Saving a few coins on the base game leaves more room in the budget for whatever paid content the studio eventually announces.

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How to Unlock Silksong's Hidden Act 3 Without Missing 25% of the Game

Hollow Knight: Silksong Act 3 guide reveals hidden quests and Silk and Soul wish requirements for unlocking Pharloom's secrets.

Most players who roll credits in Hollow Knight: Silksong probably pat themselves on the back, believing they’ve seen everything Pharloom has to offer. Then the save file sits there, quietly judging them. The truth? They may have only finished about 75% of the game. Team Cherry tucked an entire Act 3 behind a chain of obscure chores, a few soul-collection errands, and one delightfully sneaky final choice. This guide breaks down the whole process, so nobody has to wander around Weavenest Atla wondering why the walls look so suspicious.

Act 3 Requirements

First things first: unlocking Act 3 is less about raw skill and more about not sprinting to the finish line like a startled Grub. A player needs to tick off a few boxes before the Caretaker even thinks about handing over the good stuff.

• Wish upon a star (or several): Complete most, if not all, of the wishes available in Bone Bottom, Bellhart, and the Choral Chambers in the Citadel. Some of these only wake up after certain side quests progress, so a little backtracking is basically a personality trait here.

• Flea market: No, not actual shopping. Hornet needs to round up enough fleas across the world for the caravan to haul itself over to the Putrified Ducts. She doesn’t need every single one, but a bit more than half keeps the wheels greased.

• Lace, but make it dramatic: Defeat Lace in The Cradle. Fighting her won’t slam the door on Act 3—it actually swings it wide open.

Once those requirements are handled, the Caretaker at the first shrine stops being cryptic and finally offers the last wish: Silk and Soul.

Silk and Soul Wish

This wish is basically an interdimensional grocery run. Hornet zips through the world to collect souls and items from specific, slightly odd characters. Two of them might already be sitting in her inventory by the time the quest starts, which is a nice little head start.

Item / Soul
Location
Combat Required?

Snare Setter
Weavenest Atla secret nook
No

Maiden’s Soul
Moss Grotto, starting area west
No

Hermit’s Soul
Bellhart, east secret passage
No

Seeker’s Soul
Bilehaven, after Groal the Great
Yes

Snare Setter

The Snare Setter is a bashful little gadget hiding in Weavenest Atla, which sits below Bone Bottom and east of Moss Grotto. Any player who enjoys poking into corners has probably been here before—Eva hangs out nearby, offering persistent upgrades that make Hornet feel like a fully kitted-out needle warrior.

To reach the item, Hornet needs the double jump from Mount Fay. No double jump, no secret room. She should travel down, use the Needolin to play a song at the door, take the elevator to the bottom level, and head right. Instead of blundering into the next room, she can hop up the wall to the second level and slip through the left door. Right before the pond, a double jump reveals a secret area, and there the Snare Setter waits on a small podium like a shy trophy.

Maiden’s Soul

While she’s in the neighborhood, Hornet can head back to the top of Moss Grotto and then west to the very spot where the adventure began. The Chapel Maid is hanging around, probably wondering why nobody visits. One chat later, she happily hands over her soul. Easy peasy.

Hermit’s Soul

The Bell Hermit in Bellhart is about as cheerful as a wet charm notch, but he’s surprisingly generous when Hornet asks for his soul. She just needs to find the secret passage east of the fast travel station. A quick conversation, and the grumpy old man parts with it like a man donating a coat he never liked anyway.

Seeker’s Soul

Now the errand list gets spicy. The Seeker’s Soul demands actual combat. Hornet has to take down Groal the Great, the final boss of the Bilewater region, at the top of Bilehaven. Yeah, that means trudging through a whole network of nasty, maggot-infested waters first. No pressure.

After slaying Groal, she hops up to the left and enters the little house just outside the arena. Inside, the Seeker’s Soul lies on the ground beneath the strung-up Seeker, which is grim but also conveniently placed.

Setting the Trap

With all the ingredients stuffed into Hornet’s inventory, the next stop is the First Shrine. Talking to the Caretaker completes the wish, and the path forward becomes clear: climb The Cradle, speak to the Caretaker at the top, and march into the final boss fight.

The clever part comes after defeating Grand Mother Silk. The game offers two choices: Bind or Needolin.

• Bind: End the game right there, roll credits, and accidentally lock out Act 3 for that playthrough. Oops.

• Needolin: Spring the trap. Grand Mother Silk and Lace get unceremoniously dragged into the Abyss. It’s dramatic, a little mean, and exactly what the story ordered.

After the credits, the save file doesn’t look quite right. Black threads coil around it like an overprotective spider. Cutting away at it with the confirm button unlocks Act 3, and suddenly the game isn’t over at all.

So the takeaway is simple: don’t rush the finale. Do the wishes, find the fleas, be nice to the Chapel Maid, and keep that Needolin handy. Act 3 has been hiding in plain sight, waiting for someone patient enough to poke it with a needle.

For players who enjoy uncovering every hidden nook and secret timeline, being patient doesn’t just apply to in-game mechanics—it also pays off when planning the next purchase. A game as rich as Hollow Knight: Silksong rewards careful observation, but staying updated on launch discounts, special editions, or rare merchandise can take the same kind of vigilance. After all, none of those DLC reveals or collector’s editions will find their way into your cart by themselves.

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How to Get the Pale Nails Skill in Silksong Without Losing Your Mind

Find the Pale Nails Silk Skill in Hollow Knight: Silksong by returning to The Cradle, binding Grand Mother Silk's hand after the Act 2 boss.

Let me paint you a picture.

It is 2026, and I just spent two hours bouncing around Pharloom like a sugar-fueled acrobat. My target? The Pale Nails Silk Skill. My problem? The game refused to put a neon sign over The Cradle, so I had to earn this shiny little murder projectile the hard way. If you want to avoid my exact brand of confusion, grab your needle and follow along.

What Exactly Is the Pale Nails Skill?

In Hollow Knight: Silksong, Silk Skills are Hornet's flashy special moves. They drain her Silk meter, which is also what she needs for healing, so spamming them is a great way to turn a bad fight into a funeral. The Pale Nails skill is one of the best chase tools in the game. It launches a projectile of three pale nails that actively seek out an enemy, which is perfect for those annoying mobile opponents who think they can backstep out of your range. Grand Mother Silk uses a very similar trick against you, and I can confirm it stings.

Where to Find Pale Nails

You will not find this skill in a cozy little shop. No, you have to go back to The Cradle, specifically the arena where you fought Grand Mother Silk at the end of Act 2. After the boss fight is over, climb back up to that arena and look for the boss's hand resting on top of a rock. It is a bit ominous, but that is Silksong for you. Interact with it and choose to Bind. Boom, Pale Nails is yours. This is also the final Silk Skill you need for the Woven achievement, so now you can flex that completionist progress.

How the Pale Nails Skill Actually Works

Yes, the nails are homing, but they are not psychic. If an enemy leaves the screen before the nails connect, the projectiles will hit nothing. They do not hover forever waiting for a target to come back. That behavior is more like the Cogfly tool, which floats around and does its own thing. Pale Nails is more hit-and-run: fire, let them chase, and reposition. Do not waste it on an enemy about to teleport across the map.

Here is a quick comparison to keep your Silk budget honest:

Skill / Tool
Best For
Weird Detail

Pale Nails
Chasing mobile enemies
Nails stop if the target leaves the screen

Rune Rage
Crowds of enemies
Great for clearing annoying hordes

Cogfly
Passive support
Hovers around instead of disappearing

The Exact Route to The Cradle

You cannot just stroll to this skill. You need the Silk Soar ability, because Pharloom loves putting important passages in stupidly high places. If you already have it, here is the path:

• Walk to the right side of the Choral Chambers, next to the Cog Core entrance.

• Look up. There is an opening in the ceiling, and you will need a high jump or Silk Soar to reach it.

• Once you reach the Architect Melody room, go right and try to Silk Soar upward again. You should spot a passage and can adjust your jump from there.

• Eventually, you will land on the platform where Hornet fought Lace before the Grand Mother Silk encounter.

• From that platform, use Silk Soar on the light to reach the boss arena above.

That last jump feels illegal the first time. I fully expected to clip into a wall. Instead, I landed directly in the arena where I had already won the fight, which felt a little anticlimactic until I saw that disembodied hand waiting for me.

A Few Warnings From My Mistakes

Make sure you have actually cleared Act 2 and beaten Grand Mother Silk. The binding spot is in the boss arena after the fight, so if you are still banging your head against her, you are not going to get the skill yet. Also, do not forget that Pale Nails uses Silk. If you blow all your Silk on these shiny homing nails, you will not have any left for healing. I learned that the hard way during a hallway brawl, and my ghost is probably still judging me.

Final Thoughts

The Pale Nails skill is absolutely worth the detour. It turns mobile enemies from aggravating pests into target practice. The route to The Cradle is a little vertical, but with Silk Soar you can manage it in a few minutes. Claim the hand, bind with it, and enjoy your new homing death needles. Now if only Pharloom would give me a map that does not look like abstract art.

Stay sharp, and keep some Silk in reserve.

While you are waiting for the next patch, DLC, or the eventual avalanche of Silksong-adjacent metroidvanias to land on your wishlist, it helps to know when Steam actually drops its prices. Store pages rarely make that obvious, which is why tools that watch prices for you are worth keeping bookmarked. One I have been using lately is [steam sale tracker]( from DealNest, which keeps an eye on discounts so you do not have to refresh the store every Tuesday evening hoping for a surprise.

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How to Complete the Lost Merchant Quest in Hollow Knight: Silksong

Struggling with Hollow Knight: Silksong's Lost Merchant quest? Track Jubilana through Memorium using Faydown Cloak and scent trail to bring her home.

Any Hollow Knight: Silksong fan worth their salt knows that exploration is the bread and butter of the game. But every so often, a side quest crops up that makes even the most seasoned players scratch their heads. Enter the Lost Merchant quest, where Jubilana decides to go walkabout for the second time. If you've already wrapped up the Balm for the Wounded quest, you might have noticed that her little shop in Songclave is looking, well, a bit lonely. Don't sweat it though — tracking her down is easier than you'd think, especially once you know where to look.

How to Start the Lost Merchant Quest

First things first — you can't just waltz into this quest cold. The Lost Merchant side quest only becomes available after completing the Balm for the Wounded quest. Once that's done and dusted, a new request will appear on the Wish Board in Songclave. Take a gander around town, and you'll quickly realize that Jubilana has pulled a disappearing act again. She's gone missing not once, but twice now, with her first vanishing act tied to the Wandering Merchant quest. This time around, it's up to you to play detective and bring her back home.

Here's the good news: you won't need to traverse half of Pharloom to find her. She's holed up in a sub-area of the Citadel called Memorium. That said, if you don't know the route, you could easily spend hours wandering around like a headless chicken.

How to Find Jubilana in Memorium

The route to Memorium starts by heading west from Songclave. Keep pushing through until you reach an area covered in grass with an opening in the ceiling. Here's the catch: you'll need the double jump ability — better known as the Faydown Cloak — to reach that opening. If you haven't snagged it yet, don't panic, but it's a non-negotiable for this quest. Once you've got it, jump up through the ceiling and into Memorium.

Now comes the fun part: tracking. Make your way through the rooms that lead east and keep your eyes peeled for Jubilana's items scattered on the ground. Interacting with them will create a scent trail that points you in her direction. It's a nifty little mechanic that makes the search feel a lot less like a wild goose chase.

Keep pressing east, and you'll eventually stumble upon a room with a contraption displaying a map of the Citadel. You can spend 70 Rosaries to grab that map if you're feeling flush. But to find Jubilana, you'll want to jump into the opening in the ceiling to access a secret area. It's one of those classic Silksong moments where the path forward is hidden in plain sight.

From there, head east once more to reach the outside and drop down to the platform below. Before you can have a proper chinwag with Jubilana, though, a wave of bird enemies will swoop in to ruin the reunion. It's not the toughest scrap in the game, but keep your wits about you. Once you've cleared the feathered fiends, approach Jubilana and exhaust her dialogue to wrap up the Lost Merchant quest.

The Lost Merchant Quest Rewards

Now for the good stuff. Completing the Lost Merchant quest expands Jubilana's inventory back in Songclave, and she'll have some seriously tempting new wares up for grabs. Here's what's on offer:

Item
Type
Price
Description

Spider Strings
Support Tool
350 Rosaries
Resonates with music to amplify a performance. Expands and strengthens the effects of the Needolin.

Craftmetal
Trade Item
180 Rosaries
Can be traded to various merchants in exchange for goods.

Spool Fragment
Upgrade Material
500 Rosaries
Increases the size of the Silk Meter.

Choral Commandment
Relic
210 Rosaries
A relic of Pharloom's past, interesting to collectors.

If you're wondering where to splash your hard-earned Rosaries first, the Spool Fragment is the smart money. It boosts your Silk Meter — one of the most impactful quality-of-life upgrades in the game. Just keep in mind that you'll need two Spool Fragments to actually see an increase in your Silk Meter capacity, so don't celebrate too early. The Spider Strings are also a solid pick if you lean on the Needolin, but the Spool Fragment takes the cake for overall utility.

All in all, the Lost Merchant quest is a classic Silksong side adventure — a bit of tracking, a bit of fighting, and a whole lot of reward. It's the kind of quest that flies under the radar but delivers some genuinely valuable loot for those willing to go the extra mile. So grab your Faydown Cloak, follow the scent, and get Jubilana back where she belongs. ️

Much like venturing off the beaten path in Silksong rewarded you with Jubilana's hidden wares, a little extra effort when shopping for your gaming setup can pay off handsomely too. Between new releases, hardware upgrades, and the countless accessories that make those long sessions more comfortable, the costs can add up quickly — which is why savvy players know that finding the latest sales and discounts is its own kind of quest. When you want to stretch your budget without compromising on quality, [DealNest]( takes the guesswork out of the hunt, rounding up the best offers across a wide range of products in one easy-to-browse spot.

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Hollow Knight: Silksong — Surviving The Mist, Beating Phantom, and Unlocking Parry

Silksong guide details The Mist and Exhaust Organ, offering tips for Wraiths, Needolin puzzles, and unlocking Cross Stitch.

I’m not going to sugarcoat it: Bilewater is one of the most unpleasant stretches of Pharloom I’ve dragged myself through, and the first time I stepped into The Mist, I immediately regretted my curiosity. But after enough deaths, enough Wraith screeches, and enough Needolin notes echoing through fog, I started to understand the method behind the madness. If you’re trying to reach the Exhaust Organ, rescue a very distressed Flea, and unlock Cross Stitch so you can parry for the rest of your run, here’s exactly how I did it.

Entering The Mist

You won’t find a fixed route here, and that’s by design. The layout of The Mist is randomized every time you enter. The one mercy is that your Cocoon always spawns near the entrance, so if you fall, you won’t lose too much progress. From there, I learned to stop hugging walls and start looking for small, glowing butterflies. When you play your Needolin near them, they float upward. Once you stop playing, they fly toward the correct exit.

The problem? The Wraiths won’t give you a quiet moment to perform. This is why I always come into The Mist with Straight Knives or Cogflies in my loadout. Ranged options let me swat away the screeching ghastly women without closing distance and risking a fall. My usual loop looked like this:

• Clear Wraiths with a ranged tool.

• Find a glowing butterfly.

• Play the Needolin long enough to make it rise.

• Stop playing and follow it.

• Repeat until the fog opens up.

After a couple of correct exits, you’ll notice a straightaway. That’s the game’s way of telling you that you’re on the right path. A few more correct butterfly choices after that, and you’ll step into the Exhaust Organ.

Pushing Through the Exhaust Organ

The Exhaust Organ wastes no time reminding you where you are. The first room is full of those maggot-infested waters that Bilewater seems to love, and there’s no way around them. I took a deep breath, dove in, and headed left. Once inside the central building, I jumped up the platforms, moved left, climbed the wall, and slashed the bench free from its webbing. That bench is important if you want a checkpoint in this stretch.

After that came the steam gauntlet. The pipes on the right follow a fairly linear route, but the timing is everything. I went up to the right, then up and left, then slid down left before moving forward again. When I reached the middle pipe, I broke it open and played my Needolin for the unsettling tube just to hear the bonus lore. From there, I climbed the middle tube, slid down right, wall-jumped up the next section, and made the final climb. There was silk waiting to the right, and Phantom waiting to the left.

Beating Phantom

Phantom is a showstopping longnail fighter. She takes big stabs at your position and frequently raises her guard to parry you. My first instinct was to wait out her guard, but I actually had better results doing the opposite.

I started hitting her guard on purpose. Whenever she parries, you can almost always jump, move toward her current position, and dodge the parry entirely. That leaves her open for a couple of cheap shots before she recovers. It sounds reckless, but it made the first phase much faster.

Phase
Attack
How I Handled It

Phase 1
Guard / parry stance
Hit her guard intentionally, jump toward her, dodge the parry, punish

Phase 2
Giant laser pillars
Dash out of the glowing columns, wait for the hitbox to clear, then attack

Phase 2
Needle toss
Dodge it, then close distance in the middle of the arena

Phase 2
Floor shuffle
Stay mobile and avoid touching her while she shifts across the boards

The second phase starts with Phantom firing massive laser blasts that cover half the arena. As intimidating as it looks, I found this to be her easiest attack. I just dashed away, avoided the big glowing pillars, and waited for the hitbox to disappear before punishing her. The needle toss is also a great opening if you dodge it and hit her in the center of the arena. At the end, make sure you hit the QTE prompt. It’s about as forgiving as they come, and completing the fight unlocks your Parry.

Don’t Miss the Flea

Before you leave the Exhaust Organ, there’s one easily missed detour. From the boss arena, I went right, fell down, went left, then climbed up and to the left before jumping the gap. In the room with silk-strewn tubes, I ran right past the thread-wrapped cylinders and into a hidden area. From there, I dropped down, exited through the left door, and crossed the floating platforms carefully.

All the way to the left, there’s more of that lovely infested liquid to hop across. If you make it, you’ll find a Flea making very concerned noises. Save it. It’s a short detour that I nearly skipped on my first run, and it absolutely matters.

How to Parry with Cross Stitch

Parrying in this game is not what you might expect from other action titles. You can’t simply press a button whenever you want. Cross Stitch is a Silk Skill, and it costs four bars of Silk to use. When I activate it, Hornet enters a parry stance for a little over half a second. If she’s hit during that stance, she responds with an animation of constantly slashing at the spot where she took damage.

That distinction matters. If you parry a projectile, you won’t take damage, but you may completely miss the enemy if the projectile was far away from them. On the bright side, Cross Stitch has a very generous hitbox, so if you’re within a few feet of the enemy, it will probably land. After the parry finishes, you also get a few frames of complete invulnerability.

Because the attack tends to place you directly on top of the enemy, I make a habit of dashing away after every successful parry. That way I don’t eat a random hit during the recovery window. It’s one of those skills that feels awkward at first, but once you get used to the rhythm, it turns Phantom’s own aggression against her and becomes essential for later fights in the Underworks.

That’s how I finally pushed through The Mist, cleared the Exhaust Organ, and unlocked Cross Stitch. If you’re still getting lost in the fog, lean on the butterflies, keep a ranged option equipped, and don’t be afraid to provoke Phantom’s guard. The parry is worth the struggle.

Fighting through the Exhaust Organ and earning Cross Stitch is just one milestone in a game packed with challenges like it. There are more bosses waiting deeper in the Underworks, each with their own rhythms to learn, and mastering the parry now will pay off again and again as you push forward.

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Hollow Knight: Silksong Roach Guts Guide: A Disgustingly Fast and Safe Route

Get the Hollow Knight Silksong Roach Guts quest done fast in Sinner's Road: find Benjin and Crull, farm ten Muckroach guts, and earn a useful red tool

In the damp, decaying alleys of Sinner’s Road, a strange little errand waits for any Hollow Knight: Silksong player brave enough to chat with two very hungry NPCs. Benjin and Crull have developed what can only be described as an enthusiastic taste for questionable cuisine, and they want Hornet to fetch ten fresh roach guts. Yes, roach guts. It might sound like a prank or a punishment, but this side quest is actually quick once the route is known—and it ends with a genuinely useful red tool. Time to knock this one out before the cockroaches get any ideas.

How to Start the Roach Guts Quest

First, a player needs to reach Sinner’s Road, which is accessible from the northeast area of Greymoor. From the Halfway Home tavern, Hornet must climb upward using platforms and the Swift Step ability. Swift Step is picked up at the Deep Docks, so anyone missing it should handle that first. The entrance to Sinner’s Road sits on the wall to the right after that vertical climb.

Once inside, the goal is to find the home of Benjin and Crull. Their little cabin is perched on the upper level of one of the central chambers, on the opposite side from Shakra and the Bench. Since Sinner’s Road loves to throw flying enemies and poisonous lakes at newcomers, unlocking the map and repairing the Bench before starting the quest is highly recommended. A few extra seconds of fast travel and healing will save a lot of heartbreak later.

To reach the cabin, clear out the central chamber’s irritating enemies first. The room is full of odd spikes that can be struck for a small bounce, which helps if Faydown Cloak is still missing. Use the spikes, hanging boxes, and platforms to climb from the left side. Then head right, jumping over and smacking the swinging star-maces hanging from the ceiling. Eventually, a modest little house appears. That is where the questionable duo lives.

Inside, Benjin and Crull explain their survival strategy: eating all kinds of junk in Sinner’s Road and apparently enjoying it. Their current craving is fresh guts from a Muckroach. Because the curse of Pharloom has made Muckroaches extra aggressive, the pair stopped hunting them. That means Hornet gets the honor of collecting ten Roach Guts. Accept the quest, resist the urge to gag, and move on.

How to Get Roach Guts Fast and Safely

The best farming spot is practically handed to every player who enters Sinner’s Road. The very first chamber greets Hornet with three aggressive enemies near a collection of hanging boxes. Those are Muckroaches, and yes, they look like alligators with a personal-space problem. They can grab Hornet if she gets too close, so bringing a red tool that grants long-range damage is a smart move. The Tacks reward from this quest is one such tool, but any long-range option works for the farming loop.

The strategy is simple and completely free of luck:

Loop
Action
Roach Guts Collected

1
Defeat 3 Muckroaches at the entrance
3

2
Rest at the Bench, return, defeat 3 again
6

3
Repeat once more
9

4
One final loop
10

Each Muckroach drops exactly one gut, so four loops are enough. In the current 2026 build, the route remains unchanged, and every kill still coughs up a guaranteed Roach Gut. The main caution is to avoid fighting all three at once. They hit hard and can corner Hornet quickly. Instead, pull one Muckroach at a time and whittle it down. Each one usually falls after five or six hits. When all three are dead, return to the Bench to heal and force the enemies to respawn. Then march back to the entrance and do it again. It is not glamorous, but it is fast.

After collecting ten Roach Guts, head back to Benjin and Crull’s cabin. There is no shortcut, so Hornet still has to bounce across those swinging star-maces. At least the return trip feels like a victory lap—assuming the poison lakes do not land a cheap shot.

The Roach Guts Quest Rewards

For a quest that sounds like a bad dare, the reward is surprisingly solid. Benjin and Crull hand over the Tacks, a red tool that sets traps for enemies and bosses that walk or slam into the ground. It is like leaving a passive-aggressive welcome mat for anything heavy enough to step on it. In moments of desperation, when a strong enemy is standing between Hornet and the Silk Cocoon, Tacks add both extra damage and a welcome sense of security.

Quick Tips to Avoid a Muckroach Meltdown

• Repair the Bench before farming. It makes the respawn loop painless.

• 🪲 Fight Muckroaches one at a time. Greedy tactics turn into a grab-based disaster.

• Bring a long-range red tool if possible. Muckroaches deserve a wide berth.

• 🧭 Do not bother hunting elsewhere. The entrance trio is the most reliable source.

• Remember that drops are guaranteed. No need to pray to RNG gods.

The Roach Guts quest is a perfect example of Hollow Knight: Silksong hiding useful gear behind a very weird errand. Benjin and Crull get their questionable meal, and Hornet walks away with a trap-setting tool that can make later boss fights noticeably less terrifying. Sometimes the grossest chores in Pharloom are worth the trouble.

For any player who has cleared the Roach Guts quest, the next step is usually to sharpen Hornet's needle for the challenges ahead—whether that means hunting down every upgrade or scouting which red tools suit their playstyle. The full release of Hollow Knight: Silksong promises plenty more of those stubborn enemies and clever rewards, and having the right game at the right price can make the wait easier to swallow.

Players keeping an eye on upcoming indie hits or hunting for similar metroidvania adventures might want to check out [DealNest game deals]( before the next big patch arrives. It is a handy way to track discounts across the genre and keep the shelf stocked for the next long, bug-filled expedition.

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Hollow Knight Silksong: Coral Tower and Crust King Khann Walkthrough

Conquer the Hollow Knight: Silksong Coral Tower gauntlet in the Old Hearts quest with top crest, skill, and tool builds.

So, here I am in 2026, still thinking about the Coral Tower in Hollow Knight: Silksong. If you've been playing since launch, you know exactly what I mean when I say this place tested me more than any relationship ever has. You've accidentally set the end of the world in motion—don't worry, we've all done it—and now the Old Hearts quest is pointing you toward a towering underwater hellscape in the Sands of Karak. I'm here to walk you through the whole brutal thing, because trust me, you'll need a friend for this one.

Before you even think about climbing this tower, let's talk preparation. I cannot stress this enough: fully upgrade your needle before attempting the Coral Tower gauntlet. If you show up with a dull needle, you're basically bringing a toothpick to a war. The good news? This is a memory fight, which means you don't have to re-craft your tools every single time. Spam those things like there's no tomorrow.

Preparing for the Fight

Crests

Everybody has their own preference, but the Crest of the Wanderer carried me through the entire tower. The attack speed is honestly absurd, and the way I deal with the shorter reach is by equipping the Longclaw tool. Problem solved. If you prefer a tankier build, go with something that gives you more survivability, but for me, speed wins every time in these cramped arena rooms.

Silk Skills

For skills, I paired Sharpdart with the Volt Filament tool from the Voltnest, also in the Sands of Karak. Here's the magic: when multiple flying enemies group up, the electrically charged Sharpdart pierces through all of them for absolutely devastating damage. This setup saved my sanity when the floor turned into a spike bed and I was fighting airborne enemies with no safe ground to stand on.

Tools

For red tools, Cogflies are your best friends. So many enemies in the tower are flying, and you can't always reach them with your needle. Cogflies do the heavy lifting while you focus entirely on dodging projectiles and not panicking. The Wispfire Lantern is also excellent here for extra chip damage. If you have the Pollip Pouch, equip it to make your tools stretch further.

Climbing the Coral Tower

First Room

To begin this whole ordeal, play the Elegy of the Deep at Khann's body in the center of the tower. You'll be transported into a memory, soaring upward through beautiful blue waters. The first room is honestly just a practice space. You'll see Conchflies you've already fought, and you can farm easy silk from the little fish enemies. There are no environmental hazards here, so resist the urge to burn your tools. Save them. You'll need them.

Second Room

This is where things get real. The threats here are:

• Driznarga — These shoot conchcutters at you. Not terrible on their own, but paired with ground spikes, they make your life miserable.

• Karak Gor — The big guys who throw spikes up from the ground. Bounce on their heads repeatedly to take them down.

• ️ Ground Spikes — Everywhere. They limit your movement severely, so getting comfortable fighting while airborne is a massive advantage.

Play it slow here. Deflect projectiles, use your Clawline, and throw up Cogflies when things get hairy. The jellyfish enemies are actually your friends—use them to heal as much as you can. Don't panic.

Third Room

The third room is where I nearly lost my mind. Interesting twist though: the ground spikes can become your ally. Try hitting the grounded Karaka melee enemies onto the spikes for an instant kill. It's extremely satisfying when it works.

Key threats:

• 🫧 Corrcrust Karaka — Shoots little yellow bubbles. Longclaw works wonders here, and Sharpdart chips away at him safely.

• Floorless Fighting — At one point, the entire floor gets covered in spikes. You'll need to grip the wall and attack from there. The Ascendant's Grip is a lifesaver so you don't slide down.

• Double Jellyfish — The final wave is two jellyfish. Easiest enemies in the game, but after three intense gauntlets, you might be physically exhausted. Take a breath. Don't let them kill you at the finish line. I've been there. It hurts.

Fourth Room

Honestly, I would recommend dying on purpose after room three just to take a break and restock. No shame in it. The last chamber mixes enemies from the previous three rooms, but strangely, it's actually easier. You're on a small platform, sure, but you can push enemies onto the spikes, and the waves don't last as long. The developers knew you'd have a boss fight after, so they cut you some slack.

Once you clear the final wave, use your Silk Soar to rise one last time and face the king.

Crust King Khann

Weirdly enough, this is the easiest part of the entire Coral Tower. Crust King Khann's attacks have ridiculously long telegraphs, so dodging is a breeze. He never actually hits you directly—he just tries to catch you off guard with long spears of coral. Once you learn his patterns, you'll have massive windows to punish him.

Here's a breakdown of what you're dealing with:

Attack Type
Description
How to Counter

Coral Spear
Long telegraphed thrust from a distance
Just walk out of the way

Off-Guard Poke
Tries to catch you while you're repositioning
Keep moving, don't stand still for long

Arena Pressure
Uses coral formations to limit your space
Stay aware of your surroundings

This boss design makes total sense. You've just survived a brutal four-room gauntlet, so making Khann too hard would've been cruel. Pick up the heart, breathe a sigh of relief, and never deal with Coral Tower again. Until NG+, anyway.

Stay sane out there, fellow Silksong survivors.

Of course, after tackling every challenge a game like Silksong throws your way, you'll likely be searching for your next big adventure. The best part (and worst part, if you value your free time) is that the metroidvania and souls-like genres are absolutely packed with hidden gems to explore. Picking up a new title at full price every week isn't realistic though, so most of us learn to be patient shoppers.

That's why it's always worth keeping an eye out for [PC game discounts]( before making your next purchase—you never know when a top-tier adventure will drop in price overnight. Scooping up a great game for less means you get the same rush of discovery without the sting of overspending. And hey, when you finally do dive into that next world, just take it from a Coral Tower survivor: breathe, learn the rhythm, and don't let the jellyfish see you sweat.

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The Most Punishing Mechanics in Modern Hard Games

Difficult video games like Demon's Souls and Hollow Knight challenge players' patience, precision, and resilience with risk-reward mechanics.

As of 2026, the conversation around difficult video games has only grown louder. Fans who grew up with the brutal NES era remember how challenging titles like Battletoads, Ninja Gaiden, and even Super Mario Bros. could be. Back then, that difficulty was often seen as a frustrating requirement rather than a selling point. Today, however, a hardcore group of players celebrates games that demand patience, precision, and resilience. Yet not every difficult mechanic feels fair. Some systems add challenge through risk and reward, while others seem needlessly rough. What makes a game hard but fair? Why do certain design choices push players away instead of pulling them deeper into the experience?

The modern hard game owes much of its identity to Demon's Souls. FromSoftware's action RPG did not invent difficulty, but it reframed it. The most infamous mechanic is the loss of progress upon death. Defeating enemies grants Souls, which can be used for leveling up or buying items. When a player dies, those Souls remain at the death spot. If the player dies again before reclaiming them, the currency vanishes forever. This loop creates a powerful emotional pull. Spending hours grinding only to lose everything can be disheartening, but for others, that risk-reward trial is invigorating. The 2020 remake made the experience slightly more accessible, yet the core tension remains.

The Weight of Lost Progress

XCOM: Enemy Within carries a similar philosophy into the strategy genre. Permadeath means that a customized soldier with hours of investment can disappear in a single bad turn. Players can reload saves to try to undo a fatal mistake, but that process becomes its own tedious ritual. Like a Soulslike, losing a carefully built character can feel like losing a piece of progress that was earned over countless battles.

Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter pushes this idea toward a looping structure. The game moved the series from fantasy to sci-fi on the PS2, but it also introduced a harsh timer called the D-Counter. Everything the player does, from fighting to moving, adds percentages to that timer. At 100 percent, the game is over. The only real solution is to restart with carried-over progress. This design forces players to accept repeated failure as part of the journey. How many restarts can one player endure before frustration replaces satisfaction?

The Long Walk Back

Hollow Knight: Silksong has become a major talking point because of its difficulty spike. The boss fights are already demanding, but the routes back to those bosses make them even more taxing. Savage Beastfly and Last Judge are two of the hardest bosses in the game, yet the trial between bench save points can be just as punishing. Is the journey back to a boss part of the challenge, or is it simply busywork? Some players enjoy the process, but others find it like adding insult to injury. A checkpoint before each major encounter could reduce the frustration without lowering the boss's difficulty.

Cuphead suffers from a similar problem. The hand-drawn visuals are gorgeous, but the boss fights are relentless. Most levels focus on elaborate encounters filled with dense projectile patterns. What makes them especially cruel is the absence of checkpoints. The game does offer Simple Mode, but beating a boss in that mode does not count toward story progress. Why include a simpler option if it does not actually help the player advance? It may as well not even be there.

Systems Piled on Systems

Death Stranding was Hideo Kojima's first game after leaving Konami, and it was significantly harder than any Metal Gear title. The premise is straightforward: Sam delivers packages across a post-apocalyptic United States. But the mechanics stacked on top of mechanics turned a simple courier game into a constant balancing act. Players cannot move too fast without risking a fall, which damages packages and causes Sam's partner, a baby called BB, to cry. Mysterious entities can stalk players without an easy way back. The sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, streamlined many of these systems. That change suggests Kojima learned from the original's friction.

Monster Hunter: World is another game where multiple systems can overwhelm newcomers. Hunts have time limits and group death counts. If the group faints too many times, the quest fails even if the monster is about to die. The lack of visible enemy health bars adds another layer of uncertainty. In multiplayer, one player's mistake can doom the entire team. Between the timer, shared death limits, and hidden health information, the series can feel like one of the hardest to enter.

Abrupt Spikes and Restarts

Jak 2 is a classic example of a sequel that ramped up difficulty too quickly. The first game, Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, was an inviting 3D platformer. Its sequel added guns, a Grand Theft Auto-like mission structure, timers, and strange conditions. Many missions require near-perfect execution under pressure. The leap in difficulty is so abrupt that some fans of the original felt alienated. It is still a cool and more mature game, but the spike is hard to ignore.

Across these games, a pattern emerges. Difficulty can be thrilling when it respects the player's time. When mechanics erase progress, remove checkpoints, or force unnecessary restarts, the line between challenge and punishment becomes blurred. Yet for every player who walks away, another embraces the struggle. Perhaps that is the strange beauty of hard games in 2026: they are not meant for everyone, and that is exactly why they endure.

Summary Table

Game
Punishing Mechanic
Emotional Toll

Demon's Souls
Lost Souls on repeated death
Disheartenment and risk-reward tension

Hollow Knight: Silksong
Long boss run-backs
Fatigue

Death Stranding
Balance, package damage, BB stress
Overwhelm

Cuphead
No checkpoints and a useless Simple Mode
Frustration

Monster Hunter: World
Timers, group faint limits, hidden health bars
Group pressure

XCOM: Enemy Within
Permadeath
Loss of investment

Jak 2
Timed GTA-style missions
Abrupt difficulty spike

Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter
D-Counter leading to forced restarts
Restart loop exhaustion

The hardest games are not necessarily bad games. They simply ask players to adjust to rules that can feel unnecessarily rough. In an era where many titles smooth over every rough edge, these games stand out because they refuse to compromise. The question is not whether they are difficult, but whether that difficulty feels earned or forced.

That divide is personal. What feels unfair to one player might feel like a perfect test of skill to another. The only way to know is to actually sit down with a game and experience its systems firsthand, which means taking a chance on something that might not click. With new releases carrying higher price tags, that gamble becomes riskier than the in-game stakes ever were.

Fortunately, fewer players need to pay full price to find out whether a punishing challenge is worth their time. By keeping an eye on [PC game discounts]( anyone can pick up the titles from this list for a fraction of their launch cost. That turns the question of earned difficulty into a simple experiment, one where the main investment is patience rather than money.

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