Hollow Knight: Silksong Beginner’s Guide: 10 Tips to Conquer Pharloom

Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally here, and it wastes no time throwing you into the dangerous yet breathtaking kingdom of Pharloom. As Hornet, you’ll face agile enemies, brutal bosses, and tricky platforming challenges that make the original Hollow Knight look almost forgiving.

Whether you’re a veteran of Hallownest or completely new to the series, this Silksong beginner’s guide will help you survive your first hours, master Hornet’s unique playstyle, and uncover the secrets of Pharloom. From understanding the Bind healing system to using Crests and Tools effectively, these tips will give you a head start on your adventure.


🗺️ 1. Master Hornet’s Movement and Agility

Hornet plays very differently from the Knight. She’s faster, more vertical, and equipped with sprinting and ledge grabs (mantling) right from the start. Her diagonal downward attack replaces the Knight’s pogo, so practice timing jumps, dashes, and slashes in safe zones before diving deep into Pharloom.


🧵 2. Learn the Bind Healing System

Healing in Silksong isn’t as forgiving as in Hollow Knight. The Bind mechanic requires a full Silk meter to heal multiple masks at once. You can even heal mid-air, but the animation makes you vulnerable. Look for safe windows during combat instead of spamming heals.


🗺️ 3. Always Buy Maps and Map Tools Early

Pharloom is a sprawling vertical kingdom, and getting lost is easy. Track down Shakra, the cartographer NPC, in each region to buy maps. Then, invest in essentials like the Quill (fills maps at benches) and Compass (shows your location). This simple step prevents hours of wandering in circles.


💰 4. Manage Rosaries and Shards Smartly

  • Rosaries = main currency (drops from enemies).

  • Shell Shards = used for crafting/upgrading Tools.

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t hoard Rosaries. Convert them into Rosary Strings at vendors to keep them safe after death. Respawn enemies near benches to farm Rosaries quickly—early farming spots include Mosshome and The Marrow.


Hollow Knight: Silksong Beginner’s Guide
⚔️ 5. Master the Diagonal Pogo

Hornet’s pogo is a diagonal dive kick instead of the Knight’s straight downward slash. It’s essential for traversal and aerial combat. Later, the Crest of the Wanderer can modify it to a straight downward attack, but until then, practice bouncing off enemies and hazards for positioning.


🛠️ 6. Experiment with Crests and Tools

Silksong replaces Charms with a new Crests + Tools system:

  • 🔴 Red Tools: Combat (e.g., projectiles, traps).

  • 🔵 Blue Tools: Utility buffs.

  • 🟡 Yellow Tools: Exploration upgrades (e.g., Compass).

Crests not only determine slots but can change Hornet’s basic attack animations, giving deeper customization than Charms ever did. Mix and match until you find combos that suit your style.


🔍 7. Break Every Wall You See

Pharloom is stuffed with hidden paths, shortcuts, and secrets. Smash suspicious walls to uncover benches, Rosary caches, and upgrades. Exploration is always rewarded—Silksong rewards curiosity just like Hollow Knight.


💡 8. Pick Your Battles Wisely

Not every enemy is worth fighting. Some drop little loot and drain your resources. Learn attack patterns, strike only when it’s safe, and dodge when necessary. Hornet’s mobility makes skipping fights much easier than in Hollow Knight.


📜 9. Embrace Death as Part of Learning

Death is a teacher in Silksong. You’ll drop your Rosaries but can recover them if you reach your corpse. Instead of getting frustrated, use each death to learn patterns, routes, and shortcuts.


🏃 10. Use Sprint With Care

The Swift Step (sprint/dash) makes Hornet lightning-fast, but sprinting limits control. Release sprint before jumping to avoid overshooting ledges. With practice, this ability will let you fly through Pharloom’s levels with style.


⭐ Quick Tips for Beginners

  • ✅ Rest at benches often to heal, save, and swap Tools.

  • ✅ Complete Wishes (side quests) for powerful rewards.

  • ✅ Stay aggressive in boss fights to stagger them and create healing windows.


❓ FAQ: Hollow Knight Silksong for Beginners

Q: Is Silksong harder than Hollow Knight?
👉 Yes. Enemies often deal 2 damage early on, and the healing system is less forgiving.

Q: What is the main currency in Silksong?
👉 Rosaries, which can be bundled into Rosary Strings to protect them from loss on death.

Q: How is Hornet different from the Knight?
👉 She’s faster, more vertical, and her combat is built around speed and aggression rather than slow precision.

Q: Do Crests replace Charms?
👉 Yes. Crests + Tools = the new customization system, offering even more flexibility than Charms.


💎 Conclusion: Conquer Pharloom with Confidence

Hollow Knight: Silksong is tough, but it’s fair. By mastering Hornet’s agility, experimenting with Tools, and exploring every corner of Pharloom, you’ll unlock a world of secrets and triumph over its challenges.

👉 What’s the hardest challenge you’ve faced in Pharloom so far? Drop your tips in the comments and help other adventurers!  


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