I have been tearing through Pharloom since Hollow Knight: Silksong settled into its 2026 release rhythm, and the Silk Skills remain one of the most misunderstood parts of Hornet's kit. Silk is your healing resource, but when you have spare silk, you can spend it on a powerful Silk Skill. There are six Silk Skills in total, and each one can change how you approach exploration, crowd control, and boss fights. Here is my ranking of every Silk Skill, based on boss pressure, mobility, consistency, and how much trouble it saves me.

6. Silk Spear 🗡️

I unlocked Silk Spear first, and for the opening hours it felt like a huge upgrade. Hornet throws her Needle forward with power and deals about triple the damage of a normal attack. But that is where my praise ends. The skill cannot be aimed, so fast enemies can slip out of the way, and the recovery leaves Hornet open from other angles. Later, the Ancestral Art called Clawline makes this skill feel redundant. Clawline also throws the Needle forward, but it carries Hornet to the enemy she hits, which is safer and more useful. I have started leaving Silk Spear off my loadout as soon as that tool shows up.

5. Rune Rage 💥

Rune Rage is my favorite skill for one very specific job: clearing a room packed with enemies. I unlocked it in The Slab, and when I use it, Hornet summons a cluster of runes around the room. They group up over enemies and explode after a short delay, which is perfect for airborne foes and on-screen crowds. The problem is consistency. The hardest enemies sometimes move sporadically and escape before the runes land. I still bring Rune Rage into dense areas, but I never trust it as my only answer in a boss fight.

4. Pale Nails ✨

Pale Nails looks simple, and honestly, that is the point. It summons three thin nails behind Hornet. When I slash with her Needle, they fly off in different directions. The real value is that the nails track and home in on the first enemy they find. That makes Pale Nails one of the easiest Silk Skills to use while I am focused on dodging. I do not have to line up a perfect shot. I can slash, back off, and let the nails do the work. It will not solve every problem, but its low effort and reliable tracking make it a solid mid-tier choice.

3. Thread Storm 🌀

Thread Storm is the panic button I keep ready when a fight gets too crowded. It creates a massive AOE around Hornet that knocks back close enemies and can even stop many projectiles. I have used it to survive ambushes and messy rooms where I would otherwise die. The catch is real: Hornet cannot move for a short moment after the skill ends, so you need to time it carefully. Still, for defensive power and breathing room, Thread Storm is close to irreplaceable in my kit.

2. Sharp Dart ⚡

I slept on Sharp Dart at first because it costs silk, and silk is precious for healing. Then I started fighting bosses where every inch of movement mattered, and it completely won me over. Sharp Dart turns Hornet into a sharp spike that rushes forward, pierces enemies, and deals big damage. More importantly, Hornet becomes invulnerable during the move. That gives me one of the few ways to gain invincibility frames in the entire game. I use it as a dodge that also damages anything in the way. It makes Hornet even more mobile, and it has saved me from countless horrific boss attacks.

1. Cross Stitch 🛡️

Cross Stitch is the best Silk Skill in Hollow Knight: Silksong, and I do not think it is close. Many Silk Skills give Hornet extra offense, but Cross Stitch adds an entirely new mechanic: a counter. If I time it well, Hornet blocks an enemy attack and strikes back for massive damage. I have used it to negate boss hits and punish the worst attacks in the game. Taking a single hit in Silksong can end a fight, so the ability to remove damage while dealing damage is invaluable. Against many enemies and even major bosses, Cross Stitch turns terrifying encounters into manageable duels. It is the one Silk Skill I cannot imagine leaving behind.

After testing all six Silk Skills across Pharloom in 2026, my loadout almost always includes Cross Stitch, Sharp Dart, and Thread Storm. The others have their moments, but these three give me damage, mobility, defense, and a counter that can change an entire fight. If you are low on silk, prioritize healing first, but when you have spare silk, these are the skills worth spending it on.

If you are excited to try these Silk Skills for yourself, you might want to keep an eye on the game's price before buying. Deals on Hollow Knight: Silksong come and go quickly, and grabbing it during a discount can leave you with spare cash for another indie gem or a future DLC.

That is why I always check this price tracking tool before making a big purchase. It helps me spot price drops and jump in when the game is cheapest, so I can spend more time mastering Cross Stitch and less time worrying about missing a sale.