Hollow Knight: Silksong represents one of the most significant challenges for achievement hunters in the Metroidvania genre. Following its release on September 4, 2025, players have descended into the sprawling kingdom of Pharloom to guide Hornet through a gauntlet of 52 Steam achievements. Earning a 100% completion mark in Silksong requires more than just persistence; it demands mechanical mastery, meticulous exploration, and strategic planning across at least two full playthroughs.

The achievement list is balanced between natural progression milestones, difficult boss encounters, and demanding completionist goals. Based on extensive testing within the diverse biomes of Pharloom, reaching the "Completion" status typically takes between 100 to 130 hours, depending on individual skill levels and familiarity with the game's silk-based movement mechanics.

Pharloom Achievement Landscape and Preparation

Before embarking on the quest for the platinum-equivalent Steam completion, it is essential to understand the structure of Silksong’s rewards. The 52 achievements are categorized into boss kills, collection tasks, world interactions, and high-difficulty challenges.

The overall difficulty is rated at an 8.3 out of 10. Unlike its predecessor, Silksong places a heavier emphasis on "Wishes" (quests) and tool management. Players should be prepared for several "missable" achievements that are tied to specific narrative choices or the order of exploration. It is highly recommended to enjoy the first playthrough organically, focusing on exploration, while reserving a second "Steel Soul" or "Speedrun" playthrough for the remaining technical achievements.

Essential Progression and Skill Milestones

The earliest achievements in Silksong act as markers for Hornet’s growing power. These are generally unmissable and occur within the first few hours of gameplay in the upper regions of the kingdom.

Equipped: Acquiring the First Tool

One of the first achievements most players unlock is "Equipped." This is triggered by acquiring your very first tool. In Pharloom, tools are secondary items that consume Silk or specialized resources. While many players find the Shard Pendant first, the achievement will trigger regardless of which tool is picked up. In our experience, exploring the hidden paths in the Bone Bottom region often leads to an early tool acquisition.

Bound: Binding the First Silk Skill

Hornet’s mobility is defined by her Silk Skills. The "Bound" achievement is unlocked upon binding your first skill, which is typically the Silk Spear. This skill is essential for destroying web-sealed walls and navigating the verticality of The Marrow. The statue of the weavers where this is obtained is located shortly after entering the marrow map from the upper sections.

Claimed: The First Crest

Crests are the core of Hornet’s build customization, functioning similarly to a class system. They alter your attack patterns and Silk consumption. The "Claimed" achievement is earned by finding your first Crest, usually at Hunter’s March. This requires completing a challenging platforming room followed by a mini-boss encounter. Our testing suggests that the first Crest provides a significant boost to early-game survivability, making it a priority for new players.

The Boss Gauntlet: Combat Achievements in Pharloom

A significant portion of the achievement list (21 out of 52) is dedicated to defeating the legendary guardians of Pharloom. These fights are the primary roadblocks to 100% completion.

Liberated: Defeating the Bell Beast

The Bell Beast serves as one of the first major skill checks. Located at the entrance to Moss Home, this boss requires players to master the timing of the Silk Spear. Defeating it unlocks the "Liberated" achievement and opens up the Bellway transport system in The Marrow and Bone Bottom.

Pharloom’s Welcome: The Lace Encounter in Deep Docks

Lace is Hornet’s primary rival, and her first encounter in the Deep Docks is tied to the "Pharloom’s Welcome" achievement. This is a high-speed duel that emphasizes parrying and quick repositioning. It is critical to note that this achievement is missable. If you bypass the Deep Docks and progress too far into Sinner’s Road or Greymoor without confronting Lace, the opportunity to earn this specific achievement may vanish for that playthrough.

Servant: Confronting the Fourth Chorus

In the Far Fields, after completing the "Flexile Spines" wish for the Seamstress, players will be ambushed by the Fourth Chorus. This multi-stage boss fight tests your ability to manage multiple threats simultaneously. Defeating this chorus unlocks the "Servant" achievement and grants the Drifter’s Cloak ability, a key mobility upgrade for mid-game exploration.

Fanatic: The Widow of Bellhart

The Widow is a formidable boss found in the upper paths of Shellwood. Defeating her not only earns the "Fanatic" achievement but also frees the residents of Bellhart. During our sessions, we found that using the Cling Grip skill to stay off the ground during her web-trap phases was the most effective strategy.

The Higher Tier Bosses

As you descend deeper or ascend higher into the Citadel, the bosses become significantly more complex:

  • Judge: Defeated by overcoming the Last Judge.
  • Last Dance: Earned by defeating the Cogwork Dancers in the Cogwork Core. This fight requires precise timing as you navigate moving platforms while dodging dual-boss attacks.
  • White Knight: A second, more difficult encounter with Lace in the Cradle.
  • Tyrant: Defeating Crust King Khann.
  • Seed: Defeating Nyleth.

The Collector’s Path: Shards, Spools, and Maps

To achieve "Completion," players must find every upgrade scattered across Pharloom. This is where the majority of the 100+ hours will be spent.

Masked: Maxing Out Health

The "Protected" achievement is earned for finding 4 Mask Shards, but the "Masked" achievement requires finding all 20 shards in the game. These are often hidden behind breakable walls or rewarded for completing difficult Wishes. A useful tip for early players: one of the first Mask Shards is sold by a merchant in Bone Bottom for 300 Rosaries.

Extended: Maximizing Silk Capacity

Silk is Hornet’s lifeblood. Finding Spool Fragments increases your maximum Silk capacity. The "Restored" achievement triggers at 2 fragments, while "Extended" requires the full set. Many fragments are found in the Whispering Vaults and the Underworks, requiring late-game mobility skills like the Claw Line.

Cartographer: Mapping Pharloom

The "Cartographer" achievement is a rite of passage for any Metroidvania fan. You must acquire a map for every single area in Pharloom. Shakra is the primary map vendor, and finding her in each new biome is crucial. Some maps, like the one for Weavenest Atla, are not bought but found by interacting with environmental objects (in this case, hitting glowing cylinders).

Exploration and Infrastructure Achievements

Pharloom is a massive kingdom, and its infrastructure is tied to several key Steam achievements.

Connected: The Bellway Network

The Bellways are the primary fast-travel system. The "Connected" achievement requires opening all 12 Bellways, from the free ones in The Marrow to the expensive 120-Rosary stations in the Putrified Ducts and Grand Bellway.

Transported: The Ventrica Stations

Within the Citadel, a secondary transport system exists called the Ventrica Stations. To unlock "Transported," players must activate all 7 stations. Most of these cost 80 Rosaries each, so efficient currency farming is necessary.

Resident: A Home in Pharloom

Unlocking the "Resident" achievement provides a moment of respite. You must acquire your own "Bell Home" in Bellhart. This involves a multi-step quest:

  1. Complete the Bone Bottom repair wish.
  2. Defeat the Widow boss.
  3. Pay for the restoration of Bellhart (250 Rosaries).
  4. Obtain the house key from Pavo after exhausting all dialogue.

Missable Achievements and Narrative Branches

One of the biggest hurdles for achievement hunters in Silksong is the existence of missable content. Missing these can necessitate a complete restart.

  1. Pharloom’s Welcome: As mentioned, skipping the first Lace fight by entering Greymoor or Sinner’s Road prematurely will lock this achievement.
  2. Twisted Child: This is a narrative-based achievement tied to the final boss encounter. To earn this, you must defeat Grandmother Silk while under a specific curse. If you defeat her without the curse, you may unlock "Weaver Queen" or "Snared Silk" instead, requiring another attempt in a different playthrough or from a save backup.
  3. Entwined (Bind Eva): This hidden achievement requires collecting 17 Memory Lockets and 6 Crests before speaking to Eva for the final time. If you progress past a certain point in the Citadel's narrative without completing this, the opportunity may be lost.

Mastering the Ultimate Challenges: Speed and Steel

For those seeking the full 1000 gamerscore or Steam perfection, the final tier of achievements tests the absolute limits of skill.

Speedrunner: Under 5 Hours

Completing Silksong in under 5 hours is an intense challenge. This achievement requires a deep knowledge of the "Any%" route, skipping all non-essential bosses and upgrades. Our recommended route focuses on grabbing only the Silk Spear, the Drifter’s Cloak, and the three Melodies required to enter the final area.

Speed Completion: 100% in Under 30 Hours

This is perhaps more difficult than the 5-hour speedrun. You must collect every item, complete every Wish, and defeat every boss in under 30 hours. This requires an optimized "100% route" that minimizes backtracking. Using the Bellway and Ventrica systems efficiently is the only way to manage the clock.

Steel Soul and Steel Heart

Following the tradition of the first game, Silksong features "Steel Soul" mode, where death is permanent.

  • Steel Soul: Finish the game in this mode.
  • Steel Heart: Achieve 100% completion in Steel Soul mode. This is the ultimate test of Pharloom mastery. We recommend using a high-survivability build with the Hunter Crest and health-regenerating tools to minimize risks during the more chaotic boss fights like the Cogwork Dancers or the Last Judge.

Farming Rosaries for Completion

Many achievements, such as "Connected," "Transported," and various shop-based collections, require thousands of Rosaries. During our playthroughs, we identified the most efficient farming spots:

  • Early Game: Right before the Bellway in The Marrow. You can earn 10 Rosaries every 10 seconds by killing the first two mobs and resetting at the bench.
  • Mid-Game: Near Halfway Home. A group of three monsters to the east of the tavern yields about 18 Rosaries per 12-second run.
  • Late Game: The top-left part of the Choral Chambers. This spot provides approximately 68 Rosaries every 20 seconds. This is the "gold standard" for funding your 100% completion run.

Summary

Earning all 52 achievements in Hollow Knight: Silksong is a monumental task that celebrates every facet of the game—from the thrill of discovering a hidden Mask Shard in the Wormways to the adrenaline of a Steel Soul run. The journey through Pharloom is long and fraught with danger, particularly with missable achievements like "Pharloom’s Welcome" and the complex requirements for "Entwined." By prioritizing mobility upgrades early and following an efficient farming route, players can conquer the Citadel and secure their place among the elite who have fully mastered Hornet’s song.

FAQ

How many achievements are in Hollow Knight: Silksong?

There are a total of 52 Steam achievements, covering everything from basic progression to the incredibly difficult Steel Soul 100% completion.

Are there missable achievements in Silksong?

Yes, there are several. The most notable are "Pharloom’s Welcome" (the first Lace fight) and "Twisted Child" (a specific ending requirement). Some quest-related achievements can also be missed if the NPC leaves the area before the Wish is granted.

How long does it take to get 100% achievements?

For an average player, it takes between 80 to 100 hours. However, a full 100% completionist run, including all Wishes and hidden secrets, can easily extend to 130+ hours.

Do I need multiple playthroughs for all achievements?

Yes. Due to the nature of the "Steel Soul" mode achievements and the different ending requirements (like "Weaver Queen" vs. "Twisted Child"), at least two full playthroughs are generally required.

What is the hardest achievement in Silksong?

"Steel Heart" is widely considered the hardest achievement. It requires you to reach 100% game completion in Steel Soul mode, meaning a single death at any point in the 100-hour journey will erase your progress.

Is Silksong Steam Deck Verified?

Yes, the game is Steam Deck Verified, allowing players to hunt for achievements on the go with full controller support and optimized performance.