Get Ready for Hollow Knight: Silksong with These Essential Tips

Silksong can be quite the challenge, so a beginner’s guide is definitely a good idea. It’s widely accepted that this game is tough—some players thrive on the challenge, while others find it frustrating. Hornet’s adventure through Pharloom starts off brutal and only escalates from there, which can be a turn-off for many.

That’s unfortunate because Hollow Knight: Silksong is a stunning game filled with beautiful art, quirky characters, exhilarating boss battles, and much more. As someone who dove into it right from the start, I didn’t have much guidance during the tougher sections, so I’m here to share essential tips for newcomers picking up their needle for the first time—especially with Silksong available on Game Pass, many will be trying it out over the winter holidays. While it may never be a walk in the park, I can help make your experience a bit smoother.

Did you know that reaching Silksong Act 3 isn’t just optional but also quite challenging? If you don’t meet specific conditions, the game ends after Act 2, meaning you’ll miss out on a significant portion of the adventure!

As a metroidvania, navigating Pharloom can be just as perilous as facing off against enemies. There were times I found myself lost in a maze of twisting tunnels, going in circles while traps and minor foes whittled away my health. Having the full Silksong map can really help with that, giving you a reference point even if you haven’t unlocked it in-game. Now that you know where to go, it’s time to figure out what to do! Our general Silksong tips cover gameplay nuances that usually require a few respawns, plus we have solid suggestions on where to start your exploration in the initial tunnels.

Here are some early challenges you’ll face:

Initially, you’ll be confined to a small section of the expansive map until you acquire new powers that let you explore further. A complete list of Silksong abilities and where to find them is available, along with specific guides for some of the major ones.

Beyond that, you’ll need to focus on upgrading your character. Silksong needle upgrades and Pale Oil are crucial for boosting your base damage, while Mask Shards enhance your maximum health, allowing you to withstand more hits.

And remember, you don’t want to be a poor bug! There are two types of currency in Silksong, both vital for different purposes. Shell Shards are used for certain projects, quests, and as ammo for your tools, while Rosaries serve as a universal currency for purchasing items, upgrades, and checkpoints throughout the game. To ensure you never run low on cash, check out our guide on Rosary farming.

Once you start getting the hang of things, there are countless areas to explore, many of which are optional! Here are a few key locations, both mandatory and optional, along with what you need to know about them.

Put your skills to the test as you explore:

Silksong is packed with bosses, nearly 50 in total. While I won’t cover all of them, here are six of the most challenging early-game bosses you’ll likely want some assistance with in the first act:

– Moorwing
– Skull Ant
– Savage Beastfly
– Sister Splinter
– Widow
– Last Judge