Hollow Knight: Silksong – Beginner’s Guide and Tips for New Players

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Welcome to our comprehensive beginner’s guide for Hollow Knight: Silksong, the long-awaited follow-up to the acclaimed Hollow Knight. Released on September 4, 2025, Silksong continues the Metroidvania tradition while introducing new mechanics, challenges, and tools designed to elevate the gameplay experience. If you’re about to play it for the first time, this guide will help you understand the core mechanics, avoid common mistakes, and make the most of your journey as Hornet.

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Story and Context

In Silksong, you step into the role of Hornet, a lethal hunter captured and transported to a distant, mysterious kingdom. Your ultimate goal is to ascend to the kingdom’s peak, a dramatic reversal from Hollow Knight, which focused on descending into Hollow Nest. Hornet must battle foes, seek allies, and solve mysteries in diverse locations such as mossy grottos, coral forests, and shining citadels. Along the way, she will encounter strange inhabitants, uncover shocking secrets, and solve ancient mysteries in a kingdom full of wonders.

One notable rival, Lace, repeatedly challenges Hornet throughout her journey. Agile and acrobatic, Lace and her group aim to prevent Hornet from reaching the peak, adding both narrative tension and combat challenges.

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Core Gameplay Mechanics

Healing – Binding
Silksong introduces the binding mechanic, Hornet’s new healing system. Instead of the traditional health recovery, Hornet generates silk by dealing damage to enemies. This silk can then be spent to heal, restoring multiple health points at once. However, healing can be interrupted if Hornet is struck mid-bind, so timing is crucial.

Tools and Skills
Hornet has access to a wide variety of tools, which function similarly to sub-weapons in classic Metroidvanias. Tools consume a limited resource called shell shards and can be crafted or replenished. Skills, often tied to the crest system, require silk to use and include abilities like the storm AoE attack, needle pulls, and dashes. These skills enhance combat versatility and mobility.

Crest System
Replacing the charm system from the original game, the crest system allows players to equip a single crest that modifies Hornet’s abilities. Red crests improve offensive tools, while blue and yellow crests offer passive or utility-based enhancements. Crests can influence damage output, healing efficiency, and even unlock new abilities. Experimenting with different crests is essential for developing effective combat strategies.

Movement and Platforming
Hornet’s movement has become more acrobatic, featuring extended hang time, tumbling attacks, and a new mantling mechanic that allows her to grab edges and pull herself up. Tools and skills can also be used for movement, such as bouncing off sting shards or pulling Hornet toward aerial targets with the needle. These options give the player more flexibility in combat and exploration.

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Common Beginner Mistakes and Tips

1. Overusing Silk for Healing – Silk is a limited resource generated by dealing damage. Avoid using it excessively for healing; focus on timing binds during safer moments to avoid wasted resources.
2. Ignoring Tool Variety – Different tools excel in various situations. Beginners often stick to one tool, limiting their combat options. Experiment with multiple tools to find the best combination for each encounter.
3. Skipping Crests – Equipping crests modifies Hornet’s abilities significantly. Failing to experiment can make combat unnecessarily difficult. Swap crests based on enemies or areas for optimal performance.
4. Missing Health and Skill Upgrades – Look out for mass shards and hidden materials for needle upgrades and health expansion. Not collecting these early can make future sections of the game more challenging.
5. Neglecting Exploration – Some areas are initially inaccessible without specific movement abilities. Remember these locations and return later once you acquire new skills to fully explore the kingdom.

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Map, Travel, and Progression

The map in Silksong follows a similar layout to the original game, revealing areas gradually as you explore. While you won’t rely on the exact same map characters as in Hollow Knight, villages and quest boards provide guidance and optional objectives. The bellbeast system allows for fast travel between key points, replacing the previous stag system.

Currency, called rosaries, can be collected from enemies and spent on tools, upgrades, and other items, adding an extra layer of resource management. Progression involves upgrading Hornet’s needle, unlocking new skills via crests, and acquiring new tools, allowing access to previously unreachable areas.

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Combat Tips

• Adapt and Experiment – With over 40 unique bosses, Silksong emphasizes adaptability. Adjust your crests, tools, and skill usage to counter different enemy strategies.
• Observe Enemy Patterns – Many bosses have complex movesets. Take time to learn patterns before attacking aggressively.
• Use Environment – Some tools interact with the environment, such as bouncing off spikes or using ranged tools for mobility. Incorporating terrain into your combat strategy improves efficiency and survivability.

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Final Advice

The most important tip for beginners is to take your time. Explore the kingdom at your own pace, experiment with tools and crests, and enjoy the art, music, and atmosphere that make Silksong a unique experience. Post-launch updates are likely to add additional content, boss fights, and challenges, keeping the game fresh and engaging even after completion.

Remember, Hollow Knight: Silksong rewards patience, experimentation, and curiosity. Whether you’re a veteran Metroidvania fan or new to the genre, this guide should help you navigate the kingdom safely and efficiently, setting you up for an unforgettable adventure.

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