Hollow Knight: Silksong crests are game-changing equipment pieces that completely transform Hornet’s combat style and moveset. Crests are Equipment that allows Hornet to change their Moveset in Hollow Knight: Silksong, making them essential for adapting to different challenges throughout Pharloom’s diverse regions.
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What Are Hollow Knight: Silksong Crests and Why They Matter
Swapping Hornet’s crests can help you get through some of the more challenging jumping puzzles and combat encounters that define Silksong’s difficulty. Unlike Hollow Knight’s charm system, crests fundamentally alter how Hornet moves, attacks, and interacts with the world around her.
Each crest offers unique movesets, special abilities, and tactical advantages that cater to different playstyles. Whether you prefer aggressive close-combat, ranged attacks, or mobility-focused gameplay, there’s a crest designed to enhance your preferred approach.
Complete Crest Overview Table
| Crest Name | Location | Specialty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wanderer | Chapel of the Wanderer (Bone Bottom) | Balanced mobility | Exploration & platforming |
| Reaper | Chapel of the Reaper (Greymoor) | Heavy attacks | Boss fights & tough enemies |
| Shaman | Ruined Chapel (Act 3) | Magic abilities | Crowd control |
| Witch | Late-game area | Advanced magic | Experienced players |
Essential Crests and Their Locations
Wanderer Crest – Your First Major Upgrade
The Wanderer Crest is aptly found in the Chapel of the Wanderer to the west of Bone Bottom. You’ll need Cling Grip to get it as you’ll have to grab the wall above the sealed door. This crest serves as an excellent introduction to the system, offering balanced improvements without overwhelming complexity.
Wanderer Crest Features:
- Enhanced movement speed and agility
- Improved platforming capabilities
- Balanced combat options for new players
- Essential for accessing certain areas
Reaper Crest – The Power Player’s Choice
The best crest in Silksong is the Reaper crest. When you take into account how important silk is in terms of binding to heal and using your powerful silk skills to quickly dispatch enemies and bosses, this becomes the top choice for experienced players.
Location: Greymoor – Keep going to the left of the Greymoor zone and enter the Chapel of the Reaper. The object that you need to interact with is at the topmost room in the chapel just after you clear the gauntlet section.
Reaper Crest Advantages:
- Devastating heavy attacks that crush enemies
- Superior boss-fighting capabilities
- Enhanced silk generation and usage
- Perfect for aggressive playstyles
Shaman Crest – Magic Mastery
Players will get the Shaman Crest in the Ruined Chapel during Silksong’s third act. To reach it, they’ll need to use the Silk Soar skill while standing in front of the lore tablet. This crest focuses on magical abilities and crowd control.
Shaman Crest Benefits:
- Powerful area-of-effect abilities
- Enhanced magical damage output
- Effective against groups of enemies
- Unique spell combinations
Crest Upgrade System Explained
The amount of trinkets on each crest can be increased by using Memory Lockets found throughout Pharloom. Each trinket has a corresponding color, which is visible on the crest. This upgrade system adds depth to crest customization.
Upgrade Mechanics:
- Memory Lockets unlock additional trinket slots
- Color-coded trinkets provide specific bonuses
- Progressive upgrades enhance crest effectiveness
- Strategic customization allows personalized builds
Advanced Crest Strategies
Combat Adaptation Techniques
Different areas of Pharloom favor different crest approaches:
Greymoor Exploration: Reaper crest excels in the heavy combat encounters Bone Bottom Navigation: Wanderer crest provides necessary mobility Late-game Challenges: Witch and Shaman crests offer advanced options
Boss Fight Recommendations
- Early Bosses: Wanderer crest for balanced approach
- Mid-game Encounters: Reaper crest for maximum damage
- Final Challenges: Experiment with upgraded Shaman or Witch crests
Tips for Efficient Crest Collection
- Prioritize Wanderer first for general progression
- Unlock movement abilities before attempting difficult crest locations
- Collect Memory Lockets to maximize crest potential
- Practice crest switching to adapt to different situations
For more comprehensive guides on indie gaming strategies and Metroidvania tips, explore our gaming coverage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t Stick to One Crest: Each area benefits from different approaches Ignore Upgrades: Memory Lockets significantly improve crest effectiveness
Rush Collection: Some crests require specific abilities to reach Overlook Experimentation: Testing different crests reveals optimal strategies
Location Requirements and Prerequisites
Most crest locations require specific abilities:
- Cling Grip: Essential for Wanderer crest
- Silk Soar: Required for Shaman crest access
- Advanced Movement: Necessary for late-game crest locations
- Combat Skills: Some chapels feature challenging gauntlet sections
The Meta-Game Impact
Crests fundamentally change how Hollow Knight: Silksong feels to play. Unlike the original game’s charm system that provided incremental improvements, crests offer wholesale combat transformations that keep gameplay fresh throughout multiple playthroughs.
Replayability Factor:
- Different crests enable varied approaches to familiar areas
- Speed runners utilize specific crest combinations for optimal routes
- Challenge runs benefit from crest restrictions or requirements
- Completionist players enjoy collecting and upgrading all options
Future Updates and Content
As Team Cherry continues supporting Silksong, additional crests may be added through updates, potentially expanding the already robust customization system. The current crest selection provides excellent variety while leaving room for future expansion.
The community has already begun developing crest-specific challenge runs and speedrun categories, indicating the long-term impact these systems will have on Silksong’s competitive scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the best crest for beginners in Hollow Knight: Silksong?
A: The Wanderer Crest is ideal for beginners as it provides balanced improvements to movement and combat without overwhelming complexity. Found in the Chapel of the Wanderer west of Bone Bottom, it requires only the Cling Grip ability to obtain. This crest enhances platforming capabilities and offers versatile combat options, making it perfect for players still learning Hornet’s mechanics and exploring Pharloom’s diverse environments.
Q: How do I upgrade crests and what are Memory Lockets used for?
A: Crests can be upgraded using Memory Lockets found throughout Pharloom. These lockets increase the number of trinket slots available on each crest, with each trinket providing specific color-coded bonuses (red, blue, yellow, and white). The upgrade system allows for strategic customization where players can enhance their chosen crest’s effectiveness by collecting lockets and experimenting with different trinket combinations to match their preferred playstyle and current challenges.
