Learn how to find and use Memory Lockets in Hollow Knight Silksong to expand your Crests and unlock more Tool slots. Complete locations guide and strategic tips included.
The Crest system in Hollow Knight Silksong is absolutely game-changing – but only if you know how to unlock its full potential. Every Crest comes with tantalizingly locked Tool slots that seem just out of reach, and that’s where Memory Lockets become your best friend. These precious items are the key to transforming your modest starting loadout into a powerhouse configuration that can handle anything Pharloom throws at you.
What makes Memory Lockets so crucial isn’t just the extra slots they provide – it’s how they open up entirely new strategic possibilities. Suddenly, that perfect Tool combination you’ve been dreaming about becomes achievable, and your Crest stops feeling like a limitation and starts feeling like creative freedom.
🔓 Memory Locket Quick Reference (TL;DR)
Purpose: Unlock additional Tool slots on any equipped Crest Usage: Must be at a bench → Crest tab → highlight locked slot → hold Interact button Key locations: Hunter’s March (hidden), Pilgrim’s Rest (150 Rosaries from Mort) Strategic tip: Plan which slots to unlock based on your preferred Tool builds Color matching: Can only unlock slots that match your Tool colors
Pro tip: Check our beginner’s guide for Crest basics before diving into expansion strategies!
Understanding the Crest System: Why Memory Lockets Matter
Before we dive into finding and using Memory Lockets, let’s talk about why the Crest expansion system is so brilliant. Each Crest in Silksong has a unique socket layout with different colored slots – think of it as Silksong’s version of a skill tree, but way more flexible and visual.
The genius of locked slots: Every Crest comes with some slots already unlocked and others tantalizingly locked away. This creates natural progression goals and forces you to make strategic decisions about which slots to prioritize. Do you unlock that red slot for more combat Tools, or go for the yellow slot that enables utility builds?
Color coordination strategy: The color-matching requirement isn’t just a limitation – it’s a design choice that encourages diverse Tool experimentation. You can’t just stack all red combat Tools; you need to think about balance and synergy across different Tool categories.
Crest Varieties: Choosing Your Expansion Strategy
Understanding the different Crest socket arrangements is crucial for making smart Memory Locket investments. Each Crest caters to different playstyles and has unique expansion potential.
Hunter Crest: The Balanced Starter
The Hunter Crest is your starting configuration, and it’s designed to be well-rounded. With a balanced mix of red, yellow, and blue slots, it’s perfect for players who want to experiment with different Tool combinations without committing to a specific build.
Expansion strategy: The Hunter Crest benefits from unlocking slots of any color, making it forgiving for new players who aren’t sure about their preferred playstyle yet.
Beast Crest: The Red Powerhouse
The Beast Crest is almost exclusively red slots, making it a combat specialist’s dream. If you love aggressive, damage-focused builds, this is your endgame Crest.
Expansion priority: Focus on unlocking any remaining red slots first, but don’t ignore the occasional yellow slot – utility Tools can enhance even the most combat-focused builds.
Strategic insight: The Beast Crest’s design philosophy is “go big or go home.” When you unlock additional slots here, you’re doubling down on raw power and combat effectiveness.
Memory Locket Hunting: Where to Find These Treasures
Finding Memory Lockets requires the same thorough exploration mindset that makes collecting other upgrades so satisfying. These items are scattered throughout Pharloom, hidden in both obvious and sneaky locations.
Confirmed Memory Locket Locations
Hunter’s March Hidden Locket Location: Far right end of Hunter’s March, on the route to Chapel of the Beast Difficulty: Moderate exploration required Cost: Free (hidden collectible)
This locket is perfectly positioned for players who are naturally progressing through the game. It’s not too difficult to find, but it rewards players who take the time to explore thoroughly rather than rushing through areas. If you’re having trouble with the Hunter’s March area navigation, make sure you’re comfortable with the basic movement mechanics first.
Pilgrim’s Rest Merchant Locket Location: Pilgrim’s Rest, top of Far Fields Vendor: Mort Cost: 150 Rosaries (plus 30 Rosary entry fee) Accessibility: Must have Rosaries available
This represents Silksong’s merchant-based progression system. The high cost (180 Rosaries total) makes this a significant investment, but it’s guaranteed and doesn’t require complex platforming skills. If you’re working on Rosary collection, this should be a priority purchase.
General Hunting Strategies
Vendor Inventory Checks: Like many valuable items in Silksong, Memory Lockets occasionally appear in merchant inventories. Make it a habit to check every vendor you encounter, especially after major story progression events.
Thorough Area Exploration: Memory Lockets love hiding in out-of-the-way places. If you see a suspicious wall, a hidden passage, or a platform that requires creative movement to reach, investigate it. The navigation tools can help you identify areas you might have missed.
Quest Reward Potential: While not confirmed for every quest, some Memory Lockets might be rewards for completing challenging side missions. Keep an eye on quest opportunities as you explore.
Using Memory Lockets: The Expansion Process
The Memory Locket usage system is beautifully intuitive once you understand the mechanics. It’s designed to make you think strategically about each unlock rather than just automatically expanding whatever’s available.
Step-by-Step Usage Guide
1. Find a Bench You must be sitting at a bench to use Memory Lockets. This isn’t just a mechanical requirement – it encourages thoughtful decision-making by forcing you to pause and consider your choices in a safe space.
2. Access the Crest Tab Open your inventory and navigate to the Crest tab. This interface shows your currently equipped Crest along with all its slots – both unlocked and locked.
3. Scout Your Options Highlight each locked slot to preview what color it will unlock. This is crucial for planning your Tool builds. Don’t just unlock the first available slot – think about what Tools you want to equip and which slots will enable those combinations.
4. Commit to the Unlock When you’ve decided on a slot, hold down the Interact button (A on Xbox, X on PlayStation) while highlighting it. The Memory Locket will be consumed permanently, so make sure you’re confident in your choice.
Strategic Expansion Tips
Color Priority Planning: Before using any Memory Lockets, spend time with the Tool crafting system to understand what Tools you want to prioritize. This helps you unlock slots that actually support your intended build.
Build Flexibility: Consider unlocking slots that enable multiple different builds rather than hyper-specializing immediately. You might discover new Tool combinations that change your preferred playstyle.
Resource Management: Memory Lockets are precious and limited. Don’t rush to use them – take time to experiment with your current slot arrangement before committing to expansions.
Advanced Crest Strategy: Maximizing Your Slots
Once you understand the basics, Crest optimization becomes a fascinating strategic layer. The best players don’t just unlock slots randomly – they plan their expansions around specific build goals and playstyle preferences.
Build-Specific Expansion Strategies
Combat-Focused Builds If you prefer aggressive, damage-dealing approaches, prioritize red slot unlocks. However, don’t completely ignore yellow utility slots – they often contain Tools that enhance combat effectiveness indirectly.
Exploration Builds For players who love thorough exploration, yellow slots often contain traversal and utility Tools that make navigation challenges much more manageable.
Hybrid Approaches The most versatile builds balance combat, utility, and defensive options. This requires careful slot management across all colors.
Synergy Considerations
Tool Combinations: Some Tools work better together when slotted on the same Crest. Plan your slot unlocks to enable these powerful combinations.
Situational Flexibility: Consider unlocking slots that allow you to swap between different specialized builds for different areas or challenges.
Common Memory Locket Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Mistake #1: Random Slot Unlocking Don’t just unlock the first available slot. Take time to understand what each slot enables and how it fits your intended build.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Color Balance Even combat-focused builds benefit from some utility Tools. Don’t hyper-specialize to the point where you lose flexibility.
Mistake #3: Hoarding Lockets While Memory Lockets are precious, they’re meant to be used. Don’t hoard them out of fear – the game provides enough for meaningful progression.
Mistake #4: Not Experimenting First Before committing Memory Lockets to permanent unlocks, experiment thoroughly with your current slot arrangement. You might discover that your “ideal” build isn’t as appealing in practice.
Integration with Other Progression Systems
Memory Lockets work beautifully with Silksong’s other progression systems. Understanding these connections helps you optimize your overall character development.
Tool Synergy: Expanded Crests enable more complex Tool combinations that can dramatically change your gameplay experience.
Quest Integration: Some side quests become much more manageable with the right Tool loadouts enabled by expanded Crests.
Combat Evolution: As you face tougher enemies in areas like the Deep Docks, having more Tool slots can provide crucial tactical advantages.
Planning Your Crest Journey
The best approach to Memory Locket usage is methodical planning combined with flexible adaptation. Here’s a framework that works well for most players:
Early Game (1-2 Lockets): Focus on unlocking slots that support basic exploration and combat needs. Don’t over-specialize yet.
Mid Game (3-4 Lockets): Start developing your preferred playstyle focus while maintaining some flexibility for different challenges.
Late Game (5+ Lockets): Commit to optimized builds for specific content types while keeping backup configurations available.
The Satisfaction of Progression
What makes the Memory Locket system so satisfying isn’t just the mechanical benefits – it’s how it makes progression feel personal and meaningful. Every slot you unlock represents a choice you made about how you want to play Silksong, and those choices accumulate into a character build that feels uniquely yours.
The visual feedback of watching your Crest fill up with carefully chosen Tools creates a genuine sense of accomplishment that goes beyond simple number increases. You’re not just getting more powerful – you’re becoming more yourself as a player.
Your Crest Evolution Awaits
Memory Lockets represent some of the most impactful upgrades in Silksong because they don’t just make you stronger – they make you more versatile and enable more creative approaches to challenges. Whether you’re planning a specialized combat build or a balanced exploration setup, these precious items are your gateway to realizing that vision.
The journey from basic Crest configurations to fully optimized, multi-Tool powerhouses is one of Silksong’s most rewarding progression paths. Each Memory Locket you find and each slot you unlock brings you closer to the perfect build for your playstyle.
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May your Crests be ever-expanding, and your Tool combinations legendary!
