In Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hornet’s weapon upgrades work differently from the nail system in the first game. Instead of nail reforging, Hornet’s main weapon—the needle—can be upgraded by a special blacksmith-like NPC hidden in Pharloom. These upgrades are key to boosting your damage and surviving tougher battles.
How to Upgrade the Needle
- The needle is Hornet’s primary weapon.
- You can upgrade it by visiting the blacksmith NPC in Pharloom.
- Each reforging requires two things:
- Rosaries (the main in-game currency)
- Rare crafting materials found through exploration and combat
- There are four upgrade tiers confirmed, each one making Hornet significantly stronger.
- This system mirrors the nail upgrades from the first Hollow Knight but uses Pharloom’s unique economy and crafting items.
Blacksmith NPC Location
- The blacksmith-equivalent NPC is hidden somewhere in Pharloom.
- The exact location depends on your progression, so you’ll need to explore thoroughly.
- Expect to meet them around the mid-game.
- Like the Nailmasters before, you’ll return multiple times for reforging as you collect the right resources.
Upgrade Materials
- Upgrades need more than Rosaries—you’ll also need rare crafting items.
- These items can be found in:
- Boss drops
- Hidden areas and secret paths
- Deep exploration zones
- Each tier requires rarer and harder-to-find resources, so farming and planning ahead is important.
Progression Tips
- Buy the Crafting Kit early from traders. It improves tool effectiveness, helping with combat and gathering.
- Save Rosaries. While benches and maps are useful, always keep a reserve for upgrades.
- Collect shards and fragments to boost health and silk. Stronger defenses make your needle upgrades even more effective.
Final Thoughts
The blacksmith in Hollow Knight: Silksong is central to Hornet’s progression. With four tiers of upgrades powered by Rosaries and rare crafting items, reforging your needle should be a top priority. Each upgrade gives you a noticeable power spike, making bosses and exploration much easier.
Tip: Always be on the lookout for rare resources—you’ll thank yourself when it’s time to reforge.
Do you want me to also make this into a step-by-step quick reference guide (like a checklist players can use while exploring)?
