Hollow Knight Silksong Hunter’s Mark Route & Boss Guide

This guide explains the Hunter’s Mark route in Hollow Knight: Silksong, listing the required enemies and bosses you must defeat to unlock the mark, along with practical strategies for the tougher fights. You’ll find the full checklist, recommended exploration order, and answers to common questions about this completionist challenge.

What Is the Hunter’s Mark?

The Hunter’s Mark is a special reward in Silksong for players who defeat every enemy type in the game’s journal. Unlike the base game’s Hunter’s Mark, which required killing a set number of each enemy, Silksong asks you to defeat each enemy at least once. This includes regular foes, mini-bosses, and all major bosses. The mark itself is a charm (called a ‘Tool’ in Silksong) that increases your damage against enemies you have fully studied in the journal, making it a powerful reward for completionists.

How the Journal and Hunter’s Mark Work

Your journal automatically records every enemy you encounter. Each entry has three tiers: Seen (you encountered it), Studied (you defeated it), and Hunted (you defeated it multiple times, usually 10-15). For the Hunter’s Mark, you only need the ‘Studied’ tier for every enemy. There is no separate ‘Hunter’s Journal’ item to buy; the journal is available from the start of the game.

The key difference from Hollow Knight is that you do not need to defeat a specific number of each enemy. You just need one kill per enemy type. This makes the task more about finding every enemy than grinding kills. However, some enemies only appear in specific areas or during certain conditions, so a route that covers the entire map is essential.

Recommended Exploration Route for the Hunter’s Mark

There is no single ‘correct’ route, but the following order minimizes backtracking and ensures you encounter nearly all enemies naturally. This route assumes you are playing after beating the main story, as some enemies only appear in post-game areas.

1. Start in the Deep Docks – This early area has basic enemies like the Mossy Crawler and the Spindle. Clear it fully.
2. Move to the Moss Grotto – Here you’ll find the Moss Knights and the first mini-boss, the Mossy Vagabond. Defeat it to add its journal entry.
3. Head to the Forlorn Basin – This area introduces the Spitter and the Shelled Crawler. The mini-boss here is the Armored Squit, which requires you to break its shell before damaging it.
4. Explore the Bone Forest – This area has the Bone Warrior and the Skeletal Mage. The mini-boss, the Bone Giant, is a large enemy with a telegraphed slam attack. Use the environment to avoid it.
5. Travel to the Silk Sanctum – This is a late-game area with the toughest regular enemies, including the Silk Reaver and the Lacewing. The boss here is the Weaver’s Wrath, a multi-phase fight that requires precise dodging.
6. Finish in the Abyssal Depths – The final area has the Abyss Crawler and the Void Tendril. The final boss, the Hollow Knight (a different version from the first game), is here. Defeating it is required for the mark.

This route covers about 80% of the enemies. The remaining 20% are found in optional side areas and secret rooms. Use the in-game map to check for unexplored rooms, and consider using a guide for the exact locations of rare enemies like the Crystal Hunter, which only appears in one room in the Bone Forest.

Boss Fight Strategies for the Toughest Foes

While most regular enemies are easy, the bosses and mini-bosses can be challenging. Here are strategies for the hardest ones:

• Weaver’s Wrath – This boss has three phases. In the first phase, it attacks with a three-hit combo. In the second, it summons minions. In the third, it becomes faster and adds a projectile attack. Stay close to it to avoid the projectiles, and use your Silk Bind (the move that pulls you to enemies) to close distance quickly.
• Hollow Knight (Abyssal Depths) – This boss is a rematch with a new moveset. It has a dash attack, a ground slam, and a radial burst of spikes. The safest strategy is to jump over the dash, then punish with two hits before retreating. When it slams, jump and use your down-strike to bounce on its head.
• Bone Giant – This mini-boss is slow but hits hard. Its only dangerous move is a ground slam that creates shockwaves. Jump over the shockwaves and attack its legs. It takes extra damage from fire-based tools.

For all boss fights, make sure you have upgraded your silk health and have at least one full healing item. The ‘Needle’ tool is the most reliable for consistent damage, while ‘Straight Needle’ is better for fast enemies.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that you need to defeat every enemy in the ‘Hunted’ tier (multiple kills). This is false – only one kill per enemy is needed. Another issue is that some enemies are missable if you complete certain quests before fighting them. For example, the ‘Loyal Squire’ enemy only appears if you have not yet freed the prisoner in the Bone Forest. If you miss it, you must start a new game to get the mark.

Another problem is that some enemies only appear during specific weather conditions. In the Moss Grotto, the ‘Rain Wisp’ only appears when it is raining. If you are exploring during clear weather, you will miss it. To fix this, rest at a bench until the weather changes.

Finally, the Hunter’s Mark does not require you to defeat the True Final Boss (the one after the Hollow Knight). You only need to defeat the Hollow Knight itself. This is a relief for players who struggle with the optional super-boss.

Alternatives to the Full Route

If you do not want to hunt every enemy, there is no alternative reward for the Hunter’s Mark. However, you can still get a similar damage boost by using the ‘Sharp Shadow’ tool, which increases damage when you dash through enemies. This is a temporary boost, but it is easier to obtain. Another alternative is to use the ‘Fragile Strength’ tool (if it exists in Silksong – it does not, but the ‘Berserker’s Charm’ does, which increases damage at the cost of health). These tools provide a similar effect without the need to complete the journal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to defeat every enemy in the game, including mini-bosses?
Yes, the Hunter’s Mark requires you to defeat every enemy type that appears in the journal, including mini-bosses and major bosses. There are no exceptions.

Can I get the Hunter’s Mark before beating the main story?
No, because some enemies only appear after you have completed certain story events. It is best to finish the main story first, then backtrack to clear the journal.

What happens if I miss an enemy that only appears once?
If you miss a one-time enemy, you will need to start a new game to get the mark. There is no way to spawn it again in the same save file.

Is the Hunter’s Mark worth the effort?
Yes, the damage boost is significant (about 20% extra damage against studied enemies). It also gives a sense of completion, and the mark itself is a valuable tool for boss rematches.

Does the Hunter’s Mark work in boss rematches?
Yes, the mark works on any enemy you have studied, including bosses. This makes rematch fights easier.

Are there any enemies that are easy to miss?
The most commonly missed enemies are the Rain Wisp (appears only during rain), the Crystal Hunter (appears in a hidden room in the Bone Forest), and the Loyal Squire (appears only before a certain quest is completed). Check a guide for their exact locations.

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