Unravelling the Widow: How Silksong's First Big Bad Will Test Your Spirit (And How to Win, Mate)
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Dive deep into the electrifying Widow boss fight in *Hollow Knight: Silksong*, dissecting her bell-heavy moveset and mastering her two phases with tactical insights and preparation tips, all while acknowledging the invaluable intel from Polygon. It's a proper test, mate, but with the right approach, you'll unspool her secrets and claim your hard-earned rewards!
Right, so you've been itching for *Hollow Knight: Silksong* as much as I have, probably longer, and you know Team Cherry isn't one for pulling punches. When we talk about the first *real* test in the game, the one that makes you pause, scratch your head, and maybe even shout 'bloody hell!' at your screen, we're talking about the Widow. This isn't just another bug to smack; she's a proper boss fight, full of cunning, speed, and enough bells to make you question your life choices.
I’ve been tinkering with the initial intel on this fight, and it’s wilder than it first appeared. It's a dance, a puzzle, and a frantic scramble all rolled into one. If you’re like me, always wondering 'what happens if…' then this deep dive into Widow's lair and her moveset is exactly what you need. Consider this your arcane scroll for navigating a truly tricky encounter. All this glorious intel, by the way, comes courtesy of **Polygon**, specifically their article by Josh Broadwell – a massive thanks to them for mapping out this particular digital dungeon for us.
### The Pilgrim's Path to Pain (and Glory!)
Before you can even *think* about squaring off with Widow, you've got a proper pilgrimage ahead. She’s chilling at the bottom of Bellhart's northern tunnels – sounds cosy, doesn't it? But getting there is half the adventure. You'll be trekking through most of Shellwood, tackling the aptly named Sister Splinter (who I'm sure has a lovely personality, just not while she's trying to skewer you), and snagging that sweet wall cling ability. Reckon you'll need it, too.
Once you’re back in Bellhart, it's a careful descent past bell-wearing Furm and their winged mates. Seriously, who puts bells on everything? Is it a fashion statement or a warning system? Probably both. Anyway, make your way down, and you’ll find a destructible bell wall leading back to Shellwood. This little shortcut, after a quick platforming jig and ignoring a rogue stick bug, takes you right back to the first Shellwood bench. This, my friends, is your golden ticket, your warp point, your 'oh thank the Elder Gods' safe spot. Rest up, because Widow doesn't do 'easy mode' apologies. Then, it's back into the tunnels, open a trap door, and boom – you're in her chamber, ready for a chat and a proper scrap.
### The Widow's Weave: Understanding Her Moveset
Now, about Widow herself. This boss fight is a masterclass in pattern recognition and frantic evasion. She’s got more tricks up her silk sleeves than most bosses you've met, and the kicker? A second phase. Just when you think you’ve won, she's back on her feet, pressing the attack even harder. It’s like casting a spell and it works a bit *too* well, bringing an even bigger daemon to the party.
Crucially, many of her moves involve bells. These aren't just for show, mate. You can deflect them with an attack. Think of it as a parry mechanic for projectiles, a lovely bit of design that turns a threat into an opportunity if your timing is spot-on. If dodging isn't an option, smack that bell away!
#### Phase One: The Bell Ringer's Debut
* **Diagonal Bells:** Widow sends two bells arcing across the arena. The silk threads show their path – read them like digital tea leaves, quickly! They bounce once, so watch that second impact. It’s a classic 'dodge once, then dodge again' scenario. * **Vertical Bells:** Similar to the diagonal ones, but these fall in a straight line. They bounce too, but not as far. These are your 'jump or dash' moments. * **Curtain of Bells:** This is where it gets a bit chaotic. A shower of bells, sometimes clustered in the centre, sometimes split to cover the sides, leaving the middle as your only haven. You get a couple of seconds after the silk threads appear to find your sweet spot. Don't dally! * **Midair Dive:** Widow leaps and dives at Hornet, blade first. Dash *under* her, in the opposite direction. Simple, right? Except she's usually got another trick up her sleeve straight after... * **Scuttling Slash:** Immediately after that dive, she scuttles across the floor, whirling her blade. Jump and dash *over* her to evade. Trying a midair dive attack back? Tricky timing. If you hit her head too close, it's a parry, no damage. Get caught by *this* one, and you're losing two masks. Ouch. Better to take a bell hit than this, fair dinkum. * **Bells from Below:** Widow weaves four silk nets, and then giant spiked bells burst out of the ground in sequence. This is a timing puzzle. Stand where the *second* bell will appear, wait for the first to pop, then immediately jump and hover over the rest. It's an elegant dodge if you nail it, a proper 'what just happened?!' if you don't.
#### Phase Two: The Escalation
Just when you thought you had her number, Widow gets serious. She uses most of the same moves, but with a nasty twist: they're faster, more aggressive, and often chained together. The diagonal bells are sharper, faster, and bounce further. Vertical bells come in multiples, not just two, and the warning time is halved. Plus, she'll often chain these bell attacks back-to-back, leaving you less room to breathe or find an opening.
Interestingly, the midair dive disappears, replaced by more frequent scuttling slashes, often right after a bell attack. This is where your quick reflexes come in. Remember, a single mask from a bell hit is better than a double-mask wallop from her slash. It's a calculated risk, a wizard's gamble.
### Prepping for the Bell-Tamer's Ball
Preparation is key. This isn't a fight for long, flashy animations. **Thread Storm**, for instance? Leave it on the bench. **Silkspear** is your chosen weapon here; its quick animation makes it far safer.
Alternatively, you could save your silk for healing – a perfectly valid strategy for the cautious mage. Tools are your friends here, especially long-range ones like the **Straight Pin**, **Pimpillo**, or the mighty **Sting Shard** (if you’ve visited the Forge Daughter – another adventure in itself!). If you’ve got a **Memory Locket** to equip two tools, you can dish out serious damage from a distance, which is gold in Phase Two when things get truly hectic. I reckon saving your tools for that second phase is a smart play, letting you focus on evasion while still chipping away at her health.
When your tools run dry, or if you prefer to get up close and personal, Widow is at her most vulnerable when she’s stringing silk for her bells, or right after she finishes a scuttling attack. These are your precious windows to get a few hits in before retreating. Jump over her when she scoots, then strike from behind. If the diagonal bells somehow leave you a safe nook next to her, you can even land a few hits while they're still falling – she won't retaliate until they hit the ground, and often vanishes anyway. It's a proper game of cat and mouse, or rather, Knight and Spider-bell-weaver-thing.
### The Spoils of War: Widow's Rewards
Once you’ve finally put Widow down – and trust me, the satisfaction is immense – you'll need to absorb her power by holding down that bind button. Hornet learns the **Needolin skill**, a fantastic new trick that opens specific locked doors bearing a weaver's mark and even encourages NPCs to spill their inner thoughts. Plus, you’ll earn the **Fanatic achievement** and complete the "Threadspun Town" quest, which, rather wonderfully, brings Bellhart back to life. Fair dinkum, you've earned it.
Beyond the tangible rewards, there's the knowledge. The understanding of a truly challenging foe, the thrill of overcoming. And that, mate, is the real magic of *Silksong*. You'll find the world around you changes too – after this fight, you can even upgrade your needle for more damage. See? Your curiosity pays off!
Keep exploring, keep questioning, and keep that needle sharp. *Silksong* is a world ripe for discovery, and the Widow is just the first major hurdle in what promises to be an epic, challenging adventure.
Tags: Hollow Knight Silksong, Boss Guide, Indie Games, Action-Platformer, Gaming Strategy
Original article: Polygon