The Rite of the Pollip is one of the most intricate Wishes in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Set deep within the twisting Shellwood, this side quest requires Hornet to gather six elusive Pollip Hearts hidden among hostile nests and vertical chambers. While tracking them down can be challenging, the reward—a venom-infused charm—makes the journey worth every step.
How to Start the Rite of the Pollip
You’ll need to speak with Greyroot, an NPC who resides in the western side of Shellwood. But before starting, it’s strongly recommended to purchase the Shellwood map from Shakra (70 Rosary).
- If you entered Shellwood from the Wormways via Greymoor, Shakra sells the map in Greymoor.
- If you arrived from Bellhart, she instead appears in Shellwood, reachable via the west exit near the first bench.
With the map secured, head west from the east Shellwood bench, climb upward, and enter the small house. Greyroot tasks you with collecting six purple Pollip Hearts, each found by destroying unique Pollip flowers scattered across the area.
Tip: You can destroy Pollip flowers even before starting the Wish, so early explorers may shorten the quest slightly.
Pollip Heart Locations
Each Pollip Heart comes from a purple flower destroyed after three strikes. Many are guarded by swarming wood wasps, and several require the Cling Grip ability obtained after defeating Sister Splinter. Below is a breakdown of all six locations:
First Pollip Heart
- Location: Two rooms west of Bellhart, in the chamber southwest of the east bench.
- Path: Climb up the left side of the room toward the east wall. The flower sits in the top right corner, heavily guarded by wood wasps.
Second Pollip Heart
- Location: Central Shellwood, a small vertical room accessible from the east bench room’s top-left exit.
- Path: Use the white flowers to pogo up toward the upper alcove where the Pollip rests.
- Enemy Threat: Only one Splinterhorn here, making it safer for platforming.
Third Pollip Heart
- Location: Immediately after the Sister Splinter boss fight.
- Path: Continue left from her arena until you spot two white flowers below. Drop carefully into a small alcove on the left to find the Pollip.
Fourth Pollip Heart
- Requirement: Cling Grip.
- Location: In the chamber right of Herrah’s statue, above a large pool.
- Path: Head upward past splinterbarks until you reach a wood wasp nest. Destroying it opens a hidden passage leading to the flower.
Fifth Pollip Heart
- Requirement: Cling Grip.
- Location: Near the east bench.
- Path: From the bench, exit bottom-right and descend before moving right. Use the platforms to climb the right wall and locate the Pollip at the top. Be prepared for wood wasps ambushing here.
Sixth Pollip Heart
- Location: Also near the east bench.
- Path: From the bench, scale the right wall until you see a side exit. In the next chamber, drop down and break a vine wall to reveal the Pollip. If needed, summon the elevator for extra height to reach the wall.
See also: Pinmaster’s Oil Quest Silksong Guide: How to Find Pale Oil and Upgrade Needle
Reward – The Pollip Pouch
Once all six Pollip Hearts are collected, return them to Greyroot. She will combine them into the Pollip Pouch, a unique charm that adds venom effects to Hornet’s tools.
How Venom Works
- Deals extra ticks of damage on initial contact.
- Applies an additional delayed tick afterward.
- Exceptionally strong against high-HP foes, bosses, and Mist wraiths.
Synergies
- Flea Brew: Normal nail strikes now inflict venom.
- Plasmium Vial: Grants a temporary mask that explodes into venom mist when it breaks.
- Trap-focused builds gain enormous value from the pouch, making it a priority reward for Wish completion.
The Rite of the Pollip Wish combines classic Hollow Knight exploration with demanding platforming challenges and combat pressure from Shellwood’s aggressive fauna. While time-consuming, unlocking the Pollip Pouch drastically improves Hornet’s ability to handle durable enemies. For players pursuing achievement completion or poison-oriented builds, this is a Wish you won’t want to miss. Play Now!
