How to Find and Beat Sprintmaster Swift in Hollow Knight: Silksong – Complete Racing Guide

Master the Fastest in Pharloom quest! Learn where to find Sprintmaster Swift in Far Fields, unlock secret racing techniques, and claim all three valuable rewards in Hollow Knight: Silksong.

Your First High-Speed Challenge Awaits

If you thought navigating Pharloom’s treacherous landscapes was tough, wait until you meet Sprintmaster Swift. This mysterious racer will push Hornet’s parkour abilities to their absolute limits in what might be the most exhilarating quest series in Hollow Knight: Silksong. The “Fastest in Pharloom” quest isn’t just about speed—it’s about precision, timing, and maybe a little clever rule-bending.

What Makes This Quest Special

The Sprintmaster Swift challenges stand out because they’re pure skill-based encounters. Unlike boss fights where you can rely on upgrades or specific strategies, these races strip everything down to raw platforming mastery. It’s Team Cherry’s way of celebrating the movement mechanics that made the original Hollow Knight so beloved.

Finding Sprintmaster Swift: Your Journey to Far Fields

Prerequisites You’ll Need

Before even thinking about racing, make sure you have:

• Silk Soar ability – This super jump skill is absolutely essential
• Access to Act 3 – The quest becomes available during this late-game period
• Patience – You’ll likely need multiple attempts to master each course

The Tricky Route to Far Fields

Here’s where things get interesting. Since this is an Act 3 quest, many of your usual shortcuts will be blocked off. You’ll need to take the scenic route:

Step 1: Start from Hunter’s March

• Access Hunter’s March through the Marrow (your only entry point at this stage)
• Head to the area with the notorious bench trap – you know the one!

Step 2: Find the Secret Passage

• Look for the statue near the bench area
• Use Silk Soar to reveal a hidden route above
• This opens a shortcut to a concealed Far Fields entrance

Step 3: Navigate to the Eastern Skull

• Once in Far Fields, head as far east as possible
• You’ll spot a distinctive skull formation you can enter
• Inside awaits your racing challenger

Pro tip: If you’re having trouble with the Silk Soar super jump mechanics, practice in safer areas first. The timing window is more forgiving than it initially appears.

Racing Strategy: Speed vs. Cunning

The Official Rules (And How to Bend Them)

Sprintmaster Swift’s races have one major restriction: no speed-boosting tools or items allowed. It’s meant to be a pure test of Hornet’s base abilities. However, the game doesn’t explicitly forbid certain… creative interpretations:

• Attack the Sprintmaster – Landing hits causes them to stutter momentarily
• Use your grappling hook – Hooking toward Swift can disrupt their rhythm
• Perfect your wall-jump timing – Clean transitions are everything

Movement Mastery Tips

The key to victory lies in fluid, uninterrupted motion:

Maintain Momentum

• Chain wall jumps without hesitation
• Use dash cancels to preserve speed through tight spaces
• Practice the rhythm of each course section

Study the Courses

• Each of the three races introduces new obstacles
• Learn where you can gain time and where you need to play it safe
• The third course is particularly unforgiving with its spike placements

Rewards Worth Racing For

What You’ll Earn

Each victory against Sprintmaster Swift nets you valuable progression items:

• First Race Victory: Rosary Necklace – Useful for rosary bead farming strategies
• Second Race Victory: Beast Shard – Essential for combat upgrades
• Third Race Victory: Mask Shard – Increases your health pool permanently

These aren’t just trophy items—they’re genuinely useful for tackling Silksong’s endgame challenges.

Why This Quest Matters

Beyond the rewards, the Sprintmaster Swift races serve as an excellent skill check. If you can master these courses, you’re well-prepared for the precision platforming required in Act 3’s ultimate endgame content. Think of it as Team Cherry’s way of ensuring you’re ready for what’s coming.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Rushing the Early Sections Many players burn through their silk energy too quickly. Pace yourself—you’ll need every bit of movement ability for the final stretches.

Ignoring the Environment Each course has environmental cues that telegraph upcoming obstacles. Learn to read these signals rather than memorizing exact timing.

Getting Frustrated These races are meant to be challenging. If you’re struggling, take breaks and practice your wall jump and cling grip techniques in other areas.

Platform Availability

Ready to test your skills? Hollow Knight: Silksong will be available across multiple platforms:

• Steam
• Nintendo Switch
• PlayStation
• Xbox

Ending Note

The Sprintmaster Swift questline represents everything great about Silksong’s design philosophy. It rewards mastery, encourages creative problem-solving, and provides meaningful progression rewards. Whether you’re a speedrunning enthusiast or just someone who appreciates tight game design, these races offer something special.

Remember: winning isn’t just about being fast—it’s about being smart, smooth, and maybe just a little bit sneaky. Good luck, and may your silk energy never run dry!

Need help with other challenging aspects of your Pharloom journey? Check out our complete beginners guide or learn about essential early game quests to set yourself up for success.