The wait is finally over, and the kingdom of Pharloom has opened its gates. Following the massive influx of players this week, the community is buzzing with discoveries, from the treacherous verticality of the Deep Docks to the hidden mechanics of Hornet's silk tools. Unlike the Knight’s journey in Hallownest, Hollow Knight: Silksong demands a completely different rhythm—one of aggression, acrobatics, and high-stakes resource management. Whether you’re struggling to farm Rosaries or getting walled by the Bell Beast, this Hollow Knight Silksong guide will equip you with the survival strategies needed to conquer your first hours in Pharloom.

1. Master the 'All-or-Nothing' Silk Healing Mechanic

The most jarring adjustment for returning veterans is the new Bind ability. Gone are the days of focusing Soul to heal a single mask. In Silksong, healing is an all-or-nothing commitment: you must expend your entire spool of Silk to heal three masks at once. This fundamentally changes combat pacing.

Don't try to heal after every hit. Instead, embrace the 'Golden Rule' of Pharloom: Air Healing. Because Hornet is far more acrobatic than the Knight, the safest place to heal is often directly above your enemy. By jumping and initiating a Bind in mid-air, you can stall your descent, dodging ground attacks while replenishing your health. This technique is critical for surviving the relentless aggression of enemies in Bone Bottom.

2. Navigating Deep Docks and Finding Shakra

Exploration in Pharloom is dangerous without a map, and this week, players have been scrambling to locate Shakra, the game’s elusive cartographer. Unlike Cornifer, Shakra is constantly on the move. Current reports from the last 48 hours place her primarily near the entrance of the Deep Docks, just past the bell tower.

To secure her services, you’ll need Rosaries. Don't venture into the Deep Docks without purchasing the Vendor Pin and Ring Markers first. The Deep Docks are vertically complex, filled with rising lava mechanics that punish blind exploration. If you miss Shakra here, you may be forced to backtrack all the way to The Marrow, costing you precious time and potential Rosary loss.

3. How to Farm Rosaries Safely (and Save Them)

Speaking of currency, the economy in Silksong is unforgiving. Rosaries scatter upon death, and unlike Geo, retrieving them can be a nightmare in areas like Greymoor. The trending strategy emerging over the last two days involves a farming loop in Bone Bottom using the Thief's Mark tool, which increases drop rates.

However, the real game-changer is Rosary Strings. Visit the merchant Pebb early on to purchase these items. They allow you to 'bank' your Rosaries on a string, protecting them from death penalties. Before attempting any major boss fight, convert your loose Rosaries into Strings. It’s a small tax to pay for insurance against Pharloom’s brutal difficulty spikes.

4. Surviving the Bell Beast: Boss Guide

The Bell Beast has quickly become the first major roadblock for many players. Located in The Marrow, this massive foe requires the Silkspear ability to even access. If you’re stuck, stop trying to damage it head-on. The Bell Beast is armored and will punish direct aggression.

The key to this fight is audio cues. Listen for the distinct 'roar' before it burrows; this signals falling debris. When the Beast charges, use your diagonal pogo attack—a move unique to Hornet—to bounce off its armored shell and strike its vulnerable back. Do not stay on the ground. Keep moving, use the diagonal pogo to maintain height, and only heal during its burrowing phase.

5. Unlocking the Deep Docks Secret Path

Just discovered yesterday, a new secret path has changed how players traverse the early game. There is a breakable wall located directly behind the Bell Beast’s arena that bypasses the treacherous lava climb in the lower Deep Docks. Accessing this requires the Heavy Blow crest, but it grants early access to a stash of Lost Fleas.

Collecting these Fleas is vital for upgrading your tool capacity. If you are struggling with the platforming in the standard Deep Docks route, backtracking to the Bell Beast arena to open this shortcut is the most efficient survival strategy discovered so far. Keep your eyes peeled for the telltale shimmer of breakable terrain!