The world of Hollow Knight: Silksong is packed with secrets, hidden zones, and mysterious mechanics. Among Hornet’s many abilities, one of the most unique and lore-rich is the Needolin skill. Unlike standard movement or combat upgrades, Needolin allows Hornet to play an enchanted melody that unlocks Weaver-style gates scattered across Pharloom. These gates don’t just hide lore—they guard shortcuts, upgrades, and entirely new areas, such as the enigmatic Weavenest Atla.
If you’re eager to discover how to obtain Needolin, where to use it, and why it’s a vital step in Hornet’s journey, you’re in the right place. This complete guide covers everything from prerequisites to practical strategies, written in a clear and SEO-friendly style for both newcomers and series veterans.
What Is the Needolin Skill?
Needolin is a musical ability unique to Hornet in Silksong. Once acquired, it enables you to interact with Weaver gates, special barriers adorned with circular, web-like patterns. When Hornet activates Needolin, she plays a haunting tune that resonates with the threads, unraveling the locks and granting access to hidden passages.
Think of it as a blend between exploration and lore: the Needolin not only expands your map but also connects you to the ancient traditions of the Weavers, a thread-bound civilization that fans may remember from Hollow Knight.
Why the Needolin Skill Matters
Unlike simple combat upgrades, Needolin directly impacts how much of Pharloom you can explore. Here’s why it’s so important:
- Unlock Hidden Areas – Many Weaver gates block off lore-heavy zones, such as Weavenest Atla, or side-paths leading to unique encounters.
- Gain Powerful Upgrades – Behind these gates, you’ll often find NPCs or relics that upgrade existing Crests, grant new tools, or unlock alternate combat styles.
- Progression Shortcuts – Some Needolin-locked doors act as backdoors between regions, saving you from long detours once opened.
- Deepen the Lore – Every Weaver gate you unlock feels like peeling back layers of Pharloom’s story, connecting Hornet’s journey with the Weaver lineage.
If you’re aiming for full completion—or just want the satisfaction of exploring every nook and cranny—Needolin is absolutely essential.
Prerequisite: The Cling Grip Ability
Before you can unlock Needolin, you’ll need to obtain Cling Grip. This skill is a progression cornerstone, allowing Hornet to cling to walls and climb vertical surfaces. Without it, reaching the boss who grants Needolin is nearly impossible.
- Where Cling Grip Fits In: It opens vertical exploration, letting you scale cliffs, navigate shafts, and discover Bellhart’s higher chambers.
- Why It’s Important: Not only does it prepare you for the boss fight, but it also plays a role in the post-battle tutorial sequence for Needolin.
In classic Metroidvania style, Silksong ensures one skill builds naturally toward the next.
How to Unlock the Needolin Skill
Now for the big question: how do you actually acquire Needolin?
Step 1: Travel to Bellhart
Progress through Pharloom until you reach Bellhart, a central hub town. This is where several major story beats unfold, including your confrontation with the boss tied to Needolin.
Step 2: Defeat the Widow Boss
At the heart of Bellhart lies a boss known as Widow. This creature, steeped in Weaver themes, is your gatekeeper to the Needolin ability.
- Combat Tips:
- Use Cling Grip to stay mobile on vertical walls.
- Expect silk-thread attacks and patterns that punish reckless rushing.
- Focus on timing and spacing rather than pure aggression.
Step 3: Receive Needolin Automatically
Once you’ve defeated Widow, the game rewards you with Needolin. Unlike some upgrades that require manual claiming, this one integrates directly into the story flow.
Step 4: Complete the Tutorial Platforming Segment
Immediately after the fight, you’ll encounter a short platforming challenge designed to teach you how to use Needolin in practice. This sequence introduces the mechanics of Weaver gates, letting you open your first locked door in a low-risk setting.
By the end, you’ll fully understand how to perform the melody and recognize gates in the wild.
How to Use Needolin
Once unlocked, Needolin is straightforward to activate. Here’s how it works:
- Approach a Weaver Gate – Look for circular, ornate gates with web-like designs.
- Hold the Activation Button – Depending on your platform:
- Nintendo Switch: Y
- Xbox: X
- PlayStation: Square
- PC: Mapped to your action key
- Hornet Performs the Tune – She will play a melodic sequence with the Needle.
- Gate Unlocks – The threads unravel, revealing a new passage.
The process is quick but deliberate, requiring you to pause briefly—a design choice that adds weight to each unlocking moment.
Where to Use Needolin
Weaver gates appear in multiple regions across Pharloom, but the most notable destinations include:
- Moss Grotto – Early in the game, several optional gates reward careful exploration.
- Weavenest Atla – A central location tied to Weaver lore, filled with upgrades, hidden NPCs, and perhaps even unique boss fights.
- Side Corridors in Bellhart – Unlocking shortcuts here connects you to shops or side characters.
- Other Secret Zones – As with Hollow Knight, expect late-game areas only accessible with a full toolkit, Needolin included.
Benefits of Unlocking Weaver Gates
So, what’s the payoff for opening these doors?
- Access to New NPCs – Characters like Eva, who offers enhanced Hunter Crests, are often hidden behind these gates.
- Upgrades to Gear – Expect improved tools, rare resources, and stronger Crests hidden away.
- Shortcuts – Many doors loop back into central areas, easing navigation across Pharloom.
- Lore Rewards – Each gate feels like uncovering a hidden chapter in the story of the Weavers and Hornet’s connection to them.
Gameplay Tips for Mastering Needolin
- Plan Ahead – Make mental notes of locked gates you encounter before obtaining Needolin. Return later once the skill is yours.
- Pair with Mobility Tools – Many gates are tucked away in vertical or hard-to-reach areas. Combining Needolin with Cling Grip, dashes, and future upgrades maximizes your efficiency.
- Don’t Rush the Tutorial – The game’s first Needolin sequence is designed to teach you timing. Pay attention—you’ll need the precision later.
- Balance Exploration and Progression – While it’s tempting to backtrack immediately, weigh the benefits of pushing forward into new zones first.
Summary Table: Needolin Skill at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite | Cling Grip (to reach Widow in Bellhart) |
| How to Unlock | Defeat Widow in Bellhart; awarded automatically post-fight |
| Tutorial | Short platforming sequence introduces gate mechanics |
| Use | Play an enchanted tune to open Weaver-style locked gates |
| Key Locations | Moss Grotto, Weavenest Atla, Bellhart corridors, late-game secret areas |
| Rewards | Hidden lore, gear upgrades, NPC interactions, exploration shortcuts |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do you need Cling Grip to fight Widow?
Yes. Without Cling Grip, you won’t be able to access the vertical areas that lead to Widow or survive the fight’s platforming demands.
2. Can you miss the Needolin skill?
No. It’s a story-critical upgrade tied directly to defeating Widow, so progression requires you to obtain it.
3. Do Weaver gates reset after being opened?
No. Once opened with Needolin, gates remain unlocked permanently.
4. Is Needolin used in combat?
Not directly. It’s primarily for unlocking gates, though its lore ties suggest it may synergize with other Weaver-related skills later.
5. What’s the biggest area Needolin unlocks?
The Weavenest Atla, which houses multiple upgrades, lore entries, and potentially new questlines.
Final Thoughts
The Needolin skill in Hollow Knight: Silksong perfectly embodies the game’s spirit: progression tied to both exploration and lore. By defeating Widow in Bellhart and earning this ability, Hornet gains access to an entirely new layer of Pharloom’s secrets.
From hidden crests in Moss Grotto to major discoveries in Weavenest Atla, Needolin transforms locked doors into opportunities. It’s not just a tool—it’s a key to understanding the Weavers’ legacy and carving out Hornet’s place in Pharloom.
So, prepare by unlocking Cling Grip, hone your skills for the Widow battle, and get ready to weave melodies that open paths once thought unreachable. With Needolin in hand, Pharloom is yours to unravel.
Read Also: