Introduction
In Hollow Knight: Silksong, the Crest and Silk Skill system is one of the important new features, allowing players to customize their playstyle in the direction they want, from fast close-quarters to long-range support or focusing on survival. But because there are so many options and constraints (slots, Silk costs, materials), if you don’t know how to coordinate cleverly, it’s easy to “choose the wrong” and feel like the build is ineffective.
This article will guide you step by step on how to choose the optimal Crest + Silk Skill according to your fighting style, providing practical build suggestions and flexible switching tips. You will easily build a build that suits your personal playstyle and overcome the most difficult challenges.
Crest & Silk Skill Basics
Crest
Crests are similar to the Charm system in Hollow Knight, but improved. Each Crest gives you a number of slots (number of Silk skills that can be attached), additional effects such as reduced Silk cost, increased damage, increased attack speed, recovery. Each region in Silksong can have its own Crests, and you can find or unlock/upgrade Crests at benches, slots (number of Silk skills that can be attached), and additional effects.
Silk Skill
Silk Skills are special skills that cost Silk (a resource collected in each battle). Silk Skills can be powerful attacks, support effects, defensive skills, or special movement skills. Not all Crests allow you to attach all Silk Skills: you are limited by the number of slots and sometimes have compatibility limits (some Crests only allow attack-type Silk Skills, or do not allow powerful support skills) and sometimes have equivalent limits. In particular, Silk Skill is very strong but has a Silk cost, so if you use too many strong skills continuously without control, you can run out of Silk in the middle of battle, leading to easy defeat.
Playstyles with Crest & Silk Skills
- Melee burst: prioritizes high damage, quick reactions, close-range skills. Builds that aim to maximize damage in a short period of time.
- Range & support: use long-range skills, support effects (cooldown reduction, movement speed increase, control effects).
- Defense / survival: build focused on damage reduction, HP increase, Silk recovery, defensive support skills.
- Versatile / switchable: general build, not too biased, can switch between damage and defense depending on the situation.
| Playstyle | Crests | Silk Skill | Goals & Notes |
| Melee Burst | Speed Crest, Physical Damage Crest | Silk Skills: Dash Slash, Blade Storm, Combo Burst | Build Silk quickly, use strong skills when opportunities arise, maintain distance wisely with Silk cost in mind |
| Ranged & Support | Silk Cost Reduction Crest, Skill Range Crest | Silk Skills: Silk Spear Shot, Arrow Rain, Healing Bloom | Prioritize ranged and support skills, avoid close combat when possible |
| Defense / Survival | HP Crest, Damage Reduction Crest, Silk Regeneration Crest | Silk Skills: Barrier Silk, Regeneration Silk, Shield Burst | Use defensive skills first, attack when safe, manage Silk carefully |
| Versatile | Neutral Crest, flexible slots | Combine 1 damage skill+1 support skill+1 defensive skill | Adjust build depending on boss or terrain |
Notes when choosing & switching builds
- When to change Crest / Silk Skill: when you open a new Crest with more slots, or when you encounter a boss that requires defense / quick reaction, you should change the build to fit the slot better, or when you encounter a boss that requires defense / quick reaction, you should change the build to fit
- Cost & material constraints: each Crest / Skill has a minimum key, material, or Silk requirement. Don’t choose a skill that is too “cool” if you haven’t made sure that Silk + materials can handle it.
- Interaction (synergy): choose a Crest and Silk Skill that complement each other — for example, Crest reduces Silk cost + Skill has a high cost, or Skill restores Silk + Crest increases Silk recovery.
- Test & tweak: don’t put all your expectations on the theoretical build; while playing, you will see which parts are effective / weak to adjust the Crest / Silk Skill to suit your playstyle.
Conclusion
Choosing too much of a single build can sometimes leave you with a burden when faced with unexpected situations. Start with a simple build, experiment, and gradually unlock new Crest/Silk Skills to fine-tune. The trick is to synchronize your Crest & Silk Skills, ensuring you don’t run out of Silk mid-fight. When facing a boss, know when to rush in and when to defend patiently. Be ready to build the right build and conquer Pharloom with Hornet anytime with Crest & Silk Skills!