How to Unlock All 11 Ancestral Arts in Hollow Knight: Silksong

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How to Unlock All 11 Ancestral Arts in Hollow Knight: Silksong

Master every Hollow Knight Silksong Ancestral Art with this guide to all eleven locations and effects, from Swift Step to Needle Strike.

In Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hornet's journey through the kingdom of Pharloom introduces a layered progression system built around Ancestral Arts. These permanent abilities are distinct from the six equippable Silk Skills found in the Tools menu. While Silk Skills offer customizable combat and utility bonuses, Ancestral Arts fundamentally reshape movement, traversal, and interaction across the map. Players who track down all eleven Ancestral Arts will move faster, leap higher, strike harder, and unlock paths that were previously inaccessible.

Ancestral Arts are distributed fairly evenly across the main story. Five of them become available in Act 1, while the rest appear in later acts, with several in Act 3. Some are optional, but many are mandatory for exploring every region of Pharloom. The following guide describes each Ancestral Art, where to find it, and what it does.

Swift Step

Players unlock Swift Step by binding the statue located in the northern part of Deep Docks. This Ancestral Art allows Hornet to dash by holding the back right trigger. The dash also creates additional offensive possibilities, making it a foundational movement tool for both combat and platforming.

Drifter's Cloak

The Drifter's Cloak is obtained by completing the Flexile Spines Wish for the Seamstress in Far Fields. Once unlocked, Hornet can glide gracefully through the air and ride upward on strong gusts of wind. This ability is extremely useful for crossing wide gaps and reaching high ledges during the early acts.

Cling Grip

Players can unlock Cling Grip by binding the statue in the northern part of Shellwood. Cling Grip enables Hornet to perform wall jumps and temporarily hold onto vertical surfaces. If players equip the Ascendant's Grip tool, she can hold onto walls indefinitely, which opens up many optional exploration routes.

Needolin

Needolin becomes available after defeating the Widow boss fight in Bellhart during Act 1. This Ancestral Art serves as a special key and a communication tool. It can open special doors around Pharloom and also allow Hornet to interact with certain NPCs, making it essential for narrative progression and side content.

Needle Strike

Players unlock Needle Strike by agreeing to train with the Pinstress in the Blasted Steps area. This Ancestral Art allows Hornet to perform a charge attack. It is a useful offensive upgrade that adds a powerful charged option to her needle-based combat toolkit.

Clawline

Clawline is unlocked by binding the Statue in the Cauldron area of the Underworks. It works a bit like a harpoon or grappling hook. Hornet can use it to latch onto walls and enemies alike, which makes traversal more dynamic and also provides new ways to close distance during fights.

Faydown Cloak

Players can obtain the Faydown Cloak by playing Needolin while standing near the statue at the most northerly point in Mount Fay. This Ancestral Art gives Hornet the ability to double jump. That extra jump dramatically improves platforming flexibility and is required for reaching many upper areas.

Beastling Call

The Beastling Call is unlocked by beating the Bell Eater boss fight. That encounter becomes available after players attempt to summon the Bell Beast during Act 3. Once obtained, the Beastling Call lets Hornet instantly travel to the Bell Beast, which makes fast traveling across Silksong much easier.

Silk Soar

Silk Soar is unlocked by binding the statue in the Weavenest Absolom area of the Abyss during Act 3. It functions as a super jump, allowing Hornet to reach previously inaccessible areas. This ability is especially valuable for late-game exploration and for collecting missed items.

Elegy of the Deep

Players unlock Elegy of the Deep after completing the Spell Seeker main story quest during Act 3. This Ancestral Art allows Hornet to use Needolin to travel into the past when played in certain spots. It is a narrative and exploration ability that reveals new layers of Pharloom's history.

Sylphsong

Sylphsong is unlocked by binding Eva in Weavenest Atla during Act 3. Before doing so, players must find and fully upgrade all seven Silksong crests. After unlocking Sylphsong, Hornet's Silk is refilled whenever she rests at a bench. This makes long expeditions safer and reduces the need to conserve resources.

Quick Reference Table

Ancestral Art
Location / Requirement
Act
Main Effect

Swift Step
Bind statue in northern Deep Docks
Act 1
Dash

Drifter's Cloak
Complete Flexile Spines Wish in Far Fields
Act 1
Glide and ride wind gusts

Cling Grip
Bind statue in northern Shellwood
Act 1
Wall jump and hold walls

Needolin
Defeat Widow in Bellhart
Act 1
Open special doors and interact with NPCs

Needle Strike
Train with Pinstress in Blasted Steps
Act 1
Charge attack

Clawline
Bind statue in Cauldron, Underworks
Later acts
Grapple onto walls and enemies

Faydown Cloak
Use Needolin near statue at Mount Fay
Later acts
Double jump

Beastling Call
Defeat Bell Eater after summoning Bell Beast
Act 3
Fast travel to Bell Beast

Silk Soar
Bind statue in Weavenest Absolom, Abyss
Act 3
Super jump

Elegy of the Deep
Complete Spell Seeker quest
Act 3
Travel into the past with Needolin

Sylphsong
Bind Eva in Weavenest Atla after upgrading seven crests
Act 3
Refill Silk at benches

Tips for Collecting Ancestral Arts

Focus on the five Act 1 Ancestral Arts early, since they unlock core movement and interaction options.

Carry Needolin whenever possible. It is needed to obtain the Faydown Cloak and becomes even more useful after unlocking Elegy of the Deep.

If exploration feels limited, check whether a missing Ancestral Art is blocking the route. Several areas in Pharloom require specific abilities like double jump, dash, or the super jump.

Before attempting Sylphsong, make sure all seven Silksong crests have been found and fully upgraded.

Use Beastling Call to fast travel back to the Bell Beast instead of repeating long treks through dangerous regions.

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