Where to Find Needle Strike, How to Beat the Boss, and Why It’s Worth It
In Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hornet’s combat toolkit evolves gradually, and one of the most impactful upgrades you’ll earn is the Needle Strike—a charged attack that delivers a powerful blow when held and released. It’s a spiritual successor to the Nail Charge from the original Hollow Knight, but in Silksong, it’s earned through exploration and a tough boss encounter rather than handed out early. If you’re looking to unlock Needle Strike and add a high-damage option to your arsenal, this guide will walk you through exactly where to go, what to expect, and how to make the most of it once you’ve got it.
🗺️ Getting to Blasted Steps
Needle Strike isn’t available until late in Act 1, and you’ll need the
Cling Grip ability to reach the area where it’s hidden. This wall-jump upgrade is obtained after defeating Sister Splinter in Shellwood. Once you’ve got Cling Grip, here’s how to reach
Blasted Steps, the biome where Needle Strike is located:
Start at the Bellway Station in Shellwood.Head right and drop down through the vertical shaft.Continue left until you reach a Bench near a locked gate.Climb up and unlock the gate to open a shortcut back to the Bellway Station.From that Bench, go left to enter Blasted Steps. This area is rugged and vertical, filled with wind-blown hazards and tricky platforming. Make your way upward until you find the Bellway Station for Blasted Steps and a Bench nearby. Rest here—you’ll want it unlocked before facing what’s next.
⚔️ The Great Conchflies Boss Fight
Before you can claim Needle Strike, you’ll need to defeat the Great Conchflies, a duo boss that’s fast, aggressive, and punishes mistakes with double mask damage.
🐛 What to Expect
- Two enemies at once: They drill in and out of the ground in coordinated patterns.
- Projectile attacks: One Conchfly occasionally stops to fire a projectile you can dodge or deflect.
- Dust trails: Watch the ground—dust trails signal where they’ll emerge next.
🧠 How to Beat Them
- Stay mobile: Don’t get cornered. Keep moving and use vertical space to your advantage.
- Watch the ground: The dust trails are your best clue for anticipating attacks.
- Focus on one: If you defeat one Conchfly, the other will flee, ending the fight.
- Use aerial tools: Drifter’s Cloak and Swift Step are essential for dodging and repositioning mid-air.
It’s a tough fight, but manageable with patience and awareness. Onceyou’ve won, continue left through the biome. You’ll encounter worm-likeenemies and a series of bouncy balls that you’ll need to pogo off toreach a hut above.
🧵 Meeting the Pinstress and Unlocking Needle Strike
At the top of the path, you’ll find a hut where the Pinstress resides. Speak with her, and she’ll reward you with the Needle Strike ability.
🎯 How Needle Strike Works
- Hold the attack button to charge.
- Release to unleash a powerful strike that deals increased damage.
- Use it to:
- Open fights with a heavy hit.
- Break through enemy defenses.
- Interrupt attacks or stagger foes.
- Chain into combos for burst damage.
Needle Strike adds a layer of tactical depth to Hornet’s combatstyle. It’s not just about hitting harder—it’s about choosing the rightmoment to commit.
🧠 When to Use Needle Strike
Needle Strike is best used in situations where timing and positioning are on your side. Here are a few ideal scenarios:
- Boss openers: Start fights with a charged hit to gain early momentum.
- Shielded enemies: Break through defenses with a single powerful strike.
- Ambush zones: Charge before entering suspicious rooms to prepare for surprise encounters.
Just remember: charging leaves Hornet vulnerable. Use it wisely, and don’t overcommit in chaotic fights.
🧭 What to Explore After Unlocking It
With Needle Strike in your toolkit, revisit earlier areas to uncoversecrets and reach new zones. Blasted Steps itself has hidden alcoves and lore-rich encounters that reward exploration.
Be sure to activate the Bellway Station for fast travel, and keep aneye out for Crests and Silk upgrades that synergize with your newability.
🏆 Final Thoughts: A Game-Changer Worth Earning
Needle Strike isn’t just a flashy upgrade—it’s a turning point inHornet’s journey. It rewards precision, patience, and smartdecision-making. The path to unlocking it isn’t easy, but once you’veearned it, you’ll feel the difference in every fight.
Whether you’re facing down bosses or navigating Pharloom’s toughestbiomes, Needle Strike gives you the edge you need to fight withconfidence and style.
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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