Hornet and Equipment Upgrades Guide | Hollow Knight Silksong Wiki

Where to Find All Mask Shards in Silksong

---

Silksong Moss Grotto Mask Shard

Secret Area 

From the base of Moss Grotto, take the elevator to the top. Then, exit to the platform on the right and navigate the platforms above the same elevator you have just used. Continue going up in the same pattern until you reach an area with a skull-head insect and a cage on the left side. You have to wait for this insect to come close to your path, then jump and strike it so you can reach the cage. Continue exploring to the left, where you can enter a cave guarded by the Craggler, which spits out acid to attack Hornet. Exit the cave on the other side, and go down to the ground level with water. Attack the wall on the right side to reveal a secret Mask Shard.

 

• Requires Clawline & Faydown Cloak.
• Attack the breakable wall to reveal the Mask Shard.
• Location on Interactive Map [Silksong Map]

 

Silksong Bone Bottom Mask Shard

Shopping at Bone Bottom

Bone Bottom is a small town where you can rest up, talk to NPCs, and trade with merchants. You can talk to Pebb on the right to see the wares that they are offering, and you can buy a Mask Shard for 300 Rosaries from them.

Make sure to have collected enough rosaries, or else you won't be able to afford the Mask Shard. You can try to farm enemies outside the settlement to gain more Rosaries.

• Farm enemies to collect enough Rosaries for the Mask Shard.
• Pebb will be at Bone Bottom from the start of the game, so you can get this Mask Shard early.

 

Silksong Far Fields Mask Shards

Hornet could use a little steam.

Starting from the Seamstress's location and completing Flexile Spines, travel to the updraft platforms to the right of the house. Ride the wind going to the top, which will take you all the way to the top left side. From there, continue to the left side with exploding bombs. Attack the bomb at the base to reveal the updraft that will take you to the ceiling.

 

Attack the sticky bomb to reveal a hole in the ground containing a Mask Shard.

• Requires Drifter's Cloak
• Attack explosive molten rocks to make use of the steam with Drifter's Cloak
• Location on Interactive Map [Silksong Map]

 

Skull Cavern: A test of your mastery of the Ancestral Arts.

Head east from the Seamstress's home until you find the Skull Cavern. Keep going until you spot an opening in the ceiling; that will be the Skull Cavern. If you reach the Weavenest door, you've gone too far. 

The Mask Shard will be at the top of the Skull Cavern, but you will need to complete the trial to be able to reach it with the help of the wind current.

After clearing out the enemies at the bottom of Skull Cavern, you will still need to escape as the lava rises quickly. Remember to keep taking the left path when escaping the lava. You'll be safe once you reach the entrance. Use the steam generated from the lava to get to the highest point of Skull Cavern.

• Requires Clawline, Drifter's Cloak & Faydown Cloak.
• You will need to finish the gauntlet, then escape the rapidly rising lava afterwards.
• Location on Interactive Map [Silksong Map]

 

Sprintmaster Swift's Challenge.

Start from Pilgrim's Rest and head to the upper level, heading east. At the end of this path heading west, you'll find a bench, and just beyond that is Sprintmaster Swift, who challenges you to a race.

 

Sprintmaster Swift will have 3 races. On the first two, he'll reward you with a Rosary Necklace and a Beast Shard.  Beat him on the third race, and he'll award you with a Mask Shard.

• Requires Faydown Cloak, Silkspeed Anklets, and Clawline.  
• Finish the third race of the Fastest in Pharloom Wish from Sprintmaster Swift to acquire this Mask Shard.
• Location on Interactive Map. [Silksong Map]

 

Silksong Shellwood Mask Shard

Platforming sections with the blooming flowers.

Starting from the bench at the westmost section of Shellwood, make your way east to the 3rd transition of the map, counting the bench area. You should see a way up that starts with a wooden platform, then you continue to proceed upwards with the use of some white blooming flowers that close when you come into contact with them.

 

Just before reaching the very top, head east and enter the next area. Keep heading east till you see the mask shard just behind some vines you'll have to destroy.

 

• Requires Drifter's Cloak.
• You will need to perform a bit of tricky platforming with the flowers to progress towards the Mask Shard.
• Location on Interactive Map [Silksong Map]

 

Silksong Weavenest Atla Mask Shard

Through Weavenest Atla.

Starting at the Moss Grotto, make your way to Weavenest Atla, which is just a level above the cage you fell in with at the start of the game. You will need to have defeated Widow to acquire Needolin to gain access to this gate, as well as have acquired Cling Grip to traverse this area properly.

Once you're through the door, keep heading east till you pass a mechanism. Hit the two light sources located to the right of that mechanism, and you'll see it glow. Grab the map from the mechanism to see the layout of the entire Weavenest Atla.

Head back to the center of the path you ran through, and use the teleporter. Now here's where it gets a bit tricky: make use of the Cling Grip to climb back up to that shaft you just passed through using the teleporter, up to a hall heading east. Keep heading east till you arrive at a room. Descend into the room and hit the hidden breakable wall to the right. Keep following the path until you reach the next area with the lava geysers. Be warned, you will have to time your jumps as the platforms you jump on will break shortly after you jump on them, along with having to time your jumps to avoid the lava geysers. Carefully traverse the obstacles till you reach the top left corner of the area.

• Requires the use of the Needolin skill to access the area first and Cling Grip to traverse the area.
• Location on Interactive Map [Silksong Map]

 

Silksong Deep Docks Mask Shard

A fine addition to Hornet's collection.

Starting at The Marrow's easternmost bench for faster access and easier travel time, just in case you happen to die, the one near the Deep Docks passage. Head south from the bench location, but make sure to mind the spikes at the bottom.

Then head east once you're in the room located just before Deep Docks. Carefully clear out the enemies in the room with all the enemies, then enter Deep Docks. Continue going east till you reach the Mask Shard. There is a way to get this without the silk skills and ancestral arts. You can try luring one of the flying enemies next to the first floating platform you need to get up to, and just bounce off of it to get up on the platform.

• Requires Cling Grip and Swift Step to properly traverse the area.
• Location on Interactive Map. [Silksong Map]

 

Silksong Whispering Vaults Mask Shard

Up and around to the Mask Shard.

Starting at the bottom of the tallest room, just below Songclave, enter the 2nd lowest room to the right, as the bottom will be locked behind a lever; you have to find another way around to it. You will have to do some platforming involving hitting moving boxes in the proper orientation to gain access to the Mask Shard.

By this point, you should have Drifter's Cloak and Cling Grip. Once you have made it through the large room, at the bottom smaller room, just above the Vaultkeeper icon.

Somewhere in the middle of the room is a hidden part of the ceiling that will lower a climbing wall, allowing you to climb up and grab the fragment.

• Requires Drifter's Cloak and Cling Grip to traverse the area.
• Location on Interactive Map. [Silksong Map]

 

Silksong Blasted Steps Mask Shard

A little bit of tricky platforming for a Mask Shard.

Start from the southern Blasted Steps bench, and make your way down to the bottommost path of the Blasted Steps just below the southern bench by heading east. Once you're at the very bottom, head west and get to the marked area of the map. When you're there, make your way up north.

This will test your platforming skills as there are a lot of spikes, loose boulders, and a few enemies lurking in the tight spaces that you need to pass through.

Make use of the Clawline and Faydown Cloak abilities to get up onto the floating platforms. The mask shard will be at the top left corner of that upper room.

• Requires Clawline, Drifter's Cloak, and the Faydown Cloak to traverse the path to this Mask Shard.
• Location on Interactive Map. [Silksong Map]

 

Silksong Cogwork Core Mask Shard

Take out those who would stand in your way. Survive. 

You can find this Shard at the lower half of the Cogwork Core. You will find an opening halfway up/halfway down, depending on where you're coming from, on the left side of the room. You will encounter enemies through that western path and will be locked in there until you defeat all of the enemies, so be prepared to fight. 

Mind the moving platforms and make use of your tools for ranged attacks, as most of these enemies will either be isolated away from you by the moving platforms or they can fly.

And once you're done fighting, head towards the westmost part of the room by interacting with the lever and climb up to the top room with the use of your Cling Grip; the opening would be to your left.

• Cling Grip and Drifter's Cloak may suffice in making your way up the tall room.
• You will have to clear out the enemies before proceeding to the Mask Shard room.
• Location on Interactive Map. [Silksong Map]

 

Silksong Choral Chambers Mask Shard

Fulfill a wish, and the prize is yours.

This Mask Shard can be found at the Songclave, located at the northeastern corner within the Choral Chambers. 

You'll need to finish The Wandering Merchant to unlock Jubilana. You can accept this wish from her when she's located southeast of the Citadel Spa. Jubilana sells this specific Mask Shard. She'll sell the Mask Shard to Hornet for 750 Rosaries.

• Requires you to finish The Wandering Merchant to unlock Jubilana's shop.
• You'll need to have 750 Rosaries to purchase this Mask Shard.
• Location on Interactive Map. [Silksong Map]

 

Silksong Mount Fay Mask Shards

Conquer the Mountain.

Starting from the middle bench of Mount Fay, head south and immediately west to enter the middle part of Mount Fay. Keep heading west, but make sure you're at the top level, as this level splits if you're coming from the middle bench, and being at the top will help you get across the gap you'll see in a bit. 

Once you're across the gap, you'll be met with some deathly cold water as well as a Mnemonid hovering about. Traverse this carefully by hitting the suspended breakable stones to give yourself a safe zone while making your way through the water. Make sure to position yourself well by checking the map to find where the opening in the ceiling is located.

Once you make your way up the initial opening with the use of Silk Soar, head east. Be warned, though, as you will need to make use of the regenerating ice to make a path for yourself, as there will be no solid floor for you to walk on at this part of the path. You can use your Clawline to punch a hole through these. On your way up, you will also encounter Mnemonord, larger versions of the Mnemonid that grow spikes if Hornet gets too close to them. You can use these enemies to rebound towards what grabbable walls you can on the way up, and use all the ancestral arts at your disposal to get up to the Mask Shard. 

• Requires Silk Soar, Faydown Cloak, Clawline, and Cling Grip
• Inside the ceiling in the middle part of the mountain.
• Location on Interactive Map. [Silksong Map]

 

Here's Hornet!

Starting from the western bench at Mount Fay, head west from the bench and destroy the breakable wall. Keep heading west until you find a stone platform.

Use the Faydown Cloak to enter the hollow rock pillar and the Cling Grip ability to scale the inside of it.

If done correctly, you'll be able to obtain the Mask Shard inside the hollow rock pillar.

•  Requires the use of Faydown Cloak and Cling Grip.
• This Mask Shard is close to the western bench.
• Location on Interactive Map. [Silksong Map]

 

Silksong Bellhart Mask Shards

Fulfill the Savage Beastfly Wish.

After accepting the wish at the wishboard, head to Far Fields, where you found and fought the Fourth Chorus boss. Be attentive to the Savage Beastfly's attacks and movement, as it is mobile.

Fortunately, the Savage Beastfly telegraphs its attacks well. It mainly does charge attacks from either side, as well as the ground pound it does, but the difference in this scenario, every time it ground pounds, it takes out the floor it crashes on, leaving you with less room to land on after dodging. 

After defeating the Savage Beastfly, it'll drop a Horn Fragment. Head back to Bellhart and go back to the wishboard and deposit the Horn Fragment as proof to claim your Mask Shard.

 

Fulfill the Hidden Hunter Wish.

After accepting the wish at the wishboard, head toward the direction of the eastern bench of Far Fields. As you're making your way east, keep an eye on the grass floor for something shining to interact with. Once you do find this item, interact with it to trigger a trap that pulls you down to a secret area where your target, Gurr the Outcast, will be waiting for his next opponent. 

Gurr the Outcast covers himself with a ghillie suit-like armor, with gauntlets that resemble boxing gloves and a bit of red paint on his face.

Gurr the Outcast will do charge attacks, which you can simply jump over, but he also burrows underground and pushes out spikes from underneath the floor, as well as throws flower spikes that grow larger when he throws them at Hornet.

Defeating him will give you access to his trophy room to the left of the arena. Find the Grass Doll and bring it back to the wishboard to claim your bounty.

 

Fulfill the Dark Hearts Wish.

After accepting the wish at the wishboard, you'll have to find and destroy Void Masses scattered throughout Pharloom. There are (1)2 Void Masses that you will need to destroy to complete this wish and acquire the Mask Shard as a reward.

When destroying Void Mass, it will fight back, spewing 3 shots of black matter at Hornet, as well as do a sort of attack with black tentacles that you will need to avoid when fighting one.

 

Silksong Wisp Thicket Mask Shard

A Song of Fire and Spikes

Starting from the bench, head east and up the tall room. Traversing this room will require a bit of finesse from the player, as not doing so results in the player plummeting onto some spikes.

Make use of the hanging red bags to jump onto the wall and rebound onto the following platforms while dodging the homing fire attacks to get to the entrance headed east.

Once you're through, you'll be met with some fire-type enemies; you can either take them out or avoid them entirely. Keep following the path, as you'll need to loop upwards to get to the Mask Shard.

• Requires Drifter's Cloak, Faydown Cloak, Cling Grip, and Clawline.
• This Mask Shard can be found in a tall room filled with spikes and fire traps.
• Location on Interactive Map. [Silksong Map]

 

Silksong The Slab Mask Shard

A little parkour never hurt anybody.

Starting from the eastern bench of The Slab, make your way north, and you will encounter a breakable part of the ceiling on your way up. Look for a lock located on the left side as you climb up.

This is very hard to miss as it's the only platform up there. Make sure to already have the Key of Apostate on you; if not, you won't be able to open this lock.

Once you're through, traverse the room by jumping on the spikes on the rails as well as making use of the Clawline, Cling Grip, and Drifter's Cloak abilities to progress through the room. Once you arrive at the top leftmost corner of the room, you'll find the Mask Shard.

• Requires the Key of Apostate, Clawline, Cling Grip, Faydown Cloak, and Drifter's Cloak
• This Mask Shard is located in the Rolling Spikes Room.
• Location on Interactive Map [Silksong Map]

 

Silksong Bilewater Mask Shard

Starting at the paid bench at the southwest part of Bilewater, the one east of the Exhaust Organ, make your way north, then immediately east to the first path you spot on your left. You'll arrive at a very tall room. 

Head north while narrowly avoiding Bloatroaches trying to hit you with their acid vomit and take the third passage east. This will be the highest passage to your right while you're in that tall room.

Continue heading east, take care not to get tackled by the Slubberlugs, try to make use of their position mid-air to also jump onto the little bit hanging from the ceiling of the wall that you can use to climb up until you arrive at the Mask Shard's Location.

• The acquisition of this Mask Shard requires the Drifter's Cloak, Faydown Cloak, Clawline, and Cling Grip abilities.
• Location on Interactive Map  [Silksong Map]

Where to Find All Tool Upgrades in Silksong

---

The Marrow

Get a Tool Pouch Upgrade by completing Loddie's Challenge

You can find Loddie in the area below where Grindle was trapped—complete Loddie's challenge by hitting all (1)5 targets to receive a Tool Pouch Upgrade.

•  Loddie's Challenge [Silksong Map]

 

Far Fields

Buy the Tool Pouch Upgrade from Mort in Pilgrim's Rest

You can buy a Tool Pouch Upgrade from Mort for 220 Rosaries. Mort is residing inside his shop, which you will have to pay 30 Rosaries to gain access to, inside Pilgrim's Rest.

You can actually break the mechanism that keeps asking you to pay 30 Rosaries from inside his shop, but doing so may put him in danger.

•  Pilgrim's Rest [Silksong Map]

 

Putrified Ducts

Talk to Fleamaster Mooshka in Fleatopia, Putrified Ducts, to get a Tool Pouch Upgrade

After finding 20 Lost Fleas and arriving at Fleatopia, talk to Fleamaster Mooshka to receive a Tool Pouch Upgrade as compensation for all your efforts in assisting him get to their home.

•  Fleatopia [Silksong Map]

 

Greymoor

Complete Nuu's wish, Bugs of Pharloom, to receive a Tool Pouch Upgrade

When you first interact with Nuu in Halfway Home, accept their Bugs of Pharloom wish, where you have to collect information on all of the enemies by killing them. 

Once you have completed the objectives, return to Nuu to receive a Tool Pouch Upgrade.

•  Halfway Home [Silksong Map]

 

Deep Docks

Find the Forge Daughter in Deep Docks

Head over to Deep Docks, just a little bit past where you first meet Shakra in the area, keep heading east till you find an opening heading south, then continue heading east. When you head down, coming from that first opening, you should already be on the same level as her.

You can buy a Crafting Kit from the Forge Daughter for (1)80 Rosaries.

•  Forge Daughter - Merchant [Silksong Map]

 

Bellhart

Complete the Crawbug Clearing Wish

The Wishwall or Quest Board in Bellhart only becomes available upon completing the main quest "The Threadspun Town". Once unlocked, you can complete the Crawbug Clearing quest, where your mission is to collect Ragpelts. 

Once you have enough, go to Creige in Halfway Home to get a Crafting Kit.

• Complete the Crawbug Clearing in Bellhart [Silksong Map]

 

Underworks

Buy the Crafting Kit from the Twelfth Architect

Go to the Twelfth Architect's location in Underworks, just above the Cauldron. They'll have plenty of wares, one of which will be a Crafting Kit.

You can purchase the Crafting Kit for (1)30 Rosaries.

• Twelfth Architect [Silksong Map]

 

Blasted Steps

Buy the Crafting Kit from Grindle in Blasted Steps

You can find Grindle to the top right of the vertical path in Blasted Steps. You need Cling Grip to traverse this area properly.

You can buy a Crafting Kit for 700 Rosaries.

• Grindle [Silksong Map]

All Needle Upgrades in Hollow Knight Silksong

---

How to Get Needle Upgrades in Hollow Knight Silksong

Sharpened Needle

The first Needle Upgrade is earned as an additional reward after you grant The Threadspun Town Wish in Act 2. Setting the town of Bellhart free from Widow's haunting, it will unlock some features in Bellhart. One of them is the Needle Upgrade path.

 

You will find Pinmaster Plinney's home just on the right side of Bellhome in Bellhart. [Silksong Map]

 

Here you can earn the first upgrade, the Sharpened Needle.  Finish the dialogue with Pinmaster Plinney, then you will get this additional reward.

  

 

Shining Needle

After unlocking the first Needle Upgrade, you can speak to Pinmaster Plinney once more. He will offer you the second upgrade, at an additional cost of (1) Pale Oil. [Silksong Map]

  

 

During Act 2, you can find the first Pale Oil from a loot in Whispering Vaults. You can check out this location guide for Pale Oil to know more about where to find it exactly in Whispering Vaults. Navigating through Hornet's journey in Act 2, you will need intermediate traversal Ancestral Arts, such as Drifter's Cloak, Faydown Cloak, Cling Grip, Clawline and Swift Step. 

 

After acquiring the first Pale Oil, go back to Pinmaster Plinney's home in Bellhart to give the required upgrade material, then the Shining Needle will be unlocked. [Silksong Map]

  

 

Hivesteel Needle

The next needle upgrade, the Hivesteel Needle can be earned from Pinmaster Plinney through providing (1) Pale Oil and 450 Rosaries. [Silksong Map]

 

You have to complete the Great Taste of Pharloom Wish to acquire the second Pale Oil, which is started on Act 2 and can be completed after obtaining the Faydown Cloak. It will be given to you as a reward by Loyal Mergwin in Choral Chambers. [Silksong Map]

  

 

Once acquired, you can go back to Pinmaster Plinney in Bellhart so he can upgrade it for the third time, and unlock the Hivesteel Needle. Make sure to also have enough Rosaries when you go back, as this upgrade will cost you 450 Rosaries. [Silksong Map]

  

 

Pale Steel Needle

After completing the wish Ecstasy of the End in Act 3, you will earn the third Pale Oil from Fleamaster Mooshka in Putrified Ducts. You will then go back to Bellhart and attempt to upgrade the Needle for the last time. However, Pinmaster Plinney won't be home and there is a note at his door saying that he visited the great woods to pay his respects on the graves.

 

Trying to check out Pinmaster Plinney, you will find him pestered by corrupted bugs and couldn't leave the graves he visited in Shellwood. You will save the Pinmaster, then initiate a dialogue with him after.

 

This is where you will find the Pinmaster Plinney in Shellwood during Act 3. After saving the Pinmaster, he will head back to his home in Bellhart. [Silksong Map]

 

Arriving back on Bellhart, you will see the Pinmaster Plinney's door is now back open, and you can talk to him for the final needle upgrade for (1) Pale Oil and 680 Rosaries.

 

 

Needle Upgrades Damage Progression

Hornet's Needle Damage

  

• Needle (Act 1) - 5 Damage per hit
• Sharpened Needle (Act 2) - 9 Damage per hit
• Shining Needle (Act 2) - 13 Damage per hit
• Hivesteel Needle (Act 2) - 17 Damage per hit
• Pale Steel Needle (Act 3) - 21 Damage per hit