Finding your way around Pharloom can be overwhelming, and The Slab is one of the trickiest areas in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Not only is it a prison filled with traps and hostile guards, but Hornet also loses her tools and needle upon capture, forcing you to rely on movement and improvisation until you recover your gear. That’s why locating the Slab map is essential—it helps you navigate this hostile environment and track your progress.
How to Reach The Slab
There are two main routes to reach The Slab, depending on your progress:
- Act 1 Route (Early Access):
- Unlock the Wall Jump / Cling Grip ability in Shellwood, then travel to the top-right section of Deep Docks. A cage-bearing fly enemy patrols here. Instead of defeating it, let the creature capture you. The cutscene will fade to black, and Hornet is taken to The Slab against her will.
- Act 2 Route (Later Access):
- Progress upward toward the Citadel Spa (west of Coral Chambers). Opening the nearby gate leads directly into The Slab.
Both routes drop you into the same prison sequence, but arriving in Act 1 means you’ll be less equipped, making escape more challenging.
What Happens Inside The Slab
The Slab acts as a forced-capture zone. When Hornet awakens:
- She has no needle or cloak, which removes most combat and mobility options.
- Movement skills like dash and wall cling remain, allowing you to navigate.
- Doors throughout the prison are locked, requiring special keys to advance:
- Key of Indolent (early progression)
- Key of Heretic (mid-section, regained after a major fight)
- Key of Apostate (later, tied to the Bilewater region)
Your first task is survival—avoiding traps, slipping past guards, and gradually reclaiming your stolen gear.
The Slab Map Location
Unlike other regions of Pharloom where you usually buy maps from Shakra the mapmaker, The Slab’s map is acquired through exploration. Here’s how to find it:
- Progress until you unlock the first Indolent door.
- After grabbing the Key of Indolent, open the matching door and push forward.
- Rest at the prison bench.
- You’ll find a bench in one of the central chambers, with Grindle standing nearby.
- Search to the right of the bench.
- A hidden passage leads off this room. Inside, you’ll discover a husk holding the Slab map piece.
This map doesn’t cost Rosaries—it’s a free pickup. Once collected, your in-game map updates, giving you a much clearer picture of The Slab’s structure.
How to Survive The Slab in Silksong
Since The Slab strips you of most equipment, it demands careful play. Keep these points in mind:
- Use wall clings and dashes to avoid spike pits and collapsing floors.
- Beware of freezing zones outside. Fires scattered across the area act as temporary safe spots from frostbite damage.
- Save benches often. Dying without a map or gear is punishing; benches give you a breather and a checkpoint.
- Don’t rush enemies. Without your needle, avoiding fights is often better than risking health.
- Grab the map early. It helps you track locked doors and reduces the frustration of backtracking.
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The Slab is more than just another dungeon—it’s a narrative set piece that emphasizes Hornet’s vulnerability. Having the map ensures you can:
- Identify the locations of Indolent, Heretic, and Apostate doors.
- Plan routes through freezing exterior sections without wasting time.
- Spot shortcuts and hidden areas that connect back to the central hub.
By grabbing the map as soon as possible, you save yourself hours of wandering blind in one of Pharloom’s toughest regions. Play Now!
Want more help with tough encounters? Browse our Silksong walkthrough collection.
