How to Increase Health with Mask Shards in Hollow Knight: Silksong
Pharloom is a dangerous kingdom, and Hornet’s survival hinges on every scrap of health she can muster. In Hollow Knight: Silksong, your health is represented by Masks, and the key to increasing your maximum is finding Mask Shards. This guide will get you started on the path to a sturdier Hornet by explaining the core mechanic and where to find your first crucial upgrades.
The first Mask Shard can be found early in Bone Bottom.
The Mask Shard is the essential item for this progression. Scattered throughout the world, you’ll need to collect 4 Mask Shards to forge one complete Ancient Mask, which permanently adds a new mask to your health bar. Your Inventory will track your count, and the conversion happens automatically when you pick up that fourth piece—it’s a fantastic feeling that also fully heals you. With 20 shards in total, you can raise Hornet’s health by a maximum of 5 masks, for a total of 10.
Early enemies can hit for two masks of damage, so finding your first health upgrade before exploring too far is a huge safety net.
Your very first opportunity comes almost immediately. After the tutorial in Moss Grotto, you’ll face the Moss Mother boss. Defeating her rewards you with a Mask Shard, giving you a solid head start. Your next reliable source is a merchant. In Greymoor, the game’s central hub, you’ll find the Shard Merchant. This vendor sells Mask Shards for Rosaries, the game’s currency, providing a straightforward way to boost your health if you have the beads to spare.
As you push into more complex areas like Deep Docks, you’ll need to start hunting. Some shards are hidden in the environment, often behind breakable walls. For instance, in a hidden alcove behind a breakable wall in Deep Docks, you can find a Mask Shard. Press [Y] to slash the suspicious wall and claim your prize. This pattern of exploration and careful observation will serve you well across all of Pharloom.
With the knowledge that four shards equal one new mask, and with your first pieces already within reach, you’re ready to venture deeper. Keep your eyes peeled and your needle sharp—every shard you find makes Hornet that much harder to break.
How to Expand the Spool and Silk Meter in Hollow Knight: Silksong
In Hollow Knight: Silksong, your Spool—the circular meter in the top-left of your UI—is your lifeline. It represents your Silk capacity, the resource you burn to heal and fuel powerful Tools. To survive Pharloom's deeper, deadlier corners, you'll need to expand that meter. The secret lies in collecting Crests, special items that fundamentally change Hornet's moveset and, crucially, grant more slots for Tools and Silk Skills.
Locating the Hunter Crest.
Think of Crests as the foundation for your entire build. They're more than just stat boosts; each one rewrites Hornet's basic attack patterns, from swift, precise slashes to heavy, sweeping blows. Your journey to expand your capabilities starts with your default Crest of Hunter, which provides a balanced set of slots to experiment with. But to truly master the Silk Spooling mechanic—where you hold [A] to Bind and consume Silk to heal—you'll need the increased capacity and unique effects of other Crests.
Finding and Using New Crests
Crests are hidden in Chapels scattered across Pharloom, often guarded by challenging platforming or boss fights. Here’s where to find the major ones that will significantly boost your Spool and slot options:
- Crest of Wanderer: Available in Act 1, head to the Chapel of the Wanderer in Bonegrave. This Crest is fantastic for early exploration, offering multiple Yellow Tool slots for utility items. Its fast attacks also help you generate Silk quickly.
- Crest of Reaper: Also in Act 1, seek out the Chapel of the Reaper in Greymoor, which requires surviving a round-based arena fight. This S-tier Crest is a community favorite for its long reach and a Bind ability that creates Silk balls, refilling your Spool as you collect them for rapid, successive heals.
- Crest of Beast: Find this in the Chapel of the Beast within Hunter's March (you'll need the Drifter's Cloak from the Seamstress in the Far Fields to reach it). It replaces standard healing with a lifesteal Bind, sending you into a furious, high-damage state.
- Crest of Architect: An Act 2 powerhouse found in the Chapel of the Architect in The Underworks. You must purchase the Architect's Key from the Twelfth Architect in The Cauldron for 110 Rosaries after collecting 25 Tools. It transforms your needle into a drill and boasts the most Red Tool slots, perfect for a tool-heavy playstyle.
- Crest of Witch: Unlocked through a multi-step Act 2 questline starting with Greywood in Shellwood and involving the Twisted Bud and the Infestation Operation Wish. Its Bind deals area damage instead of healing directly, and its attacks are incredibly fast.
- Crest of Shaman: A late-game Act 3 Crest located in the Ruined Chapel in Moss Grotto, requiring the Silk Soar ability. It forgoes Tool slots entirely for multiple Silk Skill slots, making your special abilities your primary weapon.
The Crest of Reaper is widely considered one of the best all-rounders in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Its combination of good range, a Silk-generating Bind, and balanced slot distribution makes it a worthy target for your first major Crest hunt.
Permanent Upgrades and the Sylphsong Ability
Collecting Crests does more than just give you new options to equip. Your total progress unlocks permanent upgrades from Eva, a Weaver child imprisoned in Weavenest Atla within Moss Grotto (accessed with the Needolin ability).
- Vesticrest: Once you have at least four Crests unlocked and 12 total Tool/Silk Skill slots open across them (excluding the Hunter Crest), Eva will grant you a permanent +1 Yellow Tool Slot.
- Vesticrest Upgrade: With five Crests and 20 total slots open, she upgrades this to a permanent +1 Blue Tool Slot.
- Sylphsong: The ultimate reward. Unlock a total of 32 Tool/Silk Skill slots across all Crests (again, excluding Hunter), and accept Eva's final request. This grants the Sylphsong ability, which lets Hornet regenerate Silk simply by resting at Benches.
Your starting Crest of Hunter can also be upgraded twice by Eva. The first upgrade adds a Focus Meter that increases your damage as you hit enemies without getting hit yourself, rewarding precise play.
With the right Crest equipped and these permanent upgrades unlocked, you'll transform from cautiously managing your Silk to unleashing it freely, turning the tide of even the toughest battles in Hollow Knight: Silksong.
How to Upgrade the Needle with the Forge-Daughter in Hollow Knight: Silksong
Your needle is your lifeline in Hollow Knight: Silksong, and keeping it sharp is non-negotiable for facing Pharloom’s toughest foes. The key to this power lies with the Forge-Daughter, the master smith who can turn your humble Needle into a true instrument of war.
Exploration is required to find the rare materials needed for the Forge-Daughter.
Finding the Forge-Daughter
To begin your upgrades, you must first find the Forge-Daughter in the Deep Docks. She resides in her workshop, The Forge, a large, steamy chamber filled with the clang of metal. She’s the large, bell-shaped NPC crafting at a workbench with her helper, Ballow. Once you’ve found her, interacting with her will open her crafting menu, where the real work begins.
The Upgrade Path and Materials
Upgrading your Needle is a multi-stage process that requires two key resources: Shell Shards and a rare material called Craftmetal.
- Shell Shards are your common currency for smithing. You’ll collect these constantly by defeating enemies and breaking containers all over Pharloom. They’re used for the initial sharpening and repair services.
- Craftmetal is the rare, high-grade material needed for the most significant Needle upgrades and for crafting powerful Tools. You’ll need to hunt for it in specific, often hidden locations like Bone Bottom, The Marrow, or deeper within the Deep Docks itself.
Here’s the typical upgrade progression you can expect from the Forge-Daughter:
- Initial Sharpening: The first upgrade is a simple damage increase. You’ll need a hefty sum of Shell Shards—think in the range of 250 Shell Shards—to perform this basic sharpening.
- Enhanced Edge: Subsequent upgrades require Craftmetal in addition to more Shell Shards. Each stage significantly boosts your Needle’s base damage, making a noticeable difference against armored enemies and bosses.
- Final Forms: The highest-tier upgrades will demand multiple pieces of Craftmetal and possibly other rare items found later in your journey.
Start hoarding Shell Shards as soon as you begin playing. Don’t spend them all on minor tool repairs at benches—saving a stockpile for your first Needle upgrade will make the early game bosses much more manageable.
Why It’s Worth the Grind
If you’ve ever felt like you’re chipping away at a boss’s health bar, a Needle upgrade is your solution. The damage increase is substantial and permanent, affecting every swing and skill. While exploring to find Craftmetal can be a challenge, often requiring abilities like the Cling Grip or Faydown Cloak, the power spike is always worth the detour.
With a sharper Needle courtesy of the Forge-Daughter, you’ll carve through Pharloom’s challenges with newfound confidence. Now, let’s look at how to tie all your character’s strengths together for the ultimate playthrough.
Best Character Progression Roadmap for Hornet in Hollow Knight: Silksong
You’ve mastered the essentials—now it’s time to orchestrate your adventure. In Hollow Knight: Silksong, knowing what to upgrade is only half the battle; knowing when to pursue it is what separates a struggling wanderer from a confident warrior of Pharloom. This roadmap prioritizes your early and mid-game power spikes, guiding you to the right upgrades at the right time so you can explore further and fight harder.
The Wormways contain essential health upgrades for mid-game survival.
Your First Hours: The Foundational Loop
Your initial goal isn't to see everything—it's to build a stable foundation. Follow this loop: explore a new area, beat its boss, then return to key hubs to spend your gains.
Step 1: Secure Your First Needle Upgrade
Your first major power spike comes from The Forge in the Deep Docks. After navigating The Marrow and defeating the Bell Beast, head to the docks. Find The Forge Daughter, the master smith, in her workshop. For 250 Shell Shards, she’ll perform the Initial Sharpening, giving your Needle a significant damage boost. This should be your first big purchase, making every subsequent fight and exploration loop faster.
Step 2: Collect Your First Health Mask
Your survivability is paramount. Your first priority after leaving Bone Bottom should be collecting 4 Mask Shards. One is a guaranteed reward for defeating the Moss Mother boss in Moss Grotto. Scour the early areas—The Marrow, Deep Docks, and Far Fields—for the others. Check every hidden alcove behind breakable walls (press [Y] to slash). That extra health mask is a game-changer for the challenges ahead.
Use Rosary Strings in your inventory to bank excess Rosaries. If you die, you'll only lose the loose Rosaries you're carrying, not the ones safely stored in Strings. This saves you countless Shards in the long run.
Building Momentum: Tools and Movement
With a stronger Needle and more health, you can safely push into riskier zones for game-changing abilities.
Step 3: Unlock Essential Movement
The Drifter's Cloak from the Far Fields is your next major target. Complete the Seamstress’s quest for 25 Spine Cores to earn it. This cloak isn't just for gliding—it’s essential for reaching new areas like Greymoor. Shortly after, head to Shellwood and defeat Sister Splinter to earn the Cling Grip Ancestral Art. Wall-climbing fundamentally reshapes the map, opening up massive vertical exploration.
Step 4: Manage Your Spool for Bosses
Your Silk meter, or Spool, fuels both healing and tools. The basic Wanderer's Crest you start with is fine for exploration, but before a tough boss fight, swap to the Silk-Bound Crest. You’ll find this powerful crest after a challenging arena fight in The Citadel; it significantly increases your Spool size, letting you heal more often and use tools more liberantly during intense battles.
Step 5: Establish a Farming Route
Upgrades get expensive. Establish a reliable Shell Shard farming loop early. Greymoor is an excellent mid-game spot. Enemies here drop good Shards, and the area’s layout near the Halfway Home bench allows for quick, safe resets. Farm here after each major exploration push to fund your next Needle upgrade or tool repair at The Forge.
Mid-Game Mastery: Synergy and Specialization
Once you have the core upgrades, your goals shift from survival to optimization and tackling the game's biggest challenges.
Step 6: Leverage Tool Synergy
Don't let broken tools clutter your inventory. Return to The Forge Daughter in the Deep Docks regularly. For a cost in Shell Shards, she can repair any broken tool you've found, restoring its utility. Talk to her to see what’s available—a repaired tool can completely change your approach to a stubborn area or boss.
Step 7: Pursue the Critical Path
With Cling Grip and the Drifter's Cloak, you can now access the critical path to The Citadel. The recommended route is through Blasted Steps (west of Shellwood), which is generally considered more straightforward than the alternative path through Sinner's Road. Focus on reaching the Grand Gate to officially begin Act 2 and unlock the vast new regions and upgrades within the Citadel itself.
Step 8: Prepare for the Endgame
Your final preparation before the end of Act 2 should be collecting every Mask Shard and Spool Fragment you can find. Max out your health and Silk capacity. Complete any lingering quests for powerful tools like the Plasmium Phial from Wormways. Enter the final stretches with Hornet at her peak potential.
Trust this order—it’s built on the community’s hard-won experience. Follow this roadmap, and you’ll transform from a cautious survivor into a force of nature, ready to face whatever depths Pharloom has to offer. Let’s go.