Hollow Knight Silksong: Best Early-Game Build Guide

This guide explores the best early-game build that you should use in Hollow Knight Silksong to shred enemies and ensure Hornet’s survival.

Hollow Knight Silksong Best Early-Game Build Guide.
Here is the best early-game build that you can use (Image via Team Cherry || Deltia’s Gaming)

The early-game phase of Silksong lasts till you complete Act 1, and this can take quite a bit of your time. Once you get past the wee stages of the game, it is possible to have a proper early-game build for Hollow Knight Silksong. The one critical part about it is unlocking the right tools and crests, which can be a tedious task. However, once you do unlock them, most of Act 1 will be a breeze.

Our best early-game build for Hollow Knight Silksong not only focuses on the combat aspect; it also keeps the parkour and pogo in mind. All you need to do is master the timings for your actions, and this build should carry you easily.

Best Early-Game Build For Hollow Knight Silksong: Overview

Builds in Hollow Knight Silksong rely heavily on your Crest, since it alters Hornet’s attacks completely. Depending on your crest, you have options to equip specific types of tools, which further aid you. During the early game phase in Silksong, your tools and abilities are greatly limited. However, you can make an excellent build with whatever little things you have in hand.

Our best early-game build for Hollow Knight Silksong focuses on using the Reaper Crest, which offers better survivability and also aids in the pogo jump. It is a balanced option, with decent attacks as well. The most significant part of this build is the wider arcs on the pogo jump, which aids in aerial battles significantly as well.

Here are the basic pros and cons of this best early game build for Hollow Knight Silksong:

ProsCons
High-damage option with balanced slots for both offense and defense.Less aggressive than other options like Witch Crest.
Wider arcs allow easier parkour with pogo.Slower attacks than many counterparts.
You can gain additional Silk after binding.

Best Early-Game Build in Hollow Knight Silksong

Best Early-Game Build in Hollow Knight Silksong.
Best Early-Game Build (Image via Team Cherry || Deltia’s Gaming)

Here are the details of the best early-game build that you should use in Hollow Knight Silksong:

  • Crest:
    • Reaper Crest
  • Ability:
    • Thread Storm
  • Tools:
    • Red Slot: Three Fold Pin
    • Blue Slot: Druid’s Eye (Alternate: Warding Bell)
    • Yellow Slot: Compass

Here is a detailed explanation on why these particular items perform the best:

Best Early-Game Build in Hollow Knight Silksong: Crest Choice

Best Early-Game Build in Hollow Knight Silksong Crest Choice.
Reaper Crest is the best choice (Image via Team Cherry || Deltia’s Gaming)

Reaper Crest is a high-damage choice that is the ideal candidate for the best early-game build in Silksong. Although it is slower than many of the other options, its heavy hitting attacks and sustainability makes it an excellent choice for amateurs and veterans alike. It’s most salient feature lies in its wider arcs, which makes it the perfect choice for intense pogo parkour.

Other than that, when you bind with this Crest, you will also get additional silk while hitting enemies. With more silk, you have more options to unleash your Ability, or heal yourself more.

Best Early-Game Build in Hollow Knight Silksong: Ability

The Thread Storm skill
The Thread Storm skill (Image via Team Cherry)

Thread Storm is a unique ability that does AoE damage around Hornet in a small radius. This makes it the ideal ability for the best early-game build, since you will be able to use it for both offensive and defensive purposes. If there are multiple enemies around you, the Thread Storm does three hits to all of them. This can also kill some enemies if you have hit them once or twice.

At the same time, Thread Storm can also be used for defensive purposes to block out ranged enemy attacks, like from the crow enemies for example. You will need to unlock this ability first, by collecting it from the topmost point of Greymoor (that you can only reach by doing extensive pogo.)

Tools To Use in Best Early-Game Build in Hollow Knight Silksong

Threefold pin is the best tool to pair with this best early-game build in Hollow Knight Silksong.
Threefold pin is the best tool to pair with this best early-game build (Image via Team Cherry || Deltia’s Gaming)

By default, your Reaper Crest will have three tool slots open. For the best early-game build in Hollow Knight Silksong, these slots are more than enough. The Compass is a no-brainer choice since exploration becomes much easier with it. The Threefold Pin is a decent ranged option that can also act like a shotgun at times. Finally, the Druid’s Eye item produces additional silk whenever you are hit, allowing you to use abilities and bind more frequently. However, you must complete the Berry Picking Wish to get this item.

If you plan to use the Reaper Crest during the later stages of the game as well, you might benefit by using Memory Lockets to unlock more tool slots. In case you do, unlock a red slot and equip the Sting Shard to further have an easier time against flying enemies.

Best Early-Game Build For Hollow Knight Silksong: Tips And Tricks

Pogo jumps help you bounce on enemies and clear gaps in Hollow Knight: Silksong (Image via Team Cherry)
Pogo jumps are easier with the Reaper Crest (Image via Team Cherry)

Here are the basic tips and tricks to use this best early-game build in Hollow Knight Silksong:

  • Start off the fight with normal attacks.
  • Switch to pogo attacks whenever possible. If you are hit, the Druid’s Eye will activate and it will produce Silk.
  • Use the Thread Storm ability to deflect any incoming attacks, or focus on obliterating mobs with it.
  • When you are down to two masks, Bind to heal yourself. A radiating glow will also appear around Hornet during this time.
  • While the glow is active, try to get as many hits on the enemies. This will cause them to drop Silk as well. Collect these by moving over those.
  • For ranged enemies, use the Threefold Pin to deal chip damage.

Silksong Logo [Source: Team Cherry]

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