Hollow Knight: Silksong – Shellwood Walkthrough

Shellwood in Hollow Knight Silksong is one of the early-mid game regions in Pharloom. A key ability you can get in this region is Cling Grip, which allows the hornet to cling to walls and jump off them. Shellwood also has various enemies, shortcuts, tools, map features, benches, and secrets.

Progressing in this region can be challenging due to the deadly enemies in the dark corners of the area. Eventually, you’ll reach a boss called Sister Splinter, who guards the room where you can find the Cling Grip ability. 

1. Collect the Shell Shards

Shell Shards

Shell Shards in Hollow Knight: Silksong are obtained by breaking Shell Deposits and defeating enemies in Pharloom. They are essential crafting materials, mainly used to replenish tool ammo, complete specific quests and wishes, and craft or repair tools. When you rest at a bench, your Shell Shards will automatically be consumed to restore tools and keep them in working condition.

How to Get Shell Shards

1. Defeat the flying pilgrim after entering the Shellwood.
2. Jump on the platform on the left.
3. Eliminate the Shell Shard Bell on the left of this chamber.
4. Collect the Shell Shards.

1.1 Collect Longpin

Longpin tool Shellwood

Longpin in Hollow Knight: Silksong is a powerful red tool designed to pierce through tough shells and deal ranged damage against enemies. You can find the Longpin tool in Shellwood, located just above the main entrance to Bellhart. To obtain it, move upward and destroy the Wood Wasp nest blocking the path.

Once collected, the Longpin becomes an essential tool for combat, allowing you to strike from a distance and effectively handle tougher foes.

Where to find Longpin

1. Travel all the way to the platform on the right.
2. Move up to the topmost platform in the center of Shellwood.
3. Defeat the enemy that appears after collecting the Frayed Rosary.
4. Travel to the right side and go through multiple platforms, and turn left at the end.
5. Collect the Longpin from the top of this area.

2. Defeat the Bugs

Bugs in Shellwood

Use Rosaries to activate the bench and mark it as a checkpoint. This bench can be found over the channel after defeating the bugs and passing through the open door. Be cautious of the bug in the gauntlet, as it can deal huge damage if you get too close. Ensure you have enough Rosaries not only to unlock the bench but also to replenish your health before continuing your journey.

How to Defeat Bugs in Gauntlet

1. Continue moving till you exit this chamber on the left side.
2. Dropping down to the next area allows the gauntlet to get activated.
3. Use your weapon to kill the bugs at the far end of the gauntlet.
4. Go through the newly opened door on the left.
5. Use the 60 Rosary to activate the bench over the channel.

2.1 Acquire Wish: Rite of the Pollip

Shellwood Map

Make your way to the northwestern area of Shellwood, using plenty of pogoing to reach higher platforms. Head toward Greyroot’s house, a small hut located on the left side of the second large room. The Wish: Rite of the Pollip is a quest given by the NPC Greyroot in the Shellwood area, where you must collect six Pollip Hearts by breaking purple flowers.

Once gathered, return the Pollip Hearts to Greyroot to complete the quest and earn the Pollip Pouch Tool, which adds a venom effect to your combat tools.

How to Find Greyroot’s House

1. Hit the lever after exiting the area.
2. Use the elevator to move down and move to the right.
3. Activate the doorway after hitting the lever.
4. Move upward and continue moving to the left till you see the next exit at the top.
5. Go through this exit to enter Greyroot’s house.
6. Speaking with him gives you the Wish: Rite of the Pollip.

3. Purchase the Shellwood Map

Buy Shellwood map from Shakra

Purchase the Shellwood map from Shakra, the NPC found in the second-largest room in Shellwood. In addition to the map, you can also buy the Quill from her to make exploration and progression smoother. Shakra is present in every region of Pharloom and always sells the regional map.

Use Rosaries to buy the Shellwood map so you can easily navigate the area. It’s also recommended to purchase the Compass, an essential item that marks your current location on the map, making exploration much easier.

Where to Find Shakra

1. Return to the main area after exiting this small area.
2. Head down and keep moving to the left to find the metal platform.
3. Move inside to speak with the Shakra.
4. Purchase the Shellwood and Bellhart map from her.

3.1 Rest At the Bench

Bench Shellwood

Locate the bench by first eliminating the bug and then passing through the flower. Continue forward through several chambers, making your way deeper until you reach the lower area. At the bottom, you will find the bench, which serves as a vital checkpoint and allows you to save progress and restore health before moving on.

Where to Find Shellwood Bench

1. Approach the sign for the bench up next to you.
2. Find the platform moving upward ahead.
3. Jump on the platform using the flower.
4. Be aware of the spike above after reaching the top.
5. Take the path on the right to get inside the next chamber.
6. Pass through the structure and move up the channel to exit from the right side.
7. Cross the flowers in this next chamber.
8. Move down from the platform and defeat the bug.
9. Find the bench over there and rest at it to mark it as a saved checkpoint.

4. Find Flea for the Wish

Flea Shellwood

There are 30 Fleas scattered across Pharloom in Hollow Knight: Silksong. The Lost Fleas is a quest that requires you to assist the Flea Caravan, led by Fleamaster Mooshka. To complete this quest, you must rescue the Lost Fleas hidden throughout Pharloom. Once you gather them, speak with Mooshka to initiate The Lost Fleas Wish Quest and claim your rewards for helping the caravan.

Flea Location

1. Get past Shakra and move to the platform, which you use to jump off the spikes and flowers.
2. Climb up to the platform and go up.
3. Find the Flea for the wish after moving down and turning to the right.

4.1 How to Find Mask Shard

Mask Shard Shellwood

The Mask Shard in Hollow Knight: Silksong is a unique upgrade item that increases your health by one mask. In Shellwood, you can find a Mask Shard near the bench at Western Bellway. Collecting all 20 Mask Shards throughout Pharloom will grant you a total of 10 additional Life Points, greatly boosting survivability as you progress through the game.

Where to Find Mask Shard in Shellwood

1. Go upward after you free the Flea.
2. Move to the path on the right.
3. Pogo off the flowers in this chamber.
4. Defeat all the enemies that are closer to the platform.
5. Jump over the spikes and the flowers.
6. Collect the second Mask Shard at the end of the path.

5. Find Pollip Heart

Pollip Heart

The Pollip Heart in Hollow Knight: Silksong can be found in the same vertical shaft that leads to Greyroot’s hut. Six of these Pollip Hearts are hidden inside specific large purple flowers. Use the needle to release and collect each Pollip Heart. Gathering all six will reward you with the Pollip Pouch, a useful combat tool upgrade that adds a venom effect to your attacks.

Pollip Heart Location

1. Travel all the way to the back.
2. Move up the platform in the chamber where you freed the Flea.
3. Pass through the structure to get inside the next area.
4. Locate a Pollip Heart for the wish – Rite of the Pollip after jumping off the flowers and moving to the top.

6. Where to Find Sister Splinter

Top Shellwood

Sister Spinter is the final boss in Shellwood, located at the top of Shellwood, west of Bellhart. After passing through several chambers, head all the way to the right to reach the boss arena. Make sure to equip the right tools and Crests before entering, as proper preparation is essential for defeating Sister Spinter and progressing further in Hollow Knight: Silksong.

Sister Splinter Location

1. Travel to the left and move upward.
2. Go through the right exit that is behind the elevator.
3. Continue moving to the left and move upward to the right.
4. Encounter the Sister Splinter in the next chamber.

6.1 How to Defeat Sister Splinter

Sister Splinter Boss

Use the Swift Step ability to dash away from its attacks. Carefully observe and learn the boss’s attack patterns to fight effectively. Make sure to heal your character whenever the boss has a brief delay after attacks, maximizing your survivability during the encounter in Hollow Knight: Silksong.

Tips for Defeating Sister Splinter

• Keep moving and using Dash throughout the fight.
• Movement is key, so keep changing your position for this fight.
• Use Thread Storm to unleash a powerful AoE attack, allowing you to deal massive damage.
• You need to kill the flying minions first during the fight.
• Clear at least three thorn vines to make room to dodge the boss’s attacks.
• Move toward one wall and hit vines after clearing the middle space.
• It’s best to dodge in the opposite direction of the slam.
• Use Silkspear to remove splinterbarks and vines.
• Bring the upgraded version of the needle to deal more damage.

Defeat the Sister Splinter to unlock new areas of Bellhart. You can complete the parkour right after defeating Sister Splinter to get Cling Grip. 

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