Master Hollow Knight: Silksong with these essential beginner tips. Learn Hornet’s combat, understand currencies, find secrets, and avoid common mistakes that trip up new players.
Don’t Let Pharloom Overwhelm You – Master These Fundamentals First
Hollow Knight Silksong has finally arrived, and whether you’re a veteran of the original or completely new to Team Cherry’s world, this sequel will challenge everything you think you know about Metroidvania games.
After spending dozens of hours with Hornet’s adventure, I’ve identified the core skills and knowledge that separate struggling players from those who thrive in Pharloom.
These aren’t just basic mechanics – they’re the foundational strategies that will determine whether you bounce off Silksong in frustration or fall in love with one of 2025’s most rewarding gaming experiences.
Tip 1: Relearn Movement Completely (Yes, Even Hollow Knight Veterans)
Hornet Isn’t the Knight – Embrace the Difference
The biggest mistake I see players make is trying to play Hornet like the Knight from the original game. Hornet moves with completely different physics and timing, and fighting this will only frustrate you.
Key differences to master:
- Diagonal downward strikes instead of straight-down pogo attacks
- Longer, more acrobatic jump arcs that require different spacing
- Faster overall movement that rewards aggressive positioning
- Different attack ranges that change your optimal combat distance
Practice drill: Spend 15-20 minutes in the early Moss Grotto area just moving around. Jump between platforms, attack enemies from different angles, and get a feel for Hornet’s momentum. Don’t rush to progress – this investment pays massive dividends later.
Pro insight: Hornet’s movement is designed around flowing between attacks and evasion. Once you stop trying to replicate Hollow Knight’s more deliberate pace, Silksong’s combat becomes incredibly satisfying.
Tip 2: Master Mid-Air Healing (It’s a Game-Changer)
Bind Anywhere, Anytime – But Understand the Trade-offs
This is probably the most important mechanical difference from Hollow Knight, and the game barely explains it. Hornet can heal (Bind) while airborne, which fundamentally changes how you approach both exploration and combat.
Critical details most players miss:
- Bind uses your ENTIRE Silk meter regardless of how much health you need
- Timing is instant – no charging required like Focus in Hollow Knight
- Works during jumps, dashes, and even while falling
- Can be combined with movement for hit-and-run healing tactics
Strategic applications:
- Heal while jumping over boss attacks
- Top off health during platform sequences without stopping
- Escape dangerous situations while recovering health
- Maintain combat pressure without retreating to safe spots
Resource management tip: Since Bind consumes your full Silk meter, timing your healing becomes crucial. Don’t waste a full meter to heal one mask when you could wait and heal multiple masks for the same cost.
Tip 3: Invest in Navigation Tools Immediately (They’re Worth Every Rosary)
Your Map System is Your Lifeline
Unlike many modern games, Silksong doesn’t hand you a functional map system. You’ll need to buy and equip the right tools, and this investment should be your top priority after basic survival needs.
Essential purchases from Shakra:
- Area Maps (90 Rosaries total) – Shows room layouts and connections
- Quill (50 Rosaries) – Auto-updates your map as you explore
- Compass (70 Rosaries) – Displays your current location
Total cost: 210 Rosaries – sounds expensive, but absolutely essential.
Money-saving strategies:
- Break every suspicious wall you find (they often hide Rosary stashes)
- Thoroughly explore before buying – many early areas contain hidden caches
- Prioritize the Compass first if you’re short on funds
- Remember that early investment in navigation saves hours of backtracking
Hidden value: The psychological benefit of knowing where you are cannot be overstated. Players without proper maps often quit in frustration, while those with full navigation tools tend to stick with the game long-term.
Tip 4: Understand Tool Equipment (Avoid Common Beginner Frustrations)
Bench-Only Equipment Changes Everything
Silksong’s Tool system works differently than you might expect, and misunderstanding it leads to unnecessary frustration.
Core mechanics:
- Tools can only be equipped at benches – no mid-exploration swapping
- Color-coded slots prevent certain combinations (you can’t equip two yellow Tools simultaneously with the starting Crest)
- The Compass is a Tool that must be equipped to show your map position
- Planning ahead becomes crucial for longer exploration sessions
Strategic implications:
- Plan your Tool loadout before leaving a bench
- Consider the area you’re exploring when choosing Tools
- Don’t forget to equip newly purchased items (especially the Compass)
- Some areas may require specific Tool combinations
Beginner trap to avoid: Buying the Compass but forgetting to equip it at a bench, then wondering why your map doesn’t show your location.
Related Article: Your First 2 Hours in Hollow Knight: Silksong – Essential Beginner’s Roadmap
Tip 5: Learn the Currency System (Two Types, Very Different Uses)
Rosaries vs. Shell Shards – Know When to Spend What
Silksong uses a dual-currency system that confuses many newcomers. Understanding these currencies prevents resource waste and planning mistakes.
Rosaries (Red Prayer Beads):
- Primary spending currency for most vendors
- Immediate utility – buy maps, tools, keys, upgrades
- Readily available from enemies, exploration, and caches
- Spend freely on essential items like navigation tools
Shell Shards (Crafting Materials):
- Crafting currency for advanced equipment (unlocked later)
- Limited early availability but becomes more common
- Hoard early since you can’t use them immediately
- Don’t stress about finding them initially
Resource priority for beginners:
- Navigation tools (Rosaries)
- Health/defense upgrades (Rosaries)
- Exploration tools like Simple Keys (Rosaries)
- Everything else comes later
Advanced tip: Once crafting unlocks, Shell Shards often provide better value than Rosary purchases for certain upgrade types.
Tip 6: Stay Aggressive in Combat (Especially Against Bosses)
Passive Play Makes Silksong Harder, Not Easier
This tip contradicts most players’ instincts, but aggressive combat is actually safer in Silksong than defensive play.
Why aggression works:
- Stagger system rewards sustained pressure on enemies
- Staggered enemies become vulnerable to free damage or healing opportunities
- Defensive players face longer fights with more chances for mistakes
- Hornet’s kit is designed around maintaining offensive pressure
Practical aggression strategies:
- Stay close to bosses instead of backing away
- Chain attacks together rather than single hits
- Use Bind healing during boss staggers, not when hiding
- Learn attack patterns to dodge while maintaining pressure
Mental reframing: Think of defense as “aggressive positioning” rather than “running away.” You’re not avoiding the fight – you’re choosing better angles of attack.
Caution balance: Aggression doesn’t mean reckless. Learn when enemies are vulnerable and strike decisively during those windows.
Tip 7: Treat NPCs as Your Strategy Guide
Dialogue Contains Crucial Gameplay Information
In the age of online guides, many players skip NPC conversations. In Silksong, this is a critical mistake that leads to missed opportunities and confusion.
What NPCs actually tell you:
- Quest system explanations (like Wishwalls from Flick the Fixer)
- Area-specific hints about secrets and progression routes
- Mechanical tutorials for systems the game doesn’t directly explain
- Lore context that makes exploration more meaningful
Practical examples:
- Flick explains Wishwalls, preventing confusion about quest boards
- Merchants hint at what their currencies are used for
- Pilgrims provide clues about area layouts and hidden paths
- Boss NPCs sometimes reveal attack pattern hints
Time investment: Reading dialogue takes maybe 30 seconds per NPC but can save hours of confusion later.
Pro tip: If you’re stuck on where to go next, revisit recent NPCs. They often provide direction hints that aren’t obvious on first reading.
Bonus Tip: Master the Art of Wall-Breaking
Every Suspicious Surface is Worth Testing
Silksong hides an enormous amount of content behind breakable walls, and developing an eye for these secrets dramatically improves your experience.
Audio cues to listen for:
- Hollow/different sound when striking walls
- Cracking noises indicate breakable surfaces
- Texture changes or visual inconsistencies
Common hiding spots:
- Dead-end corridors (often continue beyond fake walls)
- Areas with unusual geometry or spacing
- Walls adjacent to valuable items or save points
- Corners and intersections between different room types
What you’ll find:
- Rosary caches for funding upgrades
- Hidden Flea locations for collection quests
- Shortcut routes that bypass difficult areas
- Secret areas with unique rewards
Your Silksong Foundation is Complete
These seven tips address the most common stumbling blocks for new Silksong players. Master these fundamentals and you’ll have the tools to tackle everything Pharloom throws at you.
Quick review checklist:
- ✅ Spent time learning Hornet’s unique movement
- ✅ Practiced mid-air Binding for combat healing
- ✅ Invested in full navigation tools (maps, quill, compass)
- ✅ Understood Tool equipment limitations and planning
- ✅ Learned the difference between Rosaries and Shell Shards
- ✅ Adopted aggressive combat mindset
- ✅ Started paying attention to NPC dialogue
- ✅ Developed instincts for finding secret walls
With these foundations solid, you’re ready to explore Pharloom with confidence. The game will still challenge you – that’s the point – but you’ll have the knowledge and skills to overcome those challenges rather than being defeated by basic misunderstandings.
Welcome to Silksong. The silk and song of Pharloom are waiting for you to master them.
Also Check: Can’t Download Hollow Knight: Silksong? Here’s How to Actually Get the Game
