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Silksong is a tough game, so a beginner’s guide to help you get started can be useful. It’s fair to say that it’s a challenging game—some players enjoy the difficulty, while others find it more like an endless grind. Either way, Hornet’s adventure through Pharloom starts off punishing and only gets tougher as you progress. For many, the game’s brutality can be enough to turn them away.
That’s unfortunate because Hollow Knight: Silksong is a beautiful game with stunning artwork, amusing characters, exciting boss battles, and much more. When I started playing, I had no help to get me through the hardest parts, so I want to share some tips for newcomers—especially now that Silksong is available on Game Pass, and many will be giving it a try during the winter holidays. The game won’t ever be easy, but I can make the experience a bit smoother for you.
The basics
Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find there are many places to explore—though a lot of the map is optional. A helpful feature is the Silksong map, which can prevent you from getting lost in tunnels filled with traps and small enemies that chip away at your health. Even without unlocking it, you’ll have a reference point for where you are, preventing frustration.
Now that you have a sense of where to go, it’s time to learn what to do. For general gameplay tips, check out our Silksong guide that covers all the mechanics and where to find important upgrades. Also, some key early areas include:
- Mossberries: Collect these to get an early buff from a potion-maker, which can give you an advantage.
- Bell Beast: An early boss fight that blocks fast travel; defeating it is key to progressing.
- Fleas: Part of a side quest; capturing and returning them can reward you with a special item.
- Hokers and Spine Cores: Completing a specific side quest involving these can be challenging but rewarding.
Core abilities and powers
At first, your map will be limited, and you’ll only be able to navigate a small part of Pharloom. Eventually, you’ll earn new powers that unlock the rest of the map. For a complete list of abilities and where to find them, check out this detailed guide. To strengthen your character, consider upgrading your needle with Pale Oil, which boosts your damage, and collecting Mask Shards to increase your health and survivability.
You’ll also need currency to buy upgrades and items. Shell Shards are used for some upgrades and tools, while Rosaries serve as a universal currency to buy items, checkpoints, and upgrades across the game. Our guide to farming Rosaries can help you keep your inventory stocked.
Where to go and how to get there
As you become more experienced, you’ll find numerous locations to explore, many of which are optional. Some notable areas include:
- Hunter’s March: A dangerous early-game zone filled with Red Ants, but worth exploring for the loot and new moves.
- Bellhart: A town initially cursed, which becomes an important hub after you free it.
- The Slab and The Apostate Key: You might get kidnapped to this prison zone, which requires a jailbreak to escape, with valuable rewards for finding the key.
- Blasted Steps: A challenging platformer area that leads to the final boss of Act 1. Passing through it is necessary to complete the act.
- Bilewater: One of the toughest zones, with navigation tricky even for experienced players.
- The Mist: A confusing, shadowy realm where you’ll need to solve puzzles to escape.
Bosses
The game features nearly 50 bosses in total. While I won’t cover every one, here are six early bosses that can be particularly challenging in the first act:
Silksong heavily emphasizes boss fights, so preparing for tough battles is essential. Many of these can be overcome with the right strategies and upgrades, making your journey much smoother.
Remember, patience and practice are key in Silksong. With the right approach, you’ll improve your skills, discover hidden secrets, and enjoy this gorgeous world. Good luck!
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