I still remember crawling out of The Underworks after beating the Last Judge, only to be swallowed by the gilded nightmare of the Choral Chambers. If you skipped The Mist, this is likely your first real taste of the Citadel, and it is overwhelming. The halls are huge, the enemies are aggressive, and the secrets are packed into every ceiling and floor. As of 2026, this area remains one of the most complex zones in Hollow Knight: Silksong, so I want to walk you through the path I took, the shortcuts I opened, and the treasures I refused to leave behind.



Lower Left-Side Halls ?

When I popped out of the hole at the top of the Underworks, I immediately headed left and found a free bench. That bench felt like a miracle. Further left, a big circular room offered a shortcut to the Grand Gate, but I went up and around instead. I activated a lever, grabbed a few shards from the obscured hatch on the left, and climbed higher for beads and a preview of the Ventrica Station. It was blocked from my side, so I kept moving right and paid for the map. That map changed everything. After opening a floor hatch, I dropped into a den of easy spiders, climbed out, and walked past dead Citadel residents until Lace appeared. She taunted me, the corpses rose, and I had my first real fight in the area. ⚔️

Central Left-Side Halls

The enemies here are not terrible, but I learned to respect the ones with red on their clothing. They swing wide or throw projectiles that caught me more than once. Since this is not a locked combat room, I left when my health got low. I entered the bottom right room and found an elevator blocked by a very particular key. I made a mental note and returned to the tall room. I platformed up, swatted away a sword enemy, and broke a window on the left. At first it looked empty, but I jumped up the wall and looted a dead body for a Rosary Bead. Back in the main tall room, I headed up and to the upper left exit, where enemies and Rosaries waited. The top was blocked, so I continued left.

Far Left-Side Halls

After fighting through more enemies, I took the left door, jumped across spikes, and chose to drop down instead of visiting The Slab. That drop led me to the Citadel Spa. It looked disappointing at first, just a couple of showerheads, but I broke the floor in the first room. Beneath it was an underground steam pipe system. No hidden items, but it contained an entrance to the secret area of the spa. That route connects the leftmost side of the map to the middle and became very convenient for a later quest. I then headed left, fought silk-strung enemies, hit a lever, and went down. I grabbed Rosaries, entered a big room through its upper right segment, and let the optional enemies spawn. I left or beat them, dropped down and right, and found a chest packed with Rosaries. Further down and right, I finally activated that Ventrica Station. Once it became my hub for the Citadel, I understood why these stations are a godsend. ?️

Large Left-Side Drop

I opened the shortcut and returned to the tall room where I had taken a left to the Ventrica Station. Heading up, I entered the upper left exit and found Silk dispensers. Not useful. Up the timed platforms, the next room had bells and a pressure plate. I had to repeat the pattern they rang out. If you do not want to memorize it, here is the cheat sheet I used:

Pattern
Bell order (left to right)

First
1, 5, 4, 6

Second
3, 6, 5, 1, 7

Third
2, 4, 6, 3, 5, 1

After that, I received a Cogheart Piece. Up more timed platforms, I headed right and had to jump with strict timing while dodging an enemy. I lured the enemy to the starting platform, killed it, then jumped across for my prize. Up even more timed platforms, the top left entrance had a winged swordsman guarding Grindle. There was nothing else in the room, but everyone loves Grindle, right? ?

Central Left-Side Drop

At the top right room, I dropped down and fought the genuinely tough enemies. I jumped left for extra Rosaries as a reward, then timed my jumps to the right into another massive room. I broke the wall directly to the right, dropped for Silk, and acknowledged the big saw blades I could not pass. I fell down carefully, avoiding the golden spikes, and broke the cracked wall on the right. That let me flick a lever, go back up, soar past the saws, and save a flea. I returned to the bottom, opened a shortcut to the tall room that started this whole route, and headed right into a cramped hallway. Past the tattered curtains, I found a fly-infested room, went up, and glimpsed rare Pale Oil. I could not break that wall yet, so I went to the top right, grabbed a Silkeater, and left. Falling back down the tall room and going right, I finally reached the top right entrance and another bench. ?

Lower Middle Halls



From that bench, I headed right, opened the hatch, and prepared for spiders and steam. Every path here coalesces at the bottom right and leads into a long, straightforward hall. I went left first to open a shortcut to the left-side halls. The area to the right had moving cogs and a flying mechanical bug, but it was light work. The end of the hallway was packed with enemies that love heavy blows. I used a few hit-and-run attacks and cleared them.

Lower Right-Side Halls

As soon as I entered the room on the right, I dropped all the way down and opened the Grand Bellway. I bought the bench and the Ventrica Station beside it. This was incredibly handy, because trekking out of the Citadel and back to the rest of Pharloom is arduous. The room up and to the left was not special. I dodged spikes, took out two thieves, and broke cocoons for a Silkeater. I also entered the door above the Bellway, but there was only a little lore. Further up, I broke glass blocking an entrance marked by three pins. Inside was another Pale Oil teaser and an easy way to escape enemies. I pogoed off bells, entered another dark cramped hallway, and found a big lever that turned a massive wheel with a hole in it. I turned it to go vertically and wall jumped up. I could head left for Silk dispensers, but who cares? ?

Upper Right-Side Halls

I pogoed off more bells and opened the top right door. The hallway required a few well-timed dashes, but it was straightforward. At the other end, I found a very big, regal-looking chapel. I went inside, rang the bell, enjoyed the free bench, and came outside to be chewed out by an old man. This began the town of Songclave, which gradually gains residents as you progress. At the very rightmost part of Songclave, I found the White Key. It opens the elevator we found long ago and leads to a smaller, separate area. For now, I headed back left and climbed all the way up. At the top, I activated another Ventrica station, which was incredibly useful throughout most of Act 2. I went down and left across an extremely long hallway with a glass floor and several beefy guards. A well-timed dive kick can bounce over them, but they drop a ton of money, so I tried killing them. Continuing left, I found an upper entrance I could not access without wings, and I headed down to unlock a shortcut. Be careful: going much further left throws you into the Cogwork Dancers boss fight. I geared up first, defeated them, opened the Cogwork Core, and headed to the upper left.

Upper Left-Side Halls

With those guards dispatched, I entered the top left area. I could go left, since the route upwards was locked, or descend to explore more of the Choral Chambers. I chose to descend first. The top two gates on the right are shortcuts out of the Cogwork Core, so I ignored them. I entered the top left gate by dropping in from above, and the lower left gate was already unlocked. Further down, I found two more gates. I could bypass the right gate by going underneath, but I could not find a way around the left gate. I dropped down, ran across the huge dining hall, and found the Royal Mergwin, who tasked me with a massive quest for Pale Oil. I opened the shortcuts, then climbed back up to the room left of the Cogwork Dancers, behind a breakable wall. There, I started a big vertical platforming challenge on timed platforms and opened a treasure chest. My reward was seeing Grindle. This is much easier if you wait until you have wings. Further left, I found rings to grapple onto and climb. They led into High Halls proper and let me unlock the shortcut I had seen earlier. I grabbed the bench, and from there I had plenty of new places to explore, all connected to these chambers.

The Choral Chambers can feel like a maze, but once I opened the Ventrica stations, shortcuts, and benches, it became the beating heart of the Citadel. My advice is simple: buy the map early, respect the red-clothed enemies, solve the bell puzzle, and do not rush the Cogwork Dancers. Take the area one hall at a time, and you will turn this gilded labyrinth into your new home base. ?

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You know that feeling when a game comes out of nowhere and just grabs you by the collar? That was Lies of P for me. Back in 2023, I remember seeing the trailer and thinking, 'Another Pinocchio-inspired Soulslike? Sure, why not.' But then I played it, and wow. It wasn't just another clone; it had soul—pun intended. Fast forward to 2026, and the game, along with its DLC Overture, has cemented itself as a titan in the genre. And recently, I had the chance to chat with four of the actors who brought this world to life: Aliona Baranova (Veronique), Alix Wilton Regan (Lea), Rasmus Hardiker (Gemini), and Joseph Balderrama (Arlecchino). Let me tell you, it was a ride.



When Lies of P first launched, it was a gamble. A new IP from a relatively unknown studio, Neowiz, and a dark twist on a children's tale. But the buzz was immediate. Steam player counts climbed for five straight days, and critics couldn't stop praising its tight combat and haunting atmosphere. It became the most beloved non-FromSoftware Soulslike, and its DLC, Overture, which dropped in 2025, smashed records within hours. An 85 on Metacritic? That's top-tier. And the actors? They saw it coming.

The Phenomenon That Is Lies Of P

"I'm never normally sure if something is going to be successful," Rasmus Hardiker admits, "but I had so much fun doing this, I could tell it was going to be a really good game." Joseph Balderrama echoes that: "It felt like the whole package. The creative team was so good: the visuals, the sound, all of it. Everyone was just at the races with it." That kind of confidence is infectious, and it's why Aliona Baranova and Alix Wilton Regan jumped at the chance to join the DLC. "I don't really say no to many auditions," Baranova laughs, "but this one was a no-brainer." Wilton Regan, a veteran of Mass Effect and Dragon Age, was equally hooked. "She was described as tough on the outside, soft on the inside, but what I loved was she was called a lazy genius," she says. "I was like, 'I've got this.' Well, I'm lazy, and a mild genius."



Baranova actually auditioned for Wilton Regan's role first, losing out to the more experienced actor, before finding Veronique. "I just remember thinking, 'Wow, what an incredible character.' I haven't had a chance to play someone like that. And her scenes are so intense. You can't go half-hearted. I knew I had to really commit, and sound like I'm 6'6". I think I'm believably that tall," she jokes. The character descriptions were detailed, with rich histories and psychology, which helped the actors "learn to love the character." But that depth can be a double-edged sword. "You can't distill two pages of notes," Wilton Regan says. "You have to cherry-pick your moments, constantly adapt and refocus your energy."

Getting Into Character

The preparation for video game acting is unique. Often, scripts arrive the day of recording, or the day before at the earliest. For Balderrama, that's freeing. "I've got a new habit with TV and film where I don't look at the script until the week before. That's what make-up is for." Hardiker takes it further: "I prefer not even having the script and just going in the booth on the day. You'll only ever have one chance to do that. I'm reacting as I'm learning what's happening—that's about as real as it gets." Baranova, however, admits she has "a lot to learn" from the others, but she has a secret weapon at home: her partner, Jennifer English (Baldur's Gate 3, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33). "If you had someone at home who was known for brilliant performances, you would be silly not to ask them. I definitely did that for Veronique."



For Baranova, the jump from Baldur's Gate 3 NPCs to a 6'6" warrior was jarring. "On Baldur's Gate, I played a comic relief squirrel for 40 minutes. This was the most physical role I've ever done. I lost my voice afterwards, as you can imagine." Wilton Regan, on the other hand, is no stranger to strong leading women—she's voiced the Female Inquisitor in Dragon Age: Inquisition, Alt Cunningham in Cyberpunk 2077, and Aya in Assassin's Creed Origins. But Lea offered something new: "They wanted a lot of rage from me, a lot of very deep, primal emotion. That's what I like to explore as an actor. That's kind of what I get off on, I guess." Balderrama, returning as Arlecchino, was just happy to be more than a voice: "I was just psyched that I wasn't disembodied anymore. That was a big plus for me."

A Shift In The Gaming Landscape

The industry is changing. Smaller studios are producing some of the best games, from Baldur's Gate 3 to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to Lies of P itself. "These big franchise stories are saturated," Balderrama says. "People are desperate to experience something they haven't done 150 times. That's only going to come from underdog devs, because they're the ones that don't have the constraints." Baranova agrees: "Audiences are definitely becoming fatigued. Unique visions that games like Lies of P have brought are important. It's a Korean game, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is Czech, Clair Obscur is French; it's exciting to get stories from parts of the world we're not necessarily used to."

But there's still a long way to go for female representation. Wilton Regan praises games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Dragon Age: The Veilguard for their inclusive leads, but behind the scenes, change is slow. "If you have a male character and a female character, very often the man will do the full performance capture and the woman will be brought in simply to replace his lines. That's a terrible choice. A woman would not fight a 7-foot-5 man the same way a male counterpart would." She recalls pre-Covid days where she was given exactly 4.2 seconds to say a line, with no room to make it her own. "The talent comes when you make it your own, but we're constrained. You have to find a way to prove your brilliance within these constraints."



Baranova adds, "You're not treating your players as observant enough. They think that when a male actor records mo-cap, then it's just replaced with a female voice that the audience isn't going to notice. It's so obvious when a woman is walking with her shoulders locked and her hips not moving. It really irks me." Wilton Regan also calls out marketing: "The male character choice will still often be the default on the poster, or the man's voice in the trailer. We need to get women's voices in there. It's not that complicated to have one pass with the female voice, and one with the male voice."

We've come a long way from when the industry was reluctant to cast powerful leading women, but there's still work to do. With actors like Wilton Regan, Baranova, and English proving their worth, it's hopefully only a matter of time. As for Lies of P, it's more than a game—it's a testament to what happens when you take risks, trust your instincts, and let a puppet sing. And I, for one, can't wait to see what Neowiz does next. ?

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Hollow Knight: Silksong has been out for a while by 2026, and its reputation as a punishing metroidvania has only hardened. Players still expect a few bugs in a game about bugs, but Team Cherry's sequel delivers an overwhelming swarm of them. Not technical glitches—these are intentional, exquisitely designed nightmares. They block paths, drain resources, and turn small arenas into deathtraps. For anyone revisiting Pharloom or finally picking up the sequel, here is a third-person tour of the critters that have caused the most frustration. ?

Kilik



Kilik looks small. It looks weak. That is the trap. This bug appears throughout early areas and can be summoned by the Savage Beastfly to shrink an already cramped arena. Its spikes, however, shoot out much farther than its body suggests. A narrow tunnel with a Kilik becomes a stop sign. Floor and ceiling Kiliks create a skewer. Hornet's needle cannot always reach the inner body, so players must wait, dodge, and chip away. It is a lesson in patience that nobody asked for.

Savage Beastfly



The ordinary beastflies are annoying. The Savage Beastfly is a digital war crime wrapped in a rotund bug body. It is an optional boss, but that does not make the fight pleasant. The arena is tiny. The Beastfly is huge. It dashes around at heights that sometimes feel unavoidable, and it summons extra bugs to make the space even smaller. Oh, and it has an obscene health pool. In 2026, guides may recommend certain tools or strategies, but the memory of that first encounter still stings.

Overgrown Pilgrim



Early areas like Mosshome introduce the Overgrown Pilgrim, a victim of Pharloom's Haunting who now makes that everyone else's problem. The Pilgrim spits at Hornet, then leaps away. It interrupts jumps toward platforms. It hops off ledges, forcing a chase and a restart of the platforming section. The damage is not the issue; the disruption is. Every spit feels personal. Every leap feels like a taunt.

Snitchfly



Wealth is scarce beneath the Citadel of Pharloom, and the Snitchfly is determined to redistribute it—to itself. This thief does not deal much damage, but it can leap onto Hornet and tear away loose rosaries. Defeat it, and the rosaries return. Die or leave the area, and they are gone. Snitchflies are basically the Citadel's bigwigs with worse manners and better jumping. Few enemies feel as personally offensive. ?

Flintflame Flyer



Deep Rock is full of bugs in protective gear, toiling around magma and harvesting flintstone. Their helmets stop attacks from above, but most are slow enough to handle. Then comes the Flintflame Flyer, a demolitions expert who throws incredibly explosive bombs. Send a bomb back? It blocks. Those helmets are thick. The explosion is massive enough to black out the screen and wipe out Hornet in one hit. It is a bug immune to its own bombs, and that feels deeply unfair.

Skarrgard and the Skarr Bugs



Hunter's March brings color back to Pharloom: red shells, greenery, water. It also brings Skarrgard and every other Skarr bug. These are trained killers. They carry weapons, dash, burrow, fire projectiles, and wear helmets. What are they fighting that requires this much defense? The player, apparently. The learning curve in Hunter's March is cruel, even if the bugs themselves are brilliantly designed. Loving them and hating them can happen at the same time.

Swamp Squit



Bilewater is already a nightmare: no map, barely any light, maggots that eat silk. Then the Swamp Squits arrive. They swarm, dash, and explode after defeat. Worse, they respawn almost instantly. Flying enemies can be fun because they push Hornet's agile combat style, but the Swamp Squit pushes too far. It is a bad bug. Many players learn to simply avoid them, which is not a compliment to their design.

Stilkin



Another Bilewater introduction, the Stilkin hides in everything and is one of the few bugs not killed by water. It hops out of grass, dives beneath the surface, and shoots poison darts that explode. It keeps hopping. It is nearly impossible to swipe with a needle. Sinner's Road has tough enemies, but Bilewater's Stilkin are on another level of evasion and annoyance.

Pharlid



Around the Blasted Steps, Pharlids become more common. They are tiny, which makes them seem harmless. That assumption is proof of inexperience. Pharlids are like small dogs: obscenely aggressive and weirdly strong. They dash when they sense Hornet nearby, and they can climb any surface. Their mask is invincible from the front, so frontal strikes fail. They do make great bouncing platforms, though. That is the only nice thing to say.

Driznit



The Driznit is another Blasted Steps enemy with thoughtful coral-themed design. Unfortunately, that coral becomes a weapon. The Driznit appears most during platforming, which is lovely. Its coral horn follows with bizarre precision, almost like a magnet. The rebounding properties are intense, and the dart is bigger than the bug's body. Fighting them again is not on any player's wish list.

The Verdict

Silksong's bugs are not all equally awful, but they share a talent for interrupting momentum. Some steal resources, some explode, some hide, and some simply refuse to be hit. In 2026, patches and community knowledge may soften certain encounters, but the core experience remains sharp. Team Cherry built a world where every bug feels handcrafted—and some of those handcrafted bugs are absolute menaces. ?

Enemy
Primary Sin
Why It Stings

Kilik
Long spikes
Blocks narrow passages and outranges Hornet

Savage Beastfly
Tiny arena, huge boss
Summons help and refuses to die quickly

Overgrown Pilgrim
Spits and leaps
Ruins platforming rhythm

Snitchfly
Steals rosaries
Turns wealth into a chase

Flintflame Flyer
Explosive bombs
One-shot potential and bomb immunity

Skarr bugs
Military-grade aggression
Weapons, dashes, helmets, projectiles

Swamp Squit
Explodes and respawns
Instant return makes avoidance optimal

Stilkin
Ambushes with poison darts
Hides everywhere and is hard to hit

Pharlid
Invincible front mask
Tiny, fast, and relentless

Driznit
Magnetic coral dart
Punishes platforming with precision

For players still exploring Pharloom, the best advice is simple: respect the bugs. They are not obstacles to rush past. They are the main event, whether that feels fair or not.

The same patience that gets you through a Pharlid swarm pays off outside Pharloom, too. Anyone gearing up for long boss attempts knows the drill: compare before you commit, because prices on controllers, headsets, and the games themselves swing wildly depending on where you look. A few minutes of digging can easily save more than a missed rosary or two.

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I have a confession: I am not good at Hollow Knight: Silksong. I am stubborn, though. I have spent dozens of hours getting humbled by its platforming, its map, and its bosses. And as of 2026, after several post-launch patches, the hardest fights still feel like they were designed by someone who wanted to see me cry. Here are the ten bosses and boss-like encounters that broke me the most.



Rank
Fight
Why it hurts

10
Last Judge
Act 1 skill check with fire and a brutal runback

9
Groal the Great
Waterborne poison frog with pendulum problems

8
Savage Beastfly (second)
Optional, add-heavy, attention-splitting

7
Widow
Fast silk traps and unpredictable bells

6
Phantom
Lace but meaner, faster, and less fair

5
The First Sinner
Needle hell and exploding AoEs

4
High Halls Arena
Eleven waves of pure endurance

3
Moorwing
Flying orb patterns from a bad dream

2
Sister Splinter (pre-patch)
Two-mask claws and Shellwood lockdown

1
Skarrgard
Early-game wall with a lesson

10. Last Judge Is a Mid-Game Skill Check

The Last Judge is not the hardest boss in a vacuum, but she is the hardest boss when you are still learning. She is the final boss of Act 1, and she exists to make sure you have actually learned Silksong's mechanics. Her attacks are diverse. Phase 2 sets the arena on fire, literally engulfing you in flames. When you finally win, her weapon explodes and gets one last hit in. And the runback is miserable; I lost my cocoon more than once before I even reached her. Fighting her is like trying to fold a fitted sheet during a house fire.

9. Groal the Great Is Too Big to Dodge

Groal is a waterborne frog boss in Bilewater, and he ruins an area that already ruined my day. You have limited time to hit him when he pokes his head above the water. He uses poison projectiles and a foul breath attack that pulls you inward. He bullies you into corners with his bloated body, summons adds, and his arena has swinging pendulums and poison pools. It is a geometry problem where all the angles are poisonous.



8. Savage Beastfly's Second Appearance Is Shockingly Hard

The first Savage Beastfly fight in Far Fields is relatively easy. The second one, in the already frustrating Hunter's March, is an optional boss at the Chapel of the Beast. You do not have to fight it again, but if you do, you are in for a challenge. Phase 1 uses floating slam attacks that leave it vulnerable. Phase 2 summons a number of annoying adds that exist only to distract you, splitting your attention between multiple moving targets until you lose track of the real threat. I lost that thread more than once.

7. Widow Has Quickly Become an Icon

Widow has become one of Silksong's beloved bosses for her unique design, silk-based moveset, and difficulty. You face her about halfway through Bellhart. Like Hornet, she summons silk to ensnare you and occasionally drops large metal bells on your head. The issue is phase 2, when her bell drops become less predictable and her base attacks get faster and harder to dodge. She is quick and unpredictable, and you need to heal, but you also need silk and space. That tension is the whole fight.



6. Phantom Makes Bilewater Even Worse

If you thought your first bout with Lace was difficult, wait until you fight Phantom. The two bosses share a lot: they can parry your attacks, dash across the battlefield, and perform devastating AoEs. But Phantom is tougher. They are faster and significantly less predictable. You are always too late to dodge their projectile throws, just a little too close to jump over their dash attacks. Phantom covers the entire battlefield, leaving you no safe space to cower until it is your turn to strike. Beating them unlocks Cross Stitch, an extended AoE that deals several attacks worth of damage. While in the Cross Stitch animation, you automatically parry incoming attacks. Great ability, brutal exam.

5. The First Sinner Is Impossibly Fast

Located in the hostile Slab prison, the First Sinner is among the fastest bosses in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Its main attack drops a series of massive needles on you, peppering the battlefield and leaving few safe spaces. You have to read its tell carefully and dodge in the right direction. Phase 1 also has a more generic melee combo. Phase 2 speeds up its attack patterns and unlocks a new attack, spawning exploding circle AoEs throughout the arena. This fight is all about positioning, and the boss gives you little time to get into place. It moves like a rumor in a small town: everywhere at once and impossible to pin down.



4. The High Halls Arena Is an Unrelenting Gauntlet

It is not technically a boss fight, but the High Halls arena fight deserves its spot. Arena fights are basically boss fights in multi-wave form, and this one has among the most waves in both Silksong and the original Hollow Knight: eleven consecutive phases. Just when you think you have reached the end, another wave arrives to break your streak. The constantly changing strategies and sheer length make it easy to make a deadly mistake. It is like being asked to solve a Rubik's cube while someone keeps swapping the stickers.

3. Moorwing Is Tough, But Cheese-able

Moorwing is widely considered one of the hardest boss fights in Silksong as a whole. It is another massive flying boss, and its attacks are big, bold, and difficult to dodge. It dives straight into you, slashes with its claws, and shoots deadly glowing orbs. The orbs follow strange, evolving patterns: a single bowling-ball-like trajectory along the ground, then double orbs, then a bizarre double-circling-back pattern that requires two dodges in quick succession. You can make the battle easier by recruiting Garmond and Zaza, or by attacking from above its arena where it cannot reach you. I am not above cheese.

2. Sister Splinter Was Powerful Pre-Patch

Sister Splinter was one of the first casualties of Silksong nerfs brought about by post-release patches. Her original version in the 1.0 release was incredibly difficult, to the point that many players complained in reviews. She had powerful claw attacks that dealt two masks' worth of damage each hit, a vine attack that limited your safe space, and the ability to summon Splinterbarks as adds. She was a formidable foe who left many players stuck in Shellwood. If you get past her, you unlock Cling Grip, a wall jump ability you need for remote areas. Post-patch she is more manageable, but veterans remember the original wall.

1. Skarrgard Causes New Players Trouble

Skarrgard is not even really a boss. He is a miniboss at best, without an official title drop or a proper arena. If you faced him in the late game, you would not find him that hard. He moves swiftly, and his attacks have big hitboxes, but he telegraphs his moves well and is easy enough to dodge with a full arsenal. The issue is placement. Skarrgard appears early enough to pose an impossible obstacle for most players. If you have not unlocked the dodge ability, you will get caught in his attacks over and over. He is intended to teach new players that sometimes it is better to level up and come back later than to stubbornly throw yourself at the same boss again. That lesson is more important than any single victory.

So that is my list. Silksong humbles you again and again, but that is exactly why beating these fights feels so good. If you are stuck in 2026, take a break, upgrade, and come back. The game will still be there, waiting to humble you. ?

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I almost missed the Snare Setter on my first journey through Hollow Knight: Silksong. It is a Red Tool hidden inside Weavenest Atla, an area east of Moss Grotto, and the route only opens after you have the Needolin and the Faydown Cloak. Because that means backtracking with a mid-game double jump, many players skip it entirely. In 2026, with Pharloom's secrets widely discussed, I still think this trap tool deserves a permanent slot for boss fights.

?️ What the Snare Setter Actually Is

The Snare Setter is a Red Tool that places a medium-sized silk rune on the ground. When an enemy walks near it, the rune explodes and deals damage. It starts with eight charges by default, and it does not demand rare resources to refill; regular Shell Shards are enough. That makes it easy to restock at benches or vendors before a difficult encounter.

Detail
Information

Tool type
Red Tool

Location
Hidden area inside Weavenest Atla

Access requirements
Needolin and Faydown Cloak

Default charges
8

Replenishment
Shell Shards

Best role
Boss arenas and zone control



?️ My Route Through Weavenest Atla

Weavenest Atla sits east of Moss Grotto, the starting region of Silksong. To get inside, I played the Needolin in front of the locked door. Once inside, the path to the Snare Setter is short but easy to fumble if you are not paying attention.

Enter Weavenest Atla and activate the teleporter to reach the lower level.

Use Cling Grip to climb the wall on the right.

Jump across the gap and enter the chamber to the left.

Walk left until you reach the water.

Use Cling Grip again to reach the top, then turn right.

Pick up the Snare Setter from the pedestal and add it to your inventory.





The first time I entered this hidden area, I was so focused on the tool that I nearly walked past two other upgrades. Do not make the same mistake. From the bottom right corner of Weavenest Atla, you can claim a Hunter Crest Upgrade. Below the Snare Setter's pedestal, you can also find a Spool Fragment, which increases your Silk capacity.





? How I Use the Snare Setter

When I equip the Snare Setter, I treat it like a patient hunter's tool. I place runes along the ground before a boss charges, during a stagger window, or near arena edges where I expect the boss to dash. The rune explodes when an enemy comes close, so the damage happens without me needing to swing my Needle. That is valuable when a boss has a fast pattern and I want to keep my movement clean.

It works against normal enemies too, but I rarely rely on it for basic exploration. Against common foes, a quick Needle strike is faster and cleaner. The Snare Setter shines when the battlefield is chaotic, when a boss moves around a lot, or when I want to soften a target before committing to melee.



⚔️ Snare Setter vs Tacks

Functionally, the Snare Setter resembles the Tacks Tool, which works like caltrops. Both are ground-based traps, but they behave differently in boss fights. Tacks struggle to deal meaningful damage to bosses that move around constantly. The Snare Setter can still punish those mobile bosses because its rune explodes on proximity. The tradeoff is efficiency: the Snare Setter generally deals less damage per hit than other options, so it is not a pure damage tool. It is a control tool that adds pressure.

Tool
Trap style
Boss performance
Damage efficiency

Snare Setter
Silk rune that explodes near enemies
Strong against mobile bosses
Lower damage per hit

Tacks
Caltrops
Weak against highly mobile bosses
Better for stationary or small targets

? Practical Tips for 2026

?️ Place runes before a boss enters the arena or after a phase transition.

? Use Shell Shards to refill charges before long boss attempts.

? Revisit Moss Grotto and Weavenest Atla after getting the Faydown Cloak.

? Pair trap placement with safe Needle pokes rather than standing still.

?️ Do not ignore the Hunter Crest Upgrade and Spool Fragment in the same area.

?️ For normal enemies, save charges and use your Needle unless you are setting up a crowd.

In my current 2026 playthrough, the Snare Setter is not the flashiest Red Tool, but it is one of the most tactical. It rewards planning, map awareness, and a little patience. If you are willing to backtrack to Weavenest Atla with the Faydown Cloak, you will gain a trap that can turn a frantic boss arena into a field of your own making. For me, that is more than enough reason to keep it equipped.

Chasing every Tool and upgrade in Silksong means racking up a fair amount of playtime, and for many players that journey starts on PC. If you prefer to build your collection on Steam, keeping an eye on discounts can stretch your budget further, especially when DLC or bundled titles go on sale. That is where a reliable steam sale tracker like DealNest comes in handy, letting you follow price drops without refreshing store pages yourself.

Whether you are waiting for Silksong itself or filling your backlog with other metroidvanias to scratch the same itch, having a tool that watches the numbers for you means you never miss a good deal. It pairs nicely with the patient, planning-first mindset this whole guide has been about.

As of 2026, Hollow Knight: Silksong's Bilewater remains one of the most punishing and labyrinthine regions in Team Cherry's sequel. The area is defined by toxic pools, cramped corridors, and relentless enemies, making every bench a vital lifeline. Bilewater contains four benches in total. While most players will naturally stumble upon at least one during their first expedition, the remaining three are either tucked behind breakable walls or locked behind a boss encounter. This report breaks down every bench location so that players can secure fast travel, restore health, and reduce the sting of repeated deaths.

First Bench: Bell Beast Station Room

The first bench in Bilewater sits inside the same room as the area's Bell Beast station. Players who enter Bilewater from its main entrance will encounter signs that point directly toward this chamber, so it is difficult to miss under normal circumstances. The bench offers an early safe haven and a fast travel point, which is invaluable for anyone still learning the area's hazards.



For players who somehow overlook it, the route from the entrance is straightforward. Following the signs leads to the Bell Beast station, and the bench is right there. Activating it early gives players a reliable respawn point before they push deeper into Bilewater's corrosive environment.

Second Bench: Exhaust Organ

The second bench is hidden in the Exhaust Organ, a structure located beyond the Mist. To reach it, players should exit the room containing the first bench and head left. They will soon encounter a breakable wall. Smashing through it opens the path into the Mist, a disorienting section where visibility is limited and navigation can be tricky.

At the end of the Mist, players will find a structure they can enter. This is the Exhaust Organ. Once inside, they should go up and to the left to activate the bench. Because the Mist can confuse players and the breakable wall is easy to pass by, this bench is often missed on a first run. It is worth the detour, however, as it provides a much-needed checkpoint before some of Bilewater's tougher encounters.

Third Bench: Hidden Near the Top

Bilewater's third bench is concealed near the top of the area. Reaching it requires players to smash through another breakable wall at a specific position. The wall is not marked with obvious fanfare, so players must either explore carefully or consult a map. Once the wall is broken, the route to the bench becomes clear.



This bench is especially valuable because it shortens the runback to several late-area challenges. Players who rely only on the first two benches may find themselves repeating long, dangerous stretches after every mistake. Unlocking this hidden checkpoint can dramatically improve the pace of exploration and boss attempts.

Fourth Bench: Groal the Great Reward

The final bench in Bilewater becomes available after players defeat Groal the Great, the boss at the top of the area. This bench is not hidden in the same way as the others; it is a reward for overcoming one of Bilewater's toughest fights. Defeating Groal the Great grants access to the bench, giving players a safe point near the climax of the region.



Because Groal the Great sits at the top of Bilewater, this bench is ideal for players who want to wrap up remaining objectives in the area or prepare for whatever comes next. It also serves as a symbolic milestone: reaching it means the worst of Bilewater's navigation is behind them.

Bilewater Bench Summary

Bench
Location
How to Reach

1
Bell Beast station room
Follow signs from the entrance

2
Exhaust Organ
Exit first bench room, go left, break wall, cross Mist, enter structure, go up-left

3
Near top of Bilewater
Break a hidden wall at the marked position

4
Top of Bilewater
Defeat Groal the Great

Practical Tips for Bilewater

? Mark suspicious walls: Breakable walls often look slightly different, but in Bilewater's gloom they are easy to miss.

?️ Rest often: Benches restore health and save progress, so activate every one as soon as it is found.

? Use Bell Beast travel: The first bench doubles as a station, making it a natural hub for returning to other regions.

? Plan boss attempts: The third and fourth benches reduce runbacks, which is critical when learning Groal the Great's patterns.

? Explore vertically: Bilewater hides routes above and below the main path, so players should check ledges and ceilings.

In 2026, Hollow Knight: Silksong continues to attract new players, and Bilewater remains a rite of passage. With four benches to find, the area rewards patience and thorough exploration. The first bench is nearly impossible to miss, the second hides behind the Mist and a breakable wall, the third sits near the top behind another breakable wall, and the fourth appears only after Groal the Great falls. By securing all four, players can turn Bilewater from a nightmare into a manageable, if still dangerous, stretch of Silksong's world.

For players who fall in love with Silksong's punishing exploration and want to try more games in the same vein, the hunt for the next great adventure never really ends. Between tracking down hidden benches and mastering tough boss patterns, it helps to keep an eye out for ways to expand your library without spending a fortune. That's where a resource like PC game discounts comes in handy, making it easier to pick up the titles that scratch the same Metroidvania itch without paying full price.

Whether you're chasing down every secret in Bilewater or planning your next challenge after Groal the Great finally falls, having a steady supply of affordable games means there's always something new waiting to be explored. DealNest can help you find those deals as you build out a collection worthy of any dedicated explorer.

In the sprawling world of Hollow Knight: Silksong, players will encounter all sorts of grotesque and challenging bosses. Among them is Disgraced Chef Lugoli, a foul-mouthed culinary disaster who has taken up residence in Sinner's Road. Some might fancy themselves a home chef, but Lugoli takes the cake—or rather, burns it. His story is a cautionary tale of culinary ambition gone wrong, and now he's holed up in Sinner's Road, ready to fling poison at anyone who dares interrupt his pity party. This boss is a roadblock for those looking to complete the 'Great Taste of Pharloom' quest and fully clear the area. While the fight is short, the poison mechanics can make it a real nail-biter. So, here's the lowdown on how to send this chef to the great kitchen in the sky.

Where to Find Disgraced Chef Lugoli

Disgraced Chef Lugoli can be found in Sinner's Road, an area accessible via Greymoor relatively early in the game. However, players won't be able to challenge this boss until they have obtained the Faydown Cloak (double jump). Once equipped, players head through the bottom halls of Sinner's Road until they spot an area that requires a double jump to reach. This is the boss arena. The player simply rings the gong in the middle to start the fight.

Tip: Before starting the fight, it is wise to open the shortcut to the left of the boss arena and rest at the Sinner's Road Bench.



How to Beat Disgraced Chef Lugoli

After ringing the gong, two sous chef enemies will appear. These are relatively tame and can be taken down comfortably by keeping distance and darting in for quick hits. Once they're dispatched, the real fight begins.

Phase One: Poison Blobs and Butt Charges

Lugoli drops into the center of the room and immediately launches four green poison blobs. The key is for the player to stand just left or right of the drop zone—the blobs will miss. If hit by a blob, the player is immediately inflicted with poison, which must be cleared using silk before healing. So avoiding these is paramount.

Lugoli has two attacks in this phase: a butt charge that deals two masks of damage, and the poison blob attack. For the poison attack, the player should stay close to the drop zone so the arching blobs have no chance of landing. For the butt charge, the player must spot it early and dash away in the opposite direction as fast as possible.

Attack
Description
Counter

Poison Blobs
Lugoli launches four green blobs in an arc.
Stand just left or right of the drop zone.

Butt Charge
Lugoli charges forward, dealing two masks.
Spot early, dash away in the opposite direction.

Phase Two: Dive Bombing and More Blobs

After taking enough damage, Lugoli enters phase two. He moves a little faster and gains a new move: he dives under the arena surface, spits up four blobs, then emerges to throw another four. When he dives, the player should avoid the center of the arena—stand just left or right of center to dodge the blobs. This is also a good time to use tools to make short work of him when he's at his most dangerous.

Struggle through, avoid getting poisoned too often, and Lugoli will eventually fall.

Quick Tips

Always keep an eye on the poison status; clear it with silk before attempting to heal.

Use tools like Threefold Pin or Sharpdart to deal burst damage during phase two.

Don't panic when Lugoli dives—just step to the side and wait for the blobs to pass.

The fight is short, so patience and positioning are more important than aggression.



Rewards for Defeating Disgraced Chef Lugoli

The main reward for defeating Disgraced Chef Lugoli is the Pickled Muckmaggot, a key ingredient for the five-part side quest, The Great Taste of Pharloom. While players can turn it in at the Choral Chambers immediately, it is best to hold onto all ingredients until every one is accounted for.



With this guide, players should be able to send Disgraced Chef Lugoli back to the kitchen—permanently. Players should remember that poison is the real enemy here. They should stay mobile, use silk to clear status, and avoid getting greedy with hits. Happy hunting! ???

If you're the kind of player who likes to clear every boss before moving on, you've probably noticed how quickly a game library can grow—and how tempting it is to grab the next big title the moment it goes on sale. Keeping tabs on price drops across storefronts isn't always straightforward, which is where a reliable steam sale tracker like DealNest comes in handy. It aggregates discounts and price history in one place, so you can decide whether a deal is genuinely worth it instead of guessing.

That matters most when you're juggling a backlog—finish Lugoli, then check whether that wishlist game has finally hit a price you're happy with. DealNest keeps the hunting part quick, so you can get back to the part that's actually fun: playing.

As a longtime Nightfarer, I booted up Elden Ring: Nightreign the moment I saw FromSoftware had deployed patch 1.03.1 across all platforms. The update is not just a routine maintenance drop. For anyone who owns The Forsaken Hollows DLC, it pours fresh content into the ultra-hard Deep of Night mode. For everyone else, it delivers a massive list of balance changes, quality-of-life features, and bug fixes that touch nearly every corner of the game. In 2026, with the DLC now boasting an impressive 2 million players, this patch feels like a clear signal that FromSoftware is still actively shaping the Nightreign experience.

Deep of Night Gets More Dangerous for DLC Owners ?

If you own The Forsaken Hollows, the headline is simple: Deep of Night now has new targets, Landmarks, raid events, and Shifting Earth encounters. I love that these additions only appear when I am matched with other players who also own the DLC. It keeps the expansion content feeling special and avoids confusing newer players who have not bought in yet. The Great Hollow Shifting Earth also received focused adjustments. Curse effects related to Fire, Magic, Lightning, and Holy are now stronger when they appear on weapons and items in the temples. FromSoftware also tweaked the Continuous HP Loss and Continuous HP Recovery curses.

The Night Aspect fight can now feature additional attack types if every Nightfarer in the party owns The Forsaken Hollows. That change alone makes me want to assemble a full DLC squad. I also noticed that when the Night's Tide engulfs you in the Great Hollow, your character's feet now appear to be burning. It is a small visual touch, but it sells the danger.

Feature
What Changed

New DLC content
New targets, Landmarks, raid events, and Shifting Earth in Deep of Night

Matchmaking
DLC additions only appear with other DLC owners

Great Hollow curses
Increased elemental curse effects and adjusted HP loss/recovery curses

Night Aspect
Extra attack types when all Nightfarers own the DLC

Balance Tweaks and Quality-of-Life Wins ?️

The wolves summoned during the Tricephalos raid event have had their attack power decreased. As someone who has been ambushed by those wolves more than once, I say thank you. Scholar players will appreciate the new stack count display for the damage negation reduction icon that appears when hitting enemies with level 3 Dart-type items via the Bagcraft skill.

Scholar's Ultimate Art Communion no longer breaks when transforming with the Executor's Ultimate Art Aspects of the Crucible: Beast. There is also a new near-death animation when reviving with the Power to Balance the World special effect. Identical consumables now combine according to their stack limit when swapped in the Equipment Menu. The status menu now shows icons and explanations for active effects, pinned items display rarity color in the You indicated equipment message, and map clues in the Great Hollow Shifting Earth have an expanded discovery range. I can also remap the Map Display key in the keyboard/mouse settings. These are the kinds of changes that make long expeditions feel smoother.

A Mountain of Bug Fixes ?

The patch notes are enormous, and I cannot list every single fix without turning this into a novel. But several categories stand out. Scholar received a long list of repairs: Communion no longer applies when no other targets are affected, linked damage and healing now propagate correctly during Near Death, Analyze gauge gain is fixed at maximum charge, analyzed target counts no longer reset when someone opens the Spirit Tree shelter door, Bagcraft duration and Fan Dagger hit application are corrected, level 3 Holy Water Pot now damages the Royal Revenant, Crystal Tear counts display properly, and Frozen Needle attack motions are fixed.

Revenant players will be glad that Immortal March's immortality is no longer overwritten by other visual effects. Bows got attention too: Black Flame Blade and Bloodflame Blade now remove frostbite from enemies, Improved Rolling Attacks applies to Bows, and Partial HP Restoration upon Post-Damage Attacks triggers on critical hits. The Chilling Mist and Holy Ground interaction no longer causes self-frostbite. Black Flame Blade also now works correctly with Frenzyflame Thrust, and no longer incorrectly applies to Wave of Gold and Thundercloud Form hitboxes. Golden Retaliation and Carian Retaliation can now rescue allies from near-death states more reliably. Regal Beastclaw and Wave of Gold receive attack power enhancements. Ancient Death Rancor and Beast Claw can be charged properly, and Beast Claw's post-cast delay can be canceled by chaining.

Other notable fixes include Cold Mirage applying to Executor's Aspects of the Crucible: Beast, solo expedition revival with Power to Balance the World, Totem Stela kills counting for relic effects, Evergaol prisoner attack power stacking, relic stack loss after death, rune acquisition sharing after revival, Great Bow of the Erdtree appearing as intended, near-death gauge carryover from day two bosses, and lock-on for near-death allies.

Boss and Raid Event Repairs ⚔️

Boss fights received extensive attention. Gaping Jaw ground attacks have better hit detection and effect positions. Everdark Sovereign Equilibrious Beast no longer spawns enemy Raiders because of a specific Revenant costume. The Dancer of the Boreal Valley can now be damaged by other players during critical hits. The Dreglord fight fixes incorrect spell aiming, enemy attacks targeting the wrong players, players getting stuck inside objects, and music timing in multiplayer. The Balancers grab attack sound effect now plays. Demon in Pain and Demon from Below now have defeat animations when killed simultaneously, and arrows to their heads deal increased damage. Several Night bosses, Curseblade timings, Great Hollows summoned enemies, Tree Guard, Omenkillers in Blacksmith Village, and DLC enemy drops have all been corrected.

Raid events also got cleaned up. Augur water bombs no longer turn invisible for rejoining players. Tricephalos wolves disappear immediately after clearing, have intended HP in 2-3 player expeditions, and correct damage reduction. Fissure in the Fog blizzard and fog display issues are fixed, multiple bosses no longer appear for rejoining players, and runes are awarded properly. Balancer raid event spawn issues are addressed.

Great Hollow Shifting Earth, Menus, and More ?️

The Great Hollow Shifting Earth received dozens of fixes: full HP restoration after Crystal Curse death, site of grace and blacksmithing table consistency, Crystal Curse immunity exploits, temple progression blockers, extra enemies during boss fights, treasure chest stuck spots, Spiritstream usability after rejoin, Totem Stela spawning underground, rune acquisition, map icons, and more. Blacksmith Village Cataclysm Nightfarer enemies now appear, Combat Art workbench skill assignment is fixed, and Sparring Grounds effects no longer persist after character changes. Undertaker's Loathsome Hex can no longer reach unintended locations. Relic Rite menus display effects correctly, item help works in the Visual Codex, and map menu depth icons behave.

FromSoftware also addressed the Unity Technologies security vulnerability announced on October 3, though the developer insists the main game was not impacted. Pre-order bonuses like artwork and soundtrack were updated. The version numbers are App Ver. 1.03.1 and Regulation Ver. 1.03.2. On PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, I need to log in to download the regulation file. If the lower right corner does not show 1.03.2, I must select LOGIN and apply the latest regulation. Online play requires this update, so I cannot play at all online until it is applied. After downloading, I need to restart the game.

As a player, I am impressed by the scope. Patch 1.03.1 is not just a fix list. It is a statement that Nightreign's hardest mode will keep evolving. With 2 million DLC players and a mountain of repairs, now is a good time to return to the Night. I know I will. ?

With so much of Nightreign's toughest content finally behaving as intended, plenty of players who drifted away are probably weighing a return — and that usually means checking whether the base game or the DLC has dipped in price before committing. If you fall into that camp, keeping an eye on a steam sale tracker like DealNest saves you from refreshing store pages endlessly or missing a brief discount window between major seasonal events.

DealNest collects current and historical pricing so you can see whether a title is genuinely at its lowest point or just dressed up as a bargain, which matters when a purchase decision hinges on a single DLC drop. Whether you are grabbing the expansion for the first time or finally convincing a friend to join your expedition, a quick price check before checkout is rarely wasted effort.

As someone who has thrown myself against Hollow Knight: Silksong's bosses more times than I care to admit, I almost dropped my controller when I saw the trophy comparisons this week. The PlayStation version is effectively a lighthouse with its two most blinding lamps unscrewed: it is missing both the Steel Soul and Steel Heart trophies, which Steam and Xbox players are forced to earn for 100 percent completion.

Let's be honest about Silksong itself. The original Hollow Knight had tough spikes, but Silksong behaves like that from the moment the first screen loads and never really releases the pressure. I have watched friends who breezed through the first game get flattened by Pharloom's early encounters, and the curve barely flattens after that. A normal playthrough already asks for pin-point timing, resource management, and patience that borders on meditation.



Steel Soul mode, which returns from the first game as an unlockable extra after clearing the game or by using a recently discovered cheat code, removes the safety net entirely: one death and the run is over. It is like trying to thread a needle while falling through a silk storm, a cruel demand for a game this precise. And then there is Steel Heart, which asks you to 100 percent the entire game under that same no-death rule. I still cannot say that name without flinching.



Earlier this week, reports noted that skilled PlayStation players managed the platinum even though the game had not been out for a full week. When I inspected the trophy list for myself, the absence became obvious. Steam and Xbox players need to beat the game in Steel Soul mode for one achievement, then 100 percent the entire game in Steel Soul mode for another. That second one is the kind of request that makes me whisper 'Dear god, no' into an empty room. PlayStation players, however, do not have those two trophies at all. The game mode still exists on Sony's console, but completing it only grants bragging rights, not a shiny digital trophy.

The comparison looks like this:

Platform
Steel Soul trophy
Steel Heart trophy
Platinum difficulty

PlayStation
No
No
Much easier

Steam
Yes
Yes
Brutal

Xbox
Yes
Yes
Brutal



This explains why skilled PlayStation players were able to grab the platinum within days of release, before most of us had even stopped mistiming Hornet's down-slash. On Steam and Xbox, a full achievement completion is still a frozen waterfall being climbed with buttered gloves, but on PlayStation that waterfall conveniently ends before the final ice wall. In 2026, that difference matters even more because trophy hunting has become its own competitive side of the Silksong community, and Sony players now have a considerably shorter route to the top.

For me, the situation is bittersweet. I like that more players will experience the platinum without needing to treat Silksong as a second job, but I also know that Steel Soul runs are where the game's knife-edge combat truly sharpens into something unforgettable. The original Hollow Knight had a similar split, with some platform trophy lists feeling like they had their teeth pulled, and history has repeated itself here.

If you simply want every trophy in Silksong, the PlayStation version is the clear route. If you want to prove something to yourself, both Steel Soul and Steel Heart are still waiting in the shadows on every platform, even if Sony will not hand you a trophy for surviving them.

Whether you pick up Silksong on PlayStation for the friendlier trophy list or on Steam and Xbox for the full Steel Soul gauntlet, the platform decision tends to come down to more than achievements alone. Most people juggle a handful of stores at once, and the same copy of the game can sit at noticeably different prices depending on where and when you look, especially once sales start rotating through the season.

That is roughly where DealNest becomes useful. Instead of opening a dozen tabs and jotting numbers down on a scrap of paper, you can compare prices here and see what each storefront is charging before you commit. It is a small step, but it keeps the money side of the hobby as uncomplicated as the PlayStation trophy list, leaving you free to worry about the part that actually hurts: Hornet's down-slash timing.

In the sprawling, insectoid world of Hollow Knight, a small, silent knight once captured the hearts of millions. But now, in 2026, the spotlight has shifted to a different hero: Hornet, the princess-protector of Hallownest, who takes center stage in Hollow Knight: Silksong. With her taller frame, sharper cloak, and deadly needle, Hornet is undeniably a different beast. But does that make her a better protagonist than The Knight? Not necessarily—yet she possesses a suite of abilities that The Knight could only dream of. From chatting with NPCs to gliding through the air, Hornet proves that being a short king isn't the only way to rule.



The Gift of Gab ?️

One of the most striking differences between the two protagonists is Hornet's ability to speak. The Knight was a silent vessel, reacting to the world with nothing more than a blank stare and the occasional grunt. Hornet, however, engages in full conversations with the bugs of Pharloom. This narrative shift makes the story more engaging, as players can finally hear their hero's thoughts and respond to the quirky cast of characters. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to actually talk back to a cryptic NPC? Hornet does it with grace and wit, turning every interaction into a memorable exchange. This change echoes other sequels like Dead Space 2 and Jak 2, where a talking protagonist added depth to the narrative.

Death Becomes Her ?

When The Knight died in Hollow Knight, they left behind a Shade—a ghostly remnant that players had to defeat to reclaim their Geo. It was a classic corpse run, but a punishing one. Hornet, in contrast, handles death with far more finesse. Instead of leaving a Shade, she seals her valuables in a silk cocoon and retreats to fight another day. This ability, born from her mastery of Silk, demonstrates her grace and cunning. It's a headcanon-friendly explanation for how she survives countless battles: she doesn't die, she simply withdraws. The Knight could never boast such elegance.



Run, Hornet, Run! ?‍♀️

Traversal is a staple of the Metroidvania genre, and both games excel at it. The Knight can dash, but he never learns to run. Hornet, however, unlocks the Swift Step skill, and if players hold down the dash button, she breaks into a full sprint. There are even Trinkets to boost her running speed. In a foot race between the two, Hornet would leave The Knight in the dust. It's a small but significant upgrade that makes exploring Pharloom a breeze.



Gliding on Air ?️

Remember Princess Peach's float in Super Mario Bros. 2? Hornet has a similar trick. In the Far Fields, she can obtain the Drifter's Cloak, which lets her float indefinitely and catch air streams to rocket upward. The Knight's closest equivalent is the Crystal Heart, a jet-like dash that propels him forward. While both are cool, Hornet's gliding feels more graceful and opens up new exploration possibilities. Wouldn't it have been amazing if The Knight could glide through Hallownest? Alas, that was not to be.



The Needolin: Music to Your Ears ?

The Knight's Nail is a tool for combat, pure and simple. Hornet's Needle, on the other hand, becomes a musical instrument. With the Needolin upgrade, she can play her Needle like a harp to open song-sealed doors. But that's not all—certain NPCs will sing along, and even corpses can reveal ghosts through melody. The Knight could communicate with dreams, but he could never turn his weapon into a guitar. This creative twist adds a layer of charm and mystery to Silksong's world.



Taunt Like You Mean It ?

Here's a secret that many players miss: Hornet can taunt enemies by clicking the right thumbstick (on Switch 2, for example). This uses a bit of Silk, but in return, enemies are drawn toward her. This aggro-drawing ability is perfect for luring foes into traps, a tactic The Knight could never employ. Taunting adds a strategic layer to combat, and it's a technique more games should adopt.



Clawline: Grappling with Greatness ?

Finally, the Clawline is one of Hornet's most versatile upgrades. It propels her forward like an extra dash and lets her cling to ring-shaped ornaments in the environment. The Knight has no grappling hook of any kind. This ability alone gives Hornet a significant edge in mobility, allowing her to reach areas and escape dangers that would leave The Knight stumped.



The Verdict: Who Wins? ?

Even though The Knight emerged victorious in their original encounter (he was the protagonist, after all), the tables might turn if they fought without player input. Hornet's new talents—talking, cocooning, running, gliding, music-making, taunting, and grappling—could finally give her the strength to best The Knight in all his silent glory. But does that mean she's a better character? That's for players to decide. One thing is certain: Hornet has proven that she's more than just a side character. She's a force of nature, and Hollow Knight: Silksong is her time to shine.

Here's a quick comparison of their abilities:

Ability
The Knight
Hornet

Speech
Silent
Conversational

Death Mechanic
Leaves Shade
Seals cocoon

Running
No
Yes (Swift Step)

Gliding
No (Crystal Heart dash)
Yes (Drifter's Cloak)

Musical Weapon
No
Yes (Needolin)

Taunt
No
Yes (Silk taunt)

Grappling Hook
No
Yes (Clawline)

So, who do you think is the ultimate protagonist? The silent knight who started it all, or the graceful huntress who took up the mantle? In 2026, as players continue to explore Pharloom, Hornet's legend only grows. And perhaps, just perhaps, she has finally earned the title of "short king" in her own right—though she's not so short anymore.

Debates like this one have a way of spilling out of the game and into group chats, forums, and late-night Discord threads—which is part of the fun. If you're the type of player who likes to back up your hot takes with first-hand experience, it helps to actually own the games being argued about. The original Hollow Knight and Silksong both go on sale fairly often, and other metroidvanias like Ori, Blasphemous, and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown regularly see deep discounts too, making it easy to build a library without paying full price.

That's where a deal-tracking site comes in handy. Instead of refreshing store pages or hoping a sale notification shows up in your feed, DealNest gathers discounts and price drops across games, tech, and everyday products in one place, so you can spot a bargain the moment it appears. Whether you're hunting for a cheap copy of Silksong or just keeping an eye out for the next big sale, it's a handy bookmark to keep alongside your favorite gaming communities.