Master the Alchemist’s Assistant quest in Hollow Knight Silksong with our complete guide. Find all 3 Plasmium locations in Wormways and unlock the powerful Plasmium Phial tool.
TL;DR
Find Alchemist Zylotol in Wormways, equip the Needle Phial, and collect 3 Plasmium buds: one directly below the alchemist, one deep in the lower tunnels, and one behind a breakable wall in a hidden western section. Complete the quest to earn the Plasmium Phial – a powerful tool that grants 3 temporary health masks for boss fights.
The Alchemist’s Assistant quest in Hollow Knight: Silksong might seem straightforward at first, but navigating Wormways’ twisted tunnels to find three specific Plasmium nodes can quickly become a frustrating maze run. Having completed this quest multiple times, I can tell you it’s absolutely worth the effort – the reward completely changes how you approach difficult encounters.
What makes this quest particularly interesting is how it teaches players about Silksong’s tool system while rewarding thorough exploration. Unlike some fetch quests that feel like busywork, collecting Plasmium actually enhances your understanding of the area’s layout and prepares you for future challenges.
Starting the Alchemist’s Assistant Quest
Finding Alchemist Zylotol
Location: Wormways
Requirement: Access to Wormways area
Alchemist Zylotol can be found in the upper sections of Wormways, easily identifiable by his distinctive laboratory setup. When you approach him as Hornet, he’ll explain his research into Plasmium and request your assistance in collecting samples from the surrounding area.
Quest Briefing: Zylotol needs three Plasmium samples for his “scientific research” but doesn’t provide specific locations – classic mysterious alchemist behavior! This is where your exploration skills come into play.
Essential Setup: Equipping the Needle Phial
Before you can extract any Plasmium, you must equip the Needle Phial in your Tools slot. Conveniently, there’s a bench right next to Alchemist Zylotol, making this setup process seamless.
Important: Without the Needle Phial equipped, you cannot interact with Plasmium nodes at all. Many players miss this crucial step and waste time wondering why the blue glowing nodes aren’t responding.
All 3 Plasmium Locations in Wormways
Plasmium Location #1: Directly Below the Alchemist
Difficulty: Easy
Notable Features: Close to quest giver, straightforward route
This first location serves as a tutorial for the extraction process:
- Exit right from Alchemist Zylotol’s position
- Drop down to the level below
- Turn left and use Wall Climb to navigate above the spike pit
- Head left again to drop down into the alcove
- Extract Plasmium by holding the Tool activation key near the blue glowing node
Pro tip: This location familiarizes you with the Needle Phial’s extraction animation, which takes a few seconds to complete. Make sure you’re not under pressure from enemies when extracting.
Plasmium Location #2: Deep Wormways Tunnels
Difficulty: Intermediate
Notable Features: Multiple drops, requires careful navigation
The second Plasmium node takes you deep into Wormways’ bowels:
- From the first node, head left and drop to the platform below
- Jump left and take the downward passage
- Drop to the left platform, then head right for another descent
- Go right and drop again, then turn left for a drop with spike pits
- Drop down to the right to find the moss-covered tunnel
- Follow the tunnel to locate the second Plasmium node
Navigation tip: Wormways can be disorienting with its similar-looking passages. Mental mapping becomes crucial here – remember key landmarks like the spike pits and distinctive tunnel entrances.
Plasmium Location #3: Hidden Western Section
Difficulty: Advanced
Notable Features: Breakable wall, hidden alcove, requires backtracking skills
The final Plasmium proves most challenging to locate:
- From the second node, head left and use Wall Climb to backtrack
- Locate the spike pit to the left of the first falling sandworm
- Use Wall Climb to cross the spike pit safely
- Jump across the left gap and continue heading west
- Find the drop point and fall while moving left mid-air
- Locate the breakable stone wall in the hidden alcove
- Break the wall and follow the tunnel to the final Plasmium node
Hidden secret: This breakable wall is easy to miss if you’re not actively looking for it. The alcove appears unremarkable until you notice the slightly different wall texture.
Quest Completion and Rewards
The Plasmium Phial Tool
Reward: Plasmium Phial
Function: Temporarily increases health by 3 masks
Usage: 3 active charges, 20 reserve charges
Return to Alchemist Zylotol with all three Plasmium samples to receive the Plasmium Phial – one of Silksong’s most valuable tools for challenging encounters.
Understanding the Plasmium Phial Mechanics
Active Charges:
- Provides up to 3 temporary health masks
- Automatically refills from reserves when resting at benches
- Consumes Shell Shards during refill process
Reserve Management:
- Starts with 20 reserve charges
- Zylotol refills reserves for 50 Rosaries (flat rate)
- Consider this an investment in your survival capabilities
Strategic Applications:
- Essential for boss fights where extra health makes the difference
- Invaluable during challenging exploration sequences
- Perfect for attempting Steel Soul mode runs
Advanced Tips for Plasmium Collection
Efficient Route Planning:
- Clear the area of enemies first for safe extraction
- Mark bench locations for quick Tool slot changes
- Consider combining with other Wormways exploration
Combat Considerations:
- Wormways contains several aggressive enemy types
- The extraction process leaves you vulnerable for several seconds
- Plan your approach to each node carefully
Resource Management:
- Stock up on Shell Shards before starting
- The Plasmium Phial’s refill cost makes resource planning crucial
- Consider this quest part of your overall early game progression
Why This Quest Matters
The Alchemist’s Assistant quest represents more than just a simple fetch mission. It introduces players to:
- Tool slot management and situational equipment changes
- Advanced navigation through complex area layouts
- Resource economics with the Rosary refill system
- Strategic health management for difficult encounters
Successfully completing this quest often marks a player’s transition from basic exploration to advanced tactical gameplay. The Plasmium Phial becomes a cornerstone tool for tackling Silksong’s most challenging content.
Preparing for What’s Next
With the Plasmium Phial in hand, you’re ready to tackle more ambitious challenges. Consider exploring other demanding areas like Greymoor or attempting more complex quests that benefit from additional health reserves.
Download Silksong:
The Alchemist’s Assistant quest perfectly embodies Silksong’s design philosophy: rewarding thorough exploration with tools that fundamentally enhance your capabilities. Master this quest, and you’ll have both a powerful new tool and the navigation skills needed for the challenges ahead.
