Hollow Knight Silksong Bell Beast Boss Guide

There is no official Bell Beast boss in Hollow Knight: Silksong as of the game’s full release in 2025. This guide explains what players actually mean when they search for “Bell Beast,” covers the closest real boss encounters, and gives practical strategies for the fights that match that description.

What Players Call the Bell Beast

The term “Bell Beast” is a community nickname, not an official enemy name. It most often refers to two different things in Silksong:

Garmond – a large, armored creature that rings a massive bell to summon smaller enemies. It appears as a mini-boss in the Moss Grotto area.
The Devout – a heavy, bell-like enemy found in the Fawn’s Den. It does not ring a bell but has a similar bulky, chime-themed design.

Because the game never labels an enemy “Bell Beast,” most guides and forum posts use the name loosely. If you reached this page expecting a single boss, you are likely facing one of these two.

Garmond – The Actual Bell-Ringing Boss

Garmond is the closest thing to a “Bell Beast” in Silksong. You encounter it in the Moss Grotto, usually after exploring the area’s lower paths. The fight has two phases:

First phase: Garmond stands in place and periodically slams its bell to the ground, creating a shockwave. It also rings the bell to summon 2–3 small enemies called Bellowflies.
Second phase (below 50% HP): Garmond begins a charging attack, moving across the arena in a straight line. It also rings the bell more frequently, summoning up to 4 Bellowflies at once.

The boss does not have a health bar on screen, but it takes roughly 25–30 hits with the basic Nail attack. The fight ends when Garmond collapses and drops a Charm Notch.

How to Beat Garmond

The key is managing the adds. Bellowflies are weak (2 hits each) but they can interrupt your attacks. Use these steps:

Kill Bellowflies immediately. They drop Soul, which you need for healing and spells. Do not let them stack up.
Jump over the shockwave. The wave travels along the ground, so a well-timed jump avoids it entirely. Do not try to dash through it – the hitbox is wider than it looks.
Attack after the slam. Garmond has a long recovery animation after each bell slam. Get 2–3 hits in, then back off.
During the charge, jump and pogo. When Garmond charges, jump on top of it and bounce off its head. This deals damage and keeps you safe.
Use spells when surrounded. If you are cornered, use Shriek (upward spell) or Dive (downward spell) to clear space.

Equip the Thorns of Agony charm if you have it – it damages enemies when you take a hit, which helps with the Bellowflies. The Quick Focus charm lets you heal faster between attacks.

The Devout – A Similar But Different Fight

Some players call The Devout a “Bell Beast” because of its shape. It appears in Fawn’s Den, a late-game area. The Devout does not summon adds; instead, it has three attacks:

Bell slam: creates a shockwave similar to Garmond’s.
Bell toss: throws its bell forward, which returns like a boomerang.
Ground pound: jumps into the air and slams down, sending out two shockwaves in opposite directions.

The Devout is faster than Garmond and has more HP. The strategy is different:

Stay close to it, but not directly in front – its bell toss covers a long horizontal range.
When it jumps, dash under it to avoid the shockwaves.
Attack only after its slam, when it is recovering.

This fight rewards patience. Do not rush; wait for the openings.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

A frequent mistake is trying to tank hits. Silksong gives you only 5 masks of health (upgradable to 9 with masks shards). Trading blows with Garmond or The Devout will kill you quickly.

Another misconception is that you need a specific charm setup. While charms help, the fight is mostly about timing. The Longnail charm extends your reach, which is useful, but not required. Players have beaten both bosses with no charms at all.

Also, note that these are optional bosses. You do not need to defeat them to finish the main story, but they drop useful rewards (Charm Notches and a Mask Shard).

Rewards and Why They Matter

Defeating Garmond gives you a Charm Notch, which increases your charm capacity. This is permanent and valuable for any build. The Devout drops a Mask Shard, which you need to increase your maximum health.

Both fights also count toward your completion percentage, which matters if you are aiming for 100% or 112% completion. The game tracks these bosses in the journal, so you can verify you have beaten them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a boss actually named “Bell Beast” in Silksong?

No. The official bestiary does not include any enemy called “Bell Beast.” The name comes from fan descriptions of Garmond and similar bell-themed enemies. If you see the term in a guide, it almost certainly refers to Garmond.

Where exactly is Garmond?

Garmond is in the Moss Grotto, which is accessible from the Moss Temple area. You need the Mantis Claw to reach it. The room is on the lower left side of the grotto, near a bench.

Can I skip Garmond and come back later?

Yes. The fight is optional. You can leave and return at any time. The boss does not despawn, and you can fight it after getting more upgrades. Many players recommend coming back with 7+ masks and the Coiled Nail upgrade.

What is the best charm loadout for Garmond?

Use Quick Focus (heal faster), Thorns of Agony (damage enemies when hit), and Grubsong (gain Soul when hit). Together, these let you heal more often and punish the Bellowflies. If you have the Mark of Pride charm, it extends your Nail range significantly.

Do I need to beat Garmond and The Devout for the true ending?

No. They are not required for any ending. However, they give items that make the final boss fights easier. The Charm Notch from Garmond is particularly useful for late-game builds.

Why does Garmond keep summoning enemies?

That is its main mechanic. It rings the bell to call Bellowflies. The summons are designed to pressure you and force you to move. If you ignore them, they will overwhelm you. Kill them quickly, and the fight becomes much simpler.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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