Hollow Knight: Silksong masterfully gates its sprawling world of Pharloom behind a series of vital mobility upgrades and special abilities. While moves like the Dash and the Cling Grip (wall jump) expand your traversal options, one of the most crucial skills for story progression is the Needolin. This unique ancestral art is more than just a weapon; it's the key that unlocks the path forward. If you've encountered mysterious, circular sealed gates, this guide will show you exactly how to get the Needolin skill in Silksong and how to use it.
Why the Needolin is Essential
Before you can acquire this powerful tool, you must understand its importance. The Needolin is not an optional upgrade; it is a mandatory key item required to progress beyond Act 1 of the game. It allows Hornet to play specific melodies that interact with the world, most notably to open the large, ornate locks barring your way to new regions. Without it, you will eventually hit an insurmountable wall in your exploration.
Prerequisite: Acquiring the Cling Grip
Your journey to the Needolin begins with another essential ability: the
Cling Grip, Silksong's version of a wall jump. This skill is found in the early-game area of
Shellwood. You must obtain it first, as it is necessary to reach the boss that holds the Needolin.
Step-by-Step: How to Get the Needolin Skill
Once you have the Cling Grip, follow these steps:
Return to Shellwood: Head back to the main bench (save point) in Shellwood.Ascend the Area: Use the nearby elevator or your new Cling Grip ability to climb to the highest platforms in the bench room.Navigate to Bellhart: From the top, move to the far right. You will find a series of platforms leading to a new entrance. Continue right to enter the Bellhart region.Descend into the Depths: Bellhart is a vertical area. Your goal is to carefully work your way down until you find a distinctive room marked with a large bell icon.Defeat the Widow Boss: In this chamber, you will confront the Widow, a formidable boss guardian. This battle is a significant test of your combat skills. Study her patterns, be patient, and emerge victorious.Upon defeating the Widow, Hornet will automatically learn the Needolin ancestral art, breaking the Bellhart curse and opening the path to Act 2.
How to Use the Needolin Ability
The Needolin is not a standard combat tool. It is activated by holding the designated button (Y on Xbox, Triangle on PlayStation, or the custom-bound key on PC). When held, Hornet will play a haunting melody on the instrument.
Key details about using Needolin:
- It consumes your Silk resource, so ensure your meter is sufficiently full before attempting to use it.
- Its primary function is to unlock circular, sealed gates scattered throughout Pharloom.
- It also enables special interactions with certain NPCs and can be used to summon creatures like the Bell Beast at the Bellway.
Where to Use Your Newfound Power
Shortly after obtaining the Needolin, you should backtrack to previouslyinaccessible areas. Two early-game locations where you can put it toimmediate use are:
- Moss Grotto (Bone Bottom): Open the gate here to access the Weavenest Atla, which contains valuable upgrades, including a figure that can enhance Hornet's abilities.
- Far Fields: Another locked gate here leads to Weavenest Cindril, hiding more secrets and rewards.
The Needolin is the definitive solution to these environmental puzzles.With this skill in hand, the deepest secrets and the next chapter ofHornet's adventure in Pharloom are finally within your reach.
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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