Hornet Build Calculator

Optimize your Hollow Knight Silksong build with live stat previews, upgrade planning, and route-focused presets tailored to Any%, boss rush, and completion runs across Pharloom.

Real-time stat outputPreset loadouts & savingUpgrade costs & unlock paths

1. Set Ability & Tool Levels

Match your current upgrades and watch the stat panel update instantly.

2. Apply Presets or Save Builds

Jump between speedrun, combat, or explorer templates, or stash your own setup for later.

3. Align With Route Planning

Use the strategy section and companion tools below to fold this build into your full-game plan.

Silk Abilities

Tune silk abilities to mirror your current or desired build

Silk Dash

Extend Hornet's mobility and invulnerability windows to weave through lethal patterns.

Cost: Silk Core + Moss ResinUnlock: Main story reward in Moss Grotto

Lv0: Standard dash distance and recovery
Lv1: +10% distance, smoother cancel windows
Lv2: Adds brief invulnerability on dash start
Lv3: Unlocks chained air dash for aerial routes
Lv4: Dash cancels most ground attacks on hit
Lv5: Successful counter dash restores 1 silk

Silk Bind

Enhance tether damage and control for boss lockdown and sustained DPS.

Cost: Binding Thread + 2x Silk SpoolsUnlock: Complete Sharpe Needle Master encounter

Lv0: Basic bind tether with minimal damage
Lv1: +15% bind damage-over-time
Lv2: Tether breaks create stagger pulses
Lv3: Hold to extend bind duration by 0.5s
Lv4: Unlocks tether explosion finisher
Lv5: Explosion refunds 1 silk on staggered enemies

Silk Heal

Shorten recovery windows and add regeneration pulses for marathon fights.

Cost: Weaver Dew + Coral HeartUnlock: Complete Coral Forest sanctuary quest line

Lv0: Base channel time and heal amount
Lv1: -10% channel time
Lv2: Grants brief shield after healing
Lv3: Adds 5s micro-regeneration over time
Lv4: Regeneration pulses affect nearby allies
Lv5: Overhealing converts to silk barrier

Tools & Equipment

Set weapon and defensive upgrades to evaluate gains

Needle

Core offensive stat influencing stagger, combo scaling, and finisher unlocks.

Cost: Needle Alloy + Boss EssenceUnlock: Weapon forge challenges in Pharloom

Lv0: Base damage and stagger
Lv1: +10% damage multiplier
Lv2: Unlocks heavy stab follow-up
Lv3: Adds void weave finisher option
Lv4: +5% crit window during parries
Lv5: Finisher refunds 1 silk on kill

Silk Spool

Determines silk meter capacity, regeneration speed, and emergency refills.

Cost: Silk Threads + Whisper SeedsUnlock: Research labs across Act 2

Lv0: Base silk capacity (3 segments)
Lv1: +1 segment capacity
Lv2: +10% regen after 3s idle
Lv3: Gain passive trickle during wall cling
Lv4: Silk refills on boss stagger
Lv5: Emergency refill on lethal damage cooldown 90s

Shell Fragments

Raise survivability through extra health and physical resistance modifiers.

Cost: Shell Shards + Bone EssenceUnlock: Bonebottom defense quests and forge

Lv0: Base health pool (5 masks)
Lv1: +1 mask and +5% defense
Lv2: Reduces knockback from heavy hits
Lv3: Unlocks retaliatory thorn burst
Lv4: +1 mask, thorn burst inflicts bleed
Lv5: Gain damage shield after full heal

Build Summary

See overall build strength and stat spread in real time

Health9

Silk Energy7

Attack Power14

Defense9

Build Rating

Good build configuration

No saved build detected.

Featured Preset Builds

Speedrun Route

Mobility-first loadout tuned for Any% routing and movement tech practice.

Traversal & skip consistency

Recommended for first clear or timed challenge runs.

Abilities

Silk Dash: Lv3
Silk Bind: Lv1
Silk Heal: Lv0

Tools

Needle: Lv2
Silk Spool: Lv3
Shell Fragments: Lv2

Chain dashes unlocked

High silk economy

Minimal sustain

Arena Combat

Maximize sustained DPS and stagger uptime for boss rush content.

Burst damage & bind control

Use for late-game boss gauntlets and achievement hunts.

Abilities

Silk Dash: Lv1
Silk Bind: Lv2
Silk Heal: Lv1

Tools

Needle: Lv4
Silk Spool: Lv1
Shell Fragments: Lv5

Needle finisher access

High defensive cushion

Moderate silk regen

Explorer 100%

Balanced survivability and utility for completionist runs and secret hunting.

Sustain & route flexibility

Pair with interactive map and checklist while sweeping collectibles.

Abilities

Silk Dash: Lv2
Silk Bind: Lv2
Silk Heal: Lv2

Tools

Needle: Lv3
Silk Spool: Lv2
Shell Fragments: Lv3

Regeneration pulses

Consistent damage

Extra masks for deep dives

Build Strategy & Route Planning

Phase-Based Upgrade Path

Break progression into early, mid, and late game so upgrade timing aligns with resource pressure.

Prioritize Silk Dash Lv2 and Needle Lv2 early for mobility and damage, pivot to Silk Spool mid-game for sustain, then lean into Shell Fragments late to stabilize defense.

Explore Upgrade Planner

Boss-Focused Adjustments

Tailor silk abilities and defense levels to the encounter while keeping a balanced offense.

For high-pressure fights like Sharpe or Pale Lurker, push Silk Bind and Shell Fragments higher with defensive charms. Speedrun routes can drop Shell Fragments to stay agile.

Visit Boss Strategy Hub

Co-op & Challenge Prep

Planning multiplayer or challenge runs? Invest in team-focused utilities.

Silk Heal Lv4 adds AoE recovery that pairs well with the explorer preset. Keep Silk Spool at Lv3+ to ensure enough support casts during extended fights.

Track Progress with Boss Tracker

Companion Tools & Guides

Ability & Silk Deep Dive

Review acquisition paths, combos, and ideal pairings for every skill.

Open Abilities Guide

Route & Resource Checklist

Use the checklist to ensure every upgrade material is secured.

Open Completion Checklist

Comprehensive Build Guide

Layer in long-term charm and skill priorities for every archetype.

Open Builds & Loadouts Guide

Charm Builds Hub

Grab offensive, defensive, and exploration charm presets.

View Charm Build Presets

Act 4 Preparation

Ensure your build is ready for the Radiant Regent summit fight.

Read Act 4 Walkthrough