The moment Hornet set foot in the mossy ruins of Pharloom, she knew this pilgrimage would be nothing like her previous adventures. The Knight's steady, soul‑driven journey was a distant memory. Here, speed was everything, and Silk—precious, volatile Silk—was the currency of survival. Enemies struck faster, traps bit harder, and every mistake threatened to undo minutes of progress. For any wanderer brave enough to follow her path, the early hours are a gauntlet of hard lessons. Yet with a handful of well‑kept secrets, the journey transforms from a brutal slog into a thrilling dance. These are the tricks that separate a struggling drifter from a triumphant hunter.

🕸️ The Perils of Binding

One of the first hard lessons a new pilgrim learns is that healing is not a safe refuge. Hornet's Bind ability stitches her wounds using Silk, but the animation leaves her utterly exposed. If an enemy lands a hit before the final stitch, she doesn't just lose the heal—she loses every drop of Silk she was carrying. In the original Hollow Knight, a failed heal cost only Soul, which could be gathered again. Here, the penalty is far crueler. That is why seasoned players never attempt Bind in the middle of a chaotic brawl. They wait for a lull, a stagger, or a safe distance. Creating that opening is a skill in itself, and mastering it is the difference between life and a very expensive death.

🐜 The Flea Caravan Shortcut

Not every obstacle must be faced head‑on. The Flea Caravan offers a rare chance to skip one of the game's early walls: the Moorwing boss. Normally, this towering beast blocks the main path to Bellhart, and for underprepared travelers, it is a grueling fight. But by riding the Caravan, Hornet can bypass the beast entirely and arrive directly in the bustling town. Some purists might call it cheating, but for those who value progress over pride, it is a brilliant strategic move. Bellhart is packed with useful NPCs, quests, and upgrades, and reaching it early opens up a wealth of opportunities that would otherwise be locked behind a difficult battle.

💰 Deep Docks: The Early Rosary Mint

Rosaries, the lifeblood of Pharloom's economy, are always in short supply. Maps, charms, and tools demand payment, and early on, every coin feels like a fortune. Deep Docks holds the solution. Once discovered, this industrial region becomes an unofficial mint. A specific enemy near a bench drops roughly seven rosaries per kill. The setup is perfect: defeat the foe, rest at the bench to respawn it, and repeat. It is mindless, efficient, and far faster than selling relics. Within minutes, a patient farmer can afford the upgrades that make the next stretch of the journey far less punishing.

🪶 Shell Shards from Pond Skippers

Shell Shards are another resource that vanishes faster than expected, especially when crafting or repairing tools. The humble Pond Skipper, a small flying creature in Shellwood, is the answer. Each one yields three Shell Shards, and they are harmless to farm. Find a quiet pond, set up a rhythm, and watch the shards pile up. It is not glamorous, but it is reliable. Whenever a crucial repair looms and the inventory is bare, a quick trip to Shellwood solves the problem without risking life or limb.

🗺️ Maps and Quills: The First Purchases

Wandering without a map is a recipe for frustration. Pharloom's regions are vast, labyrinthine, and full of dead ends. That is why the first purchase in any new area should always be the map from Shakra. Knowing the layout prevents endless backtracking and reveals the locations of benches and key NPCs. But the map alone is not enough—the Quill is equally vital. Without it, the map remains a static outline, and every step into the unknown must be memorized. With the Quill, resting at a bench automatically updates the map, turning a confusing maze into a clear plan.

🏺 Relics Are Meant to Be Sold

In many games, collectibles hide secret uses. In Silksong, relics are refreshingly straightforward: they exist to be sold. They do not unlock story events, they are not crafting ingredients, and they offer no hidden bonuses. The Relic Seeker in Bellhart buys them for a handsome sum—small ones like the Bone Scroll fetch around fifty rosaries, while grand relics like the Choral Commandment bring in far more. Holding onto them is pointless. Whenever coin is needed, a quick sale is the smartest move.

🧱 Hidden Openings Reward the Curious

Like its predecessor, Silksong hides secrets behind seemingly solid walls. A suspicious wall in Hunter's March, for example, crumbles when attacked, revealing a passage to a much‑needed bench. These hidden paths often contain rosaries, relics, charms, or safe havens. Testing every odd corner with a quick strike is a habit worth forming. The time spent is trivial compared to the reward of a new checkpoint or a valuable treasure. Curiosity, in Pharloom, is not a vice—it is a survival trait.

🦵 Pogoing: The Art of the Bounce

Finally, there is pogoing. By jumping, aiming down, and striking with the needle, Hornet bounces off enemies and objects. It is a technique that feels awkward at first but soon becomes second nature. Pogoing lets her reach high platforms, cross dangerous floors, and stay mobile during boss fights. Many areas are designed with this skill in mind, placing enemies precisely where a well‑timed bounce opens a new route. Mastering the timing transforms the environment from a series of obstacles into a playground.

With these tricks in hand, the pilgrimage through Pharloom becomes less of a trial and more of an adventure. Hornet is fast, fragile, and utterly deadly in the right hands—and now, those hands have a fighting chance.

Of course, sharpening your skills only matters once the game is actually in your library. Whether you are still deciding to pick up Silksong, holding out for a discount on the base game, or hunting down deals on other metroidvanias that scratch the same itch, it pays to know where prices are tracked in one place. DealNest gathers game discounts and storefront offers so you can compare before committing your rosaries—real ones, this time.

If you would rather spend less and play more, it is worth a look at check game prices on DealNest before your next purchase. A few minutes of browsing can mean the difference between paying full price and starting your pilgrimage through Pharloom with extra coin to spare.