10 Hollow Knight: Silksong Tips You Need To Know Before You Play

TL;DR

  • Master aerial healing techniques to avoid interruption during combat encounters
  • Prioritize map purchases and bench activation for efficient navigation and progression
  • Collect Mask Shards, Spool Fragments, and Pale Oil for essential character upgrades
  • Utilize pogo jumping and environmental scanning to discover hidden paths and shortcuts
  • Complete side quests and wishes to unlock additional content and save NPCs


GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

Preparing to dive into Hollow Knight: Silksong? This highly anticipated sequel from Team Cherry places you in control of Hornet, the formidable warrior now imprisoned within the mysterious Kingdom of Pharloom. Our comprehensive guide provides foundational knowledge and advanced techniques to enhance your adventure from the very beginning.

This guide is structured to progressively build your understanding. We begin with fundamental combat systems that dramatically impact early-game survival, then explore strategic movement and resource management concepts that separate successful explorers from those who struggle.

One critical survival technique that newcomers often overlook involves properly timing your healing abilities during combat scenarios. Here’s the essential breakdown:

  • Your Bind-based techniques consume Silk resource, displayed as a meter in the screen’s upper-left corner. Striking adversaries gradually fills this gauge with individual increments.
  • When the meter reaches capacity, you gain access to various skills, with healing spells being among the most vital.
  • However, the Bind Heal activation requires approximately two seconds to complete. If damaged during this channeling period, Hornet sustains injury and the resource is wasted without restoring health.
  • During engagements with terrestrial foes, we strongly advise leaping upward and initiating healing while airborne. Provided you evade attacks throughout the casting duration, you’ll successfully regenerate health points.
  • Be aware that special artifacts called Crests modify your Bind Heal’s properties and functionality. These items feature slots enabling equipment of offensive capabilities, supportive enhancements, and utility instruments.
  • Related guide:All Crest locations

    Collect Mask Shards, Spool Fragments, and Pale Oil

    Strategic resource gathering forms the backbone of your progression in Silksong. Three primary materials demand your attention: Mask Shards incrementally boost your maximum health pool, Spool Fragments expand your Silk resource capacity, and Pale Oil enhances your tool effectiveness. New players frequently underestimate how dramatically these upgrades impact late-game viability.

    Purchase maps as soon as you can

    Cartographic acquisition should remain among your top priorities upon entering new regions. Without accurate maps, navigation becomes exponentially more challenging and you’ll likely miss crucial landmarks and secret passages. Early investment in cartography pays substantial dividends throughout your journey.

    Rest on benches to recover health and save your game

    Bench utilization serves dual purposes: completely restoring your health reserves and creating permanent save points. Seasoned explorers activate every bench they encounter, establishing a network of safe locations that facilitate exploration and reduce frustration from unexpected defeats.

    Amass Rosaries and spend them on goodies

    The game’s currency system revolves around Rosaries, which you’ll accumulate by defeating enemies and discovering hidden caches. Wise expenditure involves prioritizing permanent upgrades over consumable items, as these provide lasting benefits throughout your entire playthrough.

    Unlock more fast travel points to help with exploration

    Transportation networks significantly reduce backtracking time. As you discover Stag Stations and other fast travel mechanisms, ensure you activate them immediately. This forward-thinking approach saves countless hours when navigating between distant regions later in your adventure.

    Acquire new abilities and traversal methods

    Hornet’s mobility evolves substantially throughout your expedition. New movement capabilities like wall climbing, aerial dashes, and specialized jumps gradually unlock, transforming previously inaccessible areas into explorable territory. Tracking down these abilities should form a central component of your exploration strategy.

    Master the art of pogo

    The pogo technique—striking downward while airborne to rebound off enemies and environmental hazards—represents one of Silksong’s most valuable combat and navigation techniques. Practice this maneuver extensively, as it enables access to secret areas and provides tactical advantages during boss encounters.

    Look for hidden paths and shortcuts

    Environmental scrutiny separates novice players from veterans. Subtle visual cues like cracked walls, unusual background elements, and out-of-reach platforms often conceal critical pathways. Develop a habit of systematically inspecting each new environment, as many of Silksong’s most valuable rewards hide behind seemingly ordinary scenery.

    Complete wishes to save denizens

    Side quests and character wishes provide more than additional narrative context. Completing these tasks frequently unlocks unique items, abilities, and areas that remain inaccessible through main story progression alone. Allocate time for these optional objectives, as they substantially enrich your overall experience.

    Use your Bind Heal when the coast is clear

    Returning to our healing discussion: environmental positioning dramatically influences your survival odds. Beyond aerial casting, consider utilizing elevated platforms, narrow corridors, or recently cleared areas when administering healing. Enemy attack patterns often feature blind spots that knowledgeable players can exploit for safe recovery opportunities.

    Action Checklist

    • Practice aerial healing against basic enemies to master timing and positioning
    • Purchase regional maps immediately upon discovering new cartographers
    • Activate every bench encountered to establish save points and health restoration locations
    • Collect 5 Mask Shards and 3 Spool Fragments within first 3 hours of gameplay
    • Master pogo technique by practicing on stationary enemies and environmental hazards

    No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » 10 Hollow Knight: Silksong Tips You Need To Know Before You Play Essential beginner strategies for mastering Hollow Knight: Silksong's combat, exploration, and progression systems