Master every ability, skill, and technique available to Hornet in Hollow Knight Silksong. Our comprehensive 2025 guide covers all silk abilities, tools, upgrade paths, and advanced combat combinations for complete mastery.
Location: Tutorial Area - Moss Grotto
Essential horizontal movement ability that allows Hornet to dash quickly across gaps and avoid attacks.
Level: Core Ability
No upgrades - permanently learned ability
Master this early as it's required for most advanced movement techniques. Can be used to cancel certain attack animations.
Location: Deep Docks - After Waterway Puzzle
Hornet's signature ranged attack that launches silk projectiles to bind and damage enemies from a distance.
Level: Upgradeable (3 levels)
Level 1: Basic bind → Level 2: Multi-target → Level 3: Explosive finish
Upgrade this first for combat effectiveness. Level 3 adds AoE damage that's crucial for later areas.
Location: Greymoor - Ancient Training Grounds
Advanced defensive technique that allows perfect timing to counter enemy attacks with devastating effect.
Level: Technique (Perfect Timing Required)
Timing Window: Narrow → Practice → Perfect (muscle memory)
Practice against weaker enemies first. Perfect parries restore silk energy and deal critical damage.
Location: Coral Forest - Underwater Caverns
Allows Hornet to create temporary silk platforms in mid-air for extended aerial movement and combat positioning.
Level: Advanced Movement
1 Platform → 2 Platforms → 3 Platforms (with Silk Thread upgrades)
Essential for vertical exploration. Platforms last 3 seconds or until you land - plan your routes accordingly.
Crystal Caverns - Hidden Chamber
Activates crystal formations and reveals hidden passages throughout Pharloom.
Uses:
Limited (5 uses, rechargeable at Bells)
Strategic Value:
Required for secret areas and optional content
Upgrade Info:
Can be upgraded to 8 uses with Ancient Rosary
Bell Tower - After solving musical puzzle
Summons helpful spirits and reveals lore information when used near ancient sites.
Uses:
Unlimited (but long cooldown)
Strategic Value:
Lore discovery and hidden NPC interactions
Upgrade Info:
Cooldown reduced by 50% when fully upgraded
Secret Silk Chamber - Complete Weaver's Trial
Ultimate needle upgrade that enhances all combat abilities and unlocks secret techniques.
Uses:
Passive enhancement to all abilities
Strategic Value:
Required for True Ending and ultimate boss
Upgrade Info:
Final upgrade requires all 12 Ancient Rosaries
Primary upgrade material for enhancing abilities
Locations: Found throughout all areas, often in hard-to-reach places
Usage: Each ability requires 3-7 threads for full upgrade
Rare items that unlock powerful new abilities
Locations: Major secret areas, boss rewards, quest completions
Usage: Each rosary unlocks a unique powerful ability
Ultimate upgrade items for final transformations
Locations: Hidden in the deepest secrets of each major area
Usage: Required for True Ending abilities
Swift Step → Silk Bind → Aerial Dash
Basic movement and attack combination for general combat
Best Used Against:
Most regular enemies and basic boss phases
Aerial Silk → Sky Dance → Needle Rain
Advanced aerial combat sequence for extended air time
Best Used Against:
Flying enemies and vertical boss phases
Needle Parry → Counter Strike → Silk Burst
Perfect timing combo that deals massive damage
Best Used Against:
Aggressive bosses with predictable attack patterns
Ultimate Silk → Perfect Parry → Transcendent Strike
The most powerful combo available, requires mastery of all techniques
Best Used Against:
Final boss phases and secret superboss