Unlocking All Crests in Hollow Knight: Silksong

In the highly anticipated game Hollow Knight: Silksong, locating all the various crests is a key aspect for players looking to customize Hornet's combat style and improve their journey. These crests not only alter Hornet's attack patterns but also grant special skills when activated, significantly impacting gameplay. Understanding where to find each crest and what benefits it offers is crucial for mastering the game's challenging environments and enemies, especially for those aiming to optimize their offensive and defensive strategies against formidable foes.

Among the available crests, the Reaper crest stands out as particularly potent due to its silk generation capabilities post-binding, which is vital for healing and utilizing powerful silk-based abilities in extended battles. Its reliable downward pogo attack also provides superior mobility and combat effectiveness. The Evolved Crest of the Hunter focuses on building power through consecutive strikes, while the Crest of the Wanderer emphasizes rapid, precise attacks, making it excellent for high-damage output and silk harvesting. The Crest of the Beast introduces savage slashes and a lifesteal effect, offering a more aggressive playstyle. Each crest caters to different preferences, encouraging players to experiment and find what best suits their approach to the game's intricate challenges.

The Evolved Crest of the Hunter is an upgraded version of the starting Hunter crest. To acquire it, players must first defeat the Widow boss to obtain the Needolin and free Bellhart. With the Needolin in hand, returning to the right side of Moss Grove—the game's initial area—allows players to open a unique bug-faced door. Descending through this passage and heading right leads to Eva, who, upon being granted insight, bestows this evolved crest. This variant significantly boosts focus with successive hits, translating into increased damage when focus is full, though this bonus is lost upon taking damage.

The Crest of the Wanderer can be accessed early in the game. Players can purchase the Simple Key from Pebb in Bone Bottom. After acquiring the Swift Step upgrade in Deep Docks, this key allows players to jump across a gap above Bone Bottom, to the left of Mosshome, leading to a locked door for the Wormways. Traversing the Wormways brings players to Bonegrave, where the Chapel of the Wanderer is located behind a blocked door. Completing the challenges within this chapel rewards players with the Crest of the Wanderer, known for its swift, precise strikes ideal for rapid combat and efficient silk collection. This crest is particularly reminiscent of the Knight's moveset from the original Hollow Knight, offering a familiar feel for veteran players.

For the Crest of the Beast, it is advisable to obtain it later in the game, specifically after acquiring the Cling Grip wall jump ability from Sister Splinter. Players can then navigate to Hunter's March by either defeating a large ant miniboss in The Marrow's far right or by ascending from the top-right section of Deep Docks. The crest is obtained after defeating the Savage Beastfly boss, which is located on the far right of Hunter's March. This crest enables powerful, claw-like slashes and offers a brief lifesteal effect when binding to heal, promoting a high-risk, high-reward aggressive combat style.

The Reaper crest, widely considered one of the best, is found in the Chapel of the Reaper within Greymoor. Players can reach Greymoor via the Far Fields or by completing The Lost Fleas quest. The chapel itself is atop a tower on the left side of Greymoor, distinguished by numerous bug enemies wielding large scissors. Players must ascend the tower, complete platforming segments, and overcome an arena battle against these scissor-wielding foes. Utilizing tools like Sting Shards, which are explosive area-of-effect traps obtainable from Forge Daughter in Deep Docks, can be highly effective in these arena challenges. Upon successful completion, the Reaper crest is awarded, providing its invaluable silk generation and superior pogo attack.

Choosing the right crest in Hollow Knight: Silksong is paramount to adapting to different combat scenarios and personal playstyles. Each crest offers distinct advantages, from enhancing damage output and resource management to improving mobility. By understanding their unique effects and strategically acquiring them throughout the journey, players can significantly refine their approach to exploration and combat, ensuring a richer and more personalized gaming experience in the vibrant world of Pharloom.