Hollow Knight: Silksong is one of the most anticipated Metroidvanias ever, and like its predecessor, the early hours can be brutal. Pharloom is filled with dangerous enemies, platforming hazards, and tough bosses—but with the right Tools and Crests, you can smooth out the difficulty curve and set yourself up for long-term success.
In this guide, we’ll cover the best early-game Tools, where to find them, and how to combine them for powerful builds.
⚙️ Understanding Silksong’s Tool System
Before diving into specific recommendations, let’s break down how Tools and Crests work in Silksong:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Red Tools | Active, offensive weapons (e.g., projectiles, traps). Limited uses, repaired with Shell Shards at Benches. |
| Blue Tools | Passive, defensive, or survival aids (e.g., bonus health, resistances). |
| Yellow Tools | Exploration and utility (e.g., currency magnets, map tracking). |
| Crests | Dictate how many Tools you can equip and in what colors. The starter Wanderer Crest gives 1 slot for each Tool color. |
| Shell Shards | Dropped by enemies or found in walls/floors. Used to repair Red Tools. |
👉 Related guide: How to Unlock Fast Travel in Silksong (Bell Beast System Explained)
| Tool | Type | Effect | Where to Find | Why It’s Essential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnetite Brooch | Yellow | Pulls Rosary Beads automatically | Shop in Bone Bottom (60 Rosaries) | Prevents currency loss and makes farming efficient |
| Compass | Yellow | Shows your map location | Sold by Shakra in The Marrow (70 Rosaries) | Pharloom is a maze—this saves time and frustration |
| Plasmium Phial | Blue | Grants 1 extra Mask (health) | Quest: Alchemist’s Assistant (Wormways) | Critical survivability boost for early bosses |
| Straight Pin | Red | Ranged throwing needle | Rescue Grindle in The Marrow | Safe ranged option against flying and tough foes |
| Flintslate | Red | Imbues needle with fire for bonus damage | Found in Deep Docks | Helps shred through early bosses |
| Druid’s Eye | Blue | Converts damage into Silk regen | Quest: Berry Picking in Mosshome | Keeps healing and Silk skills sustainable |
💡 Honorable Mentions & Niche Picks
| Tool | Type | Effect | Location | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shard Pendant | Yellow | Increases Shell Shard drops | The Marrow (lava bridge room) | Great for resource farming |
| Curveclaw | Red | Boomerang-like attack | Hunter’s March (140 Rosaries) | Excellent for aerial & evasive enemies |
| Flea Brew | Red | Boosts movement & attack speed | Quest: The Lost Fleas in The Marrow | Perfect for aggressive builds |
🧭 Farming Rosaries and Shell Shards Early
To afford these Tools, you’ll need reliable farming spots:
| Resource | Farming Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rosaries | Mosshome (west of Shakra in The Marrow) | Humanoid bugs drop 3–5 Rosaries each. Quick loops yield 100+ in 10 mins. |
| Shell Shards | World drops + shiny wall deposits | Equip Shard Pendant for increased yield. |
Pro Tip: Convert Rosaries into Rosary Strings (80 Rosaries) to protect them from loss when you die.
⚔️ Early Gameplay & Build Tips
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Play Aggressively: Silksong rewards staying close to enemies. Aggression builds Stagger faster, opening windows for damage or Bind heals.
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Master the Bind: Binding heals 3–4 Masks instantly and can be used mid-air—perfect for bosses that punish standing still.
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Experiment with Synergy: Try pairing Flintslate (fire buff) with Flea Brew (attack speed) for a boss-melting combo.
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Upgrade Crests: Look out for new Crests (like the Reaper’s Crest) that expand Tool slots and modify Hornet’s attacks.
👉 Want more? Check out our Beginner’s Guide: 10 Tips to Conquer Pharloom.
❓ Silksong Tools FAQ
Q: What’s the first Tool I should buy in Silksong?
A: The Magnetite Brooch or Compass. They massively improve resource collection and navigation.
Q: Are Tools permanent or breakable?
A: Tools are permanent unlocks, but Red Tools need Shell Shards to repair after use.
Q: Can I equip multiple Red Tools at once?
A: Only if your Crest has multiple Red slots. The starting Crest only supports one of each color.
Q: Where’s the best place to farm Rosaries early?
A: Mosshome village—short, repeatable farming loops with good drop rates.
💎 Conclusion
By prioritizing Plasmium Phial (health), Compass (navigation), and Magnetite Brooch (currency safety), you’ll drastically reduce early frustration in Hollow Knight: Silksong. As you expand your Tool kit with Flintslate, Straight Pin, and Druid’s Eye, you’ll find Pharloom’s challenges much more manageable.
Keep experimenting with loadouts, farm efficiently, and remember—every Tool in Silksong opens up new ways to approach combat and exploration.
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