As you journey deeper into Pharloom in Hollow Knight: Silksong, the enemies become more aggressive, more durable, and far less forgiving. Relying on your basic needle and starter Crest won’t cut it for long. To survive—and thrive—you’ll need to upgrade your offensive capabilities. Fortunately, the game offers multiple ways to enhance your damage output and tailor your combat style. Whether you're facing off against elite foes or navigating hostile zones, here’s a complete guide to making your attacks stronger in Silksong.
🛠️ Ways to Improve Your Attack Power
🔧 Upgrade Your Needle
Your needle is Hornet’s primary weapon, and upgrading it is essential for scaling with the game’s difficulty. To begin the upgrade process, you’ll need to meet
Pinmaster Plinney, the NPC responsible for sharpening your weapon.
- First Upgrade: Free after your initial interaction with Plinney.
- Subsequent Upgrades: Require completing quests, such as “The Threadspun Town” and defeating the Widow boss.
- Advanced Upgrades: Later enhancements may require rare materials like Pale Oil, which you can obtain by completing tasks for Plinney.
Each upgrade increases your base damage, allowing you to dispatch enemies more efficiently and prepare for late-game encounters.
🧵 Unlock and Equip Crests
Crests are powerful modifiers that reshape Hornet’s combat style.They not only boost damage but also influence movement, combo speed, and Silk generation.
- Hunter Crest: Focuses on raw damage and lethality.
- Wanderer Crest: Prioritizes mobility and rapid strikes.
- Reaper Crest: Offers slower but stronger attacks and boosts Silk regeneration.
Each Crest comes with a set of tool slots—red, yellow, and blue—that can be expanded using items like Memory Lockets. Choosing the right Crest depends on your preferred playstyle, whether it's aggressive, evasive, or balanced.
🧰 Use Crafting Kits
Crafting Kits enhance secondary tools like throwing needles, traps, and bombs. These kits are sold by vendors and require Rosaries to purchase.
- Where to Find: Vendors in areas like Bone Bottom and Greymoor.
- How to Farm Rosaries: Defeat enemies, explore hidden areas, or equip accessories like the Magnetite Brooch to collect more efficiently.
Crafting Kits are rare and not found randomly on the map, so alwayskeep some currency on hand in case you stumble upon a vendor offeringone.
🔴 Equip Red Tools
Red Tools are consumable combat enhancers that temporarily boost Hornet’s offensive capabilities.
- Examples:
- Flintslate: Engulfs your needle in flame for bonus damage.
- Piercing Tools: Allow attacks to bypass enemy armor.
- Bombs and Traps: Deal area damage or apply status effects.
Red Tools consume Shell Shards to recharge, but they’re worth the investment—especially during boss fights or when facing swarms of enemies.
🌀 Master Silk Skills
Silk Skills are powerful abilities that consume Silk to unleash devastating attacks.
- Thread Storm: A circular whip attack that clears surrounding enemies.
- Charged Needle Strike: A Strong Attack unlocked by training with the Pinstress, which deals heavy damage when fully charged.
Use Silk Skills strategically, especially during boss encounters.While they consume resources, their impact can turn the tide of battle.
Upgrading your offensive tools in Hollow Knight: Silksongisn’t just about raw power—it’s about adapting your build to thechallenges ahead. Whether you prefer fast combos, heavy strikes, ortactical traps, the game gives you the freedom to evolve your combatstyle.
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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