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“Hollow Knight: Silksong” has many tough areas that can test players in different ways, and Bilewater is one of the toughest because of its very dangerous environment. Luckily, once you get through Bilewater, there’s little reason to return, except for some side quests. Defeating Graol there frees you from its decayed waste.
The traps and pools of Muckmaggots in Bilewater make the challenge even more frustrating between attempts. However, finding a hidden bench can significantly cut down your retry time—more than halving it. Instead of starting from the Bell Beast fast-travel point, you can unlock this hidden bench located in one of the lower caves of Bilewater.
It’s also possible to reach Graol without getting infected by Muckroaches. But since timing is critical and the boss fight takes place in a specific area, it’s worth investing in the Wreath of Purity found in the Putrified Ducts. While it may not be useful everywhere, the extra safety it provides is helpful, especially if you have an extra tool slot available.
When preparing to fight Graol, tools that can hit multiple times, such as the Threefold Pin, Conchcutter, or Sting Shard, are very effective. Because Graol is large, these weapons allow you to hit him multiple times with each attack, making it easier to stay at a safe distance during his powerful moves.
How to Beat Graol the Great
One of the more annoying parts of fighting Graol is that you first face waves of enemies before the boss fight begins. Since you’ve likely encountered most of these enemies already, using area-of-effect tools, the Thread Storm ability, and some patience can help you finish this phase quickly.
Aside from those enemies, the fight room has hazards like the water filled with maggots and swinging spike traps. These spikes can be avoided simply by jumping over them or standing on the platforms on the sides of the room.
To defeat Graol, pay close attention to his attack cues. A common attack involves spitting explosive acid blobs that explode after a delay, but you can usually dodge these and use the wide areas of the arena to get in close and do damage when he’s vulnerable.
Using defensive tools can also help. The Warding Bell grants temporary invulnerability during healing, and the Plasmium Vial provides extra masks—both useful during this tough fight.
The biggest danger comes from Graol’s size and his inhaling attack. It’s important not to get greedy and to dash away if he stops shooting projectiles for a while. While jumping and floating away quickly is easy, it increases the risk of being sucked in for damage and missing your chance to counterattack.
Another good opportunity for damage occurs when Graol uses his spirit blast attack, which is very strong. You can avoid it by pointing it toward the ground and then jumping on your pogo to attack safely from above.
By watching for Graol’s signals before each move, avoiding the swinging spikes, and playing carefully, you can weaken Graol and escape his brutal runback faster.
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