If you find yourself constantly dying or losing your way in Silksong, perhaps it’s time to get some help. I mean, it’s kind of normal — it’s a difficult game, don’t get me wrong — but it can be just a little easier if you know just the right tricks. Now, I haven’t played this game for that long, so I’m not an absolute expert, but if you’re new, here are some things that can help.
Basic tips:
- Look for breakable walls. These won’t be obvious immediately, but test different walls with your needle and if you hear a crunch, just keep hitting. You can find valuable items in these hidden spaces.
- Don’t avoid speaking to characters, and pay attention when you do. You may not care for the story itself, or the lore, but watch if the little bugs give you any useful information on where to find things.
- If you keep dying, consider buying a string for your rosaries so you don’t lose them every time. You won’t be able to use them that way, but you’ll also get to keep them, so it’s worth considering.
- I don’t recommend listening to something else while playing Silksong, because the sounds will often give away things, like fleas chittering or the already mentioned crunch of breakable walls.
Practice to hit and get away quickly
This is a good strategy to avoid, well, dying. Especially if you’re new to the game or this series, try doing this. A quick jab, then a dodge out of danger, is your best friend, especially early on when you’re still figuring out enemy patterns.
… but make sure to build up that stagger meter
Enemies in Silksong can get staggered if you stay aggressive and keep the hits coming. Once that meter fills, they’ll pause or collapse for a moment, giving you a precious opening to heal up, land extra hits, or just breathe.
Where do I find the map in Silksong?
Just like in Hollow Knight, you don’t start with a map, you’ve got to track down the cartographer of Pharloom. In Silksong, that’s Shakra, the new mapmaker. You’ll usually hear her humming in an area before you spot her shop. Once you find her, grab the regional map so you’re not stumbling around blind.
Where do I find a quill in Silksong?
Buying the map is only half the job. To actually mark the areas you’ve visited, you’ll need a Quill. Luckily, Shakra sells this too. Pick it up as soon as you can so your map updates while you explore. Without it, the map stays blank and you’ll have no idea where you’ve been, which gets frustrating fast.
Where do I find a compass in Silksong?
Next up, the Wayfarer’s Compass. Shakra sells this as well, and honestly, it’s a must-buy. It shows your current location on the map, which is essential until you’ve memorized Pharloom’s winding routes. Without it, you’ll spend way too much time second-guessing where you are.
Equip tools while you’re at benches
Benches aren’t just checkpoints. They’re your chance to retool your setup before a tough zone or boss. Experiment with different tools and swap when something isn’t working.
Learn Hornet’s movement
Hornet’s toolkit is stacked. You get pogo attacks, wall climbs, enemy grapples. The more you practice chaining these together, the easier exploration (and surviving fights) becomes.
Craft early and often
Silksong’s crafting system is new and surprisingly powerful. Portable kits and crafted tools can save you mid-run, so don’t sleep on collecting materials.
FAQs
Can I change the difficulty?
No, you cannot change the difficulty in Silksong. What you see is what you get. You can follow the tips above to make your job easier, and if you’re looking for an even bigger challenge (you masochist), you’ll unlock an even harder mode once you beat Silksong once.
Do I need to play Hollow Knight first?
Not necessarily. While it is a great game, and if you like Silksong, you should definitely give it a try, the story is not a continuation, and you play an entirely different character, so there’s not much context you’ll need to get started.
How do I save my progress?
There are benches scattered throughout the map, and you can save your progress here. If you’re in the middle of the game but you need to save quickly, and there’s no bench in sight, you can just quit to the main menu and the game will ask you to save your progress. If you don’t first quit to the main menu, it won’t save your progress and you’ll respawn at the last bench you found. Other than that, there’s not much else you can do.