TL;DR
- Crests completely transform Hornet’s combat style with unique movesets and tool slot configurations
- Memory Lockets are crucial for Eva’s upgrades – collect them consistently across all Crests
- Each Crest excels in specific scenarios: Wanderer for exploration, Architect for boss fights
- Late-game Crests require advanced abilities and complex quest chains to unlock
- Strategic Crest switching based on enemy types dramatically improves combat effectiveness
Master every Crest in Silksong with comprehensive location details, unlock prerequisites, and optimized build approaches for each distinct combat approach.
Crests fundamentally revolutionize your combat experience in Hollow Knight: Silksong, providing specialized playstyles that transcend basic statistical adjustments. Each Crest completely overhauls Hornet’s movement patterns, tool compatibility, and tactical decision-making during encounters. Whether you appreciate the nostalgic combat of the original Hollow Knight or desire to explore radically new fighting mechanics, proficiency with all eight Crests becomes indispensable for overcoming Pharloom’s varied obstacles.
Diverging significantly from the charm mechanics of the previous game, Crests entirely reshape your core combat methodology. The initial Hunter Crest merely introduces you to a substantially deeper character customization framework. Every Crest boasts distinctive tool slot arrangements, exclusive capabilities, and combat animations that can determine success or failure in particular boss confrontations.
tip
Test various Crests during regular exploration sessions instead of exclusively before difficult encounters. You’ll uncover unexpected synergies between mobility options and fighting approaches that remain hidden during limited testing.
Hollow Knight: Silksong: Crests Guide …
Before pursuing specific Crest locations, you must acquire several essential movement and combat abilities to reach most Crest chambers:
- Wall Jump (unlocked in Moss Grotto) – Essential for vertical navigation
- Sprint Step (obtained in Deep Docks) – Critical for evading environmental hazards
- Silkspear Skill (found in Mosshome) – Required for accessing elevated areas
- Needolin ability for late-game Crests – Unlocks advanced upgrade paths
The majority of Crests remain concealed within specialized Chapel zones demanding completion of combat trials or puzzle sequences. These locations aren’t simple item pickups—prepare to demonstrate comprehensive mastery of Hornet’s complete ability set. Many players underestimate the platforming challenges between Crest locations, so ensure you’ve practiced advanced movement combinations before attempting remote Chapels.
warning
Attempting Crest challenges without proper movement abilities often results in frustrating deaths and lost progress. Complete the main ability unlocks before serious Crest hunting.
Hunter Crest: Your Foundation
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You commence your adventure with the Hunter Crest, but never underestimate its enhancement possibilities. After acquiring Needolin, journey to Weavenest Atla and find Eva. This enigmatic NPC can improve your Hunter Crest through two separate upgrades, substantially increasing its tool capacity depending on your Memory Locket utilization across all owned Crests.
important
Eva’s enhancements rely on the quantity of Memory Lockets you’ve employed to unlock tool slots. While you don’t require every available locket, regular acquisition yields significant long-term benefits.
Hollow Knight: Silksong: Crests Guide …
Wanderer Crest: Classic Combat Returns
Location: Chapel of the Wanderer (Moss Grotto) Requirements: Wall Jump ability, Simple Key (500 Rosaries from Pebb)
The Wanderer Crest delivers the most authentic recreation of the original Hollow Knight’s combat system. This makes it perfect for series veterans seeking comfortable mechanics while experiencing Silksong’s fresh content.
Acquisition Route:
- Buy a Simple Key from Pebb in Bone Bottom for 500 Rosaries
- Travel to upper Mosshome using the elevator or western passage through The Marrow
- Hurry through hazardous Craggler’s Den—employ Sprint Step to dodge acid-projecting enemies
- Unlock the Wormways entrance using your Simple Key
- Traverse the worm-populated corridors to access the chapel
- Survive the four-phase enemy assault to obtain your prize
warning
Utilize the nearby bench before entering Wormways. The enemy rush sequence proves exceptionally punishing without adequate preparation.
Reaper Crest: High-Risk, High-Reward
Location: Chapel of the Reaper (Greymoor) Tool Slots: 2 Red, 2 Blue, 2 Yellow
Located on Greymoor’s western sector, the Reaper Crest provides outstanding tool flexibility. The chapel itself features a difficult ambush situation—endure the confrontation and ascend to the summit to claim this well-balanced Crest. The Reaper Crest particularly shines in extended engagements where tool cooldown management becomes crucial.
How to Get the Reaper Crest in Silksong
Beast Crest: Raw Power Unleashed
Location: Chapel of the Beast (Hunter’s March) Tool Slots: 2 Red, 2 Yellow
The Beast Crest prioritizes aggressive, high-damage combat approaches. Situated in Hunter’s March eastern region, this Crest performs exceptionally when combined with damage-amplifying red tools and mobility-increasing yellow tools. Its limited blue slot configuration makes it less ideal for defensive playstyles but outstanding for players who prefer overwhelming offense.
Architect Crest: Tool Master’s Dream
Location: Chapel of the Architect (Underworks) Requirements: Architect’s Key (110 Rosaries from Twelfth Architect) Tool Slots: 3 Red, 2 Blue, 2 Yellow
This Crest provides the highest red tool slot allocation in the game, making it perfect for enthusiasts wanting to combine multiple damage-boosting effects. Buy the Architect’s Key from the Twelfth Architect in Underworks, but be aware they refuse sales until you’ve gathered sufficient tools initially. The Architect Crest’s versatility makes it particularly effective against boss encounters requiring sustained damage output.
Witch Crest: The Ultimate Challenge
Location: Bilewater (via intricate quest chain) Requirements: Complete Rite of Rebirth and Infestation Operation wishes
The Witch Crest demands maximum effort but compensates with unique mechanical advantages. This questline initiates by discovering the Twisted Bud in Bilewater and transporting it to Greyroot. The resulting wishes enforce extreme limitations—no health restoration, no tool usage, no alternative Crests—but finishing them unlocks this potent option. Completion typically requires 45-60 minutes of focused gameplay under restrictions.
Witch Crest Quest Procedure:
- Enter Bilewater via Whispering Vaults
- Find and acquire the Twisted Bud
- Transport it to Greyroot to initiate Rite of Rebirth
- Accomplish the wish under severe constraints
- Consult Yarnaby for medical attention
- Complete the Infestation Operation wish
- Receive your Witch Crest reward
Hollow Knight: Silksong — Witch Crest …
Late-Game Crests
Shaman Crest (Act 3 Only)
Location: Hidden tunnel above lore tablet (Moss Grotto) Requirements: Silk Soar ability
This end-game Crest includes three Silk Skill slots, providing exceptional customization for expert players. Utilize Silk Soar to access the hidden entrance adjacent to the sign in the newly reachable Moss Grotto zone. The Shaman Crest dramatically alters ability cooldown mechanics, allowing more frequent use of powerful Silk Skills during combat sequences.
Vesticrest: The Universal Upgrade
Location: Weavenest Atla (Eva) Requirements: Unlock 4 different Crests
The Vesticrest doesn’t substitute other Crests—it improves them. This unique item adds one yellow tool slot to each Crest in your collection. Eva can further enhance it using 12 Memory Lockets, incorporating additional blue and yellow slots. This upgrade path makes the Vesticrest arguably the most valuable late-game acquisition for players pursuing complete build optimization.
advanced tip
Prioritize Vesticrest acquisition before attempting the game’s most difficult challenges. The additional tool slots provide crucial flexibility against end-game bosses with complex attack patterns.
Optimal Crest Collection Order
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Pro Tip: Focus on collecting Memory Lockets throughout your journey. Eva’s upgrades become significantly more powerful when you’ve consistently unlocked tool slots across multiple Crests.
Building Your Crest Arsenal
Each Crest excels in particular situations. The Wanderer Crest manages general exploration superbly, while the Architect Crest prevails when requiring maximum tool synergy. Test various combinations during your progression—the game’s difficulty adjusts to support diverse play approaches.
Remember that Crest mastery extends well beyond basic collection. Comprehending when to transition between different combat styles, how tool slots interact with your preferred abilities, and which Crests complement specific boss encounters will elevate your Silksong experience from competent to extraordinary.
The expedition to gather every Crest guides you through Pharloom’s most demanding regions, but the reward—total command over Hornet’s combat capabilities—makes each perilous chapel and complicated quest chain completely worthwhile. Advanced players should develop muscle memory for at least three different Crests to adapt seamlessly to changing combat scenarios.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Neglecting Memory Locket collection until late game
- Using only one Crest throughout the entire playthrough
- Attempting Crest challenges without proper movement upgrades
- Underestimating tool slot synergies between different Crests
Action Checklist
- Acquire essential movement abilities (Wall Jump, Sprint Step, Silkspear)
- Collect Wanderer Crest first for familiar combat mechanics
- Gather Memory Lockets consistently during exploration
- Complete Architect Crest quest for maximum tool versatility
- Attempt Witch Crest challenge with proper preparation
- Acquire Vesticrest for universal Crest enhancements
No reproduction without permission：Tsp Game Club » Hollow Knight: Silksong Complete Crest Collection Guide Master all eight Crests in Hollow Knight: Silksong with location guides, upgrade strategies, and combat optimization tips