How to defeat First Sinner in Hollow Knight Silksong

The First Sinner stands as a formidable and punishing early-game challenge in Hollow Knight: Silksong. This aggressive boss demands more than just quick reflexes; she requires a strategic mind and relentless pressure. Her infamous ability to heal herself mid-fight has ended many runs, turning the battle into a frustrating war of attrition.
This in-depth guide will break down everything you need to know to emerge victorious. We'll detail her location, analyze every attack pattern across both phases, and provide a master strategy to shut down her healing and claim your win.

Locating the First Sinner in The Slab

our journey to this boss begins long before the fight itself. The First Sinner is imprisoned deep within the foreboding area known as The Slab. To access her cell, Hornet must become a locksmith of sorts, tracking down three distinct and well-hidden keys:

• Key of the Apostate
• Key of the Indolent
• Key of the Heretic

Once you have collected all three keys, make your way to the Bellway Station. From the nearby bench, head to the right and look for a hidden path in the ceiling. This leads to a secret chamber where you must use your tools to break four silken runes sealing a cell. Shattering these runes will awaken the captive—and the battle will begin.

Decoding the First Sinner's Attack Patterns

Understanding her moveset is the first step to victory. The fight escalates across two intense phases.
Phase One: The Aggressive Punisher
In her initial phase, the First Sinner tests your mobility and awareness with a versatile array of attacks:

• Scuttle Attack: She quickly rushes across the arena, delivering a sharp slash. This is often a closing move.
• Diagonal Slice: A teleportation move where she vanishes and reappears in the air, diving down at Hornet on a diagonal angle.
• Cross Stitch: She summons two massive needles that materialize in a cross pattern, dealing damage at the center and endpoints.

• Horizontal Needles: Projects two needles in a horizontal line across the arena, forcing you to jump or duck.
• Falling Needle Rain: A row of needles descends from the ceiling, creating a dangerous zone that requires lateral movement to avoid.
• The Bind (Healing Attempt): The most critical move to recognize. The First Sinner will pause and channel energy to restore her own health. This must be interrupted immediately.
• Teleport & Skitter: She uses short-range teleports to reposition and will quickly skitteraway if Hornet gets too close, maintaining her preferred distance.

Phase Two: The Unleashed Fury

Upon reaching approximately 50% health, the battle intensifies dramatically. She retains all her Phase One abilities but executes them with enhanced speed and aggression. More importantly, she introduces a devastating new attack:

• Rune Rage AoE Explosion: The arena becomes a minefield as she summons multiple large explosivesigils on the ground. These detonate sequentially in a set pattern.Survival here is about calm observation and precise movement, not panic.

Winning Strategy: Aggression is Key

The core philosophy for defeating the First Sinner is sustained, calculated aggression. Passive play is punished severely.

Pressure Constantly: Stay close to her. Your goal is to land hits whenever safely possible,but your primary focus is to be in a position to interrupt her healingchannel (The Bind). Even a single, quick needle attack can stop her from recovering a significant amount of health.

Utilize Your Tools: This is where your Silkbind tools become invaluable. Items like the Pollip Pouch and Cogflies are exceptional for this fight. They provide constant chip damage,passively whittling down her health while you focus on dodging.Crucially, they can also interrupt her heal if you're momentarily out of position.

Phase Two Priority: Dodging First: When the second phase begins, your mindset must shift. Your number onepriority is avoiding the new AoE explosions and her faster attacks. Donot get greedy with combos. Let your tools do the work while younavigate the chaos. Attack only when you see a clear, safe opening.

Healing Windows: The best and safest times to heal are immediately after dodging a big, recoverable attack. The end lag from her Scuttle Attack or Diagonal Slice provides a perfect moment to sneak in a quick heal. Never try to heal while she is active or teleporting.

Pro Tips and Tricks for a Flawless Victory

• Master Movement: Before even attempting this fight, ensure you are comfortable withHornet's full mobility kit, including aerial dashes and precise jumps.
• Never Let Her Heal: This cannot be overstated. A successful heal will demoralize you and prolong the fight, increasing the chances of a mistake.
• Look for the Tell: Every attack has a wind-up animation. Learning these tells will allow you to react rather than guess.
• Patience in Phase Two: The fight may seem overwhelming, but the patterns are consistent. Focus on survival, and damage opportunities will present themselves.

By mastering these strategies, you will turn one of Silksong's toughestearly challenges into a triumphant display of skill. Now venture forth,claim your keys, and deliver justice to the First Sinner.

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