I’ve been tearing through Hollow Knight: Silksong in 2026, and I’ve got to say—Volt Filament is one of those tools that is easy to overlook but absolutely worth the detour. It’s an Act 3 tool, so you can’t grab it in the early game even if you’re feeling like a speedrunner on a hot streak. You need a specific ability first, and you need to know exactly where to poke around in the Sands of Karak. Let me break it all down, step by step, so you don’t wander around like a headless bug.



Silk Soar Is the Make-or-Break Skill

Let’s cut to the chase: you cannot reach Volt Filament without Silk Soar. This Super Jump skill is your golden ticket to the hidden area. If you show up without it, you’ll be staring at a ledge like a lost tourist—don’t bother. Make sure you’ve unlocked Silk Soar before heading out, because trying to reach the Voltnest without it is like trying to chop wood with a spoon. Pointless and a little embarrassing.

How to Unlock the Sands of Karak Shortcut

If Sands of Karak is still greyed out on your map, head to the west of Blasted Steps to enter the region for the first time. Once you’re inside, look for a shortcut right above Blasted Steps’ Bellway. Open that shortcut, because you’ll be bouncing back and forth, and the long way around is a real time sink. Trust me, your future self will thank you.



Reaching the Voltnest

From Blasted Steps’ Bellway, teleport and climb up to Sands of Karak. If you didn’t unlock the bridge shortcut on top of the region, you’ll have to take the long road to the right and circle back on top of the bridge to create the shortcut. Save yourself the headache—do it now. When you get to the bridge, trigger Silk Soar and you’ll pop right into the Voltnest. That’s where the real fun begins.



Voltvyrm Boss Breakdown: Don’t Panic

Okay, let me be real with you: Voltvyrm is aggressive. The whole Voltnest is packed with electrical attacks that will fry you if you get greedy. Voltvyrm keeps coming at Hornet, and the damage can feel rough. But here’s the kicker—this boss is a glass cannon. Every time you land a hit, it retreats to another spot. It dies faster than most bosses, so your job is to avoid attacks and keep the pressure on.

I found that the best approach is to bring auto-attacking tools like the Wispfire Lantern or Cogfly. Let them chip away while you focus on dodging. It’s not the flashiest strategy, but it works like a charm. Hit, retreat, repeat. Don’t be a hero and try to trade blows; Voltvyrm’s electrical barrages will punish you for it.

What Volt Filament Actually Does

Once Voltvyrm goes down, you’ll snag the Volt Filament tool. It increases the damage of Silk abilities and makes them electrical—pretty solid on its own. But if you really want to max out the benefit, slap it on the Shaman crest. That crest has three Silk abilities, so the electrical boost triggers across the board. It’s a match made in heaven, or at least in Pharloom.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how I’d rate the synergetic loadouts:

Loadout
Synergy Level
Reason

Volt Filament + Shaman Crest
High
Three Silk abilities benefit from the electrical boost

Volt Filament + Wispfire Lantern
Medium
Good damage support, but less direct Silk synergy

Volt Filament + Cogfly
Medium
Auto-attacks complement the tool, but not max synergy

Final Take

Volt Filament is not the kind of tool that will completely rewrite your whole build, but it’s a dang good pickup for Act 3. The path to it is a little sneaky, and Voltvyrm might give you a scare, but once you know the route it’s a piece of cake. Open the shortcuts, pack an auto-attacker, and don’t sleep on that Shaman crest combo. Happy hunting, and keep your eyes peeled for those hidden ledges—Silksong loves to hide the good stuff.

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I have spent dozens of hours wandering through Pharloom in Hollow Knight: Silksong, and one of the strangest items I have picked up is the Rosary Cannon. At first I thought Tools would be a minor part of Hornet's kit, but once you upgrade a few of them, they can deal real damage. The Rosary Cannon is not necessarily a practical choice, but it is absolutely entertaining. It works like a little gatling gun that spits out Rosary beads, and I found it hidden behind a locked door in High Halls after a lot of backtracking.



The Locked Door in High Halls

The first step is to reach High Halls and look for a locked door that requires a Simple Key. I remember running past this area several times before noticing it. The door sits to the left of the High Halls Ventrica and Bench. That location is convenient because you can respawn and heal nearby if anything goes wrong. The door itself is marked with a Rosary Necklace icon, which felt like a playful hint that the room behind it would be full of bead-related treasure. And honestly, it was.

If you open that room and somehow miss the Rosary Cannon, do not panic. The Tool will still be there in Act 3. During my visit I also ran into Grindle in the treasury room. He was poking around the leftovers and muttering something about loot. I ignored him because I was too focused on finding the cannon.

Finding the Hidden Route

After stepping through the Simple Key door, the room looked almost empty at first. I stood there for a moment wondering if I had wasted a key. Then I remembered that Silksong loves hiding things above your head. I destroyed a breakable ceiling, and a secret way up opened. That led me into a narrow set of tunnels filled with small obstacles. I had to move carefully because the space was tight.

Eventually I reached an intersection. This is the point where the route splits, and it is easy to pick the wrong direction if you only care about treasure. Going up took me into a room packed with Rosary beads. It was a lovely reward for Hornet's pouch, especially if she is planning not to die for a while. But I wanted the weapon, so I turned around and took the downward path instead.

The downward route brought me into a place filled with steam. Visibility was not great, but I could see a platform I could stand on. On the left side there was a breakable wall. I destroyed it and entered what looked like another empty room. This time I knew better than to leave immediately. I looked up and spotted a breakable object attached to the roof. When I destroyed that object, the Rosary Cannon fell to the floor. It was glowing, so I walked over and claimed it.

How the Rosary Cannon Feels in Combat

After picking up the Tool, I headed to a bench to equip it. The Rosary Cannon can hold up to 80 Rosary beads as ammo. That sounds like a lot, but in a fast fight it disappears quickly. Once you run dry, you need to reload at a bench. That is a major limitation if you like to wander far from safe rooms.

I tested it against several enemies. The cannon shreds things that stay still on the ground, like the slow wandering creatures in the halls. You can hold down the trigger and feel like you are mowing down a corridor. Against flying enemies, however, it feels clumsy. The spread and lower accuracy make it much less reliable when something is buzzing around your head. Hornet already has precise needle attacks, so the cannon is more of a side tool than a main weapon.

The biggest downside is the upkeep. Rosary beads are also your currency, and feeding 80 beads into the ammo pool can quickly deplete Hornet's savings. I spent a while farming beads just so I could keep playing with the gatling gun. That felt a little wasteful, but I had fun experimenting with different upgrade combinations. I would not recommend it as a permanent loadout for difficult bosses. Still, for clearing simple ground enemies or just enjoying the novelty, it is worth seeking out.

Quick Checklist for Getting the Rosary Cannon

Bring a Simple Key to High Halls.

Find the locked door left of the High Halls Ventrica and Bench.

Look for the Rosary Necklace icon on the door.

Enter and destroy the breakable ceiling.

Navigate the tunnels until you reach an intersection.

Skip the upper Rosary bead room if you only want the cannon.

Take the lower path into the steam area.

Destroy the breakable wall on the left platform.

In the next room, destroy the breakable object on the roof.

Claim the glowing Rosary Cannon and equip it at a bench.

Even though the Rosary Cannon is not the most efficient Tool in Hollow Knight: Silksong, it is one of the most memorable. I love the absurdity of turning Hornet's bead pouch into a rapid-fire weapon. If you are playing in 2026 and have not picked it up yet, bring an extra Simple Key and go exploring. The detour is a bit long, but the moment that cannon falls from the ceiling is satisfying. Just remember to keep some Rosary beads in reserve, because the cannon is hungry.

Weapons like the Rosary Cannon are what make exploration in Hollow Knight: Silksong so rewarding. The thrill of breaking a hidden wall and finding a glowing tool is the kind of experience that keeps players hunting for every secret. Of course, chasing that feeling through multiple playthroughs means spending plenty of hours in the game, and many players like to keep their gaming setup comfortable and up to date while doing it.

If you're planning a deep run through Silksong or just looking to upgrade your gaming gear, it's always smart to track down good deals first. You can find discounts on games, accessories, and more by checking out DealNest. A quick visit before your next long session could save you some money, leaving you free to focus on what really matters: tracking down the next breakable wall.

Let me be real with you: Hollow Knight: Silksong does not mess around. Between the unforgiving combat and those brutal platforming stretches, Team Cherry has absolutely kept the “git gud” energy alive in 2026. But here’s the good news — the game gives you tools that can seriously tip the odds in your favor. One of the earliest and most satisfying offensive pickups I’ve found is the Flintslate. This little beauty cranks up Hornet’s attack power and sets enemies ablaze with every hit, which is a total game-changer when you’re still learning enemy patterns. I’m going to break down exactly how I snagged it without pulling my hair out.



What Makes the Flintslate Worth Your Time

The Flintslate is not just for show — this thing punches above its weight. Once equipped, it gives Hornet’s needle attacks a fiery edge, applying burn damage to anything you hit. Trust me, that extra damage over time can mean the difference between a clean kill and another trip back to the bench. Here’s the quick rundown:

Detail
What You Need to Know

Tool
Flintslate

Effect
Boosts Hornet’s attack power and inflicts burn on every hit

Location
Deep Docks area

Requirement
Simple Key

Merchant
Pebb the Merchant in Bone Marrow

Cost
500 Rosary Beads

Charges
3 charges when equipped



Before You Go: Simple Key Shopping

You can’t just waltz into the Deep Docks and expect the Flintslate to be sitting there for you. The door is locked, and you’ll need a Simple Key to open it. I got mine from Pebb the Merchant in the Bone Marrow area. The price tag is 500 Rosary Beads, which honestly isn’t too bad if you’ve been poking around the early game. I didn’t have to grind for ages — between enemy drops and breakable objects, those beads stack up faster than you’d think.



Once you have the Simple Key in your pocket, head over to the Deep Docks area. The spot you’re looking for is a large cavern with a locked door on the bottom-right side of the map. No switches, no puzzles — just use the Simple Key and the door opens. Easy peasy.

Deep Docks Walkthrough: Getting the Flintslate

Now comes the fun part. After you unlock that door, you’ll step into a chamber that’s absolutely crawling with enemies, so go in ready to scrap. I made the mistake of waltzing in with low health once, and let me tell you, it was not pretty. Here’s the route I followed:

Enter through the locked door and follow the pathway into the first chamber with chained platforms.

Fight or dash past the enemies — either works, but don’t get cocky. The first area has plenty of nasty critters waiting to ruin your day.

Keep heading right and enter the next area.

Climb the chained platforms slowly in this second chamber. There are flying enemies here, so take them out before they knock you off.

Reach the top and jump into the top-left path.

Follow that path until you spot an item on a table. That’s your Flintslate!







My Combat Tips for the Flintslate

Once you grab it, simply equip it at a bench to start using it. You’ll get three charges for the Flintslate, and activating it imbues Hornet’s attacks with fire damage. The activation animation looks slick, but it’s not just cosmetic — every needle strike while it’s active applies burn damage to enemies. That said, don’t sleep on the short duration. The burn window is brief, so I only pop the Flintslate right before a clear opening. If you activate it too early, you’ll waste a charge and miss out on the damage. Patience is the name of the game, folks.

Honestly, the Flintslate is one of those early game godsends that makes Silksong’s tough-as-nails combat feel a little more manageable. If you’re struggling with aggressive enemies or just want to melt through early encounters, don’t skip this tool. Grab the Simple Key, brave the Deep Docks, and light some enemies up. You’ve got this.

Speaking of getting more out of your Silksong journey, it never hurts to shop smart when it comes to expanding your game library. Whether you still need to grab a copy for yourself or you're already eyeballing the next Metroidvania to sink hours into, taking a moment to check game prices can stretch your budget much further. DealNest rounds up the best offers across multiple stores, making it easy to spot a bargain without the usual tab-hopping price hunt.

At the end of the day, smart spending is just another skill worth sharpening. Pair that with the burn damage from your new Flintslate, and you'll be slicing through both enemies and your wishlist like a true hunter. Happy exploring, and may your needles always strike true.

After what felt like an eternity—and a running joke about the heat death of the universe—Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally here. By 2026, players who fire it up on a PS5 know that surreal feeling of pausing in Bellhart or Shellwood, soaking in the hand-painted backdrops, and thinking, 'Good grief, this is actually happening.' It may have taken a hot minute longer than anyone expected, but the game is real, and it is absolutely glorious.



A Different Flavor of Hollow Knight

Silksong is not merely Hollow Knight with a fresh coat of paint. Hornet cuts through Pharloom like a completely different creature. She is quicker and more agile than the Knight—able to sprint, float from great heights, and wield a grappling hook right out of the gate. That faster tempo can make the opening hours feel humbling, even for folks who breezed through the original.

Once the controls click, though, exploring Pharloom becomes a joy. Winding hallways and bug-filled biomes hide secrets behind nearly every corner, and each new traversal ability makes old areas feel brand new. There is a constant sense of momentum as Hornet starts off moving slowly from place to place, then gradually unlocks sprints, climbs, jumps, and glides that send her rocketing through spaces that once felt impossible.

The Charm system from Hollow Knight also takes a back seat. Instead, players find various tools scattered around the world that can be equipped based on their current Crest. Each Crest has a set number of slots for specific tool types, so builds are less flexible than before, but the twist is worth it: Crests change Hornet’s primary attacks. That alone keeps experimentation alive without copying the old system beat for beat.

Key differences stand out right away:

Hornet can sprint, float, and use a grappling hook from early on.

The Charm system is gone, replaced by tools equipped via Crests.

Each Crest changes Hornet’s primary attacks.



Yes, Silksong Is Difficult, But That’s Okay

No cap, the difficulty discourse has been loud since launch. A chunk of it is a little overblown. Hollow Knight was never a walk in the park—Path of Pain still haunts plenty of nightmares—but Silksong’s status as one of gaming’s white whales means more casual players are jumping in to see what all the buzz is about. To its credit, Team Cherry has been rolling out updates to smooth over a few overtuned early-game spots.

Even so, enemies in Silksong hit like freight trains. Multiple foes can swipe two masks of health at once, and whenever a player only has five masks for a long stretch, mistakes become brutally expensive. Some boss fights are even nastier because simple contact can take two points of health. It sounds rough, and honestly, it can be.

Still, Team Cherry walks the tightrope between challenging and unfair for most encounters. Early bosses like Lace, Sister Splinter, and Widow will toss players around, but beating them feels earned. Learning attack patterns and finding counters turns each fight into a proper obstacle rather than a wall. Widow in particular has made plenty of players spend hours retrying, but rarely does it feel unbeatable—just spectacularly tough, like watching Hornet take another giant bell to the skull while a huge grin refuses to leave the player’s face.



Pi Na So Mi Ma Ni Se, Da Na Fun Su Low Ba

It is hard to keep a straight face through the punishment when the supporting cast is this lovable. Team Cherry has a gift for crafting weird little personalities that players cannot help but adore, and Silksong is stuffed with them. Sherma, a tiny bug who sings and hammers away on his chime, has basically been adopted by the community already. Hearing Shakra’s song echo through a brutal corridor is enough to spark joy—and not just because she usually has a new map for sale.

Then there is the fleamaster who wants help recovering his lost fleas, the nosy spa owner who peeks while Hornet bathes and can be given a well-deserved smack, and the timid pilgrim too frightened to begin his trek to the Citadel. These characters make Pharloom feel like a mysterious, living world rather than a hallway simulator funneling players toward the next boss arena. Their brief moments of levity are the secret sauce that elevates an already excellent metroidvania.



Pharloom’s Economy Is In Shambles

On top of the main path, Silksong introduces the Wish system, which works like a collection of side quests. Players can gather items, rescue stranded bugs, hunt specific enemy types, and earn extra goodies along the way. These tasks are not especially deep and can be skipped if someone just wants to gun it down the main route, but they add solid reasons to backtrack.

The only real gripe is currency. Many Wish rewards should include more Rosaries, the game’s main money. Fast-travel stations, benches, and extra tools all demand Rosaries, and there are not many natural ways to stock up outside of grinding certain enemies. Worse, Rosaries can be lost if the player dies and fails to recover their body, which stings especially hard in the early game. Pharloom’s economy could charitably be described as rough around the edges.



Verdict: A Triumphant Metroidvania

Minor quibbles fade when the finished game is this magnificent. Team Cherry has crafted an absolute triumph. Seven years of sky-high expectations would crush most projects, but Silksong somehow exceeds them. The boss fights are exhilarating and tough, the world is a gorgeous marvel, the art direction is unpredictable in the best way, and every visual and audio detail lands. This is not just a great sequel—it cements itself as a high watermark that other metroidvanias will chase for years to come. ??️

For anyone who has just finished reading this and feels the itch to explore Pharloom for themselves, the next logical step is grabbing a copy—and smart players know that paying full price is not always necessary. Steam keys regularly fluctuate in price across legitimate storefronts, and a quick price check can save enough to cover a future DLC or another indie gem. After all, the only thing better than a masterpiece is a masterpiece bought at a bargain.

That is where comparison platforms come in handy. Rather than hopping between a dozen different stores to compare prices manually, players can check aggregators like cheapest steam keys to find the best available deal in seconds. With a game this good, there is no reason to wait for a sale—just find the right price and dive into Team Cherry’s wonderful world of bugs, chimes, and brutal boss fights.

For players working through Hollow Knight: Silksong in 2026, the Flea Caravan can seem like a modest errand at first. It asks Hornet to round up scattered fleas across Pharloom, but the activity sits much closer to the main path than its cheerful presentation suggests. Returning all the lost fleas to the Caravan is necessary to advance into Act 3, and tracking down every flea location also points toward an exclusive tool and one Pale Oil. The payoff, however, is not automatic. Hornet still has to win the Flea Festival by claiming the grand champion title in the Ecstasy of the End quest.

How to Trigger the Ecstasy of the End Quest

The quest becomes available only after the full flea hunt is completed. Once all fleas have been found, players should speak to the Fleamaster to receive the Egg of Flealia. This item is the key that opens the next step.



After obtaining the Egg of Flealia, Hornet should return to Bellhart's Wishwall. A new wish called the Ecstasy of the End will now be available there. Promise the wish, then travel back to Fleatopia in the Putrified Ducts area. Doing so begins the Festival of the Flea and unlocks the three required flea games.

The full trigger sequence can be summarized as follows:

Find every lost flea in Pharloom.

Speak to the Fleamaster and obtain the Egg of Flealia.

Return to Bellhart's Wishwall.

Locate and promise the Ecstasy of the End wish.

Go to Fleatopia in the Putrified Ducts to start the Festival of the Flea.

Completing the Ecstasy of the End Quest

Finishing the quest requires Hornet to achieve the highest score in all three flea games: Flea Juggle, Flea Dodge, and Flea Bounce. Beat every champion and Hornet earns the grand champion title.



Flea Juggle

Flea Juggle asks Hornet to keep falling fleas from touching the ground by hitting them upward. The game ends if three fleas land, and stepping off the stage also causes an immediate failure. Upward hits are preferred, but a normal sideways hit can be useful when a flea drifts too far outside the stage to reach with an upward strike. The score to beat is held by Grishkin at 30 points.

Flea Dodge

Flea Dodge places Hornet on two wooden platforms while fleas fly in from any direction. At times, one of the two platforms will fall, leaving less space to stand. The champion Vog has a high score of 65 points, meaning players must dodge a significant number of fleas. A useful detail is that a flea flying over Hornet's head still awards points as long as it passes by, so close dodges are not always necessary.



Flea Bounce

Flea Bounce is the final aerial challenge. Hornet must stay in the air and bounce over fleas to earn points. Touching the ground will end the game, so players should use all available abilities to maintain an airborne position. Vog is also the champion of Flea Bounce, with a high score of 42 points.



A quick reference for the three high scores is shown below:

Flea Game
Champion
Score to Beat

Flea Juggle
Grishkin
30

Flea Dodge
Vog
65

Flea Bounce
Vog
42

After all three high scores are beaten, Hornet earns the grand champion title. Completing the Ecstasy of the End quest is essential for players who want to secure the Pale Oil and continue deeper into the story. Because the Flea Caravan is tied to Act 3 progression, it is worth handling the flea search early so the Wishwall and Festival of the Flea are ready when needed.

Mastering the Ecstasy of the End quest is a rewarding milestone, but it also highlights how much content Hollow Knight: Silksong packs into every corner of Pharloom. For players who have yet to begin Hornet's journey or are looking to gift the game to a friend, finding a good price on the title can make the adventure even more enjoyable. Keeping an eye on current promotions and discounts is a smart way to grab games at the right moment.

Whether you're chasing the grand champion title or simply exploring Fleatopia for the first time, picking up the game at a fair price is always worth the effort. That's why many players regularly check DealNest game deals to stay updated on discounts for Hollow Knight: Silksong and other popular titles. With a little patience, you can secure the game at a bargain and dive into all the flea-filled challenges waiting in the Putrified Ducts.

Okay, listen. I have been spelunking through Pharloom since the Act 3 content landed in 2026, and if you are anything like me, you have probably stared at the Far Fields map, noticed that suspiciously blank corner, and thought, “Yep, there is a secret over there.” Good news: there absolutely is. Bad news: Silk Soar does not care about your feelings, and the route to the Far Fields secret area in Hollow Knight: Silksong will make you work for it. Here is how to actually get there without losing your needle, your patience, or your mind.

The Route: Karmelita, Silk Soar, and a Very Sneaky Ceiling

First things first: you need to be in Act 3. A decent chunk of Pharloom only opens up once you reach this chapter, and the Far Fields secret area is one of those additions. If you are still poking around Act 2, go advance the main story before you waste an afternoon jumping at walls.

When you are ready, travel to Hunter’s March. Specifically, find the statue of Karmelita. This is not just a fancy piece of scenery; it is basically your vertical launchpad. Use the Silk Soar Ancestral Art near the statue to leap upward into a hidden passage. I missed this the first time because I kept hugging the ground like a frightened grub. Do not be like me. Look up.

After you make the leap, keep moving to the right. You are aiming for the border between Hunter’s March and Far Fields. Eventually, you will unlock a shortcut that connects the two regions together. That shortcut makes future visits much less painful, so take a moment to appreciate it before the game throws another obstacle at you.

The Shortcut That Betrays You in Act 3

Here is the twist nobody warned me about: if you previously unlocked the shortcut between Deep Docks and Hunter’s March, do not expect to use it in Act 3. It will be closed, and you will stand there pressing buttons like a confused mosscreep.

To get back into Hunter’s March after the Act 3 changes, Hornet has to take the original route from The Marrow. Then, once you are on the Hunter’s March side, smash the boulder that is blocking the way. Yes, this means you have to redo a chunk of the pogo platforming. The saving grace is that Silk Soar lets you skip a large part of that platforming, so it is less “painful flashback” and more “mildly annoying detour.” Spin, leap, pray, and move on.



Far Fields Secret Area: Loot, Quests, and Sweet Rewards

Once you actually enter the Far Fields secret area, it opens up into a surprisingly busy little corner of Pharloom. This is not just a dead end with a single chest. There are real objectives here, and a few of them tie directly into your journey.

? Heart of the Wild

The big prize is the Heart of the Wild, one of the hearts required for the main quest. If you are hunting down essential pieces for progression, this is a stop you cannot skip. I recommend grabbing it as soon as you enter the secret area, because it is easy to get distracted by side paths and forget why you came.

? Sprintmaster Swift and the Fastest in Pharloom Wish

Take the easternmost route inside the secret area and you will eventually reach the home of Sprintmaster Swift. This is where you can fulfill the Fastest in Pharloom wish in Silksong. It is a nice little side objective that rewards you for exploring every edge of the map. I will not spoil the exact conversation, but let us just say Swift lives up to the name.

? Pilgrim’s Rest Connection

The hidden area can also be connected to Pilgrim’s Rest, which opens more routes on top of the existing Pilgrim’s Rest door. This is fantastic if you want to streamline travel across the region. Secret areas are always better when they create new shortcuts instead of just sitting there like a lonely room.



?️ The Hidden Hunter Quest

On top of everything else, the Hidden Hunter quest in Silksong also leads Hornet straight into the Far Fields secret area. If you are following that mission, you will end up here naturally, which is a nice bit of design. It turns the secret area from a random hidden nook into a meaningful destination for multiple story threads.



TL;DR for Tired Spiders

Objective
Location / Requirement
Reward or Purpose

Enter secret area
Karmelita statue + Silk Soar in Hunter’s March
Shortcut to Far Fields

Heart of the Wild
Far Fields secret area
Main quest heart

Fastest in Pharloom wish
Sprintmaster Swift’s home, easternmost route
Side quest completion

Pilgrim’s Rest connection
Hidden route inside secret area
Opens extra routes

Hidden Hunter quest
Leads Hornet to the secret area
Quest progression

At the end of the day, the Far Fields secret area is one of those Act 3 surprises that makes Pharloom feel bigger than it should. Just remember: check the statue, use Silk Soar, go right, and do not trust the Deep Docks shortcut. Good luck out there, fellow wanderer.

Exploring every hidden corner of Pharloom takes patience, but the payoff is always worth it — and that same mindset applies outside the game. Whether you’re looking for a new controller, Silksong merchandise, or a better gaming setup, the thrill of finding a great price feels a lot like uncovering that secret room behind the statue. So before you hit that checkout button, take a moment to find the best deal and make your coin stretch a little further. After all, saving a few bucks in the real world is its own kind of hidden treasure.

When Hollow Knight: Silksong finally launched, longtime fans expected the same brand of melancholy and hidden weirdness that made the original Hollow Knight such a cult hit. In 2026, the game has been out long enough for players to compile maps, boss guides, and speedrun routes, yet some secrets still slip through the cracks. One of the creepiest and most missable easter eggs in Silksong is tucked inside Bellhart, and it is the kind of moment that can genuinely rattle a player who thought they had seen everything Pharloom had to offer.



Team Cherry built a reputation on secrets. The original Hollow Knight had players chasing thief Millibelle after she bolted with a hefty pile of Geo, and the game kept dropping lore bombs years after release. Silksong follows the same playbook. Even though the game has only been widely available for a little while, enthusiasts have already uncovered tucked-away rooms, hidden interactions, and strange dialogue flags. But Bellhart's unnerving surprise seems tailor-made for players who grind through the opening hours and call it quits at just the wrong moment.

A town frozen in silk

Bellhart stands out early in Silksong because it is one of the first places where the game's tone shifts from difficult platforming to quiet horror. When Hornet first reaches the settlement, a cutscene shows her reacting to a grim sight: the town's inhabitants are all hanging limply, wrapped in silk. It is a genuinely unsettling image, and it lingers even after the cutscene ends.



That alone would be enough to get under a player's skin. But if they decide to rest at the bench in Bellhart and then quit the game, the next launch is a different kind of nightmare.

The secret scene that catches players off guard

Instead of loading into a normal resting state, players are greeted by a hidden scene in which Hornet herself is strung up, just like the villagers she found moments earlier. The first instinct is usually to panic, but the way out is simple in theory: mash buttons until she tears free of the silk. In practice, it is disorienting enough to feel much worse than any boss fight.

The scene is not a game over, a trap, or a punishment. It is a pure easter egg, designed to make players squirm before letting them back into the game. For a series that loves to blur the line between player and character, it works a little too well.



Why so many players miss it

The requirements are narrow enough that most first-time players will never see the moment. Here is exactly what has to happen:

The player must reach Bellhart before saving the town.

They must rest at the specific bench inside Bellhart.

They must quit the game while resting there.

They must load the save again during that same window of progression.

If any of those steps are skipped, the secret scene simply does not trigger. Once Bellhart has been saved, the chance is gone for that playthrough. That time limit is what makes the easter egg so elusive. In typical Hollow Knight tradition, the game does not advertise the moment, and there is no tutorial hint nudging players to try it.

Condition
Result

Reach Bellhart before saving it
Cutscene shows villagers wrapped in silk

Rest at Bellhart bench and quit
Hidden scene on next load

Save Bellhart first
Easter egg window closes

Load save after triggering
Hornet is strung up; mash buttons to escape

A small scare with a big impact

What makes the Bellhart secret stand out is how personal it feels. Hornet is not witnessing someone else in danger; she is the one trapped, and the player is the one forced to free her. It is a quiet, clever piece of environmental storytelling that echoes the original game's best hidden moments. Plenty of players will finish Silksong without ever seeing it, and that is almost certainly the point.

For completionists, speedrunners, and lore hunters, this is one easter egg worth chasing before Bellhart's story resolves. It is a quick scare, a strange reload, and a reminder that Pharloom is watching — even when the game is not running.

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Hidden moments like this one are a big part of why Hollow Knight fans keep returning to the series. They reward curiosity, patience, and a willingness to poke at every corner of the map. The same mindset that drives players to discover the Bellhart easter egg often carries over to how they hunt for new games in the first place — waiting for the right moment, keeping an eye on prices, and jumping when the timing finally lines up.

For anyone still waiting to dive into Silksong or planning to revisit Pharloom on a fresh save, keeping track of the best offers can make the experience even sweeter. That is where DealNest game deals come in handy, helping players spot price drops and discounts without scouring the web all day. Much like the secret bench scene, catching the right deal at the right moment takes a little patience — but the payoff is worth it.

In the sprawling universe of Soulslikes, few design choices shape a journey as deeply as the enemies prowling each region. A game can refine its parry timings, polish its stamina management, and craft a haunting world, yet if its bestiary dresses the same creature in three different shaders, the experience slips toward monotony like sand through an hourglass with a cracked base. Enemy variety is not simply a quantitative flourish; it is the whetstone against which every combat system sharpens itself. The titles gathered in this article recognize that a wide bestiary functions like a kaleidoscope, each rotation of the region revealing a new shape, demanding fresh tactics and resetting the player's rhythm. From tear-soaked islands to hallowed underground kingdoms, these eight games prove that a roster of disparate threats can turn a good action RPG into an enduring masterpiece.



8. Death’s Door

In Death's Door, a diminutive crow wielding a blade journeys through a world deliberately built to test patience and reflexes. Each map functions as a small theater of threats, populated by mages hurling glowing projectiles, leaping beasts springing from every corner, bell-ringing enemies that restrain movement, and shield-bearing titans lobbing explosives from impossible distances. The game transforms its modest scope into a dense ecosystem of danger, where every combat sequence demands that the player monitor multiple sources of pressure at once. The result is a tight, expressive loop in which clearing a horde produces a surge of mastery. The rogues' gallery may not rival larger productions in raw numbers, but Death's Door demonstrates how efficiently variety can energize a compact adventure.



7. Lords of the Fallen (2023)

Lords of the Fallen (2023) arrives with a dual-realm mechanic that splits its world between the mortal plane and the shadowed realm of Umbral. This interdimensional gimmick doubles the bestiary's impact, presenting different oppositions depending on which layer the player stands. Sparrows and spectral sentinels populate the Umbral side, while the living world offers its own brutalized champions. The enemy designs often outshine their mechanical behavior, yet the range of antagonists remains among the title's strongest feats. There is a theatrical cruelty to the roster, as if each new encounter were plucked from a Gothic bestiary bound in rusted iron. Though not every player will warm to its punishing pace, the game's comeback after a shaky franchise history is impossible to ignore.



6. Another Crab’s Treasure

Another Crab's Treasure dives beneath the waves and returns with one of the most imaginative enemy lineups in the genre. The ocean floor becomes a carnival of pollution-inspired combatants: lobsters jousting with plastic straws, pufferfish strapped to discarded bags, and crabs swinging bottles like cudgels. Each opponent forces a distinct response—parrying, dodging, platforming, or retreating—so the game repurposes marine biology and environmental debris to produce both laughter and suffering. The bosses join the pageantry, smashing players with microplastic-laced fury while maintaining the title's sharp satirical edge. In a sea of grim Soulslike imitators, this crab's adventure gleams like a pearl wrapped in seaweed.



5. Blasphemous 2

Blasphemous 2 takes the solemn religious horror of its predecessor and sharpens it into something far more varied. Every region is not only distinguished by its stunning art and audio but also by how enemies reinforce those spatial contrasts. The bestiary becomes a narrative device, aligning each mob with the visual and thematic texture of its biome. The game's Metroidvania skeleton means platforms and adversaries are designed around newly acquired abilities, so the challenges remain in constant flux. Players rarely repeat the same tactics twice, as each corridor introduces a fresh permutation of pressure. This cohesion between aesthetics, story, and combat makes Blasphemous 2 feel like an illuminated manuscript whose pages keep turning into darker, stranger chapters.



4. Lies of P

Lies of P has often been hailed as one of the finest Soulslikes ever made, and its enemy design is a significant reason. The game learns from Bloodborne's arc, gradually shifting from mechanical puppets to celestial abominations as the narrative deepens. Early regions pit players against clockwork soldiers and carnival horrors, while later stages unveil corrupted bears, monstrous clowns, spider creatures with aristocratic flourishes, and shambling undead. This gradual mutation of the bestiary operates like a tide that washes away the familiar and deposits something alien. Each enemy introduces its own mechanical identity, forcing players to retool their approach as the story warps the world. By the final chapters, the game feels almost like a different title than the one that opened it—a testament to its dramatic variety.



3. Salt and Sanctuary

Salt and Sanctuary remains a towering achievement among early Soulslike indies. Its 2D world stretches across a desolate, seemingly endless shoreline of suffering, where each region peels back another layer of hellish threats. Movement abilities unlock increasingly hidden zones, transforming encounters from shambling undead to beings that recall Lovecraftian nightmares. A giant eye trailing a scorpion's tail can emerge from the dark with a soundscape designed to disturb. Playing Salt and Sanctuary feels like descending through rings of an underworld where every circle grows more turbulent and concealed than the last. The sheer volume of enemy types across its campaign remains startling, and the game's ability to sustain dread through variety keeps it a genre masterpiece.



2. Nine Sols

Nine Sols marries precise side-scrolling combat with an absurdly diverse cohort of enemies. While its boss count is deliberately restrained to preserve quality, the lesser mobs are legion and distinctive. Over a hundred specimens populate the world, ranging from robotic guardians and laboratory test subjects to undefined biological horrors, further split into warriors, mages, flying creatures, statues, archers, assassins, worms, and even a boar. Each biome presents a unique ecosystem of threats, turning navigation itself into a sequence of small duels. The game fuses Metroidvania exploration with Soulslike parry-centric combat, and the bestiary supplies a ceaseless stream of opportunities to test both. In Yi's journey, no two encounters feel alike.



1. Hollow Knight

Any discussion of Souls-adjacent greatness eventually arrives at Hollow Knight. From the earliest hours, its bestiary compiles an enormous list of creatures inhabiting the fallen kingdom of Hallownest. Each biome introduces enemies that reflect its identity and mechanical demands, from buzzing sentries in overgrown ruins to spectral warriors in sunken depths. The game replicates the core formula of the genre but pushes depth and detail to an extraordinary degree. Variety here is not decoration; it is the pulse of exploration, pulling players through caverns with the promise of new adversaries around every bend. Even its successor Silksong looms on the horizon with promises of even greater scale, but the original adventure remains a benchmark. Hollow Knight's bestiary is less a list of enemies and more a living encyclopedia of a dying world's last inhabitants.



Rank
Game
Enemy Variety Highlight

8
Death's Door
Compact but dense theaters of simultaneous threats

7
Lords of the Fallen (2023)
Dual-realm bestiary split between two planes

6
Another Crab's Treasure
Pollution-inspired marine combatants

5
Blasphemous 2
Enemies as narrative extensions of each biome

4
Lies of P
Gradual mutation from puppets to cosmic horrors

3
Salt and Sanctuary
Hellish descent through increasingly hidden zones

2
Nine Sols
Over 100 distinct specimens across biomes

1
Hollow Knight
A sprawling living encyclopedia of Hallownest

For players who measure a Soulslike not only by its boss quality but by the breadth of threats between those bosses, these eight titles offer a masterclass in enemy design. Each one proves that when a bestiary refuses to repeat itself, the entire adventure becomes sharper, stranger, and far more memorable. Whether through comedic pollution-fueled crabs or somber gothic horrors, the lesson remains the same: in a genre built on overcoming adversity, the adversaries themselves must never stop surprising. ?

For anyone inspired to dive into these rich worlds, building a wishlist is only half the journey—securing the best deal for each adventure is the other. With so many titles spanning different genres and platforms, prices can vary dramatically across stores and seasons, making a little research well worth the effort. Savvy players know that patience often pays off, and the right discount can turn a budget-friendly purchase into an excuse to try two games instead of one. That’s where a quick visit to a reliable price comparison hub can save both money and time.

Rather than manually scouring dozens of storefronts, you can check game prices at DealNest to see where your next obsession is cheapest. Whether you’re hunting for a physical copy of a niche Soulslike or hoping to grab a digital edition on sale, having all the current listings in one place makes the decision easier. After all, the only thing better than discovering a new bestiary to conquer is knowing you didn’t overpay for the privilege. Once the right price appears, all that’s left is to load up and face the horde. ?️

I still remember the first time I saw the Simple Key in Bone Bottom. Five hundred rosaries for a key felt like a scam. After dozens of hours in Hollow Knight: Silksong, I can tell you it is not. These keys unlock some of the most valuable rooms in Pharloom, from powerful tools to story moments you do not want to miss. There are four Simple Keys in the game. Each one is tied to a specific area, and each one opens a specific door. I will walk you through every location and every lock.

Quick Reference

?️ Simple Key
? Area
? Cost / Requirement

#1
Bone Bottom
500 Rosaries from merchant

#2
Songclave
650 Rosaries after Wandering Merchant quest

#3
Sinner's Road
Defeat chain-wielding enemy, need Cling Grip

#4
Sands of Karak
Need Clawline, reach far east bench

? Door
? Area
? Main Reward / Note

#1
Wormways
Sharpdart, Plasmium Phials

#2
Sinner's Road
Green Prince story

#3
Deep Docks
Flintslate, Act 3 path

#4
High Halls
Rosary Cannon, many Rosaries



Simple Key #1: Bone Bottom

The first Simple Key is sold by the merchant in Bone Bottom. It costs 500 rosaries. That price is brutal when you first arrive. I tried to grind early and quickly realized it was not worth it. My advice is to continue the adventure and return later. By the time you clear a few areas, 500 rosaries feels much more manageable. The key is always there waiting.



This key pairs perfectly with the Wormways door above Bone Bottom. I used my first key there and immediately got a good return.

Simple Key #2: Songclave

The second key is also sold by a merchant, but she is not available immediately. You need to complete the Wandering Merchant quest. Grab the quest from the Wishboard. Once Jubilana returns to Songclave, she will sell you the key for 650 rosaries.



This price is higher than the first key. Luckily, Songclave is next to the long Citadel corridor. I used that spot to farm rosaries quickly. After a short loop, I had enough cash without too much pain.

Simple Key #3: Sinner's Road

The third key is different. It is not bought. It is dropped by a large chain-wielding enemy in Sinner's Road. Before you try this, make sure you have the Cling Grip from Shellwood. Without it, you cannot reach the arena.



I climbed a massive shaft full of spikes. At the top, the enemy dropped from above. The fight was tough but fair. Take him out and he drops the key. This one felt earned.

Simple Key #4: Sands of Karak

The fourth and final Simple Key is in the Sands of Karak. You can only reach this area once you have the Clawline ability from the Underworks in Act 2. The area is harsh. I died several times to environmental hazards.

You need to platform across vine puzzles from the left side all the way to the right. It does not take too long to find the key. At the far east, there is a bench. Rest there and grab the key. It is a quiet reward after a stressful trip.

Door Location #1: Wormways

This is probably the first locked door you will find. It sits just below the Wormways entrance, above Bone Bottom. I headed west from Mosshome, crossed the gap, and went through the cave with the acid spitter. The door is right there.



Opening it reveals more of the Wormways area. You can find the Sharpdart and the Plasmium Phials inside. For me, this was the best early use of a Simple Key.

Door Location #2: Sinner's Road

While exploring Sinner's Road, I noticed the Green Prince sitting in a cell. He does not beg you to open the door. I opened it anyway. It is absolutely worth it.



Later, the Green Prince appears in the Citadel. You learn much more about his story there. This door is not about loot. It is about lore. I still think it is one of the most memorable unlocks in the game.

Door Location #3: Deep Docks

This door is familiar from the Deep Docks. But do not be fooled. This is not an early game area. The enemies will shred you without proper tools and preparation.



If you are prepared, the area offers great tools like the Flintslate. The area is necessary for Act 3 progression. However, you can also reach it through the Far Fields once you have the Clawline. So this Simple Key door ends up being a little redundant. I would not prioritize this key unless you want a shortcut or extra challenge.

Door Location #4: High Halls

The final locked door is easy to find in the High Halls area. It is just left of the bench and before the dreaded Forum fight. I remember the panic of that fight.



Inside the room, you can find a huge number of rosaries and the Rosary Cannon tool. This tool is fantastic. If you can grab it before the Forum fight, it can make a noticeable difference.

My Recommended Order

Not every Simple Key has the same value at every stage of the game. This is the order I would follow in 2026:

? Simple Key #1 from Bone Bottom — buy it after you have a comfortable rosary supply.

? Open the Wormways door for Sharpdart and Plasmium Phials.

? Complete the Wandering Merchant quest and buy Simple Key #2.

? Grab Simple Key #3 from Sinner's Road and free the Green Prince.

? Save Simple Key #4 for later, then decide between Deep Docks and High Halls.

Simple Keys may look like a money sink at first. But every single one opens something worthwhile. I learned the hard way that ignoring them only made backtracking more painful. If you are still exploring Pharloom, keep an eye out for these keys. They are small. They are expensive. They are worth it.

Finding the right path in Pharloom often comes down to knowing where to spend your limited resources. The same logic applies outside the game. Whether you are hunting for a new metroidvania to scratch that same itch or simply want to stock up on titles without breaking your budget, a little research goes a long way. After all, a well-spent rosary is no different from a well-spent dollar.

If you are anything like me, finishing a run through Pharloom usually means immediately looking for the next great adventure. That is why I like to check the best game deals before committing to a full-price purchase. You never know when a hidden gem is sitting at a fraction of its usual cost, just waiting for someone savvy enough to grab it.

After Hornet’s needle finally cut through the last pale thread of Pharloom in early 2026, I was certain I had wrung every drop of silk from Hollow Knight: Silksong. I was not even close. The game had been hiding tiny mechanical threads beneath its already dense map, and I only found them through accident, rumour, and stubborn backtracking. Some secrets are as quiet as a bell’s last harmonic fading into moss.



I watched the player count spike after the long-awaited release, so I assumed the community would surface every mystery within a week. But Pharloom keeps its secrets needle-thin, slipping through your awareness unless you press your ear to the wall.

?️ You Can Taunt Instead of Poking

The first hidden trick I learned saved me from countless cheap hits. By pressing down on the right stick, Hornet spends one spool of silk to taunt and draw nearby enemies toward her. It is like using a moth’s wingbeat to call predators rather than chasing them through brambles. Against climbing or flying enemies that hit as hard as Silksong’s nastiest bosses, this ability is a quiet lifesaver. I went an entire playthrough without realising it existed.



?️ The Bellhart Bench Cutscene

Bellhart already feels like a town stitched together with bad dreams, so I treated its bench as a safe pocket of air. I was wrong. There is a small chance, when loading a save at the Bellhart bench, that Hornet gets sealed in the same haunting webs that plague the town. It is a blink-and-you-miss-it scene, easy to miss depending on how quickly you beat the Widow. The moment felt like a nightmare slipping between the stitches of an otherwise ordinary rest.



? Ants Carry More Than Bodies

The ants in Hunter’s March are not just background dressing. I first noticed them dragging corpses away for food, which was unsettling enough. Then one of them stole a Rosary I had knocked loose and carried it off like a tiny hearse driver with no respect for my loot. They can also snatch placeable tools or useful shards you leave behind. It is comedic and infuriating in equal measure, and it taught me not to trust Pharloom’s smallest citizens.



? Enemies Listen When Hornet Plays

The Needolin is more than a mirror of Hollow Knight’s Dream Nail. If you play it near hostile bugs, many of them pause their attacks and briefly sing with you. It is a strange, almost tender reminder that something human remains in their ruined minds. Revisiting empty boss arenas can also uncover hidden NPC interactions. Characters like Nuu and the Chapel maid have new dialogue after their nearby battles end, and I never would have heard it if I hadn’t wandered back out of nostalgia.



⛪ The Bells Are Singing a Funeral Hymn

Once I activated a few Rosary benches, I noticed a familiar tune beneath the chime. It turns out the bell motif is drawn from Dies Irae, a Latin hymn for the dead. Pharloom is already a vertical graveyard of infected pilgrims, so the choice fits like a shroud. It also means the game hides its meaning in audio as often as it hides rooms behind breakable walls.



? Rumble Points the Way

I played much of Silksong on keyboard and missed vibration clues entirely. On a controller, the rumble grows stronger as you approach Bell Beast fast-travel stations. It is an invisible compass, helpful before the map fills in but easy to overlook if you play on PC without Big Picture mode. This is not a visual secret at all; it is a pulse in your palms.



? The Starting Area Is an Inverted Mirror

I had played Hollow Knight several times, yet I still missed how deliberately opposite Silksong’s opening is. Hornet arrives in Moss Bottom against her will, while the Knight entered Hallownest by choice. Their journeys move in opposite directions: one descending into a kingdom’s depths, the other climbing toward the ancient beings at Pharloom’s peak. It is a quiet structural rhyme that recontextualises the entire climb.



? Stardew Valley’s Creator Is Hiding in the Cast

One cameo broke my brain after the credits. Eric Barone, the developer of Stardew Valley, provided additional voices for Silksong. He has not confirmed which character he plays, but the theories have been running hot since release. It sounds like an odd pairing until you remember Barone had already contributed to Hollow Knight merchandise. Now every weirdly cheerful bug I meet sounds suspicious.



? Steel Soul Without Finishing the Story

Steel Soul mode is still brutal, but you do not have to beat Silksong once to unlock it. A riff on the Konami code in the extras menu opens the permadeath mode immediately. I tried it after learning the trick, and Pharloom responded by killing me in the first hour. At least the secret is easy to find, even if survival is not.



Quick Field Notes

Taunt: right stick, costs one silk spool, draws enemies.

Bellhart bench: rare load-in cutscene with webs.

Ants: steal corpses, Rosaries, tools, and shards.

Needolin: can make enemies sing, not just NPCs.

Boss arenas: revisit for Nuu and Chapel maid dialogue.

Bells: Dies Irae funeral motif.

Controller rumble: points to Bell Beast stations.

Starting area: Hornet’s climb mirrors the Knight’s descent.

Eric Barone: hidden voice cameo.

Steel Soul: unlock early from the extras menu.

Pharloom is not just another map: it is a vertical instrument that keeps playing long after you think the song is over. I am on my third run now, and I have stopped assuming I have seen everything.

Every playthrough seems to surface another detail, and the community is still peeling back layers months later. That kind of longevity makes Silksong an easy recommendation, especially for players who enjoy chasing secrets long after the credits roll. But jumping into Pharloom on multiple platforms — or hunting down the physical edition and its extras — can get expensive, which is why smart shoppers keep an eye on price drops before committing.

That is where DealNest comes in handy. By rounding up the latest discounts across gaming retailers, DealNest helps players stretch their budget without missing out on the hottest releases. Whether you are picking up Silksong for the first time or grabbing a second copy for a friend so you can compare notes on Bell Beast stations, checking for a good deal beforehand makes the whole hunt a little sweeter.