The Wailing Mother is one of the most atmospheric Grand Hunt Wishes in Hollow Knight: Silksong, tasking Hornet to track down and defeat a monstrous creature echoing through The Slab. Known in battle as the Broodmother, this boss offers a challenging mix of immobilizing attacks, explosive minions, and tight arena combat. Here’s how to unlock, locate, and defeat her.
How to Unlock the Wailing Mother Wish
Before you can take on the Wailing Mother, you must complete several prerequisite Wishes in the Songclave, found within the Choral Chambers. The key requirement is completing the Strengthening Songclave Wish, but most players will also need to finish other restoration-based tasks such as:
- Building Up Songclave
- Fine Pins
- Cloaks of the Choir
- Balm for the Wounded
- The Wandering Merchant
- Any Donation Wishes in Bone Bottom or Bellhart
Once all are done, rest at a First Shrine Bench. The Wailing Mother Wish will then appear on Songclave’s Wishwall as a new Grand Hunt mission.
Wailing Mother Location in The Slab
After accepting the Wish, your objective is to track the Wailing Mother’s trail across The Slab. You’ll recognize her path by the faint slime traces spread across the ground, leading deeper into the biome.
- Starting Point: The central chamber of The Slab, just below where Hornet would respawn if captured earlier in the story.
- Path: Follow the slime trail north and west through the upper chambers.
- Final Arena: The top-left corner of The Slab, just left of a nearby Bench. There’s a cracked wall here—enter it to reach the Broodmother’s nest.
It’s strongly advised to rest at the Bench before proceeding. The battle ahead is one of Silksong’s more punishing encounters.
Enemy Gauntlet Before the Boss
Before the Broodmother herself appears, Hornet must survive three waves of enemies, each teaching an aspect of the boss’s upcoming moveset:
- Wave 1 – Freshflies: These explode on death, dealing heavy damage. Stay mobile and strike quickly.
- Wave 2 – Guardfly + Freshflies: Introduces the sticky slime immobilization mechanic. Break free quickly if hit.
- Wave 3 – Wardenfly + Minions: The Wardenfly’s physical slams and sweeping attacks mirror the Broodmother’s upcoming charge moves.
Defeating all waves will trigger the Broodmother’s arrival.
How to Beat the Broodmother
The Broodmother, also referred to as the Wailing Mother, is a flying insect boss that combines close-range pressure, area denial, and summoned mobs. She can deal two Masks of damage per hit, and her confined arena makes dodging crucial.
Phase Breakdown
The battle unfolds in two escalating phases:
- Phase 1: Broodmother cycles through Charge, Spit, and Mob Summon attacks.
- Phase 2: Once below 60% HP, she adds the Ricochet Slam, bouncing diagonally between walls and ceilings.
Broodmother’s Attacks and Counters
| Attack | Description | How to Counter |
|---|---|---|
| Slime Spit | Launches globs of sticky slime that immobilize Hornet on contact. | Stay mobile; if trapped, mash attacks to break free. |
| Freshfly Summon | Spawns explosive flies that hover briefly before detonating. | Kill them fast, then retreat before they explode. |
| Dash Charge | Winds up and dashes across the floor repeatedly. | Wall jump to the opposite side and pogo her on landing. |
| Ricochet Slam (Phase 2) | Bounces diagonally across the room, hitting ceiling and floor. | Move to the side she starts from and dash past her as she turns. |
| Ground Slam Combo | Alternates between ground and ceiling slams in a zig-zag pattern. | Keep moving horizontally and time dashes carefully. |
Recommended Tools and Strategies
To make this battle more manageable, preparation is key. Equip tools that maximize survivability and mobility:
- Warding Bell – Grants temporary invulnerability when Binding.
- Pollip Pouch – Poisons enemies over time; excellent for chip damage.
- Curveclaw – A boomerang-style projectile ideal for hitting flying enemies.
- Flintslate – Adds elemental damage to your Needle for consistent DPS.
- Cogfly Companion – Summons helpers that harass both Broodmother and her minions.
If you lack upgrades, focus on learning Broodmother’s attack tells rather than forcing damage. Her wind-up animations are distinct, making it possible to bait attacks safely before countering.
Pro Tip: Her Dash Charge leaves her vulnerable—land quick downward strikes (pogo hits) and dash away immediately.
Rewards for Completing the Wailing Mother Wish
After defeating the Broodmother, she drops the Broodmother’s Eye, a key item needed to finish the quest.
- Return to Songclave’s Wishwall in the Choral Chambers.
- Deposit the Broodmother’s Eye to complete the Grand Hunt.
- You’ll be rewarded with the Heavy Rosary Necklace, a powerful charm that enhances your survivability.
Completing this Wish also strengthens your connection to the Songclave hub, unlocking future late-game Wishes and lore events tied to Pharloom’s imprisoned creatures.
Quick Tips for Silksong Wailing Mother
- Stay patient: The arena’s limited space and high-damage hazards punish reckless movement.
- Use aerial combat: Pogoing and air dashes minimize ground exposure to slime.
- Manage adds fast: Freshflies explode on delay—take them out cleanly, then reposition.
- Prioritize upgrades: At least three Needle upgrades and a few Tool Pouch slots are recommended.
The Broodmother fight tests your adaptability more than brute strength. Once you understand her rhythm, the battle transforms from chaos into a controlled dance—one that perfectly captures Silksong’s blend of precision and artistry. Play Now!
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