Hollow Knight: Silksong’s third act introduces players to a new set of challenges, including a fierce encounter with Skarrsinger Karmelita, the leader of the Skarr bugs. This boss is not only a powerful combatant but also a master of music, as a subtle detail during the fight reveals: the background music is silenced when you stagger her, suggesting that she is the one singing the melody. Navigating this fast-paced and rhythmic battle requires precision and a good understanding of her moveset.
Silksong: How To Beat Skarrsinger Karmelita
Locating Skarrsinger Karmelita
The journey to face Karmelita is a testament to your progress in
Silksong. You must have reached the third act of the game, a milestone that requires you to complete the secret "Silk and Soul" questline. Additionally, you will need to have acquired two key abilities: the
Elegy of the Deep and
Silk Soar. The former is crucial for initiating the fight, while the latter is essential for activating a nearby Bench to make your run back less of a hassle.Begin your quest at the Pilgrim’s Rest Bench. From there, exit the room and proceed to the left. Allow the natural wind currents to carry you upwards, then take the second right path you come across. Continue straight, dodging or defeating any enemies in your way, until you exit into a darker chamber. Here, use your
Silk Soar ability to propel yourself across a gap to reach a Bench. Once you've rested, continue to the right until you find a door. Enter the room and interact with the statue by playing the Elegy of the Deep on your Needolin to initiate the boss fight. Before you can face Karmelita herself, you'll have to defeat a pair of Skarr enemies.
A Breakdown of the Boss Fight
Skarrsinger Karmelita is a fast, agile, and unforgiving boss. Her difficulty lies not in a complex moveset, but in the speed and ferocity with which she executes her attacks. The fight is divided into two main phases, with a third phase simply amplifying the speed and aggression of her existing moves.
Phase One Attacks:
- Jump and Throw: Karmelita leaps into the air and, at the peak of her jump, spins while tossing two projectiles in opposite directions.5 These are easy to avoid with a well-timed dash or by parrying them with your nail.
- Ground Throw: On the ground, she throws a projectile directly forward and another atan upward 30-degree angle. You can either parry them or jump over themto avoid damage.
- Triple Slash: Karmelita will lunge forward with her arms raised, performing three swift slashes. This is an excellent opportunity for you to jump and use pogo attacks to deal damage from above while remaining safe.
- Jump and Crash: This attack starts with a jump, but as she reaches her peak, she begins spinning and then crashes down near your location. This impact causes a wave of spikes to erupt from the ground. Similar to her other attacks, a pogo jump is an effective way to stay safe and get a few hits in.
- Spin: She will pause for a moment before spinning and dashing directly towards you. You can easily evade this by dashing back or jumping over her.
Phase Two and Three:
Once you've dealt enough damage, Karmelita will enter her second phase, adding two new attacks to her arsenal:
- Charge and Spikes: She will dash from one end of the arena to the other, leaving a trail of spikes in her wake. You can avoid this by either using your Drifter's Cloak to hover above the spikes or by pogo jumping.
- Jump and Double Throw: This is a variation of her first attack. She will leap into the air and throw two consecutive waves of projectiles in each direction.
After this, she will enter her final phase. No new moves are introduced, but the ferocity and speed of all her existing attacks increase dramatically. The best strategy is to finish the fight as quickly as possible once this phase begins.
Tips for Victory
- Utilize the Right Skills and Tools: The Cross Stitch Silk skill is particularly effective against Karmelita. This abilitycan counter some of her moves and is a vital component of a top-tierendgame build. If you don't have Cross Stitch, the Pale Nails Silk skill is a good alternative, as it can home in on her and deal consistent damage. For your tools, Tacks are highly recommended. Since she spends most of the fight on theground and is constantly moving, spreading Tacks on the floor can dealsignificant, passive damage.
- Practice a Hit-and-Run Strategy: Do not be overly aggressive. Trying to stick close to Karmelita for extended periods is a recipe for disaster. Instead, focus on getting a few hits in after she completes an attack and then immediately retreat to a safe distance. This allows you to regain your composure and react to her next move.
- Listen to the Fight: The silence you hear when you stagger her is a clear indicator ofsuccess. Use these moments to land as many hits as you can before sherecovers.
By mastering her attacks and using your abilities wisely, you can overcome Skarrsinger Karmelita and continue your journey through the depths of Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Platform(s): Microsoft Windows PC, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4 PS4, PlayStation 5 PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Developer(s): Team Cherry
Publisher(s): Team Cherry
Release date: 4 September 2025
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