Starting your journey in Hollow Knight: Silksong? You’ve probably stumbled across some mysterious purple berries during your early exploration of Moss Grotto. Don’t worry if you’re confused about what these Mossberries do—most players initially overlook them, only to realize later they’re key items for an important early-game quest.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the Berry Picking quest, from finding the quirky Moss Druid who wants them to tracking down all three berry locations. Plus, I’ll share some helpful tips I wish I’d known during my first playthrough.
What’s the Deal with Mossberries?
Think of Mossberries as Silksong’s way of teaching you to pay attention to your surroundings. Unlike other collectibles that might seem optional, these purple gems are actually quest items that unlock a genuinely useful reward early in the game.
The quest itself is fairly straightforward: find three berries, deliver them to an eccentric NPC, get a helpful item in return. But the real value lies in what this quest teaches you about exploration and observation—skills you’ll need throughout the entire game.
Finding the Moss Druid: Your Quest Giver
Before you can officially start collecting berries, you need to meet the NPC who wants them. The Moss Druid isn’t hiding in Moss Grotto where you find the berries—instead, they’re set up shop in Bone Bottom, which is located on the left side of The Marrow area.
Pro tip: You’ll know you’re close when you hear distinctive cackling laughter echoing through the caves. It’s actually pretty atmospheric and adds to the mysterious vibe of meeting this character.
Look for a cave entrance in the upper-right section of Bone Bottom. Inside, you’ll find the Moss Druid stirring something bubbling in a large cauldron. Talk to them, and they’ll explain they need three Mossberries to complete their mysterious brew. In exchange, they promise you something that will help protect Hornet on her journey.
Beginner tip: Before heading out to collect berries, grab a map and compass if you haven’t already. Moss Grotto can feel confusing when you’re new, and having proper navigation tools makes the whole process much smoother.
Berry Location #1: The Ledge Route
Your first Mossberry is hiding in plain sight in Moss Grotto, but you need to take the high road to reach it.
Head to the leftmost area of Moss Grotto—this is likely one of the first rooms you explored when starting the game. Cross the river using the floating platforms, and you’ll reach a junction where you can either continue straight through the moss fields or climb up to a higher ledge.
Take the upper path. Jump between the platforms above the moss fields, and you’ll spot your first Mossberry waiting to be collected. It’s positioned perfectly to teach new players about using vertical space—a core skill in any Metroidvania.
Berry Location #2: The Pogo Challenge
The second berry introduces you to one of Silksong’s most important combat techniques: the aerial strike or “pogo” maneuver.
From your first berry location, drop down into the moss fields below and head right. You’ll encounter some hostile bugs here—good practice for combat basics. Work your way up the floating platforms on the right side, fighting enemies as you climb.
At the highest point, you’ll see a Mossberry that seems frustratingly out of reach. Here’s where the lesson comes in: there’s a flying enemy nearby that you can use as a stepping stone. Strike it from above (while airborne) to bounce higher—this is called “pogoing”—and you’ll gain just enough height to snag the berry.
Combat tip: If you’re struggling with the pogo timing, practice on some easier enemies first. This technique becomes crucial later in the game, so it’s worth mastering early.
Berry Location #3: The Hidden Cave
The final berry is cleverly hidden near the Moss Druid’s cave, making for a satisfying full-circle moment.
Right outside the Moss Druid’s cave in Bone Bottom, look for a crevice or gap you can drop down through. Fall to the ground level and head right, passing under the ledge where the cave entrance sits.
You’ll discover a secret cavern that’s easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. Inside lurks a flying enemy with something purple in its mouth—your third and final Mossberry. Defeat the bug to claim your prize.
Exploration tip: This hidden area demonstrates Silksong’s design philosophy of rewarding thorough exploration. Many secrets are tucked away in similar “obvious once you know” locations.
Your Reward: The Druid’s Eye
Return to the Moss Druid with all three berries, and they’ll complete their mysterious concoction. Your reward is the Druid’s Eye, an Amulet of Protection that’s actually quite useful for new players.
When equipped, the Druid’s Eye generates silk whenever Hornet takes damage from enemies. Since silk is used for many of Hornet’s abilities, this essentially turns damage into a resource—a forgiving mechanic that helps beginners who might take more hits while learning enemy patterns.
Strategy note: While experienced players might eventually replace this amulet with more aggressive options, it’s genuinely helpful during the early game when you’re still mastering combat basics.
Why This Quest Matters (Beyond the Reward)
The Berry Picking quest serves as more than just a simple fetch mission. It’s essentially Silksong’s way of teaching fundamental game concepts:
- Environmental awareness: Learning to spot important items in the world
- Vertical exploration: Understanding that Metroidvanias reward looking up and down, not just left and right
- Combat techniques: Introduction to pogoing, which becomes essential later
- Hidden areas: Training your eye to spot secret passages and concealed rooms
Many players rush through this quest just for the reward, but taking your time and understanding these lessons will serve you well throughout the entire game.
Final Thoughts
The Mossberry quest might seem like a minor side mission, but it’s actually a masterclass in game design. It introduces core mechanics naturally, rewards exploration, and provides a genuinely useful item—all while telling a charming little story about helping out a quirky forest dweller.
Take your time with this quest, especially if Silksong is your first Metroidvania. The skills you learn here—observation, creative problem-solving, and combat techniques—will become second nature by the time you’re facing the game’s tougher challenges.
For more beginner-friendly quest guides, check out our coverage of the Pilgrim’s Shawl and Garb quest or learn about important story decisions like whether you should free Grindle.
Ready to start your adventure? You can find Hollow Knight: Silksong on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox.
Happy berry hunting, and welcome to the beautiful, dangerous world of Hollow Knight: Silksong!
