The community of Hollow Knight: Silksong enthusiasts has recently leveraged their analytical skills to uncover the top damage-dealing option in Team Cherry’s highly anticipated sequel. This time around, Hornet’s silk abilities are the focus, with the standout performer being the Thread Storm—a favorite among fans and an early unlock in the game.
The insights come from YouTuber Rusty, known for his in-depth Elden Ring content. By analyzing hidden damage metrics alongside various Crests and tools, he compared all six silk skills to determine which one excelled in raw damage output. The findings are quite clear: Thread Storm reigns supreme.
“This should surprise absolutely nobody,” Rusty remarks regarding the newly recognized damage leader, and he is spot on. Thread Storm is among the first silk skills players acquire—it can be found in Greymoor, located on the northeastern side of the map—and it strikes a perfect balance between comfort and power.
Why Thread Storm Excels
From the moment you wield Thread Storm, it delivers an exhilarating experience that never wanes. This skill creates a circular area of effect (AoE) of silk around Hornet, ensuring good reach that is predictable, making it particularly useful for dispatching mobs or chipping away at bosses from a safe distance.
Interestingly, its damage output exceeds that of other skills, provided you hit consistently. Without any modifiers, Thread Storm inflicts approximately 20% more damage than the runner-up, Rune Rage, and remains more reliable overall. This damage advantage expands further when you incorporate enhancements like the Shaman Crest and Volt Filament tool.
The Speedrunning Perspective
The significance of Thread Storm’s damage is so notable that Rusty highlights a remark from speedrunner BlueSR, who recently achieved a sub-4 hour record for completing Silksong’s true ending. According to BlueSR, using Thread Storm with the appropriate Crest and tool configurations makes it indispensable for lengthy speedruns. “It transforms Thread Storm into a tremendous DPS powerhouse, allowing players to effectively combat endgame bosses while using only the second upgrade of Needle,” he states. “It’s incredibly powerful, and despite the healing restrictions, it feels quite balanced.”
For gamers and speedrunners alike, Thread Storm is more than just a skill; it’s a vital part of the experience in Silksong.
Silksong’s Success on the Market
In other news, Silksong continues to outperform its predecessor, Hollow Knight, garnering an impressive 6 million downloads within just four weeks, with 4 million of those on Steam alone.