All crest locations in Hollow Knight: Silksong

Mastering the crest system is essential for optimizing your combat effectiveness in Hollow Knight: Silksong. These specialized equipment pieces serve as the foundation for your entire loadout strategy.

Crests revolutionize your approach to combat by providing distinct weapon-like capabilities that dramatically alter your fighting style. Think of them as specialized combat frameworks rather than simple equipment slots.

Within the game’s menu interface, crests function as your primary tool management system. Each crest features unique combat attributes and multiple equipment slots. The colored slot system determines which specific tools you can utilize, enabling diverse tactical approaches against Silksong‘s challenging adversaries. While numerous build combinations exist, your crest selection establishes the core foundation of your combat strategy. The challenge lies in locating these valuable items, as many require specific movement abilities or combat prowess to acquire.

This guide details the locations of all crests in Hollow Knight: Silksong, and for comprehensive navigation assistance, consult our interactive area map.

Hollow Knight: Silksong features seven primary crests (expanding to eight when including the Vesticrest variant):

• Hunter Crest — Your initial default equipment, upgradeable through Eva located in the Weavenest Alta region. This crest serves as your versatile starting platform.
• Wanderer Crest — Discovered within the Chapel of the Wanderer situated in Bonegrave. This area typically requires basic wall-jump abilities to access.
• Beast Crest — Located in the Chapel of the Beast found in the southeastern quadrant of Hunter’s March. Prepare for aggressive enemy encounters in this zone.
• Reaper Crest — Hidden within the Chapel of the Reaper on Greymoor’s western sector. This area often demands advanced combat skills to navigate safely.
• Architect Crest — Contained in the Chapel of the Architect within the Underworks, positioned above the Twelfth Architect. Platforming precision is essential here.

Two additional crests complete the collection: the Sage Crest located in the Citadel’s upper levels requiring dash abilities, and the Vesticrest found through specific NPC questlines in the deeper cavern systems.

Optimizing your crest selection requires understanding how different crest attributes complement specific playstyles. The Hunter Crest works exceptionally well for balanced approaches, while the Reaper Crest favors aggressive, high-damage tactics.

Avoid these common mistakes: Don’t overlook crest upgrades available through NPC interactions. Many players mistakenly stick with their initial crest without exploring enhancement opportunities. Additionally, ensure you match tool colors to your crest’s slot configuration—mismatched equipment yields suboptimal performance.

Pro optimization tips: Rotate crests based on area enemy types. Beast Crest excels against large, slow opponents while Wanderer Crest provides mobility advantages in platform-heavy regions. For comprehensive character development strategies, consult our Class Guide which details complementary ability synergies.

Remember that crest collection should be prioritized mid-game once you’ve acquired essential movement abilities. Attempting to gather crests too early often results in unnecessary difficulty spikes. For weapon synergy recommendations, see our Weapons Unlock guide covering ideal tool combinations.

To obtain the Architect Crest, adventurers must journey to the Underworks, though entry demands possession of the Architect’s Key purchased from the Twelfth Architect. Locating this vendor requires first acquiring the Clawline ability within The Cauldron region. After securing the harpoon tool, backtrack to the bench positioned above The Cauldron and utilize your grappling skill to reach the ring directly overhead. Navigate to the right-side platform, activate the mechanism, and access the chamber housing the Twelfth Architect. The essential key costs 110 rosaries provided you possess adequate tool proficiency. With key in hand, trigger the switch adjacent to the architect, scale the vertical surface, and activate the overhead switch. Progress along the ensuing route to discover the Chapel of the Architect entrance, where the crest awaits your claim.

This distinctive crest fundamentally alters your combat approach by converting standard strikes into penetrating drill assaults. These transformed attacks feature charge capabilities that extend their effective range while amplifying damage output. While your binding ability remains functionally identical, you gain access to silk-based tool fabrication by simultaneously pressing Up and your bind key, introducing new tactical possibilities during engagements.

The Architect Crest’s initial configuration includes three red slots, zero blue slots, zero yellow slots, and zero white slots. Upon reaching maximum upgrade level, it acquires two blue slots and two yellow slots, significantly expanding customization potential for specialized builds.

Acquiring the Witch Crest involves navigating an extensive quest sequence centered on the Twisted Bud, a peculiar infant entity that produces continuous auditory distress within your interface menus. This unusual item becomes accessible in Bilewater after successfully concluding the “Rite of the Pollip” mission in Shellwood. Transport the wailing infant to Greyroot in Shellwood, though exercise caution beforehand as surrendering the Twisted Bud to Greyroot immediately afflicts your character with a debilitating curse that persists until the associated quest line reaches completion. This transformation grants an alternative moveset, strips all tool access, and disables conventional healing mechanisms.

Proceed to consult Yarnaby, a surgical specialist situated in the upper-left quadrant of Greymoor. Notably, dedicated players can earn a special achievement by reaching the game’s conclusion while maintaining the cursed status. Following your consultation, undertake the “Infestation Operation” assignment, which necessitates procuring Steel Spines from merchants Crull and Benjin, located in the upper-right sector near the suspended cages along Sinner’s Road. Deliver these components to Yarnaby to finalize the quest and unlock the Witch’s Crest.

When equipped, the Witch Crest modifies your descending and dash attacks to execute dual strikes, facilitating rapid engagement and disengagement tactics. The most profound alteration concerns the bind function, which ceases immediate health restoration and instead discharges area-of-effect damage surrounding your character. Healing now requires the bind to successfully damage adversaries, with each instance of damage replenishing a single health mask.

The Witch Crest’s baseline arrangement comprises one red slot, one blue slot, zero yellow slots, and one white slot. Achieving complete enhancement adds two blue slots and one red slot, substantially boosting both offensive and utility capabilities.

The Shaman Crest resides within the Ruined Chapel during Act 3, though acquisition mandates prior obtainment of the Silk Soar ability, which becomes available through natural narrative progression in Act 3. After securing Silk Soar, return to the Ruined Chapel to encounter the Snail Shamans. Proceed rightward from the resting bench to identify a minor aperture in the ceiling emitting faint sunlight. Execute a super jump through this opening and advance along the passage to claim the Shaman’s Crest.

This crest augments your offensive capabilities by generating wave projectiles with each needle swing, effectively extending your attack range. Additionally, it amplifies the potency of your Silk Skills, elevating their damage potential. Regarding the crest’s binding function, successful healing activation requires Hornet to maintain ground contact. If airborne during activation, the bind propels Hornet downward until terrestrial contact is established.

The Shaman Crest initiates with zero red slots, zero blue slots, zero yellow slots, and three white slots. Following comprehensive unlocking, it obtains two blue slots, enhancing its versatility for specialized character development.

When selecting among these powerful crests, consider your preferred combat methodology and current progression stage. The Architect Crest excels for players favoring aggressive, close-quarters combat with its drill-based attacks and tool-crafting versatility. Its slot progression heavily emphasizes offensive capabilities, making it ideal for damage-focused builds. However, mastering the charge mechanics requires practice to optimize damage output without leaving yourself vulnerable.

The Witch Crest presents high-risk, high-reward gameplay perfect for experienced players seeking challenge. The cursed state temporarily limits your capabilities but rewards mastery with unique combat flow and achievement opportunities. This crest’s healing mechanics demand strategic enemy engagement, transforming defensive actions into offensive opportunities. Its balanced slot distribution supports hybrid playstyles effectively.

For ranged combat enthusiasts, the Shaman Crest provides consistent wave projections that safely damage enemies from distance while enhancing your Silk Skills. The ground-dependent healing mechanic encourages tactical positioning during heated encounters. Its white-slot focused initial configuration benefits magic-oriented builds, though the blue slot acquisition at maximum level expands build diversity.

Progression consideration is crucial—the Architect Crest becomes available mid-game, the Witch Crest requires substantial side-quest completion, while the Shaman Crest awaits until Act 3. Evaluate your current challenges and select the crest that best addresses your immediate needs while complementing your long-term character development strategy.

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