The Moss Mother is your first mid-boss in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Here’s how to defeat her and what to watch out for during the fight.
In Hollow Knight: Silksong, you’ll encounter your first minor mid-boss fairly early on, testing your reflexes and timing. The so-called Moss Mother is located in the Chapel. The battle follows clear attack patterns that are easy to learn – but you’ll still need to stay sharp, as her strikes become faster as the fight goes on. In this guide, we’ll show you how to take down the Moss Mother safely.
- Hollow Knight: Silksong also runs on Steam Deck. Check out our guide with the best Steam Deck games to see which other blockbusters are compatible.
How to Reach the Moss Mother
Once you’ve arrived in the Chapel, you’ll need to climb over rocks and stone slabs with Hornet. Afterward, you’ll see an entrance blocked by overgrown plants. Cut them down to reach a dense green chamber. Shortly after entering, the Moss Mother appears and the battle begins.
Hollow Knight: Silksong – Moss Mother Attack Patterns
1. Opening Stab
The Moss Mother almost always starts with a forward stab attack.
- Jump into the air right before impact to dodge it.
- Use the brief opening afterward for two quick hits. Don’t stay too close – her hitbox is larger than you might think!
2. Falling Rocks
Right after that, three large rocks will fall from the ceiling.
- You can spot the impact zones by the dust clouds that appear moments before.
- Stand exactly between the marked spots – that’s where you’re safe.
3. Pattern Repeat
After the first moves, the Moss Mother repeats her attack cycle:
- She slides her stinger along the ground.
- Soon after, rocks fall again.
- Then she becomes staggered for a short time – that’s your chance to land several hits!
Additional Enemies During the Fight
Once the Moss Mother’s health drops, she starts summoning smaller enemies.
- Stay focused and don’t waste too much time on them.
- Wait for more rocks to fall – they often crush the adds on their own.
- Instead, use the time to prepare for her next weakness phase and dodge the stab attack with precision.
After surviving several cycles and consistently striking back, the Moss Mother will eventually fall. Once defeated, a door on the left side opens, leading you to the next area.
Quick Tips
- Dodge the stab by jumping and counter with two hits.
- Stand between dust markers to avoid falling rocks.
- Exploit stagger phases to land multiple strikes.
- Ignore most small adds – rocks usually take care of them.
