I still remember the mix of wonder and exhaustion I felt when the credits rolled on my first Hollow Knight: Silksong playthrough. After 78 hours, I stared at my 96% completion screen with a strange brew of pride and relief. I’d clawed my way through thorny new kingdoms, died embarrassingly often to a certain brooding arachnid, and spent what felt like an eternity just trying to pogo off a chain of bellflies without plummeting into a pit of thorns. So when I learned that someone had polished off the entire main story in less time than it takes me to watch a single season of a TV show, my brain nearly short-circuited.



The speedrunner in question is Nebula, a name that has rapidly become synonymous with breaking Silksong’s boundaries. Back in late 2025, Nebula managed an Any% completion in a mind-melting 58 minutes and 52 seconds. I’ll let that sink in: fifty-eight minutes, fifty-two seconds. By the time I’ve brewed a cup of tea and settled into my chair, Nebula has already toppled the final boss and waved goodbye to the kingdom of Pharloom. That’s a far cry from the typical main-story duration of around 26 hours recorded on HowLongToBeat, and it makes even many speedruns from the original Hollow Knight look leisurely.

Nebula’s run isn’t just about raw button-pressing speed — it’s a carefully choreographed dance that dismantles every obstacle with surgical precision. Early on, before Hornet unlocks her more fluid movement tools, Nebula leans heavily on the pogo technique, repeatedly bouncing off enemies and environmental objects to maintain momentum and shave off precious frames. Watching him traverse the Moss Grotto and the Gilded City, I kept noticing how each hop seemed to steal an inch of progress, adding up to entire seconds saved over a full run. It’s the sort of optimization that makes you reevaluate every casual jump you’ve ever taken.

Then come the boss fights, and this is where my jaw genuinely dropped. The Widow, a shimmering nightmare that took me roughly twenty attempts and a carefully stacked combination of Pollip Pouch, Cogfly, and Tacks, falls in a clean 50 seconds under Nebula’s blade. Even more absurdly, the first encounter with Lace — a duel I considered a rite-of-passage wall — ends in a crisp 30 seconds, without a single Tool equipped. No gadgets, no crutches, just flawless pattern recognition and a relentless offense. I watched that segment four times in a row, still unable to reconcile the video with my own memory of frantically dashing into Lace’s needle-storm.

The route that enabled this sub-hour miracle leans on what’s known as the Mist path, but Nebula has already publicly stated intentions to switch to the Last Judge route for future attempts. According to their own breakdown, the Last Judge approach can be up to 40 seconds faster than an average Mist run — though it demands a set of devilishly difficult skips that would shatter the nerves of most players. To even consider swapping strategies after achieving such a historic milestone shows a hunger for perfection that defines the top tier of the speedrunning community.

Here’s a quick comparison to put the time difference into perspective:

Playstyle
Approximate Time

Typical first playthrough (main story)
~26 hours

My completionist-ish save
78 hours (96%)

Nebula’s Any% Mist route
58 minutes 52 seconds

Projected Last Judge route
Potentially sub-58 minutes

It’s wild to think that we’re already staring down the barrel of a potential sub-58-minute run. The speedrunning community for Silksong has matured at a frightening pace since the game launched on September 4, 2025, and runners are constantly chaining together newly discovered skips, sequence breaks, and glitches that warp the adventure into a lightning-fast puzzle box. I still remember the early days when players gasped at a two-hour clear; now we casually talk about cutting seconds off Lace fights as if it’s a morning crossword.

What excites me most is the creativity that blossoms under such constraints. The pogo-first movement, the deliberate decision to delay certain power-ups, and the nerve-wracking boss execution all combine into a spectacle that feels almost like a different game from the one I carefully explored. I spent hours wandering into dead ends and admiring stained-glass architecture; Nebula sees a labyrinth of optimizations waiting to be untangled. Both approaches are valid, and both remind me why Silksong has become such an enduring gem.

Hollow Knight: Silksong is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, as well as through Xbox Game Pass. And while I’ll probably never personally see that sub-hour credits screen, I’ll keep cheering from the stands every time a runner like Nebula reshapes what we thought was possible in Pharloom. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go practice my pogo hops — maybe one day I’ll beat Lace in under five minutes.

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So, Silksong has been out for a while now, and if you're anything like me, you've probably scoured every nook of Pharloom with a fine-toothed comb. Or so you thought. I mean, I had all the tools, all the upgrades, and a smug sense of completion. Then I stumbled onto The Lost Merchant wish, and suddenly I was questioning every decision I'd ever made—especially my ability to spot a secret wall. Let me guide you through this ridiculous escapade so you can keep your dignity intact.

First things first: you don't just waltz into this quest fresh off the bone-carpet. You need to have put in some serious legwork. That means you've already freed the bell inside the First Shrine in Choral Chambers and unlocked Songclave. You know, that hub where you finally start feeling like a big-shot adventurer. If you haven't done that, stop reading and go slap some bells. Once Songclave is open, you'll need to complete that earlier Wandering Merchant wish to get Jubilana to set up shop. Ah, Jubilana—sweet little merchant with an inventory that makes my needle-wielding heart sing. Until she vanishes again, that is.

Fast forward a bit. You've explored the Citadel, maybe died a hundred times to some oversized cog-mech, and you've unlocked the Memorium biome. Not going to lie, I originally stumbled into Memorium by accident while panic-dashing away from a swarm of angry fireflies. But I digress. After buying a few of Jubilana's wares, head back to the Songclave wish board, and there it is: The Lost Merchant. The description mentions she's gone off to Memorium chasing trinkets. Cute, right? Except now I have to track her down through the most melancholy area in the game, where everything is monochrome and drips existential dread.



Here's where I wish I'd paid more attention to map details. Getting to Memorium itself isn't hard—you can either take the Ventrica (if you've unlocked that fast-travel point) or go the scenic route: exit Songclave from the top-left, float to the greenish biome above the Cogwork Dancers arena using your trusty Faydown Cloak. Yes, the same one that never seems to work when a boss is charging at you, but here it's mandatory. Once you're in Memorium, I highly recommend finding the bench at the bottom first. Save your game. Save your sanity. You'll need both.

Now, the hunt begins. From the bench, head left and immediately look up. You'll spot some shiny merchant wares glinting like little beacons of consumerism. This is the trail Jubilana left behind, probably while muttering about profit margins. You can try to follow the breadcrumb trail of silk-threaded debris, but honestly, the path is less a trail and more a cruel joke. I spent ten minutes bouncing between identical-looking ledges before giving up and checking a more direct route.



Here's the trick that saved my evening: return to that bench and go all the way to the right. If you haven't unlocked that path yet, you might need to clear some earlier barriers, but trust me, it's worth it. You'll eventually find yourself in a small, unassuming room on the right side of Memorium. It looks empty. It feels like a dead end. But Silksong devs are masters of hiding things just out of sight. Direct your gaze upward and to the right, and you'll notice a tiny section of wall jutting out from the silk—almost like the architecture is winking at you.



A double jump will let you grab onto that outcrop like a desperate gecko. From there, it's a straightforward (but tense) shimmy to the right through a hidden passage. I kept expecting the wall to crumble, but no—just more silk and the distant sound of my heart pounding. Eventually, you drop into an open arena. And it's go-time. A crowd of mobs rushes you, and poor Jubilana is cowering in a corner with her trinkets scattered like confetti. Defeat them, free her, and suddenly you've completed the wish. She'll return to her shop with new stock, and you've also just discovered a secret biome nook you might have never seen otherwise. Win-win!

Looking back, The Lost Merchant wish is a masterclass in Silksong's design. It nudges you into an area you probably rushed through before, then rewards your curiosity with an expanded shop and a glimpse of hidden depths. Sure, I lost an hour, a bit of my pride, and nearly a controller to a frustrating failed jump, but what's a Metroidvania without a little suffering?

If you're playing in 2026 like me, you've probably already moved on to the latest expansions, but revisiting this little side quest reminded me why I fell in love with Hornet's adventure in the first place. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to see what else I missed—probably a whole kingdom hidden behind a single breakable leaf. ?✨

As you continue exploring the fascinating corners of Silksong, keep in mind that the game is not just about the thrill of discovery but also about maximizing your in-game resources. Whether you're a seasoned player or a newcomer, finding the right trinkets and upgrades can enhance your experience significantly. In fact, understanding where to invest your in-game currency can mirror real-world shopping strategies, where finding the best deal on essential items saves both time and effort.

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I\u2019ll be honest with you\u2014Steel Soul Mode in Hollow Knight: Silksong is a masterclass in anxiety. One life. One tiny slip, and it\u2019s back to Dirtmouth. But you know me, I thrive on that adrenaline. Plus, it\u2019s 2026 now, and if you haven\u2019t at least dipped a toe into Steel Soul, are you even a true fan? The mode hides exclusive goodies like new areas, special NPCs, and the beautiful, cursed wish known as A Vassal Lost. So grab your Fractured Mask, kiss your rosaries goodbye, and let\u2019s track down a missing vassal without joining them in oblivion.



How to Even Start This Madness

First things first: this quest is Steel Soul exclusive. If you\u2019re cruising through a regular save file, Zi won\u2019t show up. To kick things off, you need to visit a secret room in Blasted Steps. From Bellway Station in Shellwood, head west over that crumbling bridge. Climb up the central vertical shaft, then go east into the chamber where you first met the charming cartographer Shakra. Instead of taking the usual left exit, slide down the right wall to find a breakable barrier. Gobble up the Silkeater there, then keep pushing right. Voil\u00e0\u2014Steel Seer Zi and her gloomy little request.

She\u2019ll give you the wish \u201cA Vassal Lost,\u201d and your map suddenly blooms with three cryptic symbols. These mark resting spots of the absent vassal, but here\u2019s the kicker: the locations are randomized for every player. I nearly tore my hair out when my friend\u2019s guide didn\u2019t match my markers. So, while I can\u2019t tell you exactly where to go, I can tell you the pool of six possible spots. \ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f



The Six Dreadful Locations

Biome
Hint to Find the Spot

Far Fields
Cross the bone bridge among those annoying Flexile Spine enemies.

High Halls
Top of the eastern tower, right by a rosary chest.

Sands of Karak
Just left of the Coral Tower entrance.

Moss Grotto
Under the tiny bridge leading toward Blasted Steps.

Putrified Ducts
Far east, across Pale Lake and up the wall near the shaft of light (under Mister Mushroom\u2019s quest start).

Shellwood
Northeast of the Sister Splinter fight, at the end of a short corridor.

You\u2019ll probably need to be decently far into Act 2 to reach all these, especially since the Clawline ability smoothes traversal\u2014just don\u2019t expect the game to hold your hand. Each spot leaves behind a little clue, and once you\u2019ve examined all three, it\u2019s time to head back to Zi.

The Steel Seer\u2019s Ominous Request

Zi, ever the cryptic one, now tells you to hunt down Sula in Bonegrave. If you haven\u2019t visited this bone-choked land yet, brace yourself. To reach the new cave, start from Bone Bottom and travel as far left as you can\u2014literally hug the left wall until you find a new passage near the Chapel of the Wanderer. If you\u2019re lost, remember: from the Wormways simple door, you can scramble south; or if you\u2019ve got the Cling Grip, climb the western wall where you found the Maiden. Either way, entering the eerie tunnel sparks the fight.



Boss Fight: The Summoned Saviour (It\u2019s Easier Than It Sounds)

Okay, take a deep breath. The good news: this boss is a pushover compared to some of the nightmares you\u2019ve already faced (I\u2019m looking at you, Fourth Chorus). The bad news: you\u2019re in Steel Soul, so any sloppy mistake can erase hours of progress. \ud83d\ude30

Pre-fight checklist:

\u2705 At least 5 masks filled (if you\u2019re paranoid like me, bring a full load).

\u2705 Enough silk for one emergency heal\u2014Fractured Mask is your best friend.

\u2705 A calm mindset. Seriously, don\u2019t spam attacks.

This boss moves like a robotic dancer\u2014very predictable, almost Cogwork Dancers-level telegraphed. My first go, I stupidly rushed in, pogoed like a maniac, and got smacked for half my health. Big mistake. Instead, hang back, let the boss finish its attack cycle, then dart in for two quick slashes, then retreat. Repeat. It\u2019s a dance, not a brawl. \ud83d\udc83

If you just stay patient and treat this like a rhythm game, you\u2019ll dodge its lunges and swipes with minimal fuss. Once the boss crumbles, you\u2019ve saved Sula (or whatever\u2019s left of them).

Reward and Afterthoughts

Bounce back to Steel Seer Zi, who\u2019ll reluctantly agree to spare the vassal. Quest complete! \ud83c\udf89

Your prize: the Growstone. This odd little trinket isn\u2019t a tool; think of it as an infinite Beast Shard that recharges over time. Using it grants roughly 130 Shell Shards for crafting, then it goes dormant before waking up again. Is it game-changing? Eh\u2014not really. You can farm more shards in 10 minutes of grinding with a good Silk Skill loadout. But hey, it\u2019s free currency, and in a mode where every scrap counts, I won\u2019t say no to a little passive income.



Final Tips for Steel Soul Survivors

\ud83d\udcda Save silk for heals. That extra point of damage isn\u2019t worth a death.

\ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f Mark your map. The resting spots vanish after inspection; jot them down to avoid confusion.

\ud83d\udee1\ufe0f Crests matter. Thread Storm or Threefold Pin can cheese difficult traversal sections, giving you safer paths to these spots.

\ud83e\uddd8\u200d\u2640\ufe0f Patience is your shield. In the boss fight, treat every second like a test of calmness. Panic = death.

Now go forth, brave hollow vessel, and earn that Growstone. And remember: if you do die somewhere along this quest, don\u2019t throw your controller. Steel Soul Mode teaches you more about Silksong\u2019s dance than any normal playthrough ever could\u2014you\u2019ll come back sharper. That\u2019s a promise from someone who\u2019s bitten the dust too many times to count. \ud83d\udc80

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The air inside Treyarch's Santa Monica studio crackled with a nervous energy that late September afternoon in 2026. On one wall, a massive timeline stretched from the Gulf War era of Black Ops 6 to the gleaming, drone-filled skies of Black Ops 7's 2035. Senior Director of Production Yale Miller stood before it, coffee in hand, contemplating a question that would have been unthinkable a decade ago: Had the most successful first-person shooter franchise in history finally pushed its luck?

The room had just finished a playback of the latest campaign cinematic, but Miller's mind was elsewhere. Only twelve months separated the launch of Black Ops 6 from the upcoming Black Ops 7 — an unheard-of cadence for a series that traditionally alternated between its Modern Warfare and Black Ops branches every three years. This "back-to-back launch idea" was a daring gambit, and Miller knew it.



In a candid conversation that would soon ripple across the gaming world, Miller didn't hide behind corporate polish. "I think the honest answer is yes. I worry about that," he admitted, referring to the growing whispers of franchise fatigue. His words echoed the sentiment of countless forums and subreddit threads where veterans questioned whether another November release could possibly feel fresh. "Obviously, there was a plan with the two Modern Warfare games and then this. We'll see what the franchise does in the future. We're excited about the opportunities it gave us, but we'd all be dead lying if we said we weren't worried about that."

The admission was a rare glimpse behind the curtain. Here was a studio that had defined blockbuster entertainment for two decades, openly acknowledging the existence of a ceiling. For fans, it was validating. For the development team, it was a weight that needed to be lifted — and fast.

Rather than let the anxiety freeze them, Treyarch weaponized it. The first line of defense was the game's setting. Black Ops 7 wouldn't simply be a continuation of its predecessor's '90s cloak-and-dagger atmosphere. Instead, it hurled players into the year 2035, a world where near-future technology blurred the line between soldier and machine. Advanced exoskeletons, autonomous combat robots, and hacking tools rewrote the rules of engagement. The contrast was jarringly deliberate: the analog grit of Cold War espionage replaced by neon-lit, digitally immersive battlefields.

Miller's vision for post-launch support was where the studio intended to truly silence the doubters. "We're absolutely going to bring it from a content perspective in our live seasons," he declared, his tone shifting from worry to fierce determination. The phrase became an internal mantra. Live seasons would no longer be mere map drops and battle pass filler. Treyarch was designing "new gameplay experiences" — limited-time modes that fundamentally altered movement, weapon behavior, and even the laws of physics within the game space. One prototype, codenamed Chrono Shift, allowed players to rewind their position by three seconds, creating mind-bending outplay potential.



The roadmap spilled over with promises that felt almost aggressive. Weekly challenges would include "functional stuff like deeper weapon prestige experiences," meaning each gun could now be mastered not once, but across multiple branching progression trees. A new 'Arms Archive' system granted permanent, gameplay-altering modifications after completing heirloom-style weapon quests — a nod to RPG mechanics that the franchise had traditionally ignored. Multiplayer maps would arrive at a frantic pace, with classic favorites reimagined in the 2035 aesthetic alongside entirely new environments built around verticality and environmental destruction.

The gamble extended well beyond paper plans. Treyarch understood that seeing was believing, which is why they had thrown open the gates for an imminent multiplayer beta. Early access was set to begin on October 5, 2026, and run through October 8 — a tight window that would give millions of players their first taste of the future. The beta would feature four maps, two of the new game-altering modes, and the full weapon master progression for the available arsenal. For a community starved for genuine innovation, it was a siren call.

As the calendar crept toward November 14, the official release date, Miller and his team knew they were walking a tightrope. The franchise's annual release model had been declared dead more times than anyone could count, yet here they were, preparing to ship Black Ops 7 on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S simultaneously. The cross-generational commitment meant no player would be left behind, but it also multiplied the technical complexity exponentially.

Walking back to his desk that September afternoon, Miller paused by a framed photo from the launch of the original Black Ops in 2010. The faces were younger, the consoles were bulkier, but the mission was unchanged: make players feel something they couldn't get anywhere else. The worry of fatigue was real, a shadow that dogged every design meeting. But Treyarch had decided that the only cure for fatigue was overdelivering until the doubt became nostalgia.

One thing was certain: in a gaming landscape where live-service titles could wilt overnight, Black Ops 7 was not going to go quietly. The beta would soon reveal whether "absolutely going to bring it" was a promise or just a prayer.

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The year is 2026, and Hollow Knight: Silksong has finally escaped the realm of myth. After years of waiting, endless memes, and a global pandemic of Silksanity, Team Cherry’s masterpiece landed in players’ hands. But as the credits rolled on the base game, a peculiar subset of the community turned their attention to a different kind of endgame: reshaping Hornet’s sprite into something decidedly more spicy. The prophecy, whispered ever since Hornet first appeared without her iconic red cloak in early trailers, had come true. The adult mods had arrived, and they were multiplying.



On Nexus Mods, the Silksong adult section — once a desolate wasteland containing a single, lonely mod — suddenly tripled in size practically overnight. What had been a quiet corner of the internet exploded into a bustling scene of pixelated indulgence. The mod authors, it seemed, had been sharpening their needles and biding their time.

Leading the charge was Sandinsoda, a creator who uploaded a mod called Curvier Hornet. The description read with the tragic self-awareness of someone who knew they were doing something both terrible and necessary: “everyday we stray further from god.” The accompanying screenshots showed a cloakless Hornet with far more pronounced proportions, her pixelated silhouette now distinctly hourglass-shaped. A caption beneath the images, dripping with audacity, simply declared: “I’m silkin’ it.” One could almost hear the collective sigh of a fandom that had waited so long it had snapped — this was late-stage Silksanity, now apparently resistant to any vaccine.



Barely had the community caught its breath when a second modder, Foureye5, released Curvy Naked Hornet. The approach was nearly identical — a cloakless, curvier Hornet — but the tone differed. Foureye5’s description was stoic and practical: “A mod that replaces cloakless Hornet sprites with something a little bit more curvy.” No self-reproach, no meme captions. Just curves, delivered with a straight face.

What happened next could only occur in a community forged by years of shared delirium. Sandinsoda materialized in the comment section of Foureye5’s mod, bypassing any pretense of polite modder etiquette. Their words dripped with sarcasm and open belligerence: “I wonder what prompted this.” A challenge had been issued. The budding curvy-Hornet ecosystem, it appeared, was not big enough for two visionaries.

Foureye5, however, met the aggression with the calm of a philosopher. He replied with a critique that dissected the artistic merits of both works with remarkable specificity: “Honestly, it looks different enough for it to be a serious alternative. This one has better thighs, yours has a better chest.” The comment section held its breath. Would this escalate into a flame war? Would mods start getting removed? Would the developers intervene?

Instead, in a moment of unexpected detente, Sandinsoda simply responded: “Fair enough.” Peace had been brokered. Neville Chamberlain would have been proud. A new standard of diplomatic relations had been established in the Hornet-curves arena, proving that even in the most degenerate corners of modding, compromise was possible.

The rivalry, softened into a respectful coexistence, sparked wild speculation about the future. What innovations could come next? The logical progression seemed clear: Even Curvier Hornet, or perhaps Even More Naked Hornet. Maybe a collaborative project where one author handles the chest physics and the other refines the thighs. The community, clearly, was only at the beginning of its journey down a path the original developers never intended.

Amidst the anatomical debates, however, a third mod quietly claimed its place as the genuine standout of the section. It eschewed curves entirely. Instead, it altered the text displayed on one of the game’s many breakable bindings. Originally a simple prompt urging the player to persist, the mod transformed it into an aggressive, motivational slap: “Lock the f**k in.” For every player who has spent hours smashing their head against a boss like the rematch with the Mantis Lords’ supreme edition, this single line of text became the perfect galvanizing force. Sometimes, you don’t need a curvier protagonist. You just need someone to yell at you, and that someone might as well be a piece of in-game furniture.

What the Silksong adult mod scene lacks in size — at last count still hovering around a handful of entries — it makes up for in narrative. It is a microcosm of a fandom that has endured too much, a strange blend of artistry, rivalry, and genuine utility. The curvy sprites will likely continue to refine their hip-to-waist ratios. The motivational binding mod might eventually expand into an entire suite of aggressive encouragement (“Parry that, you coward”). And somewhere, in a hidden NexusMods category, the next breakthrough is already being compiled, ready to make headlines and test the limits of what the Silksong engine can render.

The community watches, waits, and keeps its needle sharp. After all, in the kingdom of Pharloom, anything can happen — especially when the mod tools are unlocked and the cloak comes off.

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I still remember the day I first stepped into Pharloom back in 2025. The shimmering bells, the treacherous platforms, and the feeling that this land was even more unforgiving than Hallownest. As a die-hard fan of the original Hollow Knight, I thought I had seen everything Team Cherry could throw at me. But when I discovered the Crest system, my entire perception of the game shifted. These aren't just simple charm replacements; they fundamentally transform Hornet's moveset, turning her into a completely different warrior. After countless hours of play, multiple 112% completions, and more deaths than I care to admit, I’ve come to truly appreciate the depth these Crests add to the experience. Here’s my personal ranking of every Crest in Silksong, from the one I’d rather forget to the one that feels like Hornet’s true destiny.

7. Beast Crest – No Pogo, No Party



Let me start with the one that breaks my heart the most. The Beast Crest promises a rampaging, high-risk combat style that sounds thrilling on paper—landing hits restores silk and health, and your damage output can spike dramatically. In practice, though, its crippling flaw is the pogo. In Silksong, the airborne downward strike is essential, whether you’re bouncing over lava geysers or avoiding a boss’s sweeping attack. The Beast Crest’s pogo feels unpredictable; it sends Hornet flying at odd angles, making precision impossible. The healing mechanic is equally frustrating because you’re forced to stay glued to enemies to recover masks, which is suicide against bosses with complex patterns. Add the fact that blue tool sockets are completely absent, and you’re left with a kit that regularly feels like fighting with one arm tied behind your back. Unless you’re a masochist who enjoys self-imposed challenge runs, this Crest is best left unused.

6. Architect Crest – A Shard-Eating Machine



I have a confession: I’m a hoarder in video games. I rarely use consumables, preferring to rely on pure skill. So when I first equipped the Architect Crest, I felt physically ill watching my Shell Shards burn away with every tool activation. This Crest is all about spending Shards to power devastatingly strong blue tools. It’s undeniably effective—I’ve melted bosses in seconds that previously took me dozens of attempts. The catch? Shards might be scattered everywhere, but farming them consistently is a tedious chore, especially when the priciest tools demand hundreds per minute. I found the Architect Crest invaluable for those “emergency” sequences, like the notorious minion wave in the High Halls, or when I needed a quick burst to finish off a boss with a sliver of health. But as an everyday carry, it’s unsustainable. It’s a specialist’s tool, not a companion for the long road.

5. Shaman Crest – The Path of Magic



I stumbled upon the Shaman Crest late in my first playthrough, and my jaw dropped. After feeling disappointed that I couldn’t equip every Silk Skill simultaneously, this Crest was like a revelation. It allows you to socket two blue tools and three entire Silk Skills, turning Hornet into a ranged spellcasting nightmare. The magic waves you unleash resemble something out of a fantasy epic, dealing titanic damage from a safe distance. However, the trade-off is brutal: your silk reserves are almost entirely dedicated to offense, leaving virtually nothing for healing. For veteran players who know boss patterns inside and out, this is a rocket ship through every area. But if you’re still learning the dance of combat, one mistake means death. I only began to appreciate the Shaman Crest after I memorized every enemy tell; before that, I was a helpless glass cannon.

4. Witch Crest – Great for Fighting, Not for Healing



Unlocking the Witch Crest involves a quest so cryptic and emotionally charged that it could be a standalone game. Tying the lore of the most hidden ending directly to this Crest was a stroke of genius. In combat, the Witch Crest echoes the Beast Crest’s aggression but with its own twist: binding enemies to leech masks. The problem is that healing during boss fights becomes a mirage. The mechanic forces you to stay dangerously close to foes, and slipping away to catch your breath is nearly impossible when you’re locked in a frantic exchange. The moveset is spectacular—flame-like swipes and explosive finishers—but the difficulty spike ramps up so sharply that even after 100%ing the game, I still find myself dying to silly mistakes. It has room for three blue tools and two red ones, which is fantastic for damage, yet I only recommend it to players who have already mastered the fundamentals and want a punishing, high-damage option.

3. Reaper Crest – Reap Them Apart



The Reaper Crest was my early-game savior. You unlock it almost immediately, and its moveset feels the closest to the classic Hollow Knight experience. Attacks are slower and more methodical, reducing the need for precise diagonal pogo calculations. What truly elevates this Crest is the silk remnants left behind after each strike, which gradually boost your energy pools for both healing and powers. This subtle mechanic turns the Reaper into a consistent, forgiving choice that helped me survive my first encounters with Pharloom’s tougher gauntlets. I’ll admit, once I grew accustomed to the faster, nimbler options, the Reaper felt clumsy and sluggish. But its balanced tool distribution let me experiment with various combinations comfortably. For newcomers and those struggling with mid-game walls, the Reaper Crest is a sturdy, reliable friend.

2. Wanderer Crest – Feels Like Home



If you’re like me and still yearn for the days in Hallownest as the Knight, the Wanderer Crest will feel like coming home. The attack speed is blistering, and the pogo is the smoothest in the game—so fluid that I could chain bounces across entire rooms without touching the ground. The catch is that most of your tool sockets favor yellow tools, which are generally the least impactful in combat. Yet the raw DPS you gain from this Crest overshadows that drawback. Positioning becomes paramount; you need to be right in an enemy’s face to shred them, but the payoff is extraordinary. I unlocked it early by heading left at Moss Grotto, and I’m convinced Team Cherry intentionally placed it there as a gift for nostalgic fans. With the Wanderer Crest, I felt like the Knight reincarnated, just faster and more acrobatic.

1. Hunter Crest – Hornet’s True Self



From the moment I first equipped the Hunter Crest, something clicked. I’ve seen many players dismiss it as too wild or hard to master, but I believe this is the way Team Cherry intended us to experience Silksong. The speed, the diagonal pogo trajectories, the balance of blue and red tools—it all weaves together into a symphony of movement. The pogo attacks naturally place Hornet exactly where she needs to be, enabling seamless chain bounces even in chaotic fights. Healing is accessible enough to recover from mistakes, yet the damage output never feels lacking. And the secret upgrade from Eva in Weavenest Atla turns the Hunter Crest into an absolute monster. It embodies everything that makes Silksong its own game, not just a sequel. When I’m wearing this Crest, I stop mourning the Knight and start fully embracing Hornet’s agility and ferocity. It’s not just the strongest option; it’s the most authentic one.

After all this time in Pharloom, I’ve realized that the Crests are far more than a gimmick. They’re an invitation to rediscover the game through seven distinct lenses, each teaching you something new about patience, aggression, and resourcefulness. So go on, revisit your dusty save file, swap that Crest, and become a different warrior. Pharloom still holds secrets waiting to be uncovered.

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Let’s be honest—slapping a badge on a car doesn’t magically turn it into a fire-breathing demon. But when Dodge stamps those three letters, R/T, onto a vehicle, it’s like adding nitrous to a cake recipe. Road/Track. It’s a promise. A wink that says, “Yes, the school run can double as a track day.” I’ve spent the last few months diving deep into the used market, and I’m here to tell you that the spirit of the R/T badge isn’t just alive—it’s surprisingly affordable. These machines are like muscle-bound Shakespearean actors: loud, dramatic, and fully capable of crushing your spine with a single monologue. If you’re ready to embrace a machine that snorts at fuel economy and treats lane markings as mere suggestions, keep reading.



1999 Dodge Viper RT/10: The Poster Child That Still Bites

Yes, this is the most expensive car on my list, but hear me out. In 2026, a well-loved ’99 Viper RT/10 feels like a grand larceny compared to its exotic peers. It’s a bona fide ’90s supercar with the social niceties of a chainsaw. Early models didn’t even offer ABS—because who needs brakes when you have an 8.0-liter V10 heart transplant from a truck? That aluminum tower cranks out 450 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, sent exclusively to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual. The 0-60 mph dash is a serene four seconds, which feels more like a controlled explosion. Driving a Viper is like holding onto a jackhammer attached to a comet. It’s raw, unforgiving, and utterly magnificent. The ACR version even adds a club-racer pedigree, though the "American Club Racer" acronym could just as well stand for "Absolutely Certain Regret" when you hit a wet roundabout. Still, for pure theatre per dollar, nothing else comes close.



1969 Dodge Coronet R/T: The Granddaddy of the Badge

The Coronet R/T is where the whole Road/Track moniker found its first home, and in 2026, it’s the automotive equivalent of owning a piece of the Rosetta Stone—except this one does burnouts. Under the hood lurks a 440-cubic-inch Magnum V8, a big-block that breathes like a dragon with a head cold. Mated to a four-speed manual, it throws down enough torque to rearrange your internal organs. The styling is pure muscle-era elegance: a blunt instrument wrapped in chrome. Prices for these classics have climbed, but compared to the Ponies and Shelbys of the same vintage, you can still sneak into ownership without selling a kidney. Just be prepared to have lengthy conversations with strangers at gas stations about carburetors and the good old days.



The Modern Charger R/T: Your Kid’s Taxi That Runs 13s

The early 2010s Charger R/T is the absolute sweet spot for broke speed addicts. This four-door family sedan hides a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that churns out 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, making it a velvet sledgehammer. Sure, the five-speed auto is a bit dim-witted by today’s standards, but the all-wheel-drive option means you can embarrass Subarus in snowstorms while hauling a stroller. I like to think of the 2006 model as the resurrection act: before it arrived, the idea of a full-size rear-drive muscle sedan was a ghost story. That first year pumped out 340 hp and even featured cylinder deactivation to fool the EPA. It hits 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and still feels like sitting on a throne made of testosterone. The 2014 version tightens things up visually, but the recipe remains the same: a growl that clears your sinuses and a trunk big enough for a small country.



Challenger R/T: The Forever Young Grand Tourer

The modern Challenger R/T is the automotive equivalent of a leather jacket that never goes out of style. With the 5.7-liter Hemi sending 375 horsepower to the rear wheels, this coupe lives to transform rear tires into abstract art. Early models used a five-speed auto, but later versions got the sublime eight-speed ZF unit that makes highway cruising almost civilised. The 0-60 mph run takes a leisurely 5.5 seconds, but that’s not the point—it’s about the rolling burnouts and the way the hood shimmies at idle. In 2026, the last of the non-Hellcat R/Ts offer a blend of modern safety tech and old-school swagger. It’s as if a jukebox learned to do physics. Prices have softened enough that you can grab one without remortgaging your house.

The Oddballs: Magnum, Spirit, and Stealth R/T

Not every R/T worshiper wants a coupe or a classic. The Dodge Magnum R/T wagon is the Hemi-powered station wagon you didn’t know you needed—368 horsepower, 395 lb-ft, and a 5.9-second 0-60 mph time. It’s a German Shepherd in sheepskin clothing: practical to a fault, but it’ll still pin your head to the seat. The Spirit R/T from the early ’90s, on the other hand, is a \u201Chigh-spec compact sports car\u201D by marketing speak, but in reality it’s a jackrabbit with a firecracker up its tailpipe—a 2.2-liter turbo-four that spits out 224 horsepower and blasts to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. Front-wheel drive and manual only, it feels like a go-kart designed by a committee of anarchists. Then there’s the Stealth R/T Turbo, a twin-turbo V6, all-wheel-drive ninja that shares its soul with the Mitsubishi 3000GT. With 320 horsepower, it’s a stealthy time capsule that runs a 13.8-second quarter-mile. All three of these misfits are absurdly cheap in today’s market, making them perfect entry points into the R/T cult.

So, in 2026, the R/T badge remains a glorious loophole: you get track-bred suspension, bigger brakes, and a voice that sounds like God clearing his throat, all for the price of a used economy car. Whether you choose the theatrical Viper, the historic Coronet, or a modern Charger that can double as a mobile disco, you’re joining a fraternity that values laughter over lap records. Just remember to budget for tires. Lots and lots of tires.

As you delve deeper into the world of performance cars and the thrill they offer, you might find yourself drawn to the idea of collecting or even gaming. Whether it’s simulating a high-speed chase or strategizing your way through virtual car races, the adrenaline rush is unmistakable. For those looking to expand their gaming collection with titles that capture the essence of speed and power, knowing where to buy cheap games can be an invaluable resource. DealNest offers a plethora of options that cater to gamers seeking affordability without compromising on quality.

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When Hollow Knight: Silksong finally launched in late 2025, the wait seemed instantly justified. Hornet’s long-anticipated journey delivered a deep and challenging metroidvania experience that immediately captivated veterans and newcomers alike. Yet the release date was merely the beginning of a living, evolving world. Team Cherry didn’t rest on its laurels after that first download wave; two updates hit the game within its opening weeks, and while patch notes highlighted major fixes, the real magic lay in the subtle, unheralded tweaks that reshaped combat flow.



The first patch on September 12 addressed immediate pain points, notably rebalancing the ferocious bosses Moorwing and Silent Splinter to make those early duels a touch fairer. Then came the September 21 update, a robust collection of bug fixes such as preventing Shrine Guardian Seth from accidentally drifting out of bounds mid-fight. However, deep within this second update, a series of hidden adjustments waited to be discovered—and they have since fundamentally altered how tools, crests, and attacks interact. Only the most observant players noticed them, and when YouTuber Visic released a detailed breakdown, the community erupted with debate.

The Silk Economy Shift

One of the most impactful stealth changes concerned silk generation. In Silksong, silk is a precious resource that fuels many of Hornet’s deadly abilities. Previously, flying enemies posed a particular challenge, often requiring conservative play. The unannounced tweak made charged attacks generate silk, instantly granting an aggressive new option for aerial combat. Suddenly, playing into the skies felt not just viable but rewarding.

What made this even more layered was how crests interacted with the new rule. Using the Hunter’s Crest during a charged attack now produced two silks—double the baseline—while all other crests generated only one. The Witch Crest remained unchanged, maintaining its existing niche without receiving the silk bonus. This asymmetry meant that thoughtful crest selection became more strategic: do you take the raw silk advantage of the Hunter’s Crest over the special properties of others?

Sadly, not every crest enjoyed the update’s goodwill. The Architect Crest suffered a substantial 29% damage reduction, a nerf that sparked sharply divided opinions. Some players lamented the loss of power in a crest they had come to rely on; others welcomed the change, believing it encouraged diversity away from a previously dominant choice.

Tools and Attacks: A Cascade of Micro-Adjustments

Beyond silk, each tool and attack type received painstaking recalibration. Why would Team Cherry hide such detailed work? Perhaps to let the meta evolve organically without players flocking to “buffed” items on patch day. The results speak for themselves.

Flintslate – The blunt flint tool received a contextual buff. If Hornet wears the Hunter, Reaper, or Beast Crests, Flintslate’s damage jumps by 50%. With Witch or Wanderer Crests, it’s marginally weaker, and with Architect Crest it takes a heavy hit. This turns Flintslate into a powerhouse for specific creature-hunting builds.

Clawline Attack with Hunter Focus – A slight nerf. Players who stacked the Hunter’s focus buff into the Clawline attack now deal less damage, reining in what was an overwhelming combination.

Volt Filament – A surprise winner. This tool received a major buff, now also amplifying the damage of Hornet’s skills themselves. The crackling energy not only adds its own punch but makes every technique in her arsenal deadlier.

Cogwork Wheel – A quiet nerf. The maximum carry capacity dropped from 16 to 10, forcing more careful ammo management on builds that relied on the spinning blades.



Community Reaction and the Hunt for Secrets

On Reddit and across discords, the discovery of these hidden changes sent curious investigators into the game’s depths. The silk generation change garnered near-universal praise. One player’s comment captured the mood: “Charged attacks finally feel like they have a purpose beyond burst damage. I hope Hunter’s Crest keeps getting tuned to be as good as regular attacks, if not better.” The vision of a crest-centric playstyle where your choice of icon on Hornet’s chest dictates a whole combat philosophy felt closer than ever.

Architect Crest’s nerf, predictably, split the room. Hardcore min-maxers bemoaned the loss of their beloved tool, while others argued it made room for less-used crests to shine. Is a 29% damage cut too steep, or exactly what a balanced game needs? The fact that Team Cherry chose to keep this change out of the spotlight suggests they wanted players to genuinely test and decide, rather than react to statistics on a screen.

A Living Pharloom

Now, in 2026, Silksong feels more polished than at launch—but not static. These silent tweaks tell a story of a developer that respects its audience’s intelligence, trusting players to uncover the nuance through experimentation. Each hidden change, from the silk reward of a charged strike to the carried limit of Cogwork Wheels, nudges the experience toward deeper engagement. What other secrets might still lurk in the mossy corners of Pharloom? As Team Cherry continues to adjust and refine, one thing is certain: the journey is far from over, and the community will keep digging, one hidden note at a time.



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When the world of Pharloom shifted into Act 3, I felt like a cartographer whose map had been crumpled and redrawn overnight. Pathways I once knew by heart now hid new secrets—and among them was the silent swordsman who stood between me and the Pollen Heart. Fighting Seth the Shrine Guardian reminded me of trying to decode a storm: every flash of his blade was a lightning strike, and I had to read the pattern before the thunder hit.



Tracking Down the Guardian’s Shrine

Before I could even think about the duel, I had to retrace my steps through a world subtly rearranged by the return to Pharloom. After unlocking the Silk Soar ability and completing the major quest that first takes you into the Abyss, the Heart of the Woods questline becomes active. Seth guards the way forward like a locked gate with a pulse, hidden in the interstices of the Blasted Steps.

I fast-traveled to the Blasted Steps and sprinted toward the Grand Gate of the Citadel, passing the arena where I’d once faced the Last Judge. The huge elevator shaft now held a secret: using Silk Soar, I clung to the top-right wall and found a passage tucked behind what looked like solid stone. Descending that vertical cavern felt like rappelling into a fossilized throat. I stayed close to the left wall and spotted a suspicious crack—a breakable barrier that opened into a forgotten corridor.



Through the breach, vegetation crept back into the stonework, and I soon found a shortcut back to a familiar Bench in the Underworks—the one that demands a tithe of 15 Rosaries. After a brief rest, I dropped through a hole in the ground and entered the arena. Seth was waiting there, as patient as a sundial’s shadow.

Sharpening Hornet for a Swordsman’s Dance

Seth may not carry the narrative weight of a main boss, but his blade speaks with the sharp syntax of a master. My first few attempts felt like trying to parry a hailstorm with a needle. So I went back to prepare, treating the fight like a riddle that required the right tools before I could unravel it.

First, I made sure Hornet’s Nail was fully upgraded. In Act 3, Plinney can perform the fourth and final sharpening in the Shellwood cemetery, provided you’ve gathered all 30 Fleas and completed the “Ecstasy of the End” quest. I also visited Eva in Weavenest Atla to unlock two extra Tool slots—essential for the balanced loadout I had in mind.

Mobility was non-negotiable. I already had Swift Step (the dash), the Drifter’s Cloak (glide), Faydown Cloak (double jump), and Clawline. These let me flow around Seth’s swings rather than simply block them. For my Crest, I chose the Reaper Crest, which permits two Tools of each color. This turned Hornet into a versatile counterattacker without sacrificing speed.

For Tools, I avoided anything that visually cluttered the screen. Seth demands full attention; his movements are the only weather report you need. I slotted the Pollip Pouch, enabling a rapid poison injection, and paired it with the Flea Brew (obtained after finding five Lost Fleas) and the Plasmium Phial (from the Alchemist’s Assistant quest). Together, these created a toxic aura that bit Seth simply for standing near me—a slow bleed of damage that added up during those long defensive phases.

To survive mistakes, I equipped the Fractured Mask for an extra hit point, and the Silkspeed Anklets for faster sprinting across the arena. Finally, the Magnetite Dice and Weighted Belt formed a strange but effective couple: the Dice refined my accuracy, while the Belt gave a 10% chance to block an incoming attack outright. It was the closest thing to a phantom shield I could carry.



The Dance Itself: Reading Seth’s Bladework

Entering the fight, I treated it less like a battle and more like learning a partner’s choreography. Rushing in was a quick way to die. Seth conducts the tempo, and my job was to stay poised, watch his tells, and counter only when the music paused.

Three-Strike Combo: This is his most common opener. He flows forward with three precise slashes. Instead of trying to outpace him, I jumped over the second strike and landed a counter on his back. Sometimes he teleports before starting this—when the air shimmers, I dashed away twice to reset my footing.

Spinning Uppercut: He whirls on the ground then leaps upward with a devastating slice. Risking a parry here felt like catching a razor blade. I simply dashed backward and waited for his feet to touch the ground.

Steel Hat Throw: Seth flings his bladed hat in a line or diagonal arc, then teleports to retrieve it. This attack was the most disorienting, like having a boomerang and its thrower swap places mid-flight. I learned to watch his silhouette: if he vanished, I counted a heartbeat and jumped, ready to adjust my direction.

Explosive Pound: He crashes his weapon into the floor, triggering a burst. Easily the most telegraphed move, but still lethal. I double-jumped and glided until the explosion faded, then plunged onto his head with a counter. In the second phase, he chains three of these pounds in a row, so I dashed away repeatedly, counting the impacts like a metronome.

Seth shouts before each attack—much like Hornet herself. That vocal cue became my anchor. Between his combos, I sipped the Flea Brew and let the poison do its silent work. The longer the fight went, the more the toxic aura ate into his health, a steady corrosion that rewarded my patience.

When Seth entered his frantic second phase, his tempo doubled. I held my breath and kept a wider distance initially, re-learning the accelerated rhythm. The same moves, now faster, turned into a blur of steel and petals. Yet the core pattern remained; once I locked back into his cadence, the counter windows appeared like clockwork.

After the Final Slash

Seth falls without dropping any treasure, but the true reward is the path he unlocks. Beyond his arena lies the Heart of the Woods, where Nyleth awaits and where the Pollen Heart can finally be claimed. In a way, beating Seth felt like opening a door with the boss itself as the key.



But the story doesn’t end there. Later, I encountered Seth as a wandering NPC in Greymoor’s Shakra cave, near hanging white flowers in Shellwood, and at the Grand Gate entrance. After completing “Ecstasy of the End,” he even appears at Fleatopia’s festival, challenging me to beat his high scores on the mini-games. Conquering those gave me a Memento—proof that some rivals become reluctant teachers.

Seth the Shrine Guardian taught me that some of the best duels in Pharloom come not from the grandest stages, but from the secret shrines where silence and steel meet. And if you listen closely, his blade will teach you, too.

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It’s 2026, and the eternal dance of Hornet versus the dark corners of Pharloom still captivates newcomers and completionists alike. Among the dozens of wishes waiting to be fulfilled, Dark Hearts sends players on a shadowy scavenger hunt to destroy twelve peculiar growths: Void Masses. These pustules of pure malevolence cling to ceilings, spawn thread-empowered nightmares, and shoot blasts that turn silk into Swiss cheese. If you’ve just hit Act 3 and find your needle trembling at the sight of floating corruption, this guide will help you smash, shoot, and pogo your way to that sweet, sweet completion — with a smirk.

?️ Gearing Up the Spider

Before tangling with shadowy blobs, sensible adventurers kit out Hornet with tools that turn the tables. Here’s what the well-dressed void-hunter is rocking in 2026:

Silkshot – Why get close when you can plink from safety? This high-caliber gizmo chews through masses from a cozy distance.

Magnetic Dice – Void-threaded enemies hit like runaway minecarts. These dice tilt luck in your favor, flicking away hits that would otherwise shred your silk.

Shakra's Rings – Ricochet city. Toss them into a cluster and watch the ring pachinko obliterate both the mass and its guards.

Pollip Pouch – A dab of poison on your rings or Silkshot adds a lingering 'farewell gift' to every shot.

Threadstorm – For those moments when three aerial foes and a void mass are all crammed into a hallway. A swirling silk storm cleans house.



? Choral Chambers: High Notes of Annoyance

The majestic chambers hide three void masses intent on ruining the acoustics. The first hangs from the ceiling just right of the entrance from the Grand Gate — an easy upward strike if you spot it before the welcoming committee of thread-zombies sees you. Further in, above a nasty spike pit, a mass sits smugly. Stand on the platform before the spikes and pepper it with Silkshot or rings; its shadow blasts are easily dodged from there. The third mass lurks near the elevator, guarded by a couple of enemies who absolutely did not consent to void threads. Let Shakra’s Rings bounce around the room and enjoy the light show.

? The Marrow: Spelunking for Spooky Spheres

This gloomy, claustrophobic zone is a void mass warehouse. One hides beneath a cliff overhang — if every enemy in the area looks like they’ve dipped themselves in ink, you’re in the right spot. Another crouches in the upper left of a room where Hornet can stand on a platform and pelt it with rings; the tendrils won’t reach, and the platform gives ample dancing room. A third requires pogo prowess atop a narrow ledge: bounce upward while minding the blasts. Yet another clings in the upper right, reachable via a small platform; no minions, just a test of your vertical aiming. Oh, and the Marrow also hosts a mass on the ceiling in a room that demands some acrobatics — the dice will earn their keep here.

? Shellwood: Wood You Look at That

Shellwood sees three void masses tucked into awkward spots. One nestles above the broken minecart, to the right of the bench before Bone Bottom’s path. Another sways over a spike pit, lashing out with tentacles; fire from a safe platform and resist the urge to face-tank. The third is right under the bench platform ceiling — stand under it and upward slash while its tendrils flail. Patience and vertical combos make Shellwood less of a splinter.

? Far Fields: Hidden Among the Grass

Deceptively pastoral, Far Fields hides masses in plain(ish) sight. One clings to the ceiling of a hidden room above a bench, protected by two void-threaded goons. Scour the area after clearing the bench room. Another is stuck to the bottom of a stone platform: glide down to the platform below and strike upward or jump parallel while flinging rings. It’s a test of Hornet’s aerial ballet — graceful, until a shadow blast sends you into the thorns.

? Underworks: Industrial-Sized Headaches

Deep in the underbelly, a mass lurks beneath a platform in Underworks. Navigate to the pathway beneath the map marker and strike upward with prejudice. No fancy tricks, just good old-fashioned vertical aggression. Watch for dripping shadows and the occasional enemy wandering in from side tunnels.

⛰️ Blasted Steps: Pre-Pinmistress Jitters

On the long road to the Pinmistresses’ home, a void mass clings to an overhang, flanked by a couple of thread-touched defenders. Another mass sits on a high ceiling, reachable only after a series of parkour maneuvers — double-jump and upward slash after it whips out its tendrils, because eating a blast mid-air is how you end up respawning with regret.

?️ Grand Gate: The Hidden Finale

The Grand Gate’s void mass is tucked inside a hidden room in the bottom chamber, lounging on the ceiling like it owns the place. This is where the Magnetic Dice truly shine, keeping Hornet alive while she pelts the mass from a distance. A fitting end to the hunt — or a cheeky early grab if you’re feeling brave.

As of 2026, the Silksong community has mapped out dozens of void masses, but you only need twelve for Dark Hearts. Mix and match from the locations above, and remember: if a room smells like shadow and regret, you’re probably on the right track. Happy hunting, little spider.

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