Hollow Knight: Silksong expands Hornet’s arsenal with a set of permanent upgrades known as Ancestral Arts. Unlike Silk Skills, which consume Silk and must be equipped, Ancestral Arts are always active once unlocked. They’re essential for traversal, combat depth, and full map completion.
What Are Ancestral Arts?
Ancestral Arts are permanent abilities tied to progression. They don’t require equipping, and they don’t consume Silk when used. Many are mandatory to advance the story, while others offer powerful movement or utility options that make exploration smoother.
All Ancestral Arts in Hollow Knight: Silksong
1. Swift Step – Dash & Sprint
Effect: Grants Hornet a dash on the ground and in mid-air, along with sprinting speed.
Use: Crucial for dodging attacks, crossing long gaps, and speeding up exploration.
Location: Deep Docks
How to Get: Strike an orange explosive orb on the ceiling to reveal a hidden passage. Inside is the idol that unlocks Swift Step.
2. Cling Grip – Wall Jump
Effect: Allows Hornet to cling to walls for a short time and perform wall jumps.
Use: Key for vertical movement and chaining platforming sequences.
Location: Shellwood
How to Get: Defeat the boss Sister Splinter, then follow the path forward to reach the idol.
3. Needolin – Thread Interaction
Effect: Uses silk threads to immobilize enemies or interact with ancient mechanisms.
Use: Opens thread-locked doors, engages with NPCs, and provides crowd control in fights.
Location: Bellhart
How to Get: Defeat the boss Widow during Act 1 to obtain this Art.
4. Needle Strike – Charged Attack
Effect: Charges the needle for a devastating strike.
Use: High-damage option against tough enemies and bosses.
Location: Blasted Steps
How to Get: Speak with the Pinstress at her house in the far west of the Blasted Steps. Agree to train with her after clearing the path by defeating Great Conchflies.
5. Clawline – Grappling Hook
Effect: Hornet hurls her needle like a harpoon and pulls herself toward surfaces or enemies.
Use: Acts as both a traversal tool and an offensive gap-closer.
Location: Underworks
How to Get: Solve a switch puzzle and use Cling Grip and Drifter’s Cloak to traverse lava-filled rooms until you reach the idol.
6. Drifter’s Cloak – Glide
Effect: Enables Hornet to glide gracefully or ride strong gusts of wind.
Use: Extends jumps, avoids hazards, and synergizes with Clawline for long travel.
Location: Far Fields
How to Get: Rewarded after completing the Seamstress’ Flexile Spines wish.
7. Faydown Cloak – Double Jump
Effect: Grants Hornet a second jump while airborne.
Use: Essential for reaching high ledges and providing more aerial combat flexibility.
Location: Mount Fay
How to Get: Found at the northern summit, requiring Swift Step, Cling Grip, and Clawline to pass obstacles and spikes.
8. Beastling Call – Fast Travel
Effect: Summons the Bell Beast for instant transportation.
Use: Provides a fast travel option across Pharloom.
Location: Act 3 – Bell Eater encounter
How to Get: Defeat the Bell Eater boss after attempting to summon the Bell Beast.
9. Silk Soar – Super Jump
Effect: Propels Hornet upward with tremendous force using her needle.
Use: Grants access to extreme vertical areas and hidden passages.
Location: Weavenest Absolom, Abyss (Act 3)
How to Get: Bind the statue in the Abyss during Act 3 to unlock the idol.
10. Elegy of the Deep – Temporal Threading
Effect: Allows Hornet to use Needolin to access echoes of the past in certain areas.
Use: Expands exploration, unlocks hidden lore, and story-driven sequences.
Location: Act 3 – Spell Seeker Quest
How to Get: Complete the Spell Seeker main story quest to unlock this Art.
11. Sylphsong – Silk Regeneration
Effect: Resting at a bench restores Silk as well as health.
Use: Strengthens Hornet’s recovery loop, making exploration and combat prep easier.
Location: Weavenest Atla (Act 3)
How to Get: Collect and upgrade all seven Crests, then bind Eva to unlock the Art.
Related Guides You Might Like:
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- How to Get a Bellhome in Silksong | Materium Guide
- Silksong Bell Beast Boss Difficulty: How It Raises the Challenge Over Hollow Knight
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- Silksong Last Judge Boss Guide: How to Beat the Citadel Guardian
Together, these eleven (11) abilities transform Hornet’s movement and combat. From core skills like Swift Step and Cling Grip, to late-game powers like Silk Soar and Sylphsong, mastering them is key to navigating Pharloom’s dangerous biomes and uncovering its secrets.
Exploration in Silksong is designed around these upgrades, so knowing when and where to obtain each one will save you backtracking and frustration. Play Now!
