Hornet had learned to dance through Shellwood's canopy, but the real prize of Act 1 still eluded her. In Hollow Knight: Silksong, the flashy moves and unique abilities are only half the story; the other half is a charged attack that hits like a freight train. That ability is the Needle Strike, and by 2026 it remains one of the most satisfying tools in the early game. It does not show up until the end of Act 1, and the road to it is no walk in the park. The path is not overly long, but it runs straight through a duo boss that deals two masks of damage per hit. For any player who has been coasting on Silk and swagger, this is where the gloves come off.

The Road to Blasted Steps

The first order of business is reaching Blasted Steps, the far-left slice of the map that opens up after Hornet acquires the wall jump ability in Shellwood. From the Bellway Station in Shellwood, head right and drop down all the way until the path lets you go left. Keep going until you arrive at a bench, and just before it is a spot where you can go up. Use that to access the bench on the right and open the gate blocking the Bellway Station. Once you are in Blasted Steps, which is the path left of the bench you just unlocked, head all the way up. There you will find Blasted Steps' Bellway Station and a bench to rest at. It is a bit of a trek, but nothing that should send you back to the drawing board.

From that bench, head down the same way you came, but float toward the left wall. When you spot a blue sign pointing to the left, head through there. That is your cue to keep your eyes peeled, because you are about to come across the Great Conchflies.

A Duo That Means Business

The Great Conchflies are a duo boss fight, and both Conchflies deal double mask damage. They are coordinated in their attacks, which means Hornet has to watch where both of them start to drill in and drill out. At times, one of the Conchflies will stop and shoot a projectile at you. You can dodge it, or you can attack it to deflect it away. Whenever the boss is about to emerge from the ground, a trail of dust will appear. That is a huge indicator, so do not ignore it. After one of the bosses has been dealt with, the other will run away, ending the fight. The trick is to focus one target, stay mobile, and treat the dust trail like a warning sign from the game itself. It is not a cut-and-dry damage race; it is a dance, and the Conchflies are happy to lead.

Once the fight is done, head further left and make your way across the worms below. At the end of the path, you will need to pogo the bouncy balls to reach the hut above. This is a classic Silksong platforming moment: a little patience, a little rhythm, and a little nerve. Pogo off the balls, keep your cool, and you will land at the hut where the Pinstress waits.

The Pinstress and the Prize

Talk to the Pinstress, and she will reward Hornet with the Needle Strike ability. It is performed by holding down the attack button, and it deals increased damage to enemies. After the Conchflies, the reward feels like a well-earned pat on the back. The Needle Strike is not just a flashy trick; it is a tool that changes how Hornet approaches tougher foes. Charged attacks can punish openings, break through defensive moments, and give players a reason to hold their ground instead of always flitting away.

For players who have been wondering when Silksong would hand over its first real power spike, the answer is simple: Act 1's end, after a boss that refuses to go easy. The route is not complicated, but the Great Conchflies are the real gatekeepers. Keep the dust trail in mind, deflect what you can, and do not let the two-mask damage get under your skin. Once the Pinstress hands over the Needle Strike, the rest of Act 1 feels different. Hornet walks away with a new trick, and the game quietly says: now the real fun begins.

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