Alright, Hollow Knight Silksong is finally here, and it’s just as tough as we hoped. But man, it can be a lot to handle when you’re just diving in. That’s why we put together this Ultimate Starter Guide to help you get the hang of things early on and gear up for what’s coming.
This guide’s got you covered on the basics—movement, exploration, combat, you name it. Basically, it’s everything you need to know to kick things off in Hollow Knight Silksong without losing your mind.
Move and Heal
Hornet’s way more nimble than the Knight from the first game, and you’ve gotta lean into that to stay alive. One cool trick is moving while healing. You can heal in midair, which is a lifesaver during intense boss fights. Jump up, use Bind to patch yourself up, and avoid those ground-hugging bosses.
Get Used to Diagonal Pogo
Speaking of Hornet’s agility, you really need to nail her Pogo move to get far. It’s a downward attack that lets you bounce off enemies or platforms, but it comes at a tricky 45-degree angle. You’ll need to get a feel for that diagonal path to tackle some of the harder platforming sections.
Acquire a Map and a Compass Early
Silksong’s a metroidvania, so getting lost is part of the deal. The starting area, Mosslands, isn’t too bad, but things get wild once you move past it. To avoid a headache, grab a Map and Compass from Shakra ASAP. The map gives you a rough layout of the level, and the compass shows where you are. Together, they’ll keep you from wandering aimlessly.
Farm Rosaries
Rosaries are the currency in Silksong, just like Geo in the first game. You’ll need them for all sorts of stuff, like the Map and Compass. Every vendor wants Rosaries, so you’ll want to stock up. The best spot to farm them early on is right at the start of Mosshome—grind there and you’re set.
Hit Every Wall
As a true metroidvania, Silksong’s packed with secrets. You might not find them all on your first go, and that’s fine. Make it a habit to smack every wall, barrel, or random object you see. Sometimes a wall breaks open to reveal a hidden path or a shiny item stashed in a barrel. Don’t skip anything, no matter how small it looks.
Unlock the Benches
This game doesn’t mess around with difficulty, and long runbacks to bosses can be brutal. Benches are your checkpoints, like bonfires, where you can save and heal. Problem is, most of them need Rosaries to unlock. Keep at least 100 Rosaries on you at all times so you can pop open any bench you find. It’ll make those boss retries way less painful.
Equip Tools
Silksong gives you a bunch of tools to explore the fallen kingdom, and you’ll need them, especially later on. To equip them, hit up a bench and press the Tools button. You can swap tools in and out depending on what the level throws at you, so choose wisely.
Manage Your Silk Efficiently
Silk is your most precious resource—it powers your healing and special abilities. Check the battery-like icon in the top left to see how much you’ve got. You’ll need to decide whether to use it for healing or attacks. Since enemies hit hard (we’re talking 2 mask damage), lean toward healing to stay alive.
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