Upgrading the Needle in Hollow Knight: Silksong is a game-changer. This crucial upgrade boosts your damage output, letting you slice through enemies with greater ease. In this guide, you’ll find a clear and friendly walkthrough on how to enhance your Needle, step by step.
Silksong’s enemies hit harder and are more durable compared to its predecessor. Upgrading the Needle:
- Increases attack damage
- Makes clearing early to mid-game enemies faster
- Helps with tougher bosses as you progress
- Enhances skill effectiveness, including moves like Silkspear
Even a small damage boost can transform a five-hit fight into a two-hit one.
Where to Find the Needle Upgrade
You’ll need to visit Bellhart, one of the towns in the game. The upgrade doesn’t appear immediately—first, you have to complete a specific sequence of tasks:
- Reach Bellhart via Shellwood or Greymoor.
- Defeat the Widow boss to lift the curse or threat over the town.
- Once Bellhart is free, locate Pinmaster Plinney—known as the Needlesmith. His house has a pin-shaped sign above the entrance and is usually perched higher up in the town.
Only after freeing the town will Plinney offer to sharpen your Needle.
Step-by-Step: How to Sharpen Your Needle
- Defeat Widow: Progress through Shellwood and defeat the Widow boss to unlock Bellhart properly.
- Enter Bellhart: Return to the town where Plinney resides.
- Find the Needlesmith: Look for the house with a pin sign—the one atop or resting above others.
- Talk to Plinney: You’ll get dialogue options. Say “Yes” when prompted to sharpen the Needle.
- Receive a Sharpened Needle: This version has improved base damage and enhancements that carry through to your needle-based skills.
Further Upgrades: Beyond the First Sharpening
The initial upgrade is free and immediate. But there’s more to look forward to:
- Plinney may request a rare item, specifically some kind of Oil—often referred to as Pale Oil.
- Accepting this task kicks off a secondary quest.
- Complete that task deeper into the game, then return to Plinney to unlock a second Needle upgrade.
This means your weapon continues to grow stronger as you progress deeper into Silksong’s world.
Tips for Smooth Progression
- Explore thoroughly after defeating Widow. Bellhart opens up and offers more than just Plinney.
- Keep an eye out for items like Pale Oil. These fuel further upgrades.
- Use the boosted Needle damage to push deeper—clearing enemies faster means more exploration time.
- Pair your Needle enhancements with other skill upgrades (like dash or new tools) to maintain momentum.
Upgrading the Needle in Hollow Knight: Silksong is simple but meaningful. It starts in Bellhart, linked to defeating the Widow and speaking with Pinmaster Plinney. Your first upgrade comes immediately—and further enhancements follow through completing Plinney’s side task. This progression not only sharpens your weapon but elevates your overall effectiveness, helping you conquer challenges more confidently.
