Learn how to unlock the Cling Grip wall jump ability in Hollow Knight Silksong. Complete step-by-step guide to finding this crucial skill in Shellwood, including boss fight tips and navigation help.
Why Wall Jumping Changes Everything in Silksong
If you’ve been exploring Pharloom and hitting those frustrating dead ends where you can almost reach that tempting ledge, you’re probably ready for one of Silksong’s most game-changing abilities. The Cling Grip skill – Silksong’s version of wall jumping – doesn’t just open up new areas; it completely transforms how you navigate the interconnected world of this Metroidvania masterpiece.
Unlike the original Hollow Knight where wall jumping felt more situational, Hornet’s Cling Grip becomes an essential part of your movement toolkit. Once you have it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. Trust me, those vertical shafts that seemed impossible before will become your new favorite shortcuts.
What You Need to Know Before Starting
Before we dive into the step-by-step process, here’s what you should have ready:
- Completed Greymoor and Bellhart areas – The Cling Grip is located in Shellwood, which comes after these regions
- Basic familiarity with bouncing mechanics – You’ll be using those white flowers extensively
- Patience for a boss fight – Sister Splinter guards this ability, so come prepared
- Consider grabbing some upgrades first – Check out our HP and Silk upgrade guide to make the journey easier
Step-by-Step Guide to Unlocking Cling Grip
Starting Point: Shellwood Eastern Bench
Begin your journey from either the Bellhart exit or the Shellwood eastern bench. The key here is to stay on the lower paths initially – don’t get tempted by upper routes just yet.
Pro Tip: If you’re coming from Bellhart, take a moment to familiarize yourself with Shellwood’s layout using our maps and navigation guide. This area can be confusing on your first visit.
The White Flower Highway
As you progress through lower Shellwood, you’ll encounter those distinctive white flowers that act as bounce pads. Before reaching the bench that leads to Bone Bottom, start your ascent using these flowers. Think of them as nature’s elevators – they’re surprisingly forgiving once you get the timing down.
The trick with white flowers is to maintain your momentum. Don’t overthink the bounces; let Hornet’s natural agility carry you upward.
The Critical Fork in the Road
Once you reach the top area, you’ll face an important decision:
- If you haven’t unlocked the Bellway yet: Head left first to grab this fast travel point. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later when you need to return to this area quickly. Our fast travel Bellways guide has more details on why these are so crucial.
- If the Bellway is already active: Go right to continue toward your goal.
Navigating the Water Chamber
Moving right, you’ll enter a chamber filled with water and more white flowers. This is actually a multi-purpose room – if you’ve started the Pollip Hearts quest, you can grab one of the collectibles here while passing through.
The water doesn’t slow you down significantly, but be mindful of your positioning when bouncing off the flowers. The timing feels slightly different when you’re partially submerged.
The Bench Strategy
When you reach the bench room, resist the urge to immediately rest. I know it’s tempting – benches in Silksong feel like safe havens – but there’s a strategic reason to hold off.
Continue past the bench and look for an elevator mechanism. This creates a shortcut back to the bench that you’ll appreciate later, especially after the upcoming boss fight.
Preparing for Sister Splinter
Once you’ve mapped out your escape route, return to the bench to prepare. Sister Splinter isn’t the toughest boss in Silksong, but she’s no pushover either. Here’s what you should do:
- Rest and heal completely
- Update your map – This helps with navigation after the fight
- Consider your tool loadout – Make sure you have your preferred combat setup
If you’re struggling with boss fights in general, our essential beginner tips cover combat strategies that work across multiple encounters.
The Sister Splinter Encounter
Head back up and continue right until you see ascending platforms. The Sister Splinter fight takes place in a fairly standard boss arena, but here are some quick tips:
- Stay mobile – Her attacks have decent range but are telegraphed
- Use your needle’s reach – You don’t need to get too close
- Watch for pattern changes – Like most Silksong bosses, she shifts tactics as her health drops
After defeating Sister Splinter, head left to return toward the skill room.
The Final Navigation Puzzle
This is where many players get turned around. From the boss area, you need to descend slightly to find a leftward path. When you hit what seems like a dead end on the left, don’t panic – head back up to access the western chamber.
The western chamber requires you to circle around to reach the upper section. Think of it as a spiral staircase made of platforms. Take your time here; there’s no rush once the boss is defeated.
Claiming Your Prize
After exiting through the upper route of the western chamber, you’ll see the Cling Grip skill floating across a gap. Make that final jump and claim your reward!
Mastering Your New Ability
Now that you have Cling Grip, here’s how to use it effectively:
Basic Wall Jumping: Leap toward any vertical wall, then keep pressing the jump button to ascend. It’s that simple, but the applications are endless.
Advanced Tips:
- You can change direction mid-climb by jumping away from the wall and immediately clinging to the opposite side
- Combine with your dash ability for extended horizontal distance
- Use it defensively in boss fights – many arenas have climbable walls
What Opens Up Next
With Cling Grip unlocked, you now have access to:
- Previously unreachable areas throughout Pharloom
- New shortcuts that make backtracking much more efficient
- Vertical exploration opportunities in every major area
- Better positioning options during boss fights
Consider revisiting earlier areas with your new mobility. You might discover secrets you walked past before, or find more efficient routes for challenge runs.
Planning Your Next Moves
Now that you’re significantly more mobile, it’s a great time to tackle some of the game’s optional content. Consider checking out our guides for Memory Locket expansions or hunting down Mossberry locations that were previously out of reach.
The Cling Grip represents a major milestone in your Silksong journey. You’re no longer just exploring horizontally – the entire vertical dimension of Pharloom is now your playground. Get ready to see familiar areas from completely new perspectives!
Ready to start your adventure? Download Hollow Knight Silksong from Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch and experience this incredible movement upgrade for yourself.
