Feeling the challenge of Silksong? You’re not alone! While some players revel in its difficulty, others might be struggling with relentless bosses and daunting journeys back to the action. If you find yourself in the latter group, we understand your pain and have compiled this research to help both you and us conquer Pharloom’s toughest obstacles.
You might traverse a good portion of the Silksong map before fully appreciating just how powerful Hornet’s Tools can be. These invaluable items are absolutely critical to your success in the game. With three distinct tool types, a limited number of equip slots, and secret locations to uncover, mastering them is key to unlocking Hornet’s true potential in this captivating Metroidvania adventure. Below, we’ll guide you through all the Silksong Tool locations and recommend which ones you should prioritize.
The best Silksong Tools
Here are the best Silksong Tools in each tool type:
- Best red tools: Sting Shard, Cogwork Fly, Tacks, Cogwork Wheel, Plasmium Phial
- Best blue tools: Druid’s Eye, Fractured Mask, Pollip Pouch, Volt Filament, Spool Extender, Reserve Bind, Longclaw
- Best yellow tools: Compass, Magnetite Brooch, Magnetite Dice, Shell Satchel, Ascendant’s Grip
Best red tools
Red tools significantly boost your offensive capabilities, offering new ways to dispatch enemies. These weapons often have a ranged component and are limited in their uses, regenerating each time Hornet rests at a bench or rest spot, or by activating the Architect Crest’s unique ability. You’ll need Shell Shards to replenish these tools; otherwise, they’ll be unavailable.
For top-tier red tools, we highly recommend replacing the default Straight Pin with the Sting Shard as early as possible. This remarkable tool unleashes a cluster of blades that remain inert until an enemy triggers them or Hornet strikes them, causing them to shoot outwards. The Sting Shard is incredibly effective against airborne adversaries, particularly in the early game when Hornet’s mobility is still developing.
Once you’ve acquired an additional red tool slot, the extra health masks provided by the Plasmium Phial make it an excellent choice for players who frequently take damage or wish to conserve their silk for other uses during combat. Given Hornet’s limited health masks initially, the Plasmium Phial can be a true game-changer.
As you delve deeper into Act 2, Hornet’s combat options become even more formidable. The Cogwork Fly, Tacks, and Cogwork Wheel are all exceptionally powerful red tools that can drastically simplify boss encounters. The Cogwork Fly deploys up to three tracking flies that relentlessly pursue and attack enemies. Spreading tacks across the ground inflicts massive damage on ground-bound foes. The Cogwork Wheel, on the other hand, provides versatility, initially speeding across the floor before scaling the nearest wall and then ricocheting back into the arena, covering multiple angles against Hornet’s most challenging adversaries.
Best blue tools
Blue tools are passive defensive aids that offer crucial support to Hornet throughout her journey and during intense battles. While almost any combination of blue tools will prove beneficial, unlocking them often requires some effort.
Our early game recommendation is the Druid’s Eye, which you can acquire relatively early by completing the Mossberries quest. This tool grants bonus Silk when you take damage, allowing you to heal or use your skills more frequently. Another excellent survival option is the Fractured Mask, which absorbs a single instance of fatal damage before shattering, but don’t worry—it conveniently restores itself whenever you rest.
If there’s one blue tool we absolutely insist you get, it’s the Pollip Pouch. This incredible item infuses your red tools with venom, significantly boosting their damage and even adding unique effects. It is, and we cannot emphasize this enough, incredibly potent. Poisoned tools were instrumental in helping us overcome Act 2’s most difficult challenges, and the Pollip Pouch can be yours after tracking down the Silksong Pollips in Shellwood. The Volt Filament serves a similar purpose to the Pollip Pouch, but specifically enhances Hornet’s silk abilities with an electrical charge.
If you haven’t been diligently collecting Spool Fragments, then the Spool Extender will be a welcome addition. When equipped, this tool adds an impressive four extra silk notches to your bar, ensuring you can bind and still have enough silk remaining for a skill when fully charged.
While the Multibinder/Injector Band combination is fantastic for exploration, granting extra healing without the speed penalty of the Multibinder, we found the Reserve Bind to be an exceptional alternative for chaotic boss battles where you rely more heavily on your offensive tools. This tool provides an emergency silk reserve that can be used for a single bind before needing to recharge at a bench. It’s an incredibly clutch ability that proved essential for us in clearing the game.
Finally, if you’re frequently taking contact damage and find the Reaper Crest isn’t quite your style, then seek out the Longclaw. You’ll likely encounter it later in Act 2, but it’s an excellent aid for pogo-jumping that will help you navigate the act’s trickiest platforming sections and trials.
Best yellow tools
Yellow tools are designed for exploration, helping you navigate the expansive Silksong map or assisting you in finding and gathering valuable items from your surroundings.
One of the best yellow tools you can acquire early on is the Compass, as familiarizing yourself with the complex map can take some time. Once you possess a Memory Locket, it’s highly beneficial to equip the Magnetite Brooch to automatically collect any nearby rosaries, which is particularly useful during Silksong Rosary farming runs.
While yellow tools typically focus on navigation, the Magnetite Dice is a notable exception. This remarkably handy tool offers a small chance to negate an instance of damage, providing a crucial advantage during those intense boss fights. Consult our Silksong dice game guide for more details on this lucky charm.
We’ve already highlighted the effectiveness of poison tools against enemies, and you’ll want to secure the Shell Satchel at your earliest opportunity. When equipped, this tool increases Hornet’s maximum carried tool capacity, effectively boosting your damage per second. Note: this is exclusively available in Steel Soul mode.
Silksong features some incredibly challenging platforming sections, including those found in Mount Fay, making the Ascendant’s Grip an absolute necessity. This tool allows you to permanently cling to walls, providing all the breathing room you need before attempting your next perilous leap.
How to equip tools
Equipping tools is as straightforward as dragging an item into an available slot on your Crest menu. However, it’s crucial to remember that you must be seated at a bench or other rest spot to make these changes. This means you can’t freely switch tools on the fly, so careful planning is essential. For instance, you might choose to equip the Magma Bell if you know you’re about to enter the Deep Docks, then swap it out when you reach a resting point on the other side.
Extra tool slots
You can unlock one additional slot for each tool type by using Memory Lockets. These precious items can be discovered across Pharloom and purchased from various vendors, including Mort, who also offers a Tool Pouch, providing another way to expand your tool capacity.
It’s also important to remember that any additional slots you unlock are tied to your current Crest and will not transfer to a different one, so choose wisely when using your Memory Lockets. For more in-depth information, check out our dedicated guide on Silksong Crests.
All Silksong Tool locations
| Tool | Tool Type | Description | Location |
| Straight Pin | Red | Grants 12 throwing tools per rest, which can be thrown in quick succession at a distance. | Rescue Grindle from his cell at the far right of The Morrow. |
| Threefold Pin | Red | Grants a triple attack with three blades thrown at 45-degree angles, like the Squatcrow attack. Can be used ten times. | Complete the combat room at the eastern end of Greymoor. |
| Curveclaw | Red | An offensive curved tool with eight uses per rest that’s ideal for taking on flying foes. | Purchase from Mottled Skarr in Hunter’s March for 140 Rosaries. |
| Sting Shard | Red | Places a trap of blades that pierces foes who come into contact with it. Can be used up to six times per rest. | Purchase from Forge Daughter in Deep Docks for 140 Rosaries and one Craftmetal. |
| Flintslate | Red | Temporarily heats up the needle’s blade, increasing damage. Can be used three times per rest. | Pick up in Deep Docks. |
| Longpin | Red | Able to pierce tough shells. | In a small room on the Bellhart map that is only accessible from Shellwood, behind a Wood Wasp nest. |
| Flea Brew | Red | Temporarily increases movement and attack speed. | Complete Grishkin’s The Lost Fleas Wish in southwest Greymoor. |
| Plasmium Phial | Red | Grants an immediate but temporary health boost. | Complete the Alchemist’s Assistant Wish for Alchemist Zylotol in Wormways. |
| Conchcutter | Red | Throwable weapon that bounces off surfaces. Can be used eight times per rest. | On a shrine in Coral Tower to the north of Sands of Karak. |
| Snare Setter | Red | Places a Silk rune that ignites when foes come into contact with it. Can be used up to five times per rest. | Complete the Silk and Soul Wish by completing all other wishes and speaking with the Caretaker in Songclave. |
| Silkshot | Red | Shoots shell canisters. Can be used up to eight times per rest. | Find the Ruined Tool past the Needolin door in southeast Bilewater and restore it with Forge Daughter or Twelfth Architect. |
| Throwing Ring | Red | Throwable weapon that bounces off walls and enemies. Can be used ten times per rest. | Complete Shakra’s Trail’s End Wish. |
| Tacks | Red | Scatters short pins along the ground, piercing any enemy who steps upon them. Can be used five times per rest. | Complete Crull and Benjin’s Roach Guts Wish in Sinner’s Road. |
| Pimpillo | Red | Explodes on impact with enemies or when ignited by its fuse. | Inside a secret room to the north of Yarnaby’s Bellhome. |
| Cogfly | Red | Seeks out and damages nearby enemies. | Crafted at a bench in the middle of High Halls using one Craftmetal. |
| Cogwork Wheel | Red | A circular blade that propels forward, slicing through foes. | Purchase from Twelfth Architect in the Underworks for 360 Rosaries. |
| Delver’s Drill | Red | Drives the wielder downwards, spinning with destructive force. | Pick up in The Underworks |
| Compass | Yellow | Shows Hornet’s location on the map. | Purchase from Shakra for 70 Rosaries. |
| Shard Pendant | Yellow | Enemies drop more Shell Shards. | Pick up from a small room in the center of The Marrow. |
| Magnetite Brooch | Yellow | Automatically collect nearby Rosaries. | Purchase from Pebb in Bone Bottom for 120 Rosaries. |
| Weighted Belt | Yellow | Weighs you down, reducing knockback from enemy attacks and recoil from your own. | Purchase from Mort in Pigrim’s Rest for 160 Rosaries. |
| Dead Bug’s Purse | Yellow | Allows you to retain some rosaries upon death. | Pick up from a corpse in a guarded room in the northeast of Wormways. |
| Silkspeed Anklets | Yellow | Consumes Silk to increase your speed. | Far Fields, in the far southeast room of the entire map. Requires Needolin and Swift Step. |
| Magnetite Dice | Yellow | Has a small chance to negate damage. | Obtained from Lumble the Lucky in Blasted Steps. |
| Thief’s Mark | Yellow | Enemies drop more Rosaries, but you lose some when taking damage. | Purchase from Grindle in Blasted Steps for 350 Rosaries. |
| Barbed Bracelet | Yellow | Increases damage dealt by the needle, but also increases damage taken. | Pick up from the tunnels of Sinner’s Road. |
| Ascendant’s Grip | Yellow | Piton that allows one to hold in place on a wall. | Purchase from Jubilana in Songclave for 350 Rosaries. |
| Spider Strings | Yellow | Expands and strengthens the effects of the Needolin. | Purchase from Jubilana in Songclave for 320 Rosaries. |
| Rosary Cannon | Yellow | Shoots Rosaries. | Inside the Rosary Storage in High Halls, requires a Simple Key. |
| Scuttlebrace | Yellow | Enables backwards dodge. | Purchase from Twelfth Architect in the Underworks for 140 Rosaries |
| Druid’s Eye | Blue | Earn Silk when taking damage. | Complete the Moss Druid’s Wish in Mosshome by collecting three Mossberries. |
| Magma Bell | Blue | Reduces the damage Hornet takes from lava and fire. | Purchase from Forge Daughter in Deep Docks for 110 Rosaries and one Craftmetal. |
| Warding Bell | Blue | Provides a shield while healing. | On a platform in a room to the south of Far Fields. |
| Pollip Pouch | Blue | Applies venom to your equipped tool, dealing additional damage to enemies. | Gather six Pollip Hearts for Greyroot in a small room in the center of Shellwood. |
| Snitch Pick | Blue | Shoot at foes to steal rosaries and shell shards, while causing additional damage. | Purchased from Grindle in Blasted Steps for 740 Rosaries. |
| Fractured Mask | Blue | Shields against critical damage but shatters on impact. Can be repaired at a bench. | Purchase from Mottled Skarr in Hunter’s March for 260 Rosaries. |
| Multibinder | Blue | Increases the healing effect of Binding, but takes longer. | Purchase from Frey in Bellhart for 880 Rosaries. |
| Wispfire Lantern | Blue | Spawns wisps that deal damage to enemies. | Defeat Father of the Flame in the northermost room of Bellhart. |
| Quick Sling | Blue | Doubles thrown tools. | Above a breakable ceiling in Bilewater. |
| Injector Band | Blue | Increases Binding speed. | Pick up in the southeast of Whiteward. |
| Volt Filament | Blue | Imbues Silk Skills with an electric charge. | Defeat Voltvyrm in the Volnest to the north of Sands of Karak. |
| Weavelight | Blue | Increases the rate of Silk regeneration. | Inside the hanging decoration in the Moss Mother boss room at the far west of Weavenest Atla. |
| Pin Badge | Blue | Reduces the charge time of Needle Strike. | Defeat the Pinstress boss north of The Slab. |
| Egg of Flealia | Blue | Decreases the cost of Silk Skills while health is full. | Find every Lost Flea. |
| Claw Mirror | Blue | Unleashes a dazzling flash during Binding that damages surrounding enemies. | Defeat Trobbio in The Stage in Whispering Vaults. |
| Claw Mirrors | Blue | Unleashes a blast attack during binding. | Defeat Tormented Trobbio in The Stage in Whispering Vaults. |
| Spool Extender | Blue | Provides additional Silk storage. | Purchased from Jubilana in Songclave for 720 Rosaries. |
| Reserve Bind | Blue | Provides a single emergency Bind per rest. | Defeat Second Sentinel in High Halls. |
| Longclaw | Blue | Increases the range of Needle attacks | Complete the Broodfeast Wish in Putrified Ducts. |
| Wreath of Purity | Blue | Repels Muckmaggots but is breakable. Can be repaired at benches. | Found to the east of Putrified Ducts. |
| Memory Crystal | Blue | Creates a crystal form of Hornet that shatters into sharp spines upon contact. | Inside an Ice Shard in the Mount Fay tunnels. |
| Sawtooth Circlet | Blue | A spinning blade weapon that damages surrounding enemies. | Purchase from Twelfth Architect in the Underworks for 230 Rosaries. |
And that’s all you need to know about the best Silksong Tools. If you’ve missed any of the tools in this guide, you can get back to them quickly using Bellways, and you’ll be well on your way to defeating the remaining Silksong bosses.