All Silksong Powerups and Where To Find Them: Abilities Location

Silksong's Abilities is a row of power-ups for your character, which are located across the map. It includes Dash (Swift Step), Glide (Drifter’s Cloak), Wall Jump (Cling Grip), Needolin, Charge Attack (Needle Strike), Grappling Hook (Clawline), Double Jump (Faydown Cloak), and Super Jump (Silk Soar). Each unlocks new traversal or combat options. Use a map that reaches from Shakra in The Marrow using Rosaries to find all powerups in the game, and the Pharloom Bellways fast travel system to move between stations.

Here’s the guide with every Silksong Ability location.

Difference Between Silk Skills and Abilities in Hollow Knight: Silksong

There are two main mechanics to upgrade your character in Hollow Knight: Silksong: Silk Skills and Abilities. They serve different roles in gameplay progression. First, Silk Skills are specialized combat techniques that Hornet can unleash by spending Silk, functioning as both offensive and defensive moves that enhance her versatility in battle. They are tied directly to the resource system and are designed to be situational tools you manage strategically during fights.

Second, Abilities are permanent upgrades gained throughout the adventure, such as enhanced mobility or traversal powers, which expand exploration options and unlock new areas in Pharloom. In short, Silk Skills are consumable combat tools, while Abilities are permanent progression upgrades.

Every Ability in Silksong

Key Abilities include Dash (Swift Step) for fast movement and combo attacks, Glide (Drifter’s Cloak) for controlled midair floating, Wall Jump (Cling Grip) for vertical traversal, Needolin to unlock special doors, Charge Attack (Needle Strike) for powerful charged attacks, Grappling Hook (Clawline) for crossing gaps and pulling toward enemies, Double Jump (Faydown Cloak) for extra midair jumps, and Super Jump (Silk Soar) to reach high areas using Silk. These Abilities are found across the world in specific locations, often requiring platforming, defeating bosses, or completing quests, and their acquisition is tracked with maps purchased from Shakra in The Marrow.

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Dash aka Swift Step

Hornet’s Dash (Swift Step) is unlocked at the northernmost area of the Deep Docks, accessible after passing through part of the Hunter’s March to reach the bug altar.

Swift Step is a core mobility upgrade that not only lets Hornet dash and run but also opens up advanced movement combos and offensive techniques in Silksong.

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Drifter's Cloak

Hornet’s Glide (Drifter’s Cloak) is unlocked by completing the Flexile Spines wish for the Seamstress in the Far Fields. After the task is done, she rewards Hornet with the cloak, allowing midair floating.

Drifter’s Cloak adds controlled floating and gliding to Hornet’s movement, giving more freedom in aerial navigation and exploration of Pharloom.

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Wall Jump aka Cling Grip

Hornet’s Wall Jump (Cling Grip) is unlocked in the top central area of Shellwood, after platforming with pogo moves and defeating Sister Splinter. Inspecting the altar there grants the Cling Grip Ancestral Art.

Cling Grip gives Hornet the essential ability to cling to walls and perform wall jumps, opening up new vertical exploration paths and advanced platforming options in Pharloom.

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Needolin

Hornet’s Needolin is unlocked after defeating Widow in Bellhart. Once acquired, players enter a short tutorial platforming section teaching how to use the ability. Note that the Cling Grip is required before facing Widow.

Needolin serves as both a story progression tool and a key exploration ability, letting Hornet unlock sealed circular doors and discover new regions of Pharloom.

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Charge Attack aka Needle Strike

Hornet’s Charge Attack (Needle Strike) is unlocked by meeting the Pinstress during your journey. After the encounter, she teaches Hornet how to perform the ability in combat.

Needle Strike adds a powerful, charged offensive option to Hornet’s arsenal, allowing for stronger attacks that can be strategically timed in combat.

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Grapplin Hook aka Clawline

Hornet’s Grappling Hook (Clawline) is unlocked in The Cauldron of the Underworks by acquiring the Clawline Ancestral Art. Reaching the altar requires careful platforming across lava pools.

Clawline allows Hornet to traverse long gaps and hazards, as well as pull herself toward enemies in combat, greatly enhancing both mobility and tactical options.

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Double Jump aka Faydown Cloak

Hornet’s Double Jump (Faydown Cloak) is unlocked at the top of Mount Fay by acquiring the Faydown Cloak Ancestral Art. Reaching it requires using all available movement abilities, then playing the Needolin at the Ancient Tuning Mechanism.

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Super Jump aka Silk Soar

Hornet’s Super Jump (Silk Soar) is unlocked at the bottom of the Abyss in Act 3 by progressing the Silk and Song quest and claiming the Ancestral Art. The ability allows Hornet to launch herself high into the air using Silk.

Silk Soar consumes Silk to propel Hornet high into the air, enabling access to elevated areas and expanding vertical exploration in Pharloom.

Hollow Knight: Silksong Map and Fast Travel

In Hollow Knight: Silksong, maps are obtained by visiting Shakra in The Marrow, the game’s second major area. To reach her, progress through Moss Grotto, defeat the Moss Mother, navigate Bone Bottom, and follow the platforming path past the Flea Caravan. Shakra sells maps in exchange for Rosaries, including the Mosslands map (40 Rosaries) and Marrow map (50 Rosaries), as well as tools like the Compass, Quill, Bench Pins, and Shell Markers to enhance exploration.

Fast travel is handled through the Pharloom Bellways, a system where Hornet can instantly travel between discovered Bell Beast stations. To unlock it, reach Mosshome at the top of Moss Grotto, obtain the Silkspear ability, and free the Bell Beast in The Marrow by breaking its silk bindings and defeating it in battle. Once completed, Hornet can use the platform next to any unlocked Bell Beast to instantly travel between all ten stations, greatly speeding up navigation across Pharloom while shortcuts like elevators provide partial, local movement assistance.