Hollow Knight: Silksong is gorgeous to look at, but it doesn’t go easy on you. To keep you from getting stuck and frustrated in Pharloom, we’ve gathered a set of must-know tips to make your adventure smoother.
You’ve made it to Pharloom and now face a vast, hostile world that’s going to test you at every step. Hollow Knight: Silksong might look familiar, but in many ways it plays very differently than the original. Hornet is faster, more agile, and demands a far more offensive approach. On top of that, new systems around healing, currency, and exploration can easily catch newcomers off guard.
The following tips will give you a solid start, help you avoid the most common mistakes, and let you uncover Pharloom piece by piece – without getting stuck on the first bosses or tricky platform sections.
Get Comfortable with Hornet’s Playstyle
Hornet handles very differently from the Knight. Her strikes are quicker, cover more distance, and include diagonal downward stabs. Take time to practice – the “pogo” attack in particular is crucial for both combat and movement.
Her downward strike is angled instead of straight down like the Knight’s, which requires more precision. But it’s also more versatile – useful for both offense and reaching awkward platforms.
Play on the Offensive
Hornet’s kit rewards aggression. Don’t turtle up – attack from different angles. It makes fights shorter and often easier. Against the Bellbeast, for example, every opening matters. Instead of waiting, mix melee and ranged attacks to stay on the offensive and save precious time.
Use Healing Strategically
Healing with Hornet takes longer than it did with the Knight and uses up your entire Silk bar, but it restores three masks at once. Save it for safe moments – like right after a boss’s predictable attack string or when the arena clears briefly. Be careful though: healing at the wrong time wastes Silk and leaves you vulnerable. Hornet can take damage – or even die – mid-heal.
Heal Smart While Airborne
Triggering a heal midair keeps Hornet floating for a moment. This lets you dodge AoE attacks or ground traps – a trick many players overlook. It’s especially useful against fast, mobile enemies like the shieldbearer in the Deep Docks.
Don’t Forget the Silk Cocoon
Instead of leaving behind a Shade, Hornet drops a cocoon when she dies. Collect it to recover your Rosary Beads (currency). On top of that, it fully refills your Silk gauge – a huge help in boss fights. The cocoon always spawns exactly where you fell.
If you can’t reach it safely, fire a ranged attack at the cocoon to claim your resources from a distance.
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Invest in Safety
Buy storage items for your Rosary Beads as soon as you can. If you die twice without recovering your cocoon, you’ll lose everything. Storing beads eliminates that risk and spares you a lot of frustration later.
Parry and Deflect Projectiles
Hornet can not only parry attacks but also knock projectiles back at enemies. The game doesn’t really explain this – so practice the timing. It’s invaluable against bosses and flying enemies that hurl objects at you. Block and return them for extra damage.
Buy Maps from Shakra
Whenever you enter a new area, find the cartographer Shakra. She sells you maps and useful pins, along with the quill you’ll need to fill in details yourself. An absolute must-have if you don’t want to get lost. Always grab the add-ons too – they show your current position and mark unexplored paths. Without them, the map is just a rough sketch.
- Pro tip: You’ll know Shakra is nearby when you hear her singing.
Don’t Get Stuck in Tough Areas
Silksong lets you enter zones that are technically meant for later. If you keep dying there, don’t waste time – come back once you’ve upgraded your health masks and abilities. Upgrades become available after freeing Bellhart. Once that quest is done, Plinney will sharpen your needle for free the first time. After that, upgrades cost beads.
Get the Upgraded Cape
A specific upgrade lets Hornet glide and ride air currents upward. This makes platforming sections much easier and unlocks new paths. Prioritize this quest early – you’ll find it in the Wide Fields, inside a hut on the far eastern side of the map.
Look for Shortcuts and Hidden Paths
Keep your eyes open in Pharloom: cracked walls, hidden passages, and switches often lead to shortcuts and secret routes. These not only save you from long backtracking but often reward you with bonus items. Make sure to open gates as well – early on, for instance, you can unlock the Gate for the pilgrims to create a direct route into the next region.
- Warning: Some walls explode or spit lava after a hit – so keep a safe distance just in case.
