Hornet’s Needle is the core of her combat toolkit in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Just like the Nail in the original Hollow Knight, upgrading this weapon is essential for surviving Pharloom’s most dangerous enemies and bosses. If you’re finding that foes are taking too many strikes to fall, it’s time to sharpen your Needle and boost your damage.
This guide explains exactly how to upgrade the Needle, where to find the NPC who handles upgrades, and what materials you’ll need for future enhancements.
Why You Should Upgrade the Needle Early
Silksong features nearly 200 unique enemies and over 40 bosses, each with escalating health and damage. Early encounters might be manageable, but later zones will punish any lapse in efficiency.
Upgrading your Needle provides:
- Increased base damage, reducing the number of strikes per enemy.
- Better synergy with combat abilities like Silkspear and dive attacks.
- A smoother progression curve heading into mid- and late-game areas.
See also: Best Early Side Quests in Hollow Knight: Silksong – Rewards, NPCs, and Tips
Step 1: Progress to Bellhart
You won’t find the upgrade immediately. To reach it, you must advance through the Shellwood area and unlock key traversal skills, like Cling Grip, which allows Hornet to grab and climb walls.
Your goal is Bellhart, a town wrapped in silk and occupied by hostile forces. It serves as the home of the NPC who upgrades your Needle.
Step 2: Defeat the Widow Boss
Before Bellhart can be freed, you’ll face the Widow, a formidable boss that blocks access to the town.
- Enter Bellhart via the upper elevator exit and follow the path rightward.
- The Widow’s arena sits above Bellhart, guarding its residents.
Defeating the Widow is critical not just for the Needle upgrade but also for unlocking other NPC vendors in the town.
Step 3: Meet Pinmaster Plinney
Once the Widow is defeated and Bellhart is restored, you’ll gain access to Pinmaster Plinney, a smith specializing in Needle work.
- Look for a storefront with a pin sign above the door at the top right of Bellhart.
- Inside, you’ll find Plinney, who immediately offers to sharpen your Needle.
The first upgrade—called the Sharpened Needle—is completely free and boosts Hornet’s damage output noticeably.
Step 4: Future Upgrades and Materials
Plinney’s help doesn’t stop at the Sharpened Needle. After the first free enhancement, you’ll need to complete quests or provide special items for further upgrades. Examples include:
- Pinmaster’s Oil (Pale Oil) – Found in the Citadel area.
- Iron Silk – A rare crafting material tied to Plinney’s later quests.
Each additional upgrade continues to raise Needle damage, ensuring you remain effective against increasingly tough enemies and bosses.
Pro Tips for Upgrading the Needle in Silksong
- Prepare for the Widow fight: Stock up on healing and practice dodging patterns before attempting to free Bellhart.
- Explore thoroughly: Key items like Cling Grip are essential for reaching Bellhart without frustration.
- Revisit Plinney often: After completing quests or finding rare items, check back with Plinney to see if new upgrades are available.
Upgrading the Needle in Hollow Knight: Silksong is one of the most important steps you can take to survive Pharloom. By defeating the Widow, meeting Pinmaster Plinney, and gathering rare upgrade materials, you’ll ensure Hornet’s weapon remains as sharp as her skills.
See also: Fix Silksong Controller Not Working on PC | Xbox, PS5 & Switch
With each upgrade, battles feel faster, smoother, and more rewarding—exactly what you need in a world as challenging as Silksong. Play Now!
