Hollow Knight: Silksong is one of the most anticipated indie games in years, and fans are eager to dive deep into its rich world. Like its predecessor, the game is divided into multiple acts, each unlocking new story layers, mechanics, and challenges. Many players wonder: how do you start Act 3 in Silksong?
Unlike some games where the final act is triggered by beating a single boss or entering a new region, Silksong requires a series of quests, milestones, and exploration tasks to unlock Act 3. It’s designed this way to ensure players fully immerse themselves in the world before stepping into the climactic finale.
This guide provides a comprehensive, SEO-friendly walkthrough of what you need to do before Act 3, how to complete the critical Silk and Soul Quest, and tips to prepare for the journey ahead—all without spoiling the biggest surprises.
Understanding Acts in Silksong
Before diving into requirements, let’s quickly clarify what “Acts” mean in Silksong:
- Act 1 introduces Hornet, the setting of Pharloom, and the first major hubs. You focus on learning mechanics, completing early quests, and exploring foundational areas.
- Act 2 expands the world significantly. You gain access to new towns, dungeons, and mechanics while uncovering deeper lore. Many mid-game bosses and story threads occur here.
- Act 3 is the final act, opening only after you’ve completed major quests and triggered specific conditions. It’s both a narrative and gameplay climax.
The transition from Act 2 to Act 3 is gated by progression systems, so you cannot simply speedrun directly without engaging with quests, NPCs, and side mechanics.
Key Requirements Before Unlocking Act 3
To unlock Act 3 in Silksong, you must first satisfy several important milestones across multiple towns and questlines. These are not optional; they act as gates to ensure you’ve experienced enough of Pharloom’s story. Here are the key requirements:
1. Complete Wish Board Quests in Three Towns
The Wish Boards serve as town-specific quest hubs. To move forward, you must complete every wish in:
- Bone Bottom
- Bellhart
- Songclave
Each board contains multiple tasks, ranging from item retrieval to monster hunts. These quests not only progress the story but also unlock NPC interactions crucial for later events.
2. Finish the “Trail’s End” Quest (Shakra’s Quest)
This quest involves collecting or viewing multiple regional maps, depending on your exploration progress. It also weaves in dialogue with Shakra, a pivotal NPC.
The maps double as narrative breadcrumbs that tie together Pharloom’s regions, making Trail’s End one of the more lore-heavy quests.
3. Secure Bellhome in Bellhart
To advance, you must obtain a Bellhome, essentially your upgraded resting place in Bellhart.
- Speak with Pavo after completing enough restoration quests in town.
- These quests may include helping rebuild parts of Bellhart, assisting villagers, or solving environmental puzzles.
The Bellhome acts as a symbol of progress, showing that Hornet has established a presence in Pharloom.
4. Move the Flea Caravan to the Lake
The Flea Caravan is a traveling group that eventually relocates to the Putrified Ducts, also known as Pale Lake.
- To unlock this, you must rescue a large number of lost fleas scattered across different regions.
- Each rescued flea contributes to the caravan’s movement, which is a major gate before Act 3.
This mechanic encourages thorough exploration rather than rushing through main paths.
5. Complete “Final Audience” in Songclave
This multi-step quest is central to unlocking Act 3. It involves:
- Gathering Cogwork Heart pieces.
- Facing the Second Sentinel, a mid-late game challenge.
- Solving bell puzzles, which often require backtracking and keen observation.
Completing this quest sets the stage for the Silk and Soul Quest, the ultimate requirement for Act 3.
The Silk and Soul Quest: The Gateway to Act 3
Once the above milestones are complete, the Silk and Soul Quest becomes available. This is the final prerequisite quest before Act 3.
- You receive the quest from the Caretaker in Songclave.
- To complete it, you need to collect four key items:
- Maiden’s Soul
- Hermit’s Soul
- Seeker’s Soul
- Snare Setter’s Tool or Soul
Each item requires deep exploration, often involving:
- Boss battles.
- Navigating hidden walls and secret paths.
- Returning to earlier regions with new abilities (classic Metroidvania style).
The quest emphasizes exploration, persistence, and puzzle-solving.
What Happens After Completing Silk and Soul
When you deliver all four items to the Caretaker:
- The Silk and Soul quest concludes.
- A cutscene plays, followed by credits rolling.
- After credits, you return to your save file.
At this point, your save file shows a visual marker: black tendrils around it. This indicates that Act 3 is unlocked and ready to begin.
This transition signals the final chapter of Silksong, where the story escalates and the most challenging content awaits.
Tips for Preparing for Act 3
Starting Act 3 requires more than checking quest boxes—it requires being ready. Here are some non-spoiler tips:
- Explore Thoroughly – Many quests involve hidden walls, rooms, and secret NPC locations. Don’t rush.
- Keep Notes – Track which quests are complete. A small missed step (like a bell puzzle) can block progress.
- Collect Fleas Early – The Flea Caravan’s relocation is a major gate. Save time by collecting fleas as you progress.
- Follow Quest Chains – Some quests unlock only after completing others. Pay attention to dialogue and NPC hints.
- Upgrade Skills & Tools – Before Act 3, make sure you’ve upgraded combat abilities, as challenges get significantly tougher.
Why the Act 3 Unlock Matters
The structure of Silksong’s progression ensures that Act 3 feels earned. By requiring quests across multiple towns and involving diverse gameplay mechanics, the developers make sure players:
- Fully experience Pharloom’s lore.
- Engage with both major and minor NPCs.
- Explore beyond the critical path.
Act 3 isn’t just another area—it’s the culmination of everything learned in Acts 1 and 2.
SEO Key Takeaways
- To start Act 3 in Hollow Knight: Silksong, complete a series of quests and town objectives.
- Requirements include: Wish Board quests, Trail’s End quest, Bellhome in Bellhart, Flea Caravan relocation, and Final Audience in Songclave.
- The Silk and Soul quest is the final step, requiring collection of four souls/tools.
- After completion, Act 3 unlocks with a visual save marker.
- Preparation is key—exploration, flea collection, and quest tracking are essential.
FAQs About Act 3 in Silksong
1. Can you rush directly into Act 3?
No. Act 3 requires completing major quests across multiple towns and storylines first.
2. What is the Silk and Soul Quest?
It’s the final prerequisite quest before Act 3, requiring four special items given to the Caretaker in Songclave.
3. Do you need to complete every side quest?
Not all, but you must finish key quests like Wish Boards, Trail’s End, Final Audience, and Flea Caravan relocation.
4. Where do you get the Bellhome?
In Bellhart, after completing enough town restoration quests and speaking to Pavo.
5. What marks Act 3’s start?
After Silk and Soul, credits roll. Returning to your save shows black tendrils around it, signaling Act 3.
6. Is Act 3 the final act of Silksong?
Yes. Act 3 serves as the final chapter, leading into the game’s climax.
7. Do you need all fleas for the caravan?
Not all, but you must rescue enough fleas to trigger the caravan’s move to Pale Lake.
Final Thoughts
Unlocking Act 3 in Hollow Knight: Silksong is no small task. It requires patience, exploration, and completing a variety of quests that tie together the game’s lore and mechanics. From Wish Boards in three towns to the climactic Silk and Soul quest, the journey ensures that by the time you reach Act 3, you’re fully immersed in Pharloom’s mysteries.
While the process may seem complex, it’s intentionally designed to give players the most rewarding final act possible. By preparing early, keeping track of quests, and thoroughly exploring, you’ll be ready when the black tendrils finally mark the start of Act 3—the beginning of Silksong’s epic conclusion.
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