Roll credits on Hollow Knight: Silksong and you might think you’re done. Not quite. There’s an Act 3 tucked away — and if you want the true ending, you’ll need to find it.
Getting there isn’t about 100% completion so much as meeting a hazy set of conditions. The game doesn’t spell it out, but the community has pieced together a pretty reliable checklist that gets you to the “Silk and Soul” quest — your on-ramp to Act 3.
Update (Dec. 18): This guide now includes extra context that helped trigger Act 3 during testing.
Hollow Knight: Silksong Act 3 requirements
You don’t need every collectible, but you do need to clear a big chunk of side content and reach the end of Act 2. The general consensus is you should:
- Complete most wishes on the wish boards in Bone Bottom, Bellhart, and First Shrine.
- Move the flea caravan to the Pale Lake in the Putrified Ducts.
- Learn the Threefold Song by finding the Vaultkeeper’s, Architect’s, and Conductor’s Melody.
- Unlock your Bellhome in Bellhart.
After ticking those off, the “Silk and Soul” quest should appear on the Bellhart wish board.
In testing, that wasn’t quite enough. Finishing the “Crawbug Clearing” quest in Greymoor is what finally made “Silk and Soul” show up in Bellhart.
If you’re still stuck, here’s the broader set of quests we completed in addition to the wish boards:
- Berry Picking (Mosshome)
- The Lost Fleas (The Marrow)
- Flexile Spines (Far Fields)
- Bugs of Pharloom (Greymoor)
- Pinmaster’s Oil (Bellhart)
- Crawbug Clearing (Greymoor)
- Rite of Rebirth (Bilewater/Shellwood)
- Infestation Operation (Greymoor)
- Roach Guts (Sinner’s Road)
- Great Taste of Pharloom (Choral Chambers)
‘Silk and Soul’ quest walkthrough
Once “Silk and Soul” is on the Bellhart wish board, accept it and visit the Caretaker at the First Shrine. You’ll be sent to collect four items:
- Maiden’s Soul — From the Chapel Maid in Bone Bottom.
- Hermit’s Soul — From the Hermit below Bellhart.
- Seeker’s Soul — In a hut after defeating Groal the Great in Bilewater.
- Snare Setter — On a bench in Weavenest Alta.
Here’s where to find each one:
Maiden’s Soul
Head to the west side of Bone Bottom and look for the Chapel Maid wandering the area. Speak with her to receive the Maiden’s Soul. If she’s not there, check just below in Moss Grotto.
Hermit’s Soul
From Bellhart Bellway, drop to the lowest floor and head right to a hidden wall. Drop down, then go left to find the Hermit. Talk to them to get the Hermit’s Soul.
Seeker’s Soul
Defeat Groal the Great in Bilewater. After you exit the boss arena, the nearby house is now open. Go inside to pick up the Seeker’s Soul.
Snare Setter
Weavenest Alta sits on the right side of Moss Grotto. Play your Needolin at the entrance to open the door. If you’ve powered the area before, take the elevator down. If not, head all the way right and strike the silk spools to restore power, then return to the elevator.
Ride the elevator and wall-jump to the second floor by bouncing off the right wall, then go left. In the room with plants, double-jump straight up into a hidden hole in the ceiling. Climb through and head right to find the Snare Setter resting on a chair.
With all four items in hand, return to the Caretaker. The trap for Grandmother Silk will be set. Defeat the final boss — and when prompted, don’t bind. Use your Needolin instead. The next time you load your save, Act 3 will begin.