Hollow Knight: Silksong – Crest Guide and How to Chose Best Builds

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Hollow Knight: Silksong introduces players to a more dynamic and customizable combat system with the addition of Crests, a feature that changes Hornet’s moveset and enhances gameplay strategies. Whether you are a first-time player or returning from the original Hollow Knight, understanding how Crests work is crucial to mastering Silksong and progressing efficiently through the world of Pharloom. In this guide, we’ll take you step by step through all Crest types, how to unlock them, upgrade them, and create the best builds for each phase of the game.

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What Are Crests?

Crests are special pieces of equipment that allow Hornet to change her moveset, giving her unique abilities and altering the way she attacks. They don’t just change combat; Crests also dictate which tools you can equip, how many slots are available for offensive, defensive, and utility tools, and how you can approach encounters with enemies and bosses.

Crests can expand your combat options significantly: some allow long-range attacks, others enable heavy slashes, and some even interact with Silk Skills to create powerful combos. Essentially, your choice of Crest will shape Hornet’s style of play and define your experience in Silksong.

Crests Lets You Equip Tools

Aside from allowing the player to change their moveset, Crests are also needed to use your tools. Each crests have a different number of slots in which you slot in your tools to use them.

The type of slots you can equip tools with also changes depending on the crest you have.

What are Tools ?

• Tools are trinkets you can equip, offering Hornet modifiers and activated abilities in Hollow Knight: Silksong. See a list of Tools, their effects, and how to get them!

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How to Unlock and Upgrade Crests

Unlocking Crests

• Hunter Crest – Available by default at the start of the game. It allows Hornet to stalk prey and perform lethal strikes. Ideal for beginners to get familiar with combat basics.
• Wanderer Crest – Found in Bonegrave, west of Moss Grotto. Requires a Simple Key to access. This crest provides short, precise strikes and removes the angled dive attack from the normal Crest, making pogoing easier. Perfect for early-game navigation in Hunters March and Greymoor.
• Reaper Crest – Obtained at the Chapel of the Reaper in Greymoor. Provides heavy, arcing slashes and reaps additional Silk from enemies. Recommended for mid-game when you want to spam powerful Silk-based skills like Thread Storm.
• Beast Crest – Earned by defeating the Savage Beastfly boss in the Hunter’s March area. Allows wild fury attacks and life-stealing abilities.
• Architect Crest – Acquired by buying the Architect’s Key from the Twelfth Architect and unlocking the gate above her room. Lets you spin the needle like a screw and craft tools rapidly using Silk.
• Witch and Shaman Crests – Locations and unlock conditions TBD, but these Crests offer sweeping and empowered Silk abilities for specialized builds.

Upgrading Crests

Crests have limited slots initially, restricting the number of tools Hornet can equip. To expand these slots, you will need Memory Lockets, collectible items found in the world or available through merchants. Unlocking additional slots allows for greater flexibility and the ability to equip more tools simultaneously, adapting Hornet to tougher encounters and complex combat situations.

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Best Crest Builds For Each Game Phases

Early Game: Wanderer Crest

Recommended Skills and Tools:

• Skill: Silkspear
• Red Slot Tool: String Shard
• Yellow Slot Tools: Magnetite Brooch, Compass

The Wanderer Crest is ideal for players starting out. By removing the angled dive attack, it allows easy pogoing, letting you chain attacks from above enemies without difficulty. For veterans returning from the first Hollow Knight, this crest offers a familiar moveset that mirrors the Knight’s combat style.

Tips for Beginners:

• Use the Wandering Crest to practice pogoing on enemies and platforms.
• Explore Hunters March and Greymoor slowly to collect items and Mask Shards without risk.
• Avoid rushing fights; this Crest favors precise, measured attacks.

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Mid Game: Reaper Crest

Recommended Skills and Tools:

• Skill: Silkspear
• Red Slot Tool: String Shard
• Blue Slot Tool: Fractured Mask
• Yellow Slot Tool: Weighted Belt

The Reaper Crest is best for players entering the mid-game phase. This Crest allows Hornet to gain more Silk from enemies, enabling frequent use of powerful skills like Thread Storm. Although attacks are slower than the Wanderer Crest, they have increased range and knockback, ideal for crowd control or tougher bosses.

Tips for Mid-Game Players:

• Experiment with combining Reaper Crest skills with tools for maximum effect.
• Use the Fractured Mask to enhance survivability during boss fights.
• The Weighted Belt is excellent for stabilizing combat when dealing with multiple enemies at once.

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List of All Crests

Crest	How to Get	Details
Hunter Crest	Available by default at the very start of the game.	Stalk prey and attack with lethal strikes.
Reaper Crest	Obtained at the Chapel of the Reaper at Greymoor. You can find the chapel far west of the Halfway Home.	Attack with heavy, arcing slashes and reap additional Silk from enemies.
Wanderer Crest	Found in the Bonegrave in the area west of Moss Grotto. You’ll need a Simple Key to unlock the area.	Cut swiftly and numbly with short, precise strikes.
Beast Crest	Obtained by defeating the Savage Beastfly boss inside the Beast Chapel of The Hunter’s March area.	Tear foes with savage slashes. Bind to enter a wild fury and steal life from prey.
Witch Crest	TBD	Whip the needle in sweeping swings. Leech the life of foes through twisted roots.
Architect Crest	Obtained by purchasing the Architect’s Key from the Twelfth Architect and unlocking the gate above her room.	Spin the needle as a screw, shredding foes. Spend Silk to rapidly craft new tools.
Shaman Crest	TBD	Cast the blade forward and empower Silk Skills with powerful runes.

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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Not Changing Crests for Each Phase:
   Many players stick to one Crest for too long, limiting potential. Switch Crests based on enemy types and area challenges for optimal performance.
2. Ignoring Tool Slots:
   Each Crest has different slots for tools. Failing to equip the best combination can make fights harder than necessary. Always review your Crest’s slots before entering a new area.
3. Underutilizing Silk Skills:
   Skills cost Silk, but dealing damage regenerates it. Don’t hesitate to use powerful abilities when you have sufficient Silk, especially with Reaper or Beast Crests.
4. Skipping Memory Lockets:
   Memory Lockets unlock more Crest slots. Missing these collectibles will limit your ability to equip multiple tools and adapt your strategy.

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Tips for First-Time Players

• Experiment Early: Try different Crests to find what feels comfortable for your playstyle. Some players prefer fast and precise strikes, others enjoy slower but more powerful attacks.
• Observe Enemy Patterns: Certain Crests synergize better with specific enemy behaviors. Use the right Crest against bosses to maximize efficiency.
• Manage Silk Wisely: Use Silk for healing, skills, and movement strategically. Don’t waste it on unnecessary attacks.
• Explore Thoroughly: Hidden crests, Memory Lockets, and tools are scattered throughout Pharloom. Always investigate new areas for upgrades.

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Conclusion

Mastering Crests in Hollow Knight: Silksong is key to progressing efficiently through Pharloom. By understanding what each Crest does, upgrading slots with Memory Lockets, and experimenting with skills and tools, players can fully customize Hornet’s combat style. Start with the Wanderer Crest for a smooth early-game experience, then transition to the Reaper Crest for mid-game dominance. Avoid common mistakes, utilize Silk efficiently, and adapt to each area’s challenges to ensure your journey to the top of Silksong’s deadly kingdom is as smooth as possible.

With these strategies, first-time players and returning veterans alike will be ready to face the bosses and mysteries of Silksong with confidence.

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