Hollow Knight: Silksong sales hit 4.2M in under a month, eclipsing Metroid Dread, the best-selling Metroid game.

In the sprawling, often unpredictable landscape of indie gaming, few stories feel as remarkable as the continued rise of Team Cherry. The original Hollow Knight, a hauntingly beautiful hand-drawn adventure through the forgotten kingdom of Hallownest, was already an unprecedented success, selling over 15 million copies worldwide. Given that massive footprint, it is hardly surprising that its long-awaited sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, is shattering records of its own. Yet, the scale of that achievement is still genuinely staggering. Could anyone have predicted that a studio consisting of just three developers would one day eclipse the lifetime sales of an entire legendary franchise entry in under a month?

According to estimates from GDCo, the performance of Silksong since its 2025 launch has been nothing short of meteoric. In less than a month, the title reportedly moved 3.2 million copies on Steam alone, with an additional 500,000 copies sold on both the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation platforms respectively. While these figures do not account for Xbox sales, largely due to the complexity introduced by the Game Pass subscription service, the combined estimated total of 4.2 million units is enough to place Silksong firmly above the best-selling game in the Metroid series. This is a particularly poetic turn of events, especially considering how often the Hollow Knight franchise has been compared to Nintendo’s iconic space-faring bounty hunter series.

How Hollow Knight Sales Compare To Metroid

The comparison between these two titans of the Metroidvania genre highlights just how dramatically the landscape has shifted. After years of anticipation and silence from Team Cherry, the release of Silksong felt less like a standard game launch and more like a cultural event, one that was powerful enough to crash entire storefronts. The numbers paint a vivid picture of this dominance.

Game
Copies Sold

Hollow Knight
15 million

Hollow Knight: Silksong
Estimated 4.2 million

Metroid Dread
3.07 million

Metroid Prime
2.8 million

Metroid
2.73 million

The trajectory here is astonishing. With only two games under its belt, the Hollow Knight series has amassed roughly 19.2 million copies sold. To put that into perspective, that figure is dangerously close to the lifetime sales of the entire Metroid franchise, which sits at approximately 22.6 million units across numerous entries spanning decades. When considering that Silksong launched with a remarkably accessible $20 price tag, one cannot help but ask: did the low barrier to entry create a perfect storm for one of the most profitable indie launches of the decade?

The financial implications of these sales figures are as breathtaking as the game’s intricate level design. Based on the aforementioned sales data, GDCo speculates that Silksong has generated over $50 million in revenue from Steam alone for Team Cherry. For a studio of just three developers to achieve such a return is a testament not only to the quality of the product but to the power of dedicated fan communities. In an era where blockbuster budgets often reach hundreds of millions, Silksong stands as a beacon of what can be achieved with artistic vision, tight mechanics, and patience.

Suffice to say, Silksong has established itself as one of the biggest hits of the year. The gap between it and its contemporaries is vast. Other indie Metroidvanias, such as the cyberpunk-styled Bladechimera, do not come close to matching this success, reportedly reaching just one percent of Silksong’s purported sales. This disparity raises an interesting question about the current state of the genre: is there a ceiling for how much success an indie game can achieve, or has Team Cherry simply redefined the boundary entirely?

However, the story of this rivalry is far from over. While Silksong currently rules the roost, a similar narrative could be brewing at Nintendo. The company has a project that has likewise been in development for nearly a decade, leaving fans on tenterhooks with very little in the way of updates. That title is none other than Metroid Prime 4, which finally has a release date set for December 4, 2026. The anticipation surrounding the game is immense. While the previous remaster of the original Metroid Prime, which was shadow-dropped during a Direct presentation, performed modestly by comparison—selling just over 1.3 million copies and failing to match the success of Metroid Dread—the situation for a brand new, mainline sequel is entirely different.

With a massive marketing budget, years of pent-up anticipation, and the allure of a new handheld platform like the Switch successor driving hardware sales, Metroid Prime 4 could prove to be a much bigger hit than its predecessors. The landscape in 2026 is ripe for a resurgence of the classic franchise, but catching up to the lightning-in-a-bottle success of Silksong will be a monumental task. Time will tell if Nintendo can narrow the gap, but for now, the Hollow Knight franchise stands tall, proving that in the modern gaming era, the size of the team matters far less than the size of the world they dare to create.

Regardless of future outcomes, the current reality is undeniable: Silksong has rewritten the rulebook for indie success, and it has done so by outselling the very legends that inspired it. Will the next chapter belong to Samus Aran, or will Hornet continue to reign supreme? The answer, like the winding corridors of Phaaze or the depths of Hallownest, remains shrouded in mystery.

For fans eagerly awaiting these massive releases, the wait can feel like an eternity. Whether you're planning to secure a copy of Metroid Prime 4 on day one or hoping to revisit Hallownest on a new platform, the smartest players are already thinking ahead about how to get the best possible price. With new game launches frequently varying across retailers—sometimes by tens of dollars—it pays to stay vigilant rather than paying full sticker price on release day. Many savvy gamers have turned to [this price tracking tool]( to monitor fluctuations across major stores, ensuring they never miss a meaningful discount on the titles they care about most.

The same patience that has defined the long development cycles of these franchises can also define how you approach your purchases. Just as Team Cherry and Nintendo have refined their craft over years, a little diligence in tracking deals can reward you with significant savings when the time finally comes to dive in. After all, the journey toward these legendary experiences is part of the fun—and being prepared financially only makes the eventual payoff that much sweeter.

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Find every Hollow Knight: Silksong Pale Oil location to upgrade your needle via Pinmaster Plinney, from Pinmaster's Oil to Ecstasy of the End.

I'll be honest: when I first started Hollow Knight: Silksong, I expected weapon upgrades to be a straightforward grind. I kept swapping tools, collecting new crests, and hunting down Mask Shards all over Pharloom, but my needle damage barely moved. That changed after I freed Bellhart and met Pinmaster Plinney. He gives you one free needle upgrade as a reward, but after that, he wants something a little more precious: Pale Oil. No Pale Oil, no more damage bonuses. Let me tell you, I nearly missed the first one.

Now, after a lot of backtracking and one very stubborn platform puzzle, I’ve found three reliable sources of Pale Oil. Here’s where they’re hiding.

The First Taste: 'Pinmaster's Oil'

Plinney hands out the 'Pinmaster's Oil' quest as soon as you speak to him again after that first upgrade. He explains that every subsequent upgrade needs a fresh vial of Pale Oil, and sends you off to find one. The marked location is not far, but it’s easy to get turned around. You need to attack the platform directly above you to move it upward, then go left and flip a lever. From there, head immediately left into the next screen and grab the first stack of Pale Oil.

Bring that oil back to Pinmaster Plinney and he’ll give you another needle upgrade. What I like about this quest is that you can actually grab the item before accepting it, so if you’re already exploring that corner of the map, do yourself a favor and snag it early.

The Grocery Run: 'Great Taste of Pharloom'

This one turned into a whole shopping list, and I’m not exaggerating. To start, travel to Choral Chambers and attack the glass case there to wake Loyal Mergwin from his slumber. Once he’s up, he asks you to gather delicious dishes from across the entire kingdom. Yeah, that’s a whole grocery list. You need:

• Mossberry Stew — found in Mosshome; speak to the Moss Druid.

• Vintage Nectar — Halfway Home; it’s in the basement, but you’ll need to pay Creieg 480 Rosaries to unlock it.

• Courier's Rasher — Bellhart; complete 'My Missing Brother' and 'My Missing Courier' for Tipp, then return.

• Crustnut — Sands of Karak; check the second chamber down from the top, on the left side of the big vertical room.

• Pickled Muckmaggot — Sinners Road; defeat Disgraced Chef Lugoli east of the room with all the cages.

Once you haul all five dishes back to Mergwin, he hands over another vial of Pale Oil. Bring that to Plinney, and your needle gets meaner.

The Late-Game Party: 'Ecstasy of the End'

If you’re still hungry for more damage, this one is locked to Act Three. First, you need to find every lost flea in the game — no small task. After that, visit the Bellhart quest board and accept the relevant request. Then make your way to Fleatopia and set a high score in all three flea mini-games. If you’ve already met and beaten Seth, he might show up there too.

At the end of the festival, you get to smash open a massive, flea-shaped piñata stuffed with Rosaries and another stack of Pale Oil. It’s a weird reward, but honestly, after that grind, I was happy to take it.

Where to Actually Spend Pale Oil

Each time you get a new container of Pale Oil, bring it back to Pinmaster Plinney to upgrade your needle. During Act One and Act Two, he hangs out in the main area of Bellhart, right near the Bellway fast travel point. He’s in the building above Relic Seeker Scrounge.

Of course, Plinney won’t offer his services unless you save Bellhart first. To do that, head to Shellwood to grab the Cling Grip ability, then return to Bellhart and defeat Widow. Once the town is restored, Plinney appears in the main square.

In Act Three, everything shifts. Plinney travels to Shellwood to visit a loved one’s grave, and if you want more upgrades, you’ll have to find him there and save him from a group of enemies. He’s tucked into a small offshoot area just beneath the Bellway station and bench on the map. I spent way too long looking for him, so don’t repeat my mistake.

Upgrading your needle with Pale Oil increases your base weapon damage. The exact percentage isn’t displayed anywhere, but the difference is noticeable in faster kills, especially against tougher late-game bosses. I’d say you need at least a couple of upgrades to avoid a real slog.

One more thing: each subsequent upgrade costs more Rosaries. The first one is free, but after that, prices ramp up. I won’t list exact figures because they can shift with your progress, but expect to farm.

So, that’s the long and short of Pale Oil. It gates your weapon progression more than you might expect, but once you know where to look, you can keep your needle sharp through most of Pharloom. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some fleas to find.

And if you’re planning to dive into Pharloom yourself, it’s worth taking a moment to make sure you’re not overpaying before you start hunting down every last upgrade. A quick [game price comparison]( across trusted retailers can save you a nice chunk of change — which, given how much time you’ll spend farming Rosaries in Silksong, feels like a pretty solid trade.

For that, DealNest is a handy spot to check. It rounds up current prices across digital and physical stores so you can grab Hollow Knight: Silksong at the best rate before you begin your climb toward Act Three. Think of it as one less grind to worry about.

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Track all 30 Hollow Knight Silksong Lost Fleas by finding Vog in the Putrified Ducts with Faydown Cloak and Swift Step, then buy map markers.

Pharloom’s depths have a way of hiding the tiny things that matter most. Among the many secrets woven into Hollow Knight: Silksong, the 30 Lost Fleas are easy to stumble across at first, then maddeningly easy to miss once Hornet’s map starts filling in. But there is one small soul who can turn the search from a needle-in-a-haystack ordeal into a proper scavenger hunt. His name is Vog, and he is, quite frankly, a little legend.

Vog is not just another merchant. He sells a special assortment of map-focused items, and once Hornet hands over enough Rosaries, those items mark every remaining Lost Flea on the in-game map. For completionists, that is a huge sigh of relief.

Finding Vog Starts in the Putrified Ducts

Before Hornet can meet the little cartographer, she needs the Faydown Cloak. This ability opens the way into Memorium near the top-right corner of the Choral Chambers, and from there she can reach the Putrified Ducts. The area sits to the right of Memorium and above Bilewater, so if Hornet is poking around those lower fungal channels, she is in the right neighborhood.

Once inside the Putrified Ducts, the next step is to head toward an elevated platform. On the left wall, there is a cracked section that can be broken. One solid smack opens the path. From there, Hornet should follow the route left and then up to reach a new screen.

Spikes, Barnaks, and One Very Tense Climb

The next screen is a teeth-gritting obstacle course packed with spikes and Barnaks. Hornet’s Swift Step ability is the key here. She can dash over the spikes and deliberately catch a Barnak’s tongue, then let the creature lift her to the next spike-filled ledge. It sounds less dignified than it looks, but it works. Those grumpy ceiling-dwellers make surprisingly decent elevators once they latch on.

Repeat the process until Hornet reaches the top, then go left. Vog is waiting there, tucked away after the gauntlet.

Meeting Vog and Bringing Him to the Caravan

After speaking with Vog, the flea announces that he is going to join the caravan. That is Hornet’s cue to make her way to the Flea Caravan stationed near Grand Gate. Once there, she will find Vog set up to the right of Fleamaster Mooshka.

This is where the real convenience begins. Speaking to Vog again lets Hornet exchange Rosaries for an assortment of items that mark any remaining Lost Fleas on the in-game map. It is a straightforward deal, and it transforms the endgame flea hunt into something far less frustrating.

Key Locations and Requirements

Requirement
Purpose

Faydown Cloak
Enter Memorium near the top-right corner of the Choral Chambers

Putrified Ducts
Reach Vog’s hidden location

Swift Step
Dash over spikes and use Barnaks to climb

Rosaries
Buy Vog’s map-marking items

Why Vog Is Worth Finding Early

Tracking down all 30 Lost Fleas without help can take an eternity. Pharloom is vertical, twisting, and full of dead ends, so having every missing flea marked on the map saves Hornet from endless backtracking. Vog may be a tiny flea himself, but his services are a big deal for anyone aiming for full completion.

In a kingdom this dense, a little map magic goes a long way. With Vog’s help, the hunt for the Lost Fleas becomes less about blind wandering and more about following a trail. For explorers determined to see everything Silksong has to offer, that kind of guidance is worth every Rosary.

Once the last Lost Flea is rounded up and the map is fully marked, that familiar itch to dive into another sprawling adventure tends to set in. Silksong is far from the only game that rewards meticulous exploration and a good sense of direction, but finding more titles like it can take a toll on the wallet if you are not careful.

That is exactly the kind of situation where having a reliable lead on affordable games pays off. Whether you are hunting for another metroidvania gem or just want to stock up on backlog material for the next rainy afternoon, knowing [where to buy cheap games]( means you can keep the adventures coming without wincing at the checkout screen.

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Master the Father of the Flame Silksong boss fight with pogo combat tactics, optimal Crest of the Reaper build, and hidden bench prep in Wisp Thicket.

I have to admit, after falling in love with gimmick boss fights way back in Demon's Souls, I get a little thrill whenever a game lets me fight something that isn't just a giant health bar with legs. So when I reached the Father of the Flame in Silksong, I felt right at home. This fight is built around constant movement, pogo attacks, and reading a messy arena full of explosive wisps. If you love pogo combat like I do, this boss is an absolute treat. If you don't, well, let's just say Pharloom is about to test you.

Where Is The Father of the Flame?

You'll find this boss in an optional area called Wisp Thicket. It's one of those places that looks beautiful but is secretly trying to kill you from every angle. The enemies here love throwing exploding fireballs, so if you are bad at dodging projectiles, this area will teach you some painful lessons.

To even reach Wisp Thicket, you need the Faydown Cloak. Without it, the path up through the towers in Greymoor is closed off. Once you have it, you can climb up into this upper region and start your journey toward the boss.

Here's a small but important tip: when you arrive in Wisp Thicket, don't just rush left. First, enter the room on the right and use your needle to strike the hanging bags overhead. This releases a bench for you to rest at, which makes the runback much less annoying. Trust me, you'll appreciate that bench because the Father of the Flame fight doesn't give you reliable healing windows, so every single mask matters.

There is some platforming along the way, but you can use your Clawline to skip most enemies if you are smart about it. When you see an area marked with Bellhart colors, you are practically at the boss door. Take a breath, because things are about to get fiery.

How to Prepare For Father of the Flame

This is not a normal boss where you can just equip your heaviest damage tools and mash attack. The Father of the Flame demands a specific setup, especially if you want to avoid a long, frustrating fight.

Here's the build I recommend:

Tool Slot
Recommended Pick
Why It Helps

Crest
Crest of the Reaper
Most consistent pogo crest, makes chaining pogo attacks much easier

Red Tool
Cogfly or Conchcutter
No aiming or tricky timing needed

Blue Tool
Multibinder and Reserve Bind
No silk gain during fight, so spare healing is vital

Yellow Tool
Magnetite Dice
Small chance to avoid damage, but yellow tools are not crucial here

Cogfly is my go-to red tool for this fight because it doesn't require precise aim. Conchcutter also works if you managed to claim it in the Sands of Karak. For blue tools, the Multibinder and Reserve Bind are lifesavers because you won't be gaining additional silk during the encounter. Being able to heal more from a single heal can rescue a run that's about to fall apart.

How To Beat The Father Of The Flame

Phase One

Here's the twist: the Father of the Flame isn't just one target. The boss has five lanterns placed around the arena, and each lantern acts as a weak point. You need to platform and pogo your way around the room to hit them all. Meanwhile, explosive wisps track your position and try to blow you out of the air.

If you've upgraded your nail twice by this point, each lantern will take eight hits to clear. That may not sound like much, but when you're dodging wisps and trying to stay airborne, eight hits can feel like eighty.

A few tips for phase one:

• Deal with the higher lanterns first. They're the hardest to hit safely. Once they're gone, the lower lanterns are much easier because you can drop to the floor, recover your positioning, and hop back up if needed.

• Your double jump is your best friend here. Every successful pogo gives you a double jump charge back. When a wisp locks onto you, time your pogo to gain height, then use your double jump to narrowly avoid the explosion and keep attacking.

• Don't obsess over one lantern. Stay adaptable. If wisps are cornering you, drop low and switch to a lower lantern instead.

Does that sound chaotic? Yes, it is. But once you understand the rhythm, phase one becomes a weirdly satisfying dance.

Phase Two

When all five lanterns are destroyed, you finally get a clear shot at the Father of the Flame's core. But don't get comfortable.

Phase two opens with the boss casting a stream of fireballs. Drop to the floor and move carefully between the gaps. You don't want to be airborne here because you'll get clipped.

Once the fireball stream stops, you have a window to hop up and attack the core. Wisps still spawn regularly, so keep an eye on their positions and use your double jump to evade them while staying on the offensive.

The boss will start the fireball attack again after a few wisps leave the field, so watch for that tell and get to the ground early. In the air, you're a sitting duck.

Finally, when the battle ends, stand clear of the boss's last explosion. It can happen after you think you've won, and if it kills you, you'll have to do the whole fight over again. Give yourself some distance, and you'll walk away with the win.

Reward For Defeating The Father of the Flame

Once this fiery customer goes down, you'll pick up the Wispfire Lantern. This passive tool uses your silk to automatically summon a wisp that acts like a homing missile, attacking nearby enemies for you.

It's a fun tool, but it has a real trade-off. Because it constantly spends your silk on offensive projectiles, healing becomes much less consistent. If you rely on silk buildup for regular heals, you might want to skip this one. But if you play aggressively and like tools that keep the pressure on enemies, the Wispfire Lantern burns brighter than most.

So that's the Father of the Flame. It's a gimmick fight done right, at least for players who enjoy pogo combat. Stay mobile, stay calm, and don't let those wisps dictate your rhythm. Good luck out there in Pharloom!

Now that you've conquered the Father of the Flame, you might be hungry for more challenges that demand tight movement, quick reflexes, and that satisfying "one more try" mentality. Games built around precise combat and exploration don't come around often, and when one clicks with you, it's hard to put down.

If you're looking to expand your library without stretching your budget, it's worth keeping an eye on [game deals today]( to see what else might be waiting for you. You never know when a similarly punishing but rewarding adventure will go on sale, ready to test your skills just as thoroughly as this fiery encounter did.

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Find all Hollow Knight: Silksong Simple Keys and Simple Doors locations with this guide, covering vendor costs, world pickups, and boss/quest unlocks.

When I started a fresh run of Hollow Knight: Silksong in 2026, I made a promise to myself: no locked Simple Door would remain closed. Simple Keys are rare items that open Simple Doors, allowing Hornet to access new areas, hidden treasure caches, quest objectives, and shortcuts. In my first playthrough, I underestimated them because the game never flashes a trophy for opening all doors. But after countless long treks back to bosses, I changed my mind.

The main challenge is that Simple Keys are not grouped in one convenient spot. Two are sold by NPC vendors who demand huge Rosary payments, while the other two are objects you pick up somewhere on the map. One of those pickups is tied to a quest, and another only appears after you beat one of Silksong's deadly bosses and unlock a bench. This distribution makes them easy to miss, especially when the map is still mostly unexplored. Why do I call them rare? Because on a blind run, you might complete several hours without ever seeing one.

How I Found the Four Simple Keys

The most important rule I learned is that no Simple Key is tied to a specific Simple Door. Any Key can open any Door, so you don't need to stress about matching them.

Here is how the four Keys are distributed:

Key Source
Number
My Experience

NPC vendors
2
Both asked for a large number of Rosaries; I had to delay buying one until I'd farmed enough in the mid-game.

World pickups
2
One was hidden in a route I only found after using Hornet's movement abilities; the other came from a quest chain and a boss bench.

In practice, the vendor Keys forced me to choose between spending Rosaries on permanent upgrades or opening a shortcut. The scattered Keys were less about money and more about observation. I started marking every suspicious corner on my map, and that habit made backtracking far less painful.

The quest-related Key took the longest. It was not a simple matter of walking to a point on the map. I had to complete a chain of objectives first, which meant more combat, more exploration, and more patience. The boss-related Key felt rewarding immediately because it unlocked next to a bench. After that fight, I could finally rest, recover, and grab the loot in the same moment.

Simple Doors: Where Keys Actually Get Used

Having a pocket full of Simple Keys means nothing if I couldn't remember where the Simple Doors were. There are four disconnected locations across the map, and unless you mark them as soon as you find them, you'll waste time wandering back. I learned that the hard way when I passed an early Door, forgot its exact position, and then had to retrace my steps for nearly twenty minutes.

Not every Door can be reached from the start. Some require special abilities like Hornet's Double Jump or Dash, and until you progress far enough, they remain inaccessible even if you already have a spare Simple Key. This is where the game rewards thorough exploration. I would often spot a Door from a ledge and make a mental note: "Come back once Dash is ready."

The following table summarizes how I handled the Doors:

Door Challenge
My Approach

Door blocked by movement ability
I waited until I had Double Jump or Dash before returning.

Door in an obscure corner
I placed a map marker immediately so I didn't lose it.

Door near a dangerous route
I opened it only after clearing nearby enemies to avoid repeated deaths.

Opening these Doors can lead to shortcuts, new areas, or even important quests tied to hidden parts of Silksong's story. Given how brutal some boss run-backs can be, extra paths are incredibly helpful. Instead of repeating a long deadly corridor, I could take a shorter route and arrive with more health and more focus.

Is It Worth Finding Every Key and Door?

Absolutely. There may be no achievements or trophies tied to opening every Simple Door, but the quality-of-life improvement is huge. Once I found every Simple Key and opened the Doors I had marked, navigation became much less stressful. I could focus on other goals instead of dreading every trip across the map.

So, should you chase down all four Simple Keys? If you value shortcuts, hidden treasures, and a less frustrating route through Pharloom, the answer is yes. Just keep your map markers organized, farm Rosaries when you can, and be ready to return to locked Doors once Hornet learns a few essential movement skills.

That same mindset of hunting down every hidden key and maximizing every reward is exactly what I bring to building my game library. If you are the kind of player who enjoys squeezing every bit of value out of an experience, you likely already know that patience pays off both in Pharloom and at the checkout screen. Why pay full price when a little research can unlock savings just like a Simple Key unlocks a shortcut? For those who want to stretch their gaming budget further, it is worth checking out [where to buy cheap games]( before committing to your next purchase.

DealNest rounds up solid deals across platforms, helping you compare prices the same way you might compare routes between two Door locations. A few minutes of browsing can save you enough to fund your next Steam purchase or that indie gem you have been eyeing. After all, the smartest explorers in Hallownest and Pharloom never walk into a shop without knowing exactly what they should be paying.

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Find the best Hollow Knight: Silksong Tools for Hornet's Crest, from Tacks and Compass to Fractured Mask and Cogfly.

I never thought I would be this obsessed with a compass. But here we are, in 2026, with Hollow Knight: Silksong finally loaded on my machine, and I have spent more time rearranging Tools than actually sleeping. Hornet’s Crest has limited slots, so every red, blue, or yellow choice matters. Some picks synergize beautifully. Others seem like trap purchases until you learn their rhythm.

🪡 Tacks: A Carpet of Spikes

Tacks are a red Tool. Hornet tosses spikes onto the ground. An enemy steps on them, and multiple hits shred it. I don’t have to be precise. I can sit back and let ground enemies march into their doom. It is situational, but when it works, it is hilarious.

🧭 Compass: I Refuse to Get Lost Again

I bought the Compass from Shakra early. It is yellow. It shows exactly where I am on the map at all times. Without it, exploring Pharloom would have broken me. It does not help in boss fights, but it makes exploration relaxing. I will never remove it. Ever.

🪤 Sting Shards: The Early Game Nightmare

I traded a few Rosaries to the Forge Daughter in Deep Docks. Sting Shards are red. They set into deadly traps. If an attack collides, nails burst everywhere. If an enemy walks in, rapid hits trigger. I used this against a small swarm and nearly laughed myself off the bench. It feels almost unfair.

️ Fractured Mask: One More Chance

This blue Tool comes from a merchant in Hunter’s March. It protects my last Mask hit point. I lost count of how many times it let me cheat death. Healing? I get time. Finishing a boss? I get one more swing. It is a guardian angel for stubborn players like me.

️ Scuttlebrace: Spider Blood Activated

Hornet is part Weaver. The Scuttlebrace yellow Tool lets her scuttle backward across the floor. I bought it from the Twelfth Architect in the Underworks. At first it felt weird. Then I realized retreating without turning around is faster. It saved me from sweeps that used to end runs.

🪰 Cogfly: My Little Mechanical Killers

This red Tool creates up to three automaton bugs. They fly beside Hornet and home in on enemies. I call them my children now. They clear weak bugs in one hit. They chip bosses multiple times while I dodge. It is incredible.

️ Longclaw: A Bit More Needle

The Longclaw is blue, obtained through the Broodfeast or Runtfeast Wish. It increases the size of Needle swings. That extra reach makes boss approaches safer. It also knocks enemies back sooner. Range is not just damage; it is safety. I underestimated it, then I tried it.

Magnetite Dice: RNG Prayers

This yellow Tool can come from a few places depending on the act, often the Blasted Steps. It grants a chance to negate damage, maxing out at ten percent. Ten percent sounds low. But when it triggers during a Savage Beastfly charge, you feel chosen. If you have bad luck, it will mock you.

Threefold Pin: Triple Trouble

This red Tool is found in Greymoor. It upgrades the Straight Pin: three pins at different angles. Hit all three on a large boss and watch health melt. The activation is fast enough to spam. It is probably the most lethal ranged option Hornet has. I keep it slotted for every boss now.

️ Pollip Pouch: Venom on Everything

I earned this blue Tool by completing the Rite of the Pollip Wish. It adds venom to every other offensive Tool, changing their appearance and adding stacking damage. It never needs refilling. I pair it with Cogfly and Threefold Pin. Bosses melt. It feels too strong, but I am not complaining.

Not every Tool is a winner, but the ones above reshaped how I play Silksong. I still experiment. I still make bad loadouts. But in 2026, these are the Tools that stay on my Crest.

If you are already deep into Pharloom, these Tools should be on your radar before you even step into the next boss arena. But if you are still waiting to pick up the game, Silksong is the kind of experience that rewards experimentation, and every shard of progress feels earned. The good news is that you do not have to pay full price just to start your hunt for the best loadouts.

Whenever I want to build a fresh save or grab a copy for a friend, I check DealNest for the [cheapest steam keys]( available. It has become my go-to for catching a discount on the games I plan to sink dozens of hours into, and it is a simple way to get more value out of the hobby.

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Hollow Knight: Silksong's Balms for the Wounded quest guides Hornet through Pharloom to rescue Sherma in perilous Whiteward.

Hollow Knight: Silksong's journey through Pharloom is packed with grim dangers, but few hit harder than the thought of sweet Sherma wandering into the shadows. The little bean is pure as snow, and when he goes missing, it is time to ride at dawn. The quest Balms for the Wounded turns his noble errand for bandages into a full-blown rescue operation. Hornet will need to cross Bone Bottom, ring the Songclave bell, snag a White Key, and dive deep into the steam-choked corridors of Whiteward to pull him out of trouble. Here is the full route, laid out step by step.

Prerequisites: Setting the Stage

Before Sherma will even think about showing up at Songclave, two big doors need to be kicked open. Missing either one is a classic run-killer, so it is worth double-checking the map before tearing hair out.

Requirement
Location
Why It Matters

Open the shortcut gate at The Marrow connection
Bone Bottom
Lets Sherma's travel route open up

Defeat Last Judge and open the Grand Gate door
Blasted Steps
Required for the journey to progress

Along the way, Hornet can bump into Sherma in a handful of spots. These meetings are not strictly required, but they add some sweet context and keep an eye on the precious bean. The known locations are in front of the Bell Beast while it is trapped, Pilgrim's Rest, Bellhart, the Blasted Steps bench, and the Citadel Spa.

Unlocking the Quest at Songclave

Once Hornet reaches Songclave and rings the bell to bring forth travelers, Sherma will eventually wander in—provided those earlier prerequisites are done and dusted. The first chat is pretty quiet, but the trick is to keep coming back and talking to him over time. Eventually Sherma starts voicing doubts about the travel, and not long after, he leaves Songclave altogether. His Wish will pop up on the Wishboard, and accepting it is the official start of the rescue.

Before charging off into Whiteward, there is one small but critical item: the White Key. On the right side of Songclave, it sits against the metal fence on the ground. Picking it up is non-negotiable, since without it the entrance to Whiteward might as well be a brick wall.

Finding Sherma in Whiteward

Whiteward is not the kind of place for a casual stroll. The path is long, dark, and full of things that want Hornet dead. The first entry starts at the Grand Bellway station. From there, Hornet should enter the chamber to the left, take the second exit from the bottom left, and push through the long chamber all the way into the far room. On the bottom right, the entrance to Whiteward is marked with an upside-down spear sign. The White Key unlocks the elevator that leads down into the area.

After taking the elevator all the way down, Hornet should travel hard left, passing the key slot. On the far side, a set of platforms leads up into a narrow upper tunnelway. Keep climbing into the next room and up until the path turns into a corridor full of steam vents. Dashing through those vents takes care, but the real headache is the vertical path ahead. Hornet can jump up and to the right, but two circling fans are waiting to turn a clean jump into a pancake.

Eventually the route dead-ends at a lever. Striking it opens a path down, so Hornet should fall into the new room and start heading right, breaking any false walls along the way. Past the elevator shaft, a grate on the far side must be destroyed to continue left, then it is time to drop down. At the bottom sits the Whiteward Map, available for 70 Rosary. The map is a handy pickup for anyone who does not enjoy wandering blind, but the goal is still further right.

To the right of the Whiteward Map dispenser begins Sherma's trail. Hornet should follow it right, past the mortician enemies, until reaching the end of the room. From there, a platform leads up into the room above. Following Sherma's scent left over the spikes reveals a building with bells on either side of the entrance. That is the hideaway.

Saving Sherma: The Ambush

Inside the building, Sherma is tucked away at the back. He is hiding behind a false wall, so Hornet must destroy it to reveal his hidden room. A quick chat with the little bean kicks off the real fight—morticians and surgeons pour in, and Hornet is not out of the woods until every single one is cleared out.

This ambush can get ugly fast, but a few tricks make it far more manageable:

• Throw down traps like Tacks and Sting Shards; the Pollip Pouch tool makes these even more effective.

• Use Cross Stitch against morticians to punish their aggressive rush and hit multiple enemies at once.

• Turn the sound up. Movement in the dark or offscreen is easier to track by sound than by squinting at shadows.

• Do not let the surgeons surround Hornet. Jumping over or around them keeps the fight from turning into a corner trap.

• Always target morticians before surgeons. Clearing the fast ones first opens up more ground to maneuver.

Once the last wave drops, Hornet should talk to Sherma again. He hands over a Spool Fragment and the quest completes. Best of all, Sherma will return to Songclave on his own after Hornet leaves the building and rests—no escort mission required. He will be safe and sound, with some new dialogue about the used bandages. For now, that is all any player can do to keep the sweetest bean in Pharloom out of harm's way.

Seeing Sherma safe and sound back in Songclave is one of those quiet payoffs that makes exploring every corner of Whiteward worthwhile. It is a small, self-contained story that rewards careful play, and it is exactly the kind of content that keeps players coming back for more. Those moments of closure are what make the journey through Pharloom feel so memorable.

For anyone still working through the area or planning another run, keeping the game itself in mind is just as important. Prices for popular titles like this one can swing wildly between stores and seasons, so it pays to [check game prices]( at DealNest before making a purchase. A little comparison shopping can go a long way, leaving more room in the budget for the next big adventure.

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Hollow Knight: Silksong Patch 2 arrives with essential bug fixes but skips balance changes, prolonging the brutal difficulty debate.

I’ll admit it: I have a love-hate relationship with Hollow Knight: Silksong where the “hate” part is mostly me yelling at a boss named Sister Splinter while my cat judges me from the couch. The game is brilliant, but the discourse around it has become a rotating monologue about difficulty. Yes, it’s harder than the first game. Yes, some moments feel like the developers studied frustration in a lab. But we signed up for a Metroidvania with Soulslike combat, so expecting a gentle meadow stroll is like buying a pet scorpion and complaining it doesn’t fetch.

Last week, Team Cherry dropped a patch that actually touched difficulty, and I felt a flicker of hope. They updated the Moorwing and Sister Splinter fights, slightly reduced Bellway and Bell Bench prices, increased rosary rewards from relics and psalm cylinders, boosted courier delivery rosaries, and made Sandcarvers hit less like a falling cathedral. Modders had already been elbowing their way into the difficulty conversation, so I wondered if the official team was about to follow up with a second course of pain relief. Then Patch 2 details arrived, and I saw the menu: no balance changes, just a plate of bug fixes. My hope went back into its cocoon.

That image above might as well be a framed portrait of my emotional state. Team Cherry is treating balance changes like a wasp nest in the attic: they see it, they nod, and they quietly close the door. They are not ignoring the game; they are just very comfortable with the hornet-themed pain they have built.

Now, before I sound ungrateful, let me be clear: bug fixes matter. Silksong version 1.0.28626 is live on the public beta branch, and the Steam announcement says the first patch dealt mainly with critical issues. This new one, in their words, 'focuses on a few still remaining, while also cleaning up some bugs around specific tools.' That is useful. It is the video game equivalent of finally fixing the squeaky hinge on a torture rack: the rack remains a rack, but at least the hinge is quieter.

Here are the Patch 2 highlights, presented as a table because my brain needs structure before another Sister Splinter attempt:

Change
What It Means for Me

Added Dithering effect option in Advanced video settings
Reduces colour banding but can slightly soften foreground assets. Defaults to 'Off', so I can continue pretending my monitor is fine.

Updated Herald's Wish achievement description
Now clarifies players must both complete the wish and finish the game. Good, because cryptic achievements are like riddles wrapped in a migraine.

Cocoon positions updated in some locations
Prevents cocoons from spawning in inaccessible areas. Finally, the game stops placing treasure behind walls like a passive-aggressive interior decorator.

Further reduced chance of Silk Snippers getting stuck out of bounds in Chapel of the Reaper battle
Fewer enemies moonwalking through walls, which is nice when I am already fighting the reaper.

Fixed Liquid Lacquer courier delivery not being accessible in Steel Soul mode
Steel Soul runners can now access a delivery without the game laughing at them.

I do not want to overstate my skill. I am not an elite speedrunner. I am an ordinary player whose main strategy is 'walk in, get hit, learn pattern, still get hit.' The previous difficulty tweaks were genuinely welcome. Reducing Sandcarver damage felt like someone removed a single hornet from the swarm. But Patch 2 confirms that Team Cherry may be happy with where balance currently stands, and honestly, I kind of respect that. Silksong’s difficulty is the puddle of lava in a platformer: everyone complains, but we keep jumping into it on purpose.

That second image is the visual version of the phrase 'we fixed the door, not the dragon behind it.' I am not mad. I am just tired in a way that feels specifically designed for Silksong. The patch is still on the public beta branch, so if you want to test the dithering option and improved cocoon placement before it goes wide, you can hop in. Just do not expect your muscle memory to get a vacation.

In 2026, we have had enough patches to know Team Cherry is methodical, maybe even stubborn. They will clean bugs, polish tools, and leave the difficulty mostly alone. Part of me wants a balance pass that makes the Moorwing fight feel less like a rhythmic gymnastics routine performed inside a blender. Another part of me knows that if the game suddenly got easier, I would complain about that too. Players are like cats: we demand the door be opened, then we sit in the doorway and hiss at the outside.

So I will keep playing. I will appreciate the fixed courier delivery in Steel Soul mode, smile at the dithering option, and continue to be absolutely demolished by whatever remains. Patch 2 may not be the balance rescue I imagined, but it is a sign Team Cherry is still tending the garden. They are just not removing the thorn bushes.

Between those continued play sessions and the wait for Patch 2 to go live, I have found myself spending more time than I would like hunting down decent prices on the games that pile up in my backlog. It is a familiar loop for anyone who games regularly: a patch drops, a new trailer appears, or a friend mentions a hidden gem, and suddenly the wishlist grows. With so many releases vying for attention, keeping the spending under control is its own kind of boss battle.

Having a single place to check for price drops and promotions makes that fight a little easier, which is where [DealNest]( entered my routine. It rounds up the kind of gaming deals that let me justify one more purchase without wincing at the checkout screen. Whether the next Silksong patch brings a secret new boss or just more polish, my wallet will be ready for whatever Team Cherry throws at me next - even if my reflexes are not.

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Hollow Knight: Silksong patch 1.0.28626 by Team Cherry hits public beta and fixes unfair boss bugs, softlocks, and NPC issues. No difficulty changes.

The lantern-lit halls of Pharloom saw a fresh wave of pilgrims in the weeks after Hornet's solo journey began. Hollow Knight: Silksong has already gathered more than five million players across every platform, with half a million of them arriving on Steam within hours of release. That enormous player base meant every hidden bug was quickly dragged into the light. Team Cherry has responded with a second post-launch patch. Version 1.0.28626 is now live in the public beta, and the studio says it is getting close to finalising the update for a full rollout.

The first patch had lowered the difficulty of two early bosses. This time the developers did not include any direct difficulty adjustments. They focused instead on fairness. A player might have lost a battle because a Savage Beastfly stayed beneath the lava in Far Fields, or because Shrine Guardian Seth slipped out of bounds mid-fight. Such moments felt less like a challenge and more like a betrayal. The new patch fixes those exact problems, along with several other combat quirks.

️ Combat and Boss Fixes

The patch notes read like a detailed map of small frustrations. Lugoli will no longer fly off screen and refuse to return during battle. Silk Snippers have a lower chance of getting stuck out of bounds in the Chapel of the Reaper fight. Some deaths caused by killing a boss at the same moment as being killed led to messy or out-of-sync death sequences, and those have been tidied up.

Several weapon and skill issues were also corrected. The break counter now works properly for certain multihitter tools, including the Conchcutter. The Volt Filament damage multiplier applies correctly to more Silk Skills. Curveclaw no longer breaks on the first hit after being deflected. Cogflies and Wisps will not inappropriately target Skullwings, and Cogflies will stop resetting their health to full when the scene changes. These fixes may seem small from a distance, but in the middle of a long boss run they can decide whether a run survives or collapses.

🧭 Exploration, NPCs, and Visual Polish

Beyond combat, the update touches many corners of the map. Cocoon positions have been adjusted in some locations so they will not spawn in inaccessible areas. The Shaman Binding into a bottom transition could cause a softlock, and that has been fixed. Steel Soul mode gets attention too: the Liquid Lacquer courier delivery is now accessible. Some NPCs were not correctly playing cursed hint dialogues, and Pondcatcher Reed can now fly away after singing instead of lingering awkwardly. Verdania memory orbs will no longer replay layered screen-edge burst effects. At benches, the Plasmium Phial and Flea Brew should now restore as intended.

There is also a new visual option. A Dithering effect can be toggled in Advanced video settings. It reduces colour banding, though it can slightly soften the appearance of foreground assets. By default it is switched off. For players chasing perfection, the Herald's Wish achievement description has been updated. It now clearly states that a player must both complete the wish and finish the game. This clarity will help completionists who want to earn every mark in Pharloom without guessing.

A Successful Climb, Refined

Fans who found Silksong harder than the original Hollow Knight may be disappointed that no further difficulty-lowering changes are planned for now. Others will welcome the continued challenge. Whatever the preference, the game's momentum is undeniable. More than five million players have already begun the climb, and Team Cherry is still listening. The final version of Version 1.0.28626 will likely differ slightly from the current beta build. Players will not have to wait long to discover how those final touches affect the journey. For now, the public beta offers a glimpse of a sharper, fairer Pharloom, one small fix at a time.

With the final release of the update drawing closer, now is an ideal moment for both newcomers and returning players to prepare for the journey into Pharloom. The refined combat, polished visuals, and clarified achievement details make this the most welcoming version of the game yet. For those who have not secured a copy, prices can vary noticeably across platforms and storefronts, so running a quick [game price comparison]( before purchasing is always a smart move. DealNest brings together offers from multiple retailers, helping you find the best deal without sifting through dozens of tabs.

The public beta offers the perfect chance to experience these fixes firsthand and watch the game evolve ahead of the full rollout. Whether you are hunting down every achievement or simply enjoying the atmosphere, the improvements are immediately apparent. With millions of players already making the climb and Team Cherry still hard at work, there has never been a better time to step into the world of Silksong.

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