Discover everything you need to know about all skills in Hollow Knight: Silksong, including their effects and locations.
Skills in Hollow Knight Silksong are the abilities that help in traversing the landscape of Pharloom or becoming powerful enough to tackle enemies. These skills are unlocked while exploring the world, completing the quest, defeating the bosses, or interacting with the altar. Each skill has a unique function and has its own path to unlock. Some skills can be skipped if you’re not well aware of them.
Equip the ability to use it by pressing the default key [F] for PC and [R1] for PlayStation. Defeating the enemies or acquiring Silk hearts allows you to replenish the skill. Use the skill to defeat the bosses or during exploration to make progression smooth. In this guide, we’ll discuss all the skills in Hollow Knight Silksong and how to acquire them while progressing.
All Skills in Hollow Knight Silksong
Below are all the skills in Hollow Knight Silksong.
| Skill | Description | Effect | Location | How To Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swift step (Dash) | Dash forward and sprint with unnatural speed, as though gliding upon silk | Dash in the ground and midair | Deep Docks | Find the altar and interact with it at the top of this region |
| Drifter’s Cloak (Glide) | Flare the cloak to ride the strong winds of glide gracefully | Glide while in mid-air | Far Fields | Complete the Seamstress’s Flexile Spines |
| Cling Grip (Wall Jump) | Cling to sheer surfaces and leap off to rapidly scale heights | Wall clings and wall jump | Shellwood | Find the altar and interact with it at the top of this region |
| Needolin | Play ancient melodies by stringing silk along the needle | Open certain locked doors, along with interaction with the NPC | Bellhart | Eliminate Widow in Bellhart |
| Needle Strike (Charge Attack) | Charged attack to dominate enemies | Charge attacks to deal additional damage in combat | Blasted Steps | Speak with the Pinstress after passing through the large platforms |
| Clawline (Grappling Hook) | Throw the silk-strung needle like a harpoon and charge towards it | Allows you to grapple onto rings. Use it to pull yourself towards the enemy | Underworks | Find the altar and interact with it in The Cauldron |
| Faydown Cloak (Double Jump) | Double jump & immunity to freezing | Perform a higher jump in mid-air | Mount Fay | Use Needolin when you’re near the ancient tuning mechanism |
| Silk Soar (Super Jump) | Throw the needle upward and launch it to tremendous heights | Fling upwards. You throw a needle upward to hit the surface above, and you get dragged to its location | The Abyss | Move to the right side of this region and jump down |
Silkspear
To get Silkspear ability, you need to move up and to the west from Shakra to Moss Grotto. At the top west corner of the chamber, in the entrance to a new chamber. Once there, you must move far east, avoiding several traps along the way. We will then need to go up and to the west to reach a weaver altar, inspection of which will unlock the Silkspear ability.
This ability requires silk to use, and it can cut through thick sections of webbing to grant access to new areas. For example, the small area to the west, where a Frayed Rosary String can be obtained.
Swift Step
From the bench on the top right side of Deep Docks, move back west into the previous chamber. After that, go all the way up and then to the east to reach a narrow corridor. Moving west will bring you to the boss chamber, where multiple waves of enemies will need to be defeated. Once that is done, you can move west and drop into a new chamber.
Watch out for spike pits and strike the explosive rock at the southeast corner to unlock a shortcut to the bench. Move to the southwest exit. With a few jumps, you can reach an altar and interact with it to unlock the Swift Step ability.
Drifter’s Cloak
You begin at the altar where the Swift Step ability is unlocked, in Deep Docks. From there, you need to move west and back towards where Shakra, the map seller NPC, can be found in this area. There is a Flea you can grab along the way for a side quest. Move east of Shakra into the next chamber, and while the next step is optional, I do recommend it for several reasons. If you follow the bench sign and drop down into the nearby chamber, you can go along a path to reach a boss room.
Here, you will encounter waves of enemies that need to be defeated. It is slightly challenging but very doable. As a reward for completing this challenge, you will gain access to a free bench that is near the next boss. Once you have all 25 Spine Cores, you can move into the Seamstress’s Hut and turn in the Spine Cores to complete the quest. Doing so will get you the Drifter’s Cloak.
Cling Grip
After defeating Sister Splinter, you can move further west. You need to drop down briefly before moving back up and towards the top west exit. In the next chamber, you move furthest west, break through several vines, then needle-pogo your way up through a precarious platforming section. Your goal is to reach the top east exit of this chamber. This brings us to the final chamber, where you can interact with an altar to unlock the Cling Grip or Wall Jump ability for Hornet.
Needolin
The Needolin is required to open various weaver doors throughout Pharloom. Defeating the Widow in Bellhart allows you to unlock this skill in Shellwood. Begin your journey from the bench near the Sister Splinter boss and use the elevator to move east. Move down and to the east, avoid fighting with enemies, and move to the west. Break the vines at the west end of the chamber to enter the boss arena.
Needle Strike
This skill allows you to perform a charged attack by holding down the attack button. You can acquire this skill by speaking with the Pinstress in Blasted Steps. Defeating the Great Conchflies boss is essential to reach the Pinstress. Move right from the Bellway Station in Shellwood and get to the main channel. Defeat the boss and pass through several platforms till you get to the top. There, you will encounter this NPC that gives you Needle Strike.
Clawline
You can get the Clawline or Grappling Hook from The Cauldron in Underworks in Pharloom. Find the White Key in The Citadel once you reach Act 2. Accept the side quest from the Wishboard in Bellhart and start locating Jubilana. Make your way to the bottom of Underworks and use sprint and jump across all these sorts of platforms in the lava. Get inside the room at the end and get the Clawline by interacting with the shrine.
Faydown Cloak
The Faydown Cloak Double Jump allows you to explore all regions in Pharloom, boosting your exploration speed. You need to be captured to access Mount Fay. Escape the Mount Fay and climb the frigid. Make sure to use lamps and tools to survive. Use the three benches to checkpoint and reach the top to interact with the tuning fork to get the Faydown Cloak.
Silk Soar
The Silk Soar is a unique ability that allows you to open up new heights in the game. You need to complete the Silk and Soul quest to unlock Act III: Abyss. Descend through the Abyss to its bottom. Move east from the bench and enter Weavenest Absolom. Interact with the structure to unlock Silk Soar.
