In Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hornet’s combat style can be reshaped using Crests. These unique items alter her attack patterns, change how binding works, and provide access to different tool slots. Choosing the right Crest not only affects your damage output but also the way you explore Pharloom.
What Are Crests?
Crests are equipment pieces that let Hornet swap out her moveset. They adjust her slashes, dash attacks, aerial strikes, and even add effects when you bind to heal. Beyond combat, each Crest also determines how many tool slots (Red, Yellow, Blue, or White) are available, shaping your build around certain tools or silk skills.
Crests can be swapped freely at benches, so experimenting with them is encouraged. Using Memory Lockets, you can unlock extra slots to expand a Crest’s potential.
All Crest Locations & Effects
1. Hunter Crest (Starting Crest)
- Location: Available from the start.
- Effect: Balanced moveset with forward slashes, arcing upswings, a 45° down strike, and a standard heal.
- Slots: 1 Red, 1 Blue, 1 Yellow, 1 White (expandable).
Later upgrades unlock more slots by visiting Eva in Weavenest Atla after acquiring the Needolin skill.
2. Wanderer Crest
- Location: Chapel of the Wanderer, Bonegrave (requires a Simple Key and traversal upgrades like Cling Grip).
- Effect: Fast, precise slashes resembling the Knight’s moveset from the first game. Great for pogo-style downward attacks.
- Slots: 2 Yellow, 1 Red, 1 White; upgrades add more Blue and Yellow slots.
Excellent for players struggling with Hornet’s diagonal down attack, since it restores the familiar pogo mechanic.
3. Reaper Crest
- Location: Chapel of the Reaper, Greymoor.
- Effect: Heavy slashes with reliable downward arcs. After binding, Hornet generates silk orbs on hits, fueling more abilities.
- Slots: 1 of each color (expandable).
Considered one of the best early- to mid-game crests thanks to silk generation and its dependable pogo.
4. Beast Crest
- Location: Chapel of the Beast, Hunter’s March (reward for defeating Savage Beastfly).
- Effect: Ferocious claw-like slashes. When binding, Hornet enters a frenzy that grants temporary lifesteal.
- Slots: 2 Red, 1 White; upgrades add Yellow slots.
Perfect for aggressive players who thrive in close combat and want a built-in sustain mechanic.
5. Witch Crest
- Location: Earned by completing the Rite of Rebirth and Infestation Operation Wishes linked to Greyroot.
- Effect: Sweeping slashes and a unique bind effect—Hornet sprouts vines that damage and drain nearby enemies instead of healing.
- Slots: Starts with 1 Red, 1 Blue, 1 White; expands to multiple Blue slots.
A risky choice since it replaces standard healing, but it rewards offensive play and crowd control.
6. Architect Crest
- Location: Chapel of the Architect in the Underworks, accessed via the Cauldron after purchasing the Architect’s Key from the Twelfth Architect.
- Effect: Transforms Hornet’s Needle into a drill-like weapon with variable spin attacks. Binding allows her to refresh tools by spending silk.
- Slots: Starts with 3 Red; upgrades add Blue and Yellow slots.
A late-game powerhouse for tool-focused builds, ideal for players who want versatility and on-the-fly adjustments.
7. Shaman Crest
- Location: Ruined Chapel (Act III), requires the Silk Soar ability.
- Effect: Focused on silk skills rather than tools. Equips multiple Silk Skills (up to five with upgrades). Attacks also project faint energy beams.
- Slots: 3 White by default; upgrades add Blue slots.
Widely regarded as the best endgame Crest for silk-skill builds. While it sacrifices tool variety, the power boost to Silk Skills is unmatched.
Special: Vesticrests
By speaking with Eva after using certain numbers of Memory Lockets, you can unlock two Vesticrests:
- Yellow Slot Vesticrest (after four lockets).
- Blue Slot Vesticrest (after twelve lockets).
These provide permanent extra slots regardless of your currently equipped Crest.
Which Crest Is the Best?
- Early Game: The Reaper Crest stands out for its silk regeneration and reliable pogo.
- Mid Game: The Beast Crest offers strong sustain, while the Wanderer Crest provides speed and familiarity.
- Late Game: The Shaman Crest dominates for silk-skill users, with the Architect Crest a close second for tool-heavy strategies.
Ultimately, the “best” Crest depends on your playstyle—whether you prefer aggressive melee, sustained healing, tool experimentation, or silk-skill mastery.
Quick Tips for Using Crests Efficiently
- Always experiment at benches to find what suits upcoming areas or bosses.
- Save Memory Lockets for your favorite Crest to maximize its slot potential.
- Consider pairing Vesticrests with the Architect or Shaman Crest to offset their limitations.
- Use the Wanderer Crest if you miss pogo mechanics from the original game. Play Now!
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