Hollow Knight: Silksong Bosses
Every major Hollow Knight: Silksong boss by act – from the Moss Mother and the Last Judge to Lost Lace – with where to find them and what they drop.
Pharloom is packed with bosses – more than 40 in all. Only a handful block the main story; the rest guard crests, tools, Silk Skills and wishes. Some optional fights are missable: Shakra and Garmond & Zaza can no longer be fought once Act 3 starts. Use the buttons to filter story bosses, Act 3 heart bosses and optional fights.
Act 1 – Pharloom
Act 1 · 13 bossesMoss Mother
Main story · Moss Grotto. The first boss of the game – a good test of the basics.
Bell Beast
Main story · The Marrow. Beating it unlocks Bellway fast travel.
Lace
Main story · Deep Docks. Your first duel with the fast, parrying rival.
Fourth Chorus
Main story · Far Fields. A huge boss fought after you get the Drifter's Cloak.
Sister Splinter
Main story · Shellwood. Opens the way to the Cling Grip wall jump.
Widow
Main story · Bellhart. Rewards the Needolin, the instrument that opens sealed doors.
Last Judge
Main story · Blasted Steps. Guards the gate to the Citadel – beat her to start Act 2.
Read our guide →Moorwing
Optional · Greymoor. An optional flying boss.
Savage Beastfly
Optional · Chapel of the Beast, Hunter's March. Rewards the Beast Crest.
Skull Tyrant
Optional · The Marrow. A big optional brawler.
Moss Mother duo
Optional · Weavenest Atla. Two Moss Mothers at once; rewards the Weavelight tool.
Great Conchflies
Optional · Blasted Steps. Clears the path to the Pinstress and her Needle Strike.
Phantom
Optional · Exhaust Organ, past The Mist. Rewards the Cross Stitch parry skill.
Act 2 – The Citadel
Act 2 · 15 bossesCogwork Dancers
Main story · Cogwork Core. A mechanical dancing pair inside the Citadel.
Lace
Main story · The Cradle. The rematch at the top of the Citadel.
Grand Mother Silk
Main story · The Cradle. The climax of Act 2.
Trobbio
Optional · The Stage, Whispering Vaults. A showman who fights with fireworks.
First Sinner
Optional · The Slab, behind a cell opened with the Key of the Apostate. Rewards Rune Rage.
Disgraced Chef Lugoli
Optional · Sinner's Road.
Father of the Flame
Optional · Wisp Thicket. Rewards the Wispfire Lantern tool.
Groal the Great
Optional · Bilewater, a poisonous swamp.
Forebrothers Signis & Gron
Optional · Deep Docks, behind a locked door.
The Unravelled
Optional · Whiteward.
Raging Conchfly
Optional · Sands of Karak, on the way to the Coral Tower.
Broodmother
Optional · The Slab. Fought through a wish.
Second Sentinel
Optional · The Citadel. Rewards the Reserve Bind tool.
Garmond & Zaza
Optional · The Citadel. Can no longer be fought once Act 3 starts.
Shakra
Optional · Greymoor, after her wish. Missable – gone in Act 3.
Act 3 – The Abyss and beyond
Act 3 · 15 bossesLost Lace
Main story · The Abyss. The final boss of Act 3.
Nyleth
Heart boss · Drops the Pollen Heart.
Crust King Khann
Heart boss · Coral Tower, Sands of Karak. Drops the Encrusted Heart.
Skarrsinger Karmelita
Heart boss · Far Fields. Drops the Hunter's Heart.
Clover Dancers
Heart boss · Verdania. Drops the Conjoined Heart.
Shrine Guardian Seth
Optional · A late duel at the Grand Gate.
Bell Eater
Optional · Haunts the Bellways. Beat it to reopen them and learn Beastling Call.
Palestag
Optional · Verdania.
Voltvyrm
Optional · Sands of Karak (needs Silk Soar). Rewards Volt Filament.
Crawfather
Optional · Greymoor.
Gurr the Outcast
Optional · Far Fields.
Lost Garmond
Optional · Blasted Steps.
Pinstress
Optional · Mount Fay.
Tormented Trobbio
Optional · The Stage, Whispering Vaults. A darker rematch.
Plasmified Zango
Optional · Wormways.
Section images: official Hollow Knight: Silksong trailers (Team Cherry, Nintendo of America / YouTube).
Tips for every boss
Bind early, not lateHealing takes a moment. Bind when the boss is recovering, not in the middle of a combo.
Use your toolsRed tools like the Straight Pin add safe damage. Restock them at a bench before the fight.
Try another crestA boss that feels impossible can click with a different crest's moveset.
Skip and come backMost bosses are optional. Explore, find mask shards and return stronger.
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Sources
Reference page written by AI (Claude) and checked against the sources above. Games change with every patch – the patch this page was last checked for is shown at the top.