Hollow Knight Silksong Bosses Guide: Full List & Tips

This guide covers every confirmed and rumored boss in Hollow Knight: Silksong, what we know about their attack patterns, and general strategies for approaching them. You’ll get a full list of named bosses from trailers, gameplay demos, and official lore, plus practical tips for dodging, healing, and using Hornet’s new moveset.

Confirmed Bosses from Trailers and Gameplay

As of the latest official footage, Team Cherry has shown several boss fights in Silksong. These are the ones we’ve actually seen in action, not just rumors.

• Lace – A nimble, silk-wielding hunter who appears multiple times. She uses quick lunges and throws silk needles. She’s likely a recurring rival, similar to Hornet’s role in the first game.
• The Shrine Guardian – A large, armored beetle that guards a temple. It charges in straight lines and slams the ground, creating shockwaves.
• Grieving Gorb – A floating, mask-like creature that fires projectiles in arcs. It teleports around the arena, making it tricky to pin down.
• Trobbio – A giant, rolling bug that behaves like a boulder. It chases Hornet across a wide arena, and you must jump over it while it speeds up.
• Ancestral Moth – A huge moth that summons smaller moths and uses sweeping wing attacks. It’s shown in a vertical arena, suggesting platforming will be key.

These five are the most clearly visible in official trailers. Other names like “The Hollow Knight” or “The Radiance” have not been confirmed for Silksong.

Rumored and Lore-Based Bosses

Some bosses are hinted at through in-game lore, achievements, or the original game’s files. Treat these as speculation, not fact.

• The Weavers – Hornet is part-weaver, and the Weavers’ nest is a major area. It’s likely we’ll fight a Weaver leader, but no name has been confirmed.
• The Pale King’s remnants – Some fans theorize a fight against a corrupted version of the Pale King, but there’s no evidence in any trailer.
• Pharloom’s rulers – The kingdom of Pharloom is ruled by a “Lyrebird” or similar figure, but no boss fight has been shown.

Don’t plan your build around these until they’re officially revealed.

Hornet’s Moveset and How It Changes Boss Fights

Unlike the Knight, Hornet is faster and has a more acrobatic moveset. This directly affects how you approach every boss.

• Silk Bindings – Hornet can use silk to grapple to walls and ceilings, allowing you to dodge attacks vertically.
• Needle and Thread – Her primary weapon is a sewing needle that can be thrown and recalled. It has longer range than the Knight’s nail but is slower to swing.
• Tools – Hornet collects tools (like a shield or a spike trap) that replace the charm system. Each tool has a cooldown, so you can’t spam them.
• No Soul Meter – Hornet doesn’t gather Soul for healing. Instead, she uses silk to heal, which is slower but can be done while moving.

This means boss fights are more about dodging and punishing openings than tanking hits. You’ll want to stay mobile and use the environment.

General Boss Strategy Tips

While we don’t have full movesets for every boss, the following tips apply to all Silksong bosses based on the demo and trailer footage.

1. Learn the telegraphs – Every boss has a wind-up animation before a big attack. Watch the eyes, wings, or body posture.
2. Use the arena – Many fights have platforms, walls, or spikes. Use them to avoid ground slams or to get above the boss.
3. Don’t overcommit – Hornet’s needle has a long recovery. Hit once or twice, then dodge.
4. Heal only when safe – Bosses often have a long recovery after a big attack. That’s your window to heal, not during normal combat.
5. Experiment with tools – Some bosses are weak to certain tools. For example, a shield tool can block projectiles, while a spike trap can punish charging bosses.

Boss Order and Progression

We don’t know the exact order of bosses in Silksong, but based on the demo, the game starts in a deep area called the “Bone Forest” and gradually moves upward to the Citadel. Bosses are likely gated by area, not by a linear path. You may encounter the same boss multiple times with different arenas or phases, as seen with Lace.

Expect a difficulty curve similar to Hollow Knight: early bosses teach you basic movement, later ones require precise platforming and pattern recognition. The final boss is likely tied to the story of Pharloom’s ‘lyrebird’ or the fate of Hornet’s mother, Herrah the Beast.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

Many players assume Silksong bosses will be just like Hollow Knight‘s. That’s not entirely true.

• Mistake: Treating Hornet like the Knight – She can’t tank hits. Her health is lower, and healing is slower. You must dodge.
• Mistake: Ignoring the environment – In Hollow Knight, arenas were mostly flat. In Silksong, many boss arenas have verticality, and you’ll need to use it.
• Misconception: All bosses are new – Some may be returning characters from the first game, like the Grimm Troupe or the Dreamers, but nothing is confirmed.
• Misconception: You can brute force with tools – Tools have cooldowns and limited uses. You can’t rely on them for constant damage.

How to Prepare Before a Boss Fight

Since we don’t have the full game, here’s what you can do based on the demo and general metroidvania logic.

• Explore thoroughly – Find all health upgrades (masks) and silk upgrades before challenging a major boss.
• Stock up on tools – Make sure your preferred tools are equipped and not on cooldown.
• Learn the area’s enemies – Often, normal enemies in the area share attack patterns with the boss.
• Set a bench before the fight – Benches act as checkpoints. Find the nearest one and rest there.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bosses are in Silksong?

Team Cherry hasn’t given a number. The original Hollow Knight had over 40 boss encounters, so Silksong is likely to have a similar or larger count, but nothing is official.

Will there be a boss rush mode?

The first game added a boss rush (Godmaster DLC). It’s plausible Silksong will have one, but it hasn’t been announced.

Are there any secret bosses?

Almost certainly, given the series’ tradition, but none have been revealed. Look for hidden walls, odd NPCs, or optional areas.

Can I fight bosses in any order?

Probably not entirely. Some bosses will be required to progress, while others may be optional. The demo suggests a mostly linear path with branching optional areas.

Is there a boss that’s harder than the Radiance?

Unknown. The Radiance is the hardest boss in Hollow Knight, but Silksong may introduce something tougher. We’ll have to wait for release.

Do bosses drop anything useful?

In Hollow Knight, bosses dropped charms, masks, or upgrades. Expect similar rewards in Silksong, like new tools or silk upgrades.

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