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Hollow Knight: Silksong’s first patch—boss tuning, smarter fixes, and a fairer rosary economy

21 September 2025
Nintendo Switch 2Nintendo Switch
8 min.
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Hollow Knight: Silksong’s first patch—boss tuning, smarter fixes, and a fairer rosary economy

Summary:

We break down Silksong’s first post-launch update in plain language, focusing on what actually changes when you pick up Hornet today. Two early bosses—Moorwing and Sister Splinter—get a slight difficulty trim to make the opening stretch less punishing, while Sandcarvers have their damage toned down to reduce frustrating mistakes. On top of that, rosary rewards increase across relics, psalm cylinders, and courier deliveries, and certain Bellway and Bell Bench prices drop to cut down on grinding. Just as important, a raft of bug fixes removes progress-blocking issues, cleans up soft-locks, and tightens enemy behavior in places like the Chapel of the Reaper and Deep Docks. We highlight what these changes mean for new players and veterans, where to adjust routes, and how to take advantage of the friendlier economy. Finally, we look ahead to Team Cherry’s next patch and how feedback is shaping post-launch support.

The first Silksong update: what changed and why it matters

The debut patch sets a clear tone: keep Silksong challenging but smooth out the sharp edges that cause early frustration or stall progress. We see light tuning to two opening bosses, a small but meaningful reduction to certain environmental threats, and a broader rethink of the economy to reward time spent exploring. The result is a start that still tests reaction and positioning, just without the sense that one or two spikes can derail momentum. Just as crucial, the patch addresses a series of bugs—from soft-locks to movement quirks—that could break flow during pivotal moments. When we stitch these adjustments together, we get a first step that respects skill while removing needless friction, and that’s exactly what an early post-launch update should aim for: stability, fairness, and clarity.

Early-game balance adjustments: Moorwing and Sister Splinter

Moorwing’s aerial pressure and Sister Splinter’s lane denial could feel oppressive to fresh saves, especially for players still internalizing Hornet’s rhythm. The patch applies a slight difficulty reduction to both encounters, preserving their identity but trimming the most punishing edges. For Moorwing, that means a touch more breathing room to reset positioning and heal between volleys; for Sister Splinter, less stacking of hazards that previously forced perfect routing from the get-go. If you’re returning after bouncing off these fights, expect the same patterns and learning cues you remember, only with tighter telegraphs and a bit more leeway to correct mistakes. The takeaway isn’t “easy now,” it’s “fairer now,” which keeps mastery satisfying while helping more players push into the game’s broader routes.

Environmental threat tuning: Sandcarvers and damage spikes

Nothing sours a run like a stray environmental hit that wipes precious masks. Sandcarvers exemplified that problem: quick, surprising, and punishing when combined with platforming. The patch reduces their damage to lower the chance of a sudden death spiral that had little to do with decision-making. You still need to respect their space and tempo, but a single slip is less likely to cascade into a bench run that steals time and focus. This kind of change isn’t about removing danger; it’s about making dangers feel earned, which helps players learn routes, experiment with tools, and keep momentum through tough segments without feeling nickel-and-dimed by background hazards.

A fairer economy: rosary rewards and price reductions

Economy changes ripple through every decision we make—what to buy, when to detour, how risky to play. Increasing rosary rewards from relics and psalm cylinders means exploration pays off more consistently, and courier deliveries now feel worth the effort rather than a chore to ignore. When mid-game Bellway and Bell Bench prices drop slightly, travel plans open up: we can justify unlocking routes earlier, which in turn shortens corpse runs and encourages bolder boss attempts. The aggregate effect is subtle but powerful. By loosening the rosary bottleneck and trimming costs, the patch gives us more agency over build pacing without trivializing the satisfaction of saving up for key unlocks.

Progression bugs squashed: smoother paths through Pharloom

Some of the most important fixes are invisible until the moment you need them. The patch resolves late-game wishes like Infestation Operation and Beast in the Bells not completing under specific conditions, and it addresses quirky scenarios like being stuck floating after down-bouncing on certain projectiles. Courier deliveries becoming inaccessible in the late game could quietly block rewards; that’s fixed. These aren’t flashy tweaks, yet they protect the core metroidvania promise: if we spot a path and put in the work, the world should respond predictably. Removing these blockers restores confidence that the map’s logic holds together, which is essential when trying optional challenges or threading long routes without a safety bench nearby.

Combat polish: tools, binds, and soft-lock fixes

Combat flow depends on tiny details, and the patch dives into several. The craft bind behaving incorrectly when in memories led to inconsistent tool usage during scripted moments. The Lace tool deflect soft-lock at the start of Deep Docks battles could brick a fight before it began. Claw Mirrors leaving Hornet inverted after a damage window during binding created input confusion. Each of these fixes does more than remove a bug; it restores timing and trust. When binds, tools, and reflections behave intuitively, we make better reads, commit to openings, and rely on muscle memory—exactly how Hornet’s quick, poised combat is designed to feel.

Movement and input tweaks: the float override removal

Movement defines confidence. The removal of the float override input (down + jump after obtaining the Faydown Cloak) simplifies the control surface and eliminates edge-case behavior that could disrupt flow. While niche for some, this change ensures that advanced tech doesn’t accidentally interfere with fundamental navigation, especially in platforming spaces where precision matters. Combine that with a fix for cloakless states after the Slab escape sequence, and we get a movement toolkit that remains expressive without tripping itself up. The more predictable Hornet feels under thumb, the more we can push speed, style, and route creativity.

Region-specific stability: Deep Docks, Chapel, and Bellway fixes

Local stability improvements often have outsized impact because they protect long, interconnected routes. Silk Snippers in the Chapel of the Reaper could drift out of bounds; that’s addressed, preventing unkillable threats or broken rooms. Deep Docks battles are safer to initiate thanks to the Lace deflect fix, and certain Bellway interactions that previously broke late-game wishes now resolve cleanly. Even small collider tweaks, like pea pod scale adjustments, reduce awkward collisions that used to nudge players into damage. Together, these regional fixes shrink the list of “weird spots” you warn friends about and turn them back into spaces where skill and planning—not randomness—determine outcomes.

Rewards and collectibles: Snitch Pick now pays properly

When a drop source doesn’t deliver, it undermines the loop. Snitch Pick not awarding rosaries and shell shards as intended made certain routes feel empty, especially for players planning upgrades around specific areas. Correcting this restores the expected give-and-take of exploration: clear a risk, earn a payout, invest in tools, and tackle the next obstacle with more options in hand. It’s a quiet quality-of-life improvement that supports the broader economic changes and helps the world feel alive and generous in the right moments.

Enemy AI stability: Lugoli and other encounter fixes

Boss and mini-boss stability is a subtle foundation for fair difficulty. An instance where Lugoli could leave the arena and not return turns an intense fight into a dead end; the patch closes that gap. Similar attention goes to edge cases like Swamp Squits becoming invincible if hit underwater and Shrine enemies wandering out of intended bounds. None of these make encounters easier in the traditional sense, but they do make them more coherent, so every attempt becomes a legitimate learning opportunity instead of a bug-hunt. That’s how tough games stay satisfying: challenge comes from patterns, not from glitches.

Tips for new players starting after the patch

If you’re setting foot in Pharloom for the first time, capitalize on the friendlier economy. Prioritize routes that pass relic-rich pockets and knock out courier deliveries when convenient—they now pay better and help fund benches and Bellways that shorten backtracking. Against Moorwing, focus on patience first: jab after safe transitions rather than chasing, and keep vertical alignment tight to avoid errant hits. For Sister Splinter, treat the arena like lanes; clearing hazards as they spawn prevents overwhelm. Finally, don’t hoard rosaries out of fear—prices are lower where it matters, and dying to grind back pennies steals more time than it saves.

Suggestions for returning players and build ideas

Coming back after bouncing off the early game? Use the patch as a palate cleanser. Re-route an early bench unlock to cut corpse runs, then try a tool loadout that emphasizes control over burst. With rosaries flowing more freely, you can experiment sooner without sacrificing survivability. Consider binding combinations that complement sustained pressure—steady control often outperforms risky all-in strategies while you relearn timings. And because environmental chip damage is less punishing, practice greed windows where you previously backed off; that extra tap can flip a phase, and the reduced Sandcarver pressure gives you room to test limits safely.

The road ahead: Team Cherry’s next patch and evolving balance

Team Cherry has already signaled that another patch is in the works, focusing on additional fixes and polish while monitoring community sentiment. That cadence makes sense: stabilize first, then iterate. If this initial update is about smoothing the entry ramp and shoring up core systems, the follow-up can refine mid-game pacing, address remaining edge cases, and respond to data from a wider pool of players. For us, that means the smartest move is to keep experimenting—try new routes, attempt bosses in different order, and share feedback. Post-launch support thrives on real play, and Silksong’s world is rich enough to reward every new approach.

Conclusion

Silksong’s first patch keeps the spirit intact while sanding down pain points. A lighter touch on Moorwing and Sister Splinter, reduced environmental sting, fairer payouts, and a long list of stability fixes all nudge the experience toward “demanding but honest.” Whether you’re starting fresh or returning for a second swing, the changes open more paths with fewer headaches. That’s the balance great updates strike: we still earn every victory—now with a cleaner, more reliable climb.

FAQs
  • Does the patch make the game easy?
    • No. The adjustments are slight and target fairness, not difficulty removal. Boss patterns, timing, and positioning still matter, but there’s more room to recover from mistakes.
  • Which early fights changed?
    • Moorwing and Sister Splinter received modest tuning to reduce early spikes. Expect familiar moves with slightly better windows for reaction and counterplay.
  • How does the economy feel now?
    • Rosary rewards from relics, psalm cylinders, and courier deliveries are higher, while some Bellway and Bell Bench prices are lower. You can unlock travel options sooner and experiment with builds earlier.
  • What progression bugs were fixed?
    • Several late-game wishes now complete correctly, soft-locks tied to binds and deflects were resolved, and oddities like cloakless states or enemies going out of bounds were addressed.
  • Is another update coming?
    • Yes. Team Cherry has indicated a second patch is underway, focusing on more fixes and tweaks. Keep an eye on official channels for timing and details.
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