Hollow Knight Silksong: How To Unlock Swift Step (Dash)

In this guide, we’ll explore all of the steps you have to follow to unlock Swift Step in Hollow Knight Silksong.

Hollow Knight Silksong: Can you play on Steam Deck? Best Settings Explored — Swift Step is a crucial dash movement in Hollow Knight Silksong (Source: Team Cherry)

If you’re a new player, you need to unlock Dash or Swift Step in Hollow Knight Silksong as soon as you can. This movement ability lets you access areas that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to. Besides simple exploration, the dash ability will also allow you to fare better in certain combat scenarios. You might be able to dodge specific attacks with it, enabling you to greatly minimize damage taken. In the following guide, we’ll explore exactly where you can find Swift Step and the process for unlocking it.

How To Find and Unlock Swift Step in Hollow Knight Silksong

Swift Step unlock screen (Source: Team Cherry)

You can find this ability unlock in the Deep Docks region. This is one of the earlier sections of the game, so you can acquire this ability not too long after starting a new playthrough. However, the exact location of Swift Step isn’t too obvious. New players might move right past it without realizing they missed out on an important ability upgrade. The following are the steps you should follow to reach and unlock the ability.

Step 1: Enter the Deep Docks region.
Step 2: Take a right and reach the Map Merchant. Purchase the map from him.
Step 3: Move past the merchant and the elevator until you reach the rest bench.
Step 4: Climb the way to the very top and move into the next section.
Step 5: Head past the jumping skeleton foes in your way and reach an area where there’s a platform surrounded by lava.
Step 6: Simply walk across the lava to reach the next set of platforms. The lava doesn’t hurt you.
Step 7: Climb higher until you reach a point where there’s an orange ball dangling from the ceiling. Hit that ball and quickly move away from it, as it’s about to explode.
Step 8: The explosion will reveal a hidden section that you can now enter. Head left once inside, and soon you’ll reach the Swift Step Idol with the word “Inspect” appearing on the screen.
Step 9: Go up and interact with the idol to unlock the Dash or Swift Step ability. Press the bind button to acquire it.

Also Read: Hollow Knight Silksong: How Long To Beat the Game?

How To Use Swift Step in Hollow Knight Silksong

After you have unlocked the ability, you can use it with R2/RT on controllers. On keyboards, the corresponding button is C. After unlocking the ability, we suggest using it a few times. It doesn’t require silk to use, which means you can keep spamming it as much as you want.

You might need to use the dash ability several times during combat to get a proper grasp of it and learn the correct timing. With the Swift Step ability, you’ll now be able to access previously unreachable areas. Explore those sections to find other secrets and items.

Also Read: Hollow Knight Silksong: How To Beat Bell Beast (Boss Guide)