Unlocking the Needle upgrade in Hollow Knight: Silksong is crucial for enhancing your combat experience. To achieve this upgrade, you must engage with Pinmaster Plinney located in Bellhart. However, the journey to this point can be quite challenging, as you’ll need to take down two formidable bosses in succession.
After you conquer Moorwing in Greymoor, you’ll find yourself in Bellhart, a haunted city. If you’re unfamiliar with Moorwing, you may need to backtrack since this fifth boss precedes your access to the Needle upgrade.
Before you can reach Pinmaster Plinney, it’s essential to purify Bellhart. Venture left from Haunted Bellhart into the new area of Shellwood to confront the area’s boss.
Navigating Shellwood
Shellwood extends both west and upward, requiring you to master platform jumping. Your primary goal in this area is to defeat Sister Splinter, which will grant you the Wall Jump ability, also called Cling Grip. Afterward, proceed to the upper right of Shellwood to transition into the higher part of Bellhart. Save your game at a bench nearby, as you’re heading towards another boss battle.
Defeating the Widow
Once in upper Bellhart, navigate carefully down and east. Be aware that many drops are guarded by moving bugs with large bells that damage Hornet on contact. Using precise timing and Cling Grip will be vital to avoid damage during your descent.
You’ll soon hear a creature groaning below, indicating your encounter with a boss named Widow. Pay close attention to Widow’s silk strings, as they will reveal the direction of her attacks. You can find a helpful preview of this fight in the video below.
After defeating Widow, brace yourself for a jumping puzzle. Move quickly; platforms will disappear shortly after you step on them. Utilize Cling Grip to dash across walls and clear gaps. Completing this challenge will return you to a now-purified Bellhart.
Finding Pinmaster Plinney
Pinmaster Plinney is situated in the top right corner of Bellhart, along with additional NPCs. To reach him, go left in Bellhart, using metal platforms to ascend. Ignore the nearby shop, Relic Seeker Scrounge’s for now, and jump to the platforms on the right until you find a bell house marked with needles. That’s where you’ll encounter Pinmaster Plinney.
Once inside, engage in conversation with Pinmaster Plinney, who will upgrade your Needle for free after a brief cutscene. If all goes well, you’ll see “Needle Sharpened” appear at the bottom left of your screen, indicating the enhancement has been successful.
Now with an upgraded Needle, Hornet can dispatch enemies more efficiently, taking them down in fewer strikes.
Have you gained valuable strategies from this guide? If you want to explore more tips and tricks on Hollow Knight: Silksong and beyond, consider visiting Moyens I/O for additional insights.