What is the Hidden Hunter Quest in Silksong?
Among the challenging Grand Hunt quests that appear in Act 3 of Hollow Knight: Silksong, the Hidden Hunter stands out as a masterclass in tracking and environmental storytelling. This isn’t just another boss fight – it’s a detective story where Hornet must follow a trail of clues to uncover one of Pharloom’s most dangerous outcasts.
The quest exemplifies Silksong’s mature approach to side content, weaving narrative threads through multiple areas while testing your mastery of late-game abilities. When Bellhart’s Wishwall reveals this Grand Hunt after reaching Act 3, you’re not just accepting another task – you’re embarking on a journey that will take you from the industrial depths of Deep Docks to the elevated plains of Far Fields.
Hidden Hunter Quest Requirements and Prerequisites
Quest Classification: Grand Hunt (High Difficulty) Prerequisites: Act 3 access, Silk Soar ability Reward: Mask Shard (Essential for maximum health) Location: Upper Far Fields (Silk Soar-gated area) Boss: Gurr the Outcast
This quest represents more than just a challenging encounter – it’s a test of your exploration skills, combat mastery, and ability to piece together environmental clues. The reward of a crucial Mask Shard makes this hunt essential for players pursuing maximum health or the Masked achievement.
How to Start the Hidden Hunter Quest – Talk to Bellhart
After progressing into Act 3, visit Bellhart to discover new opportunities on the Wishwall. The Hidden Hunter quest description immediately sets a mysterious tone – someone has stolen Gilly’s precious keepsake near the Bellshrine between Deep Docks and Far Fields. This geographical clue becomes your first lead in what evolves into a cross-region investigation.
The quest’s presentation as a Grand Hunt signals that you’re not tracking an ordinary thief. The danger rating suggests a formidable opponent who’s evaded capture through cunning rather than just strength. This sets appropriate expectations for the challenging encounter ahead.
Following the Trail: Environmental Clues and Tracking
Starting Point: Far Fields Bellshrine Begin your investigation at the Bellshrine positioned between Deep Docks and Far Fields. This transition area serves as more than just fast travel – it’s a crime scene where careful observation reveals the first traces of your quarry.
Search the vicinity thoroughly for track markers that indicate the thief’s escape route. These environmental clues demonstrate Silksong’s attention to visual storytelling, where the world itself narrates events without relying solely on dialogue or text dumps.
How to Reach Upper Far Fields in Hollow Knight Silksong
Critical Requirement: Silk Soar Mastery The Hidden Hunter’s lair lies in Far Fields’ elevated regions, accessible only through the Silk Soar super jump ability. This gating mechanism ensures players have the necessary movement tools to handle the area’s challenges and the subsequent boss encounter.
Route Option 1: Hunter’s March Ascension If you haven’t previously explored upper Far Fields:
- Travel to the Marrow (Act 3 restricts other Hunter’s March access points)
- Navigate through Hunter’s March to reach the statue area
- Use Silk Soar at the march’s terminus to access the bridge into upper Far Fields
- Follow the immediate track markers that appear upon arrival
Route Option 2: Pilgrim’s Rest Shortcut For players who’ve already accessed upper Far Fields (perhaps during the Sprintmaster racing quest):
- Use the established Pilgrim’s Rest passage for direct access
- Proceed to the tracking portion of the quest without additional navigation
Tracking Gurr the Outcast – Traps and Hidden Paths
Once in upper Far Fields, the Hidden Hunter quest transforms into an environmental puzzle. The trail consists of:
Visual Track Markers: Follow these carefully placed clues that guide you deeper into the hunter’s territory. Each marker tells part of the story while building tension toward the inevitable confrontation.
Trap Indicators: As you progress, the trail reveals increasingly sophisticated traps. These aren’t just obstacles – they’re insights into your opponent’s tactical mindset and preparation level.
The Final Snare: The trail culminates in an elaborate trap designed to capture pursuers. Rather than avoiding it, you must deliberately trigger this mechanism to reach Gurr’s hidden lair. This inversion of typical trap mechanics creates a memorable story moment.
Gurr the Outcast Boss Fight Strategy
Meet Your Quarry: Understanding Gurr Gurr the Outcast represents a unique boss archetype in Silksong – a territorial hunter who’s mastered environmental manipulation. Unlike straightforward combat encounters, this fight emphasizes patience, positioning, and pattern recognition over aggressive offense.
Combat Characteristics:
- Predictable Movement Patterns: Gurr follows consistent routes, making positioning strategies viable
- Spike Trail Generation: Leaves dangerous terrain modifications that persist throughout the fight
- Environmental Control: Uses the arena’s layout to create tactical advantages
- Mobility Advantage: Moves freely while restricting player movement through spike placement
Winning Strategy Framework:
Phase 1: Pattern Learning
- Observe Gurr’s movement routes without committing to attacks
- Note spike placement patterns and safe positioning zones
- Identify attack windows that don’t compromise future positioning
Phase 2: Controlled Engagement
- Strike only when certain of escape routes
- Prioritize safety over damage optimization
- Use Gurr’s predictable patterns to plan multi-hit sequences
Phase 3: Spike Management
- Navigate around accumulated spike obstacles
- Use environmental knowledge to maintain mobility advantage
- Focus on consistent, safe damage rather than risky burst attempts
Advanced Tactics:
- Gurr’s spike trails can actually be used to your advantage by creating barriers that limit his movement options
- The boss’s territorial nature means he’ll often return to specific areas, allowing for prepared ambushes
- Patient players can gradually clear areas of spikes while maintaining pressure
How to Recover Gilly’s Keepsake
After defeating Gurr the Outcast, search the left side of the battle arena to locate Gilly’s Keepsake – the stolen Grass Doll that started this entire investigation. This moment provides narrative closure while serving as proof of your successful hunt.
The Grass Doll itself represents more than just a quest item – it’s a tangible connection to Pharloom’s inhabitants and their personal stories. Recovering it transforms the quest from a simple boss fight into a meaningful act of justice and community service.
Returning to Bellhart – Quest Completion Rewards
Final Steps:
- Travel back to Bellhart with the recovered Grass Doll
- Present the keepsake to complete the Hidden Hunter quest
- Receive your Mask Shard reward and recognition as a successful hunter
The completion ceremony at Bellhart provides satisfying closure to your investigation while advancing your character progression. The Mask Shard reward significantly impacts your survivability for remaining challenges.
Hidden Hunter Quest Impact on Silksong Progression
Character Development Benefits:
- Health Increase: The Mask Shard reward directly improves survival capabilities
- Combat Confidence: Success against Gurr builds skills for future challenging encounters
- Exploration Mastery: The quest reinforces environmental observation and navigation skills
Narrative Significance: The Hidden Hunter quest exemplifies Silksong’s approach to meaningful side content. Rather than arbitrary fetch quests, this hunt weaves character development, environmental storytelling, and mechanical challenge into a cohesive experience that enriches the overall journey.
Advanced Tips for the Hidden Hunter Quest
Preparation Recommendations:
- Complete the quest early in Act 3 for maximum health benefit throughout remaining content
- Practice Silk Soar navigation in safer areas before attempting the Hunter’s March ascension
- Consider combining with other upper Far Fields objectives to maximize travel efficiency
Combat Preparation:
- Review healing mechanics before engaging Gurr
- Ensure adequate silk reserves for potential escape options
- Practice patience-based combat strategies if you typically favor aggressive approaches
Grand Hunt Quest Chain – What Comes Next?
The Hidden Hunter represents one of several Grand Hunt quests available in Act 3. Success here builds toward:
- Enhanced combat reputation that may influence future quest availability
- Mask Shard collection progress contributing to the Masked achievement
- Narrative development that enriches understanding of Pharloom’s hidden dangers
Consider this quest as part of a broader exploration strategy that includes other challenging late-game content like the Savage Beastfly rematch and various Act 3 progression challenges.
Upper Far Fields Secrets and Exploration
With access to upper Far Fields established through this quest, consider exploring additional content in the area:
- Sprintmaster Swift challenges for racing enthusiasts
- Hidden collectibles that reward thorough exploration
- Environmental storytelling that expands Pharloom’s lore
The Silk Soar ability that gates this area opens numerous exploration opportunities beyond just the Hidden Hunter quest.
Is the Hidden Hunter Quest Worth Completing?
The Hidden Hunter quest represents Silksong at its storytelling and mechanical best. From the initial investigation through the climactic boss encounter to the satisfying resolution, every element serves both narrative purpose and gameplay development.
Gurr the Outcast may be defeated, but the skills you’ve developed – environmental observation, patient combat strategies, and advanced navigation techniques – will serve you well throughout the remainder of your journey through Pharloom’s most dangerous regions.
Ready to begin your own hunt? Start your adventure on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox. For more information, visit the official Silksong website.
The Hidden Hunter awaits, and Gilly’s keepsake needs returning. Will you answer the call?
