Hornet’s journey through Pharloom in Hollow Knight: Silksong is filled with challenging boss encounters that test your combat skills, movement mastery, and use of tools. Bosses are more than just obstacles—they shape the story, unlock new abilities, and reward persistence. This guide covers every known boss in Silksong, from mandatory story fights to optional and secret encounters, along with strategies, rewards, and a complete reference list.
Bosses in Silksong are designed to stand apart from standard enemies. They:
- Have much higher health and deal heavier damage.
- Use unique attack patterns and stage mechanics.
- Often require new traversal abilities (like Cling Grip or Drifter’s Cloak) to reach.
- Unlock areas, complete quests, or drop powerful Crests and skills.
Learning to read attack telegraphs, managing Hornet’s Silk meter, and timing your Bind ability to heal safely are key to survival.
Main Story Bosses: Hollow Knight Silksong
These bosses are tied directly to story progression. Defeating them often unlocks new areas, tools, or advances the plot.
Moss Mother
- Location: Moss Grotto, Ruined Chapel.
- Role: Tutorial-style first boss.
- Tips: Dodge dive-bombs, clear summoned grubs, and watch for falling debris.
Bell Beast
- Location: The Marrow, bound in a silk trap.
- Role: Unlocks fast travel once defeated.
- Tips: Jump or Pogo its charges, and avoid falling bells in phase two.
Lace (Act 1)
- Location: Deep Docks, behind a locked gate.
- Role: Recurring rival boss, much like Hornet was in Hollow Knight.
- Tips: Strike after her combos, avoid her circular teleport strike, and punish recovery windows.
Fourth Chorus
- Location: Far Fields, activated with the Drifter’s Cloak.
- Role: Arena-based fight with collapsing platforms.
- Tips: Attack the head, float with cloak to dodge sweeps, and drop rocks for bonus damage.
Widow
- Location: Bellhart, through Shellwood’s bellveins.
- Role: Multi-phase endurance battle.
- Tips: Silk strands indicate incoming bell attacks; phase two introduces bouncing projectiles and spikes.
Last Judge
- Location: Blasted Steps, behind the Grand Gate.
- Role: Major Act I finale boss.
- Tips: Learn her body cues for ball-and-chain swings. Phase two adds fire trails and flame-augmented attacks.
Optional Bosses: Hollow Knight Silksong
Optional bosses are not required to finish the main story but provide valuable rewards, shortcuts, or lore.
Savage Beastfly
- Location: Chapel of the Beast, Hunter’s March.
- Reward: Beast Crest (adds lifesteal to Bind).
- Tips: Bait its charges into minions to thin the crowd.
Sister Splinter
- Location: Shellwood, near the central elevator.
- Tips: Strike upwards, dodge glowing claws, and deal with summoned vines and minions.
Skull Tyrant
- Location: The Marrow, unlocked via Terrible Tyrant Wish.
- Reward: Crown Fragment.
- Tips: Jump over charges, dodge boulder showers, repeat in Bone Bottom ambush.
Moorwing
- Location: Greymoor outskirts or Bellway Entrance.
- Tips: Avoid orbiting claws, punish dives, or use platform cheese strategy.
Great Conchflies
- Location: Blasted Steps, near Pinstress’ house.
- Tips: They share one health bar—focus on whichever appears and stay grounded against bouncing spikes.
Secret Bosses: Hollow Knight Silksong
Secret bosses are hidden behind vague unlocks or optional quests. They aren’t required for completion but often give unique rewards.
Phantom
- Location: Bilgewater, Exhaust Organ (after solving Mist puzzle).
- Reward: Cross Stitch skill (parry).
- Tips: Treat like a Lace duel—jump-dash counters, attack from above, heal during throws.
The Unravelled
- Location: Whiteward, bottom-left pit.
- Reward: Silk Heart.
Lost Lace
- Location: Last Dive Objective.
- Reward: Tied to the True Ending.
Complete Hollow Knight: Silksong Boss List (All 44 Bosses)
While the examples above highlight key encounters, Silksong features 44 confirmed bosses across story, optional, and secret paths. Here’s the full reference guide:
Main Story Bosses
| Boss | Location | Reward / Unlock |
|---|---|---|
| Moss Mother | Moss Grotto, Ruined Chapel | None |
| Bell Beast | The Marrow, silk trap | Silk Heart (fast travel) |
| Lace (Act 1) | Deep Docks | Pharloom’s Welcome |
| Fourth Chorus | Far Fields | Servant |
| Moorwing | Greymoor outskirts / Bellway Entrance | None |
| Sister Splinter | Shellwood | None |
| Widow | Bellhart | Needolin Silk Skill |
| Last Judge | Blasted Steps, Grand Gate | Judge |
| Cogwork Dancers | Cogwork Core / Choral Chambers | Last Dance |
| Trobbio | Choral Chambers stage | Claw Mirror |
| Lace (Act 2) | Cradle | Silk Heart |
| Grand Mother Silk | Cradle (Act 2 finale) | Steel Soul Mode |
| Bell Eater | Act 3, via Bell Beast | Beastling Call |
| Skarrsinger Karmelita | Far Fields, Act 3 | Hunter’s Heart |
Optional Bosses
| Boss | Location | Reward / Unlock |
|---|---|---|
| Moss Mother x2 | Weavenest Atla | Weavelight |
| Skull Tyrant (1) | The Marrow | Crown Fragment |
| Skull Tyrant (2) | Bone Bottom ambush | None |
| Savage Beastfly | Hunter’s March | Beast Crest |
| Raging Conchfly | Coral Tower | None |
| Signis & Gron | Deep Docks | N/A |
| Groal the Great | Bilewater arena | N/A |
| Disgraced Chef Lugoli | Sinner’s Road | Pickled Muckmaggot |
| First Sinner | The Slab | Rune Rage |
| Broodmother | The Slab | Broodmother’s Eye |
| Father of the Flame | Wisp Thicket | Wispfire Lantern |
| Watcher at the Edge | Sands of Karak | Grey Memento |
| Voltvyrm | Voltnest | Volt Filament |
| Crust King Khann | Act 3, Heart of Might | Encrusted Heart |
| Shrine Guardian Seth | Act 3 | None |
| Nyleth | Act 3, Heart of the Woods | Pollen Heart |
| Palestag | Unknown | None |
| Clover Dancers | Unknown | Conjoined Heart |
| Lost Garmond | Act 3, Hero’s Call Wish | Hero’s Memento |
| Pinstress | Act 3, Fatal Resolve Wish | Pin Badge |
| Gurr the Outcast | Act 3, Hidden Hunter Wish | N/A |
| Crawfather | After Court of Craws | Craw Memento |
Secret Bosses
| Boss | Location | Reward / Unlock |
|---|---|---|
| Phantom | Bilgewater, Exhaust Organ | Cross Stitch |
| The Unravelled | Whiteward | Silk Heart |
| Lost Lace | Last Dive Objective | True Ending |
| Summoned Saviour | Steel Soul mode only | N/A |
| Tormented Trobbio | Act 3, post-Trobbio | Dark Mirror |
Best Strategies for Defeating Silksong Bosses
- Learn attack telegraphs: Every boss signals its moves. Recognizing these saves health.
- Use Bind carefully: Heal during recovery windows, not mid-combo.
- Equip survival Crests: Items like Plasmium Phial or Crest of Wanderer boost your sustain and speed.
- Prepare before fights: Many arenas require abilities like Drifter’s Cloak or Cling Grip just to reach the boss.
With 44 confirmed bosses, Hollow Knight: Silksong delivers a rich mix of story-critical duels, optional hunts, and hidden challenges. From the introductory Moss Mother to the punishing Last Judge and beyond, every fight pushes your mastery of Hornet’s mobility and combat tools.
Related Guides You Might Like:
- Hidden Hunter Quest Silksong Guide
- Rosary Cannon in Silksong: Location, How to Get It, and Best Uses
- Flintslate in Silksong: Location, Effects, and Best Combat Uses
- Far Fields Secret Area Silksong: Weavenest Cindril Guide
- Grand Gate Map Location in Hollow Knight Silksong
Whether you’re after story progression, rare Crests, or just the thrill of uncovering secrets, this guide gives you everything you need to track down and defeat every boss Pharloom has to offer. Play Now!
