How to Defeat Widow to Free Haunted Bellhart in Hollow Knight Silksong

By Ambar Jimenez | 2025-09-08 08:47:59

Widow Boss Guide: Location, Strategy, and Rewards

In Hollow Knight: Silksong, the haunting of Bellhart presents one of the game’s most atmospheric and challenging sequences. After defeating Moorwing in Greymoor, players can venture left into Haunted Bellhart—a town suspended in silk and mystery. To lift the curse and restore Bellhart, Hornet must defeat Widow, a formidable boss whose attacks combine precision, chaos, and relentless aggression. This guide covers how to reach Widow, the best strategies for beating her, and the powerful rewards unlocked after her defeat.

🕸️ How to Reach Widow’s Arena

Widow’s boss room is located directly above Bellhart, but reaching it requires a detour through Shellwood. Here’s the step-by-step route:
  • Exit Bellhart to the left to enter Shellwood.
  • Progress through Shellwood until you defeat Sister Splinter, who grants the Cling Grip ability.
  • Return to the central Bench in Shellwood (unlockable for 60 Rosaries).
  • Climb the wall in the top-right of the Sister Splinter room using Cling Grip.
  • Head right to enter the interior zone above Bellhart.
  • Break the wall to the left before dropping into the boss arena—this unlocks a shortcut for future attempts.
  • Once the shortcut is open, you can quickly return to Widow by climbing from the Bench, entering the hidden passage near the first white flower enemy, and heading right.

    🛏️ Best Bench for Widow Runbacks

    The central Bench in Shellwood is the optimal save point for Widowattempts. After unlocking the shortcut, you’ll have a direct path to the boss room with minimal enemy interference. This setup is crucial forlearning Widow’s patterns and retrying the fight without long traversal.

    ⚔️ Widow’s Moveset and How to Counter It

    Widow’s attacks are fast, varied, and often layered. Here’s a breakdown of her key moves and how to respond:

    • Summon Bell Projectile

      • Visual Cue: Pulls silk thread; indicators appear at screen edges.
      • Counter: Move opposite the bell’s direction. For vertical bells, sidestep left or right.
    • Charge & Ground Hazard

      • Visual Cue: Leaps to a corner and charges, summoning silk indicators.
      • Counter: Jump over Widow, then hover with Drifter’s Cloak to avoid ground bells.
    • Downward Jab + Follow-Up Charge

      • Visual Cue: Rears back mid-air, then dives toward Hornet.
      • Counter: Dodge away from the jab, then jump and hover to avoid the charge.
    • Multi-Bell Drop (Phase 2)

      • Visual Cue: Retreats to a corner; silk strands dangle from ceiling.
      • Counter: Move out of bell zones quickly, then prepare for a follow-up attack.

    🧵 Combat Tips for Beating Widow

    Widow’s fight is all about positioning, patience, and exploiting brief windows of vulnerability. Here are some expert tips:

    • Attack During Silk Pulls

      • Widow is briefly vulnerable while summoning bells. Use this time to land multiple Needle strikes.
    • Use Drifter’s Cloak Strategically

      • Hovering above ground hazards and repositioning mid-air is essential for survival.
    • Avoid Risky Trades During Jab/Charge Combo

      • These attacks are hard to punish. Focus on evasion rather than damage during this sequence.
    • Equip Projectile Tools

      • Tools like the Straight Pin or Longpin allow you to deal damage from a distance when Widow retreats or becomes airborne.
    • Chain Downward Slashes

      • After dodging a charge, use downward slashes to stay airborne and maintain pressure.

    🎻 What You Unlock After Defeating Widow

    Victory over Widow yields two major rewards:

  • Needolin Ability

    • Hornet gains the power to play her Needle like a violin. Thismelodic tool activates contraptions and unlocks doors throughoutPharloom.
  • Bellhart Restoration

    • The town returns to normal, freeing its residents from silk imprisonment. You’ll gain access to:
      • Bellhart Vendor for items and upgrades.
      • Wishwall for quests and lore.
      • Scrounge to exchange relics for Rosaries.
      • Pinmaster Plinney, who offers your first Needle upgrade.
  • 🧭 Post-Battle Exploration

    After defeating Widow and completing the dream sequence, exit theboss room to the right. You’ll drop back into Bellhart, now vibrant andfunctional. This opens up new questlines, upgrade paths, and loreopportunities that deepen your journey through Pharloom.

    Tags: 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
    Genre(s): Metroidvania
    Developer(s): Team Cherry
    Publisher(s): Team Cherry
    Engine: Unity
    Release date: 4 September 2025
    Mode: Single-player
    Age rating (PEGI): 7+
    Video preview



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