The Complete Silkshot Guide: Mastering Hollow Knight Silksong’s Most Powerful Ranged Weapon

Discover how to find, craft, and choose the best Silkshot version in Hollow Knight Silksong. Complete guide to the Ruined Tool and all three weapon variants with expert tips.

TL;DR

The Ruined Tool in Hollow Knight Silksong can be crafted into three different Silkshot variants, but you can only choose one per playthrough. Find it in Weavenest Murglin (southeastern Bilewater), then take it to one of three crafters. Silkshot III (crafted at Mount Fay) is overwhelmingly the best choice for its superior damage and unique air-suspension mechanics.

---

One of the most game-changing decisions you’ll make in Hollow Knight Silksong revolves around a seemingly broken piece of ancient technology. The Ruined Tool might look like junk when you first pick it up, but this relic holds the potential to become one of Hornet’s most devastating weapons – if you know where to take it.

Unlike most equipment in Team Cherry’s highly anticipated sequel, the Silkshot comes with a permanent choice. Once you’ve committed to crafting one version, that’s it for your entire playthrough. No take-backs, no second chances. So let’s break down everything you need to know to make the right call.

Finding the Ruined Tool: A Treasure Hunt in Bilewater

Your journey to Silkshot mastery begins in the Weavenest Murglin area, tucked away in southeastern Bilewater. This isn’t exactly a straightforward pickup – you’ll need to do some platforming detective work.

Here’s your step-by-step route:

• Head to southeastern Bilewater and locate the Needolin door
• Drop down into the maggot-infested area at the bottom of the screen
• Move right and pass through the Needolin door (you’ll need the Needolin skill first)
• Drop down again to bypass a locked gate on your right
• Double back to find the Ruined Tool sitting on a table

Pro tip: The maggots down there aren’t just for show – they’re actually part of a larger environmental storytelling element about the Weavers’ decline. Take a moment to appreciate the lore while you’re scavenging!

The Three Paths: Choosing Your Silkshot Destiny

Once you’ve got the Ruined Tool in hand, you face the big decision. This ancient piece of Weaver technology can be restored by three different craftspeople, each offering their own unique interpretation of the weapon.

Option 1: Forge Daughter (Deep Docks) – Silkshot I

The Forge Daughter in Deep Docks takes a traditional approach to restoration. Her Silkshot I prioritizes ammunition capacity over everything else.

Silkshot I Stats:

• Highest ammo count of all three versions
• Single-shot firing pattern
• Minimal air-hang mechanics
• Straightforward, reliable damage

This version appeals to players who prefer consistent, no-frills combat. Think of it as the “assault rifle” of the Silkshot family – not flashy, but dependable when you need sustained firepower.

Option 2: Twelfth Architect (Underworks) – Silkshot II

The Twelfth Architect in the Underworks brings an engineer’s precision to the restoration. Silkshot II focuses on spread damage and crowd control.

Silkshot II Stats:

• Three-round burst fire
• Wider damage spread
• Moderate ammo capacity
• Significant kickback effect

This variant excels against groups of enemies but requires more skill to master. The kickback can actually be used strategically for additional mobility, though it takes practice to control effectively.

Option 3: Self-Crafting (Mount Fay) – Silkshot III

Here’s where things get interesting. In northern Mount Fay, near where you’ll find the Faydown Cloak upgrade, there’s a special crafting table that lets Hornet restore the weapon herself.

Silkshot III Stats:

• Highest damage output (railgun-style blast)
• Unique air-suspension mechanic
• Balanced ammo capacity
• Game-changing tactical applications

Why Silkshot III Dominates (And It’s Not Even Close)

After extensive playtesting across multiple runs, Silkshot III stands head and shoulders above its alternatives. Here’s why this self-crafted version breaks the game wide open:

The air-suspension mechanic is revolutionary. When you fire Silkshot III while airborne, Hornet literally hangs in mid-air for about half a second. This might not sound like much, but it fundamentally changes how you approach combat encounters.

Suddenly, you can:

• Dodge attacks with frame-perfect timing
• Extend your air-time for complex platforming sequences
• Position yourself for optimal follow-up attacks
• Create breathing room during intense boss fights

The damage output is simply superior. That railgun-style blast cuts through enemies like they’re made of paper. Combined with the tactical advantages of air-suspension, you’re looking at a weapon that transforms Hornet from agile fighter to aerial death machine.

Strategic Considerations: When to Choose the Alternatives

While Silkshot III dominates most scenarios, there are niche cases where the other versions might suit specific playstyles:

Choose Silkshot I if:

• You’re doing a pacifist-adjacent run and want maximum efficiency
• You struggle with resource management
• You prefer simple, predictable weapon behavior

Choose Silkshot II if:

• You love crowd-control gameplay
• You want to master the kickback mobility mechanics
• You’re planning to focus heavily on Thread Storm combinations

Getting to Mount Fay: The Journey Matters

Reaching the Mount Fay crafting station isn’t just about the destination – you’ll need several key abilities first. Make sure you’ve unlocked wall-jumping and have progressed far enough to access the northern regions.

The crafting station itself is cleverly hidden in a cave system just below where you’ll eventually find the Faydown Cloak. It’s almost like Team Cherry is rewarding players who explore thoroughly before making major equipment decisions.

The Bigger Picture: How Silkshot Fits Your Build

Your Silkshot choice should complement your overall approach to combat and exploration. If you’re building around parrying mechanics, Silkshot III’s air-suspension gives you additional defensive options. If you’re focusing on needle upgrades, the extra damage pairs beautifully with melee combinations.

Remember: This is a permanent choice that will define a significant portion of your combat toolkit. Available on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox, Silksong gives you the freedom to experiment across multiple platforms and playthroughs.

Final Verdict: Trust the Process, Choose Silkshot III

Unless you have very specific reasons to do otherwise, take that Ruined Tool straight to Mount Fay. The self-crafted Silkshot III isn’t just the most powerful option – it’s the most interesting one. The air-suspension mechanic alone opens up combat and platforming possibilities that the other versions simply can’t match.

Sure, you might have to wait a bit longer to craft it, and yes, you’ll need to do some extra exploration to reach Mount Fay. But trust me, when you’re floating in mid-air, dodging a boss attack while charging up that railgun blast, you’ll understand why this choice matters so much.

The Ruined Tool might start as ancient, broken technology, but in Hornet’s hands – and with your strategic choices – it becomes something far more powerful than its Weaver creators ever imagined.