Best Beginner Tips for Silksong

Fans of “Hollow Knight” have eagerly anticipated the release of “Silksong” for quite a while now, and it’s fair to say that the buzz surrounding this game has attracted many new players. Unlike its predecessor, “Silksong” represents an evolution of the Metroidvania gameplay style seen in “Hollow Knight,” but even experienced genre veterans might find themselves needing guidance to navigate through the game effectively.

Regardless if you’re a devoted fan of Hollow Knight or brand new to the game, Silksong proves challenging. This guide shares essential beginner advice for Silksong, covering everything from mastering Hornet’s playstyle to understanding the distinction between Rosaries and Shell Shards, as well as other useful tips to ease players on their adventure through Pharloom.

Learn Hornet’s Unique Movement Style

Get Used to Hornet’s Jump Distance & Platforming

In comparison to the movement mechanics in Hollow Knight, Hornet in Silksong exhibits a more agile and acrobatic style. This might require both new players and fans of Hollow Knight to adapt slightly as they get accustomed to controlling Hornet. For instance, those familiar with Hollow Knight will need to learn how to handle Hornet’s diagonal down attack during mid-air maneuvers, instead of the Knight’s straight down attack.

To begin with the game, it might be beneficial to spend a few moments adjusting your controls and getting accustomed to how Hornet responds to different commands.

Familiarizing yourself with the distance Hornet leaps using long and short jumps, the angle of her dive attacks, and the reach of her Needle for striking enemies will make navigating the world of Pharloom seem less intimidating and more comfortable.

Bind Works in Mid-Air

Dodge & Heal at the Same Time

One difference between “Hollow Knight” and something not explicitly clarified within the game is Hornet’s capacity to retrieve masks even when mid-air. In “Silksong,” the Bind ability takes over from the Focus spell in “Hollow Knight.” Although they essentially serve similar functions, the Bind ability operates slightly differently.

Bind is particularly useful during combat, as it can be employed even while Hornet is airborne and evading opponents. The catch, though, is that Bind consumes your entire Silk meter to restore Masks, whether you’re healing a single Mask or up to three. To use Bind effectively, ensure your Silk gauge is fully charged beforehand. Unlike in the previous game, Bind activates as soon as you press the designated input, not when it’s held down continuously.

In the game “Hollow Knight”, the character, being the Knight, can discover Masks when his SOUL meter isn’t completely full. This alteration might require both veterans and novice players to adapt to a new playing style.

Buy a Map, Quill, & Compass

Map Markers Are Very Useful, But Not Necessary

Upon stepping into The Marrow, you’ll soon encounter Shakra, a character similar to Cornifer in Silksong. Equipped with rings, Shakra provides cartography services to Hornet. She offers various map-related items for sale, such as maps of nearby regions, a Quill, and a Compass.

As a seasoned movie critic, I can confidently say that navigating through the captivating world of Silksong becomes significantly smoother if you equip yourself with a few crucial items right from the start. Without a clear sense of direction, progress can be frustratingly elusive. Two indispensable tools are available for 90 Rosaries collectively: the Map and the Detailed Map. The Quill, which retails for 50 Rosaries, is another essential item that you’ll want to have on hand. Lastly, the Compass, priced at 70 Rosaries, should not be overlooked. These items will provide the guidance necessary to traverse the enchanting landscapes of Silksong with ease and confidence.

In my exploration of The Marrow, I found this charming character named ‘she.’ At first, I needed to return to her location only after amassing a sufficient number of Rosaries. However, as my story progressed past a particular milestone, she started appearing frequently across various game zones. Moreover, she began offering me new maps that unveiled hidden areas in Pharloom.

Equip Tools at Benches

You Can Only Equip Items While Resting

In the game “Silksong,” a compass functions as an item that can be equipped. Unlike regular items, this compass can only be switched in or out when you are seated at a bench. This yellow tool will display your location on the map only when it is equipped. Therefore, after purchasing the compass, you need to locate a bench to refresh and visualize Hornet’s position on your map.

As a devoted cinephile delving into the captivating world of ‘Silksong’, I’ve noticed an intriguing pattern: when you stumble upon an item that can be worn, you’ll need to make your way back to a workbench to wield it effectively. However, a fascinating rule comes into play – you’re only allowed to equip one tool per slot within your Crest. It’s essential to remember this, as two tools, like the Shard Pendant and Compass (both being yellow Tools), cannot occupy the same starting Crest layout due to this restriction.

Rosaries are Currency, Shards are for Crafting

Spend Rosaries, Craft With Shards

In the fictional world of Silksong, there are two primary forms of currency: Rosaries and Shell Shards. Pilgrims highly regard Rosaries, which are red beads they use during their ascent to the summit of Pharloom. On the other hand, Shell Shards serve as materials for crafting various items.

In the beginning stages of the game ‘Silksong’, you won’t be able to utilize Shell Shards right away, but it’s advisable to gather them as soon as possible. Doing so will expand your gameplay choices further down the line.

In the game Silksong, Rosaries function as the primary form of currency that most vendors accept for their merchandise. You can obtain Rosaries from multiple sources such as defeating regular enemies, finding Rosary caches, or gathering Rosary strings.

Stay Aggressive To Stagger Bosses

Don’t Run Away, Get Right Up In Their Face

In the game ‘Silksong’, a key strategy that players should remember is to consistently be offensive. By rapidly executing attacks one after another, you can fill up a boss’ Stagger gauge more quickly. When a boss is staggered, Hornet has a short window of opportunity either to land several hits or bind for healing her Masks.

If you choose to avoid direct encounters with the boss and adopt a defensive strategy, you may find the battles more challenging since you won’t inflict as many stunning attacks. Some bosses are entirely immune to stuns, but even in those cases, it’s generally more effective to approach them aggressively rather than cautiously.

As you grow accustomed to the rhythm of battle, you’ll move gracefully around opponents, skillfully dodging their assaults while landing strikes of your own.

Pay Attention To NPC Dialogue

NPCs Divulge Important Information About Progression & Areas

Neglecting dialogue, particularly in Metroidvania games such as Hollow Knight, is one of the key mistakes to avoid. While some players might not be interested in the game’s lore and narrative, it’s essential to remember that critical information about progression and location often gets shared through conversations with NPCs (Non-Player Characters) in Silksong or similar games.

Upon your initial encounter with Flick the Fixer in Bone Bottom, he’ll introduce you to Wish boards – think of them as notice boards where tasks are posted by Hornet. If you engage with him, he’ll inform you that you should revisit Bone Bottom later during the game to obtain quests related to this location.

Look For Breakable Walls To Find Secrets

Find Rosaries, Items, & More Hidden Behind Breakable Walls

A distinctive feature of games in the Metroidvania genre, such as Hollow Knight and Silksong, is hidden walls that appear like regular terrain. While navigating through Silksong, you may encounter breakable walls. To confirm if they’re secretive, use your Needle and listen for a loud crackling sound along with observing the wall’s texture trembling. If you hear this, continue hitting the wall to uncover a hidden area.

In simpler terms, these concealed spots frequently hold Rosary stashes, overlooked items, stealthy Flea locations, or other significant hidden treasures and shortcuts. If a wall appears suspicious, give it a whack with your Needle, as you might discover something interesting hidden within a secret area behind it.

2025-09-04 21:53