After a very long wait, Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally here. Your first step into this darkly beautiful world is the Moss Grotto.
Overgrown by lush greenery and crawling with enemies to encounter, the Moss Grotto acts as a way to introduce players to what is new in Silksong. It is a short, simple introduction that also features the game's first boss, as well as introducing the game's first bevy of collectibles.
In this guide, I'll take you through the entire area. Together, we shall conquer enemies, find hidden secrets and paths, and take out the game's first boss, the Moss Mother.
So if you've just booted up Silksong and are looking for a little bit of help, look no further.
Entering The Grotto
Entering the Moss Grotto requires you to first bind Hornet, the game's protagonist. Upon doing so, take a quick detour behind you to find a hidden cave to the right and your first collection of Shell Shards. It's not much, but it's enough to get you rolling.
There's not much use for these right now, as they are designed to improve Hornet's needle and other weapons. But go ahead and grab them now, as you'll need all the help you can get later on.
Moving ahead, slice your way through some vines blocking the way. After three good swings, you'll break through and find yourself finally in the Moss Grotto.
Welcome To The Jungle
Welcome to the Moss Grotto proper. Your Silksong journey begins here.
Start by heading forward and to the left, taking out small little grubs. These guys aren't very challenging, but they do require two hits from your needle, so be mindful of that.
Keep making your way forward until you reach a gap with some stones and water. Don't worry, it's not poisonous, so you can swim to your heart's content.
Cross the gap, and you'll find a bone bridge, complete with a suspicious amount of room underneath. Swim under, and you'll find your way to an underground entrance to the next section.
As you ascend to the top, you'll be able to find your way to some floating platforms. Leaping across will lead you to the next area of the Grotto.
New Enemies, New Strategies
As you continue your ascent, you'll be able to reach a cliff outcropping. Jump over it to grab your first Mossberry, which is listed as toxic to enemy creatures.
You will also encounter a new flying enemy. The best way to handle them is to wait for them to do their plunge attack, then wipe them out with three slices from your needle.
Drop to the ground, then head to your right to enter the next area. Hornet will become overwrought with some sort of strange agony, but just press on and head deeper.
The next gap may seem like something you want to jump over, but don't just yet. Take a gander below by holding down on the D-Pad, where a Frayed Rosary String waits for you on the second cliff. If you want to return to the bottom of the grotto, you can by jumping down below if you feel like you missed something.
Pressing on to the next area, we can see the environment starting to change. Additionally, a new enemy type will also reveal itself. These hyperactive little critters will roll around platforms, so a simple dodge followed up by three needle strikes will take care of them.
The First Bench
Taking the floating platforms up, you can find a Mossberry annoyingly out of reach for now. So, let's move on to the left, where the next area awaits. Cross the gaps, while keeping in mind that the pits will take you back down to the bottom of the grotto if you so choose.
More branches and leaves block your path, so slice through them and make haste into the Ruined Chapel. More uneasy pain from Hornet occurs, but a warm bench is waiting for you at the far end of the room. Use it to save, heal up, and get ready.
Head up to the top, slicing through more vines, and head into the boss's room. Here, you'll face off against Moss Mother. She's fairly easy, but if you're having trouble, we've also compiled a fabulous guide right here for you.
Safe Harbor In Bone Bottom
After defeating Moss Mother, you can ascend to the top of a tall, open column, where Hornet will once again be assaulted by devastating pain. After passing out, she's awoken by the delightful Chapel Maid, who will inform her that the journey is just beginning.
Pressing ahead, you will stumble into Bone Bottom, which acts as the game's first town. Similar to Dirtmouth from the first game, this is where you can really get prepared for the journey ahead.
- Developer(s)
- Team Cherry
- Publisher(s)
- Team Cherry
- Engine
- Unity
- Franchise
- Hollow Knight
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- PC Release Date
- September 4, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- September 4, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- September 4, 2025
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- September 4, 2025
- Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
- September 4, 2025
- Genre(s)
- Metroidvania, Action, Adventure, Soulslike
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Wiki
