Hitting HQ 20 without a blueprint is Murphy’s nightmare: you’ll slam into week-long RSS droughts and upgrade locks, while Season 6 alliance veterans glide to HQ 24 inside two weeks. The brutal truth? “HQ is the only building that matters.” If last war level up fast is your goal, forget the casual grind—real progress pivots on event stacking, requirement skipping, and resource hoarding for HQ leaps. This guide zeroes in on pure last war fast progress, with an F2P roadmap—and a bonus for micro-spenders.

The HQ Rush: Why Only Prerequisites Matter

Ignore all but HQ prerequisites. Upgrade nothing outside what your next HQ demands, or you’ll waste days in RSS purgatory. On most servers, sample breakpoints look like this:

HQ Level
Critical Prerequisite
Key Unlock

10
Tech Center 9
T4 Troops unlocked

16
Tank Center 15
T6 Troops unlocked

24
Wall 23
T8 Troops unlocked

27
Tank Center 26
Tier 9 unlock

Every troop tier spike (T4 at HQ 10, T6 at 16, T7 at 20, T8 at 24) multiplies your PvE power. Chasing side facilities or excess upgrades? That’s a last war f2p leveling trap.



Resource Hoarding: Farm Accounts and VS Timing

Gold and iron bottlenecks are the real wall after HQ 16. Veteran F2P always run at least one farm account, funneling its warehouse rewards directly to their main base. Planning upgrades around the VS duel schedule (especially Construction Day) doubles reward chests and syncs Arms Race milestones—this alignment alone can cut HQ timers by several days per cycle. If you get dropped from a top 10 alliance due to inactivity, it’s not just social: your supply line collapses. Alliance NAP politics matter here, and missing territory perks costs every bit of efficiency.

Squad Priorities and Drone Efficiency

Committing universal shards early is crucial. For F2P last war fast progress, focus everything on a single damage type. Current meta (post-Season 6) leans tank-heavy: starting Murphy or Kimberly squad sees more returns vs. missile formations and outpaces mixed setups. Unlock the second drone slot at HQ 13—this is the quietest breakpoint for combat returns. Pour all drone parts into your main battle drone; skill chips favoring Attack and Damage Reduction directly accelerate radar clears and zombie invasions. These channels feed back into faster RSS flows, so optimizing drone development isn’t optional—it’s a multiplier.

If You Budget Even $5: Micro-Spending Without Whaling

For F2P players debating a step up, micro-investing in daily loops beats sporadic packs. The Super Monthly Pass is around $18.45 on LootBar last war top up, compared to official pricing of $24.99, and the Weekly Pass is similarly discounted. If you’re considering a LootBar game top-up, trust its secure self-top-up system—no password sharing, zero ban history, verified 4.9 Trustpilot reputation. These monthly passes combine to drip-feed Hero XP and RSS daily, accelerating HQ rush by multiple levels if timed with VS events. For those who want acceleration without whales, third-party platforms make this jump feel almost free.

Remember, whether staying pure F2P or giving yourself a micro-boost, efficient leveling in Last War: Survival always comes down to HQ-first thinking, event stacking, and maximizing every alliance and drone breakpoint. Anything else? It’s a resource trap.

You're 12 pulls short of soft pity on Ellen Joe's banner, the 50/50 is looming, and your Polychrome count is dwindling faster than you can farm Signal Searches. The First-Time Double Monochrome top-up feels like the obvious bailout—but burning it without a plan is worse than losing the 50/50 itself, and veterans know this bonus window only resets once yearly around ZZZ's anniversary in early July.

The First-Top-Up Double Bonus Breakdown

Each of the six Monochrome bundles—$0.99, $4.99, $14.99, $29.99, $49.99, and $99.99—operates independently. Using the double bonus on the $99.99 pack doesn't touch the bonus on the $29.99 tier; each tier is a standalone unlock. Once claimed, that tier reverts to a much smaller "Subsequent Bonus" (e.g., +1,600 instead of +6,480 for the highest tier). The critical insight: HoYoverse historically resets these bonuses around ZZZ's anniversary, meaning strategic stockpiling can effectively give you two cycles of 2x value within a single spending window. The double bonus applies only to base Monochromes, not to the daily 90 Polychrome drip from the Inter-Knot Membership—making the monthly card an even sharper outlier in efficiency.



Calculating Your Monochrome Return: The Spreadsheet View

During the first-time double, the $29.99 and $49.99 tiers deliver 132.0 and 131.2 Monochromes per dollar respectively, while the $99.99 pack still commands a solid 129.6 per dollar—all viable "dolphin" purchases for the cost-conscious proxy. Once doubles are exhausted, the landscape flips dramatically: the $99.99 pack jumps to 80.8 Monochromes per dollar, while the $0.99 top-up craters to 60.6 per dollar. The rule is simple—post-bonus, always buy the largest pack you can afford. Skipping the $14.99 and $49.99 tiers in favor of consecutive $99.99 purchases will save you approximately 6-8% in cost per Monochrome versus mixing smaller denominations after bonuses expire.

The Proxy Efficiency Hierarchy: Where Every Dollar Goes

Inter-Knot Membership dominates: $4.99 for 300 Monochromes instantly plus 2,700 Polychromes over 30 days totals 601.2 currency units per dollar—nearly five times better than the best first-time double. If you chase Zenless Zone Zero's limited banners without this monthly card active, you're leaving entire pulls on the table. First-Time Double Bundles are your lifeline when the banner clock is ticking: prioritize $29.99 and $49.99, then $99.99, then descending tiers. Premium Battle Pass (New Era) gives tapes and upgrade fuel, not raw currency efficiency; it's a luxury for collectors, not pullers. Post-double purchases should only target the $99.99 stack—anything lower post-bonus is a notable loss in value per dollar spent.

Cheapest Recharge Paths: Third-Party and Regional Pricing

Official top-ups via the HoYoverse Top-Up Center set a uniform baseline at standard USD rates, but third-party platforms often undercut them based on regional arbitrage. The community frequently cross-checks https://www.lootbar.com/top-up/zenless-zone-zero for discounted rates during banner rushes; LootBar Recharge can yield 11-18% savings on the $99.99 pack compared to official pricing, depending on regional promotions. Japanese VPN pricing on the official site and verified discount platforms like EnjoyGM or Eldorado.gg sometimes undercut LootBar further, though these involve marketplace volatility and account security risks. When using any off-platform transaction, always review the platform's policies and regulations to ensure compliance with HoYoverse's terms of service, avoiding any service that requests account credentials or uses unverified gift-card sourcing. UID-based top-ups are generally safer than credential-based logins.

Final Check-List for the Value-Conscious Proxy

Activate the Inter-Knot Membership first—it's the undisputed king of ZZZ currency acquisition at $4.99.

Tap the first recharge double bonuses from $99.99 down to $14.99 (skip the $0.99 and $4.99 unless you need a 5-pull nudge), only after the monthly card is locked in.

Post-double spending: buy only the $99.99 pack, or wait for the annual reset around early July to recycle all bonuses.

If soft pity creeps within 75 pulls and your Polychrome reserves are depleted, a single $29.99 or $49.99 double (if available) will cover approximately 26-33 pulls—enough to hit guaranteed.

Track your soft pity counter carefully: losing a 50/50 wastes roughly 4,500 Monochromes worth of pulls on a non-rateup character, so exhausting bonuses strategically before banner close prevents this costly mistake.

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I still remember the day I first stepped into Pharloom back in 2025. The shimmering bells, the treacherous platforms, and the feeling that this land was even more unforgiving than Hallownest. As a die-hard fan of the original Hollow Knight, I thought I had seen everything Team Cherry could throw at me. But when I discovered the Crest system, my entire perception of the game shifted. These aren't just simple charm replacements; they fundamentally transform Hornet's moveset, turning her into a completely different warrior. After countless hours of play, multiple 112% completions, and more deaths than I care to admit, I’ve come to truly appreciate the depth these Crests add to the experience. Here’s my personal ranking of every Crest in Silksong, from the one I’d rather forget to the one that feels like Hornet’s true destiny.

7. Beast Crest – No Pogo, No Party



Let me start with the one that breaks my heart the most. The Beast Crest promises a rampaging, high-risk combat style that sounds thrilling on paper—landing hits restores silk and health, and your damage output can spike dramatically. In practice, though, its crippling flaw is the pogo. In Silksong, the airborne downward strike is essential, whether you’re bouncing over lava geysers or avoiding a boss’s sweeping attack. The Beast Crest’s pogo feels unpredictable; it sends Hornet flying at odd angles, making precision impossible. The healing mechanic is equally frustrating because you’re forced to stay glued to enemies to recover masks, which is suicide against bosses with complex patterns. Add the fact that blue tool sockets are completely absent, and you’re left with a kit that regularly feels like fighting with one arm tied behind your back. Unless you’re a masochist who enjoys self-imposed challenge runs, this Crest is best left unused.

6. Architect Crest – A Shard-Eating Machine



I have a confession: I’m a hoarder in video games. I rarely use consumables, preferring to rely on pure skill. So when I first equipped the Architect Crest, I felt physically ill watching my Shell Shards burn away with every tool activation. This Crest is all about spending Shards to power devastatingly strong blue tools. It’s undeniably effective—I’ve melted bosses in seconds that previously took me dozens of attempts. The catch? Shards might be scattered everywhere, but farming them consistently is a tedious chore, especially when the priciest tools demand hundreds per minute. I found the Architect Crest invaluable for those “emergency” sequences, like the notorious minion wave in the High Halls, or when I needed a quick burst to finish off a boss with a sliver of health. But as an everyday carry, it’s unsustainable. It’s a specialist’s tool, not a companion for the long road.

5. Shaman Crest – The Path of Magic



I stumbled upon the Shaman Crest late in my first playthrough, and my jaw dropped. After feeling disappointed that I couldn’t equip every Silk Skill simultaneously, this Crest was like a revelation. It allows you to socket two blue tools and three entire Silk Skills, turning Hornet into a ranged spellcasting nightmare. The magic waves you unleash resemble something out of a fantasy epic, dealing titanic damage from a safe distance. However, the trade-off is brutal: your silk reserves are almost entirely dedicated to offense, leaving virtually nothing for healing. For veteran players who know boss patterns inside and out, this is a rocket ship through every area. But if you’re still learning the dance of combat, one mistake means death. I only began to appreciate the Shaman Crest after I memorized every enemy tell; before that, I was a helpless glass cannon.

4. Witch Crest – Great for Fighting, Not for Healing



Unlocking the Witch Crest involves a quest so cryptic and emotionally charged that it could be a standalone game. Tying the lore of the most hidden ending directly to this Crest was a stroke of genius. In combat, the Witch Crest echoes the Beast Crest’s aggression but with its own twist: binding enemies to leech masks. The problem is that healing during boss fights becomes a mirage. The mechanic forces you to stay dangerously close to foes, and slipping away to catch your breath is nearly impossible when you’re locked in a frantic exchange. The moveset is spectacular—flame-like swipes and explosive finishers—but the difficulty spike ramps up so sharply that even after 100%ing the game, I still find myself dying to silly mistakes. It has room for three blue tools and two red ones, which is fantastic for damage, yet I only recommend it to players who have already mastered the fundamentals and want a punishing, high-damage option.

3. Reaper Crest – Reap Them Apart



The Reaper Crest was my early-game savior. You unlock it almost immediately, and its moveset feels the closest to the classic Hollow Knight experience. Attacks are slower and more methodical, reducing the need for precise diagonal pogo calculations. What truly elevates this Crest is the silk remnants left behind after each strike, which gradually boost your energy pools for both healing and powers. This subtle mechanic turns the Reaper into a consistent, forgiving choice that helped me survive my first encounters with Pharloom’s tougher gauntlets. I’ll admit, once I grew accustomed to the faster, nimbler options, the Reaper felt clumsy and sluggish. But its balanced tool distribution let me experiment with various combinations comfortably. For newcomers and those struggling with mid-game walls, the Reaper Crest is a sturdy, reliable friend.

2. Wanderer Crest – Feels Like Home



If you’re like me and still yearn for the days in Hallownest as the Knight, the Wanderer Crest will feel like coming home. The attack speed is blistering, and the pogo is the smoothest in the game—so fluid that I could chain bounces across entire rooms without touching the ground. The catch is that most of your tool sockets favor yellow tools, which are generally the least impactful in combat. Yet the raw DPS you gain from this Crest overshadows that drawback. Positioning becomes paramount; you need to be right in an enemy’s face to shred them, but the payoff is extraordinary. I unlocked it early by heading left at Moss Grotto, and I’m convinced Team Cherry intentionally placed it there as a gift for nostalgic fans. With the Wanderer Crest, I felt like the Knight reincarnated, just faster and more acrobatic.

1. Hunter Crest – Hornet’s True Self



From the moment I first equipped the Hunter Crest, something clicked. I’ve seen many players dismiss it as too wild or hard to master, but I believe this is the way Team Cherry intended us to experience Silksong. The speed, the diagonal pogo trajectories, the balance of blue and red tools—it all weaves together into a symphony of movement. The pogo attacks naturally place Hornet exactly where she needs to be, enabling seamless chain bounces even in chaotic fights. Healing is accessible enough to recover from mistakes, yet the damage output never feels lacking. And the secret upgrade from Eva in Weavenest Atla turns the Hunter Crest into an absolute monster. It embodies everything that makes Silksong its own game, not just a sequel. When I’m wearing this Crest, I stop mourning the Knight and start fully embracing Hornet’s agility and ferocity. It’s not just the strongest option; it’s the most authentic one.

After all this time in Pharloom, I’ve realized that the Crests are far more than a gimmick. They’re an invitation to rediscover the game through seven distinct lenses, each teaching you something new about patience, aggression, and resourcefulness. So go on, revisit your dusty save file, swap that Crest, and become a different warrior. Pharloom still holds secrets waiting to be uncovered.

As you embark on your journey in Pharloom, remember that unlocking new adventures doesn't always have to break the bank. The thrill of exploring is heightened when you know you've snagged a great deal on your gaming purchases. Whether you're looking to expand your collection or dive into the latest releases, finding affordable options can enhance your experience.

For those keen on saving while indulging in their gaming passions, consider checking out DealNest for the cheapest steam keys. It's an excellent resource for gamers seeking budget-friendly options without compromising on quality. So, gear up, and let your next exploration be as rewarding for your wallet as it is for your sense of adventure.

I still vividly remember the electric anticipation that surrounded September 2025. After a long stretch of early access, Supergiant Games finally unleashed the full version of Hades 2, and the gaming world seemed to hold its breath. I had spent dozens of hours with the early build, marveling at Melinoë’s fluid combat and the expanded underworld, but nothing prepared me for the sheer polish of the 1.0 launch. From the moment I stepped back into that hauntingly beautiful realm, it was clear that this sequel wasn’t just a safe victory lap. It was a bold, confident stride into greatness.



The release timing couldn’t have been more dramatic. 2025 was already shaping up to be a legendary year for video games, with a lineup that felt almost unfair to any developer hoping to stand out. Yet Hades 2 immediately stole the spotlight, just as its predecessor had done half a decade earlier. Within days, every conversation I had with fellow players and critics circled back to the same realization: Supergiant had somehow done it again. The game surged to an astonishing 92 average score on OpenCritic, cementing its place among the elite. For me, that number wasn’t a surprise. Every run through the Underworld felt tighter, more inventive, and emotionally richer than the original. The way the team wove narrative progression into repeated failure was nothing short of alchemy.

What fascinated me most, however, was the landscape the sequel entered. The year already boasted heavyweights that many had pegged as untouchable contenders for the coveted Game of the Year title. Hollow Knight: Silksong had finally emerged from its long silence with a 92 score, delivering the haunting, acrobatic Metroidvania experience fans had craved for years. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a breathtaking turn-based RPG from Sandfall Interactive, also sat at the same 92 rating, dazzling players with its Belle Époque-inspired art and innovative reactive combat. In any other year, these two alone would have defined the conversation. Instead, they suddenly found themselves locked in a three-way tie with a roguelike that refused to yield an inch.



Looking at the broader OpenCritic leaderboard for 2025 only intensified the drama. Rice Games’ Shujinkou, a turn-based dungeon crawler with a deeply personal story, actually led the chart with a 94 average. However, that score came from fewer than ten critic reviews, which made its position more of a statistical quirk than a definitive statement. Everyone I talked to in the industry considered the real frontrunners to be the three 92-scoring giants. Just behind them stood a parade of excellence: Donkey Kong Bananza at 91, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter at 91, Split Fiction at 91, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach at 90, Blue Prince at 89, and Monster Hunter Wilds at 89. Any other year, I would have confidently bet on several of those titles to walk away with the prize. But 2025 made no promises.

I spent countless evenings dissecting what made Hades 2 feel so special. The combat refinements were immediate and gratifying. Melinoë’s witch-like arsenal offered a dance of ranged and melee attacks that felt distinct from Zagreus’s style, and the omega moves added a layer of tactical depth that kept even veteran Hades players on their toes. Running through fields of mourning, temples of stone, and the ever-shifting paths of Oceanus never grew old. The accessibility issues from the first game—opaque systems and some unforgiving early barriers—were still present to a degree, but the expanded world-building and the sheer volume of content made those quirks feel minor. Supergiant didn’t reinvent the wheel for longtime fans, but they raised the emotional and mechanical stakes so high that I couldn’t stop playing. Even now, in 2026, I find myself returning for just one more run, lured by a new dialogue snippet or a boss variation I hadn’t seen.

The Game of the Year debate in 2025 became a beautiful, chaotic storm. Some argued that Silksong’s impeccable level design and heartbreaking atmosphere deserved the crown. Others championed Clair Obscur for its bold, painterly vision and a battle system that made every encounter feel like a deadly puzzle. I understood both perspectives deeply, but Hades 2 held my heart. It achieved something nearly impossible: it made the original, a game with a 94 average that I once considered untouchable, feel like a stepping stone. The sequel’s narrative, centered on Melinoë’s vengeance and her complex ties to the imprisoned Hades, resonated with a maturity that surprised me. It was a story about legacy—not just within the game’s fiction, but in the very act of creating a sequel to a modern classic.

What lessons do I take from that incredible year, now that the dust has settled in 2026? Hades 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 proved that the medium can still deliver experiences that are both artistically daring and mechanically sublime. They showed that a tied score doesn’t mean a tie in passion—every player had their own champion. For me, the year reaffirmed that Supergiant Games operates on a plane of their own. Hades 2 didn’t just enter the Game of the Year conversation; it reshaped it, demanding that we reconsider what a sequel can be. And as I watch new players discover the game on Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PC, I feel a familiar warmth. The spotlight may have moved on, but the flames of this underworld still burn brighter than ever. ??

As I continue to explore the gaming landscape, one thing remains constant: the thrill of discovering new titles and revisiting beloved classics. With so many releases, keeping track of game prices can be daunting. For any gamer looking to score the best deals, having a reliable resource is invaluable. That's where DealNest comes in handy, offering a comprehensive game price tracker that ensures you're getting the most bang for your buck. Whether you're eyeing the latest blockbuster or hunting down a hidden gem, this tool is a must-have for navigating the ever-evolving world of gaming.

Reflecting on the monumental year of 2025, I can't help but feel excited about the future of gaming. With so many developers pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation, players are in for a treat. As we look ahead to new adventures and groundbreaking experiences, it's comforting to know that resources like DealNest are there to support our journey, ensuring that our gaming collections grow without emptying our wallets. Here's to discovering more unforgettable stories and thrilling challenges in the years to come!

I\u2019ll be honest with you\u2014Steel Soul Mode in Hollow Knight: Silksong is a masterclass in anxiety. One life. One tiny slip, and it\u2019s back to Dirtmouth. But you know me, I thrive on that adrenaline. Plus, it\u2019s 2026 now, and if you haven\u2019t at least dipped a toe into Steel Soul, are you even a true fan? The mode hides exclusive goodies like new areas, special NPCs, and the beautiful, cursed wish known as A Vassal Lost. So grab your Fractured Mask, kiss your rosaries goodbye, and let\u2019s track down a missing vassal without joining them in oblivion.



How to Even Start This Madness

First things first: this quest is Steel Soul exclusive. If you\u2019re cruising through a regular save file, Zi won\u2019t show up. To kick things off, you need to visit a secret room in Blasted Steps. From Bellway Station in Shellwood, head west over that crumbling bridge. Climb up the central vertical shaft, then go east into the chamber where you first met the charming cartographer Shakra. Instead of taking the usual left exit, slide down the right wall to find a breakable barrier. Gobble up the Silkeater there, then keep pushing right. Voil\u00e0\u2014Steel Seer Zi and her gloomy little request.

She\u2019ll give you the wish \u201cA Vassal Lost,\u201d and your map suddenly blooms with three cryptic symbols. These mark resting spots of the absent vassal, but here\u2019s the kicker: the locations are randomized for every player. I nearly tore my hair out when my friend\u2019s guide didn\u2019t match my markers. So, while I can\u2019t tell you exactly where to go, I can tell you the pool of six possible spots. \ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f



The Six Dreadful Locations

Biome
Hint to Find the Spot

Far Fields
Cross the bone bridge among those annoying Flexile Spine enemies.

High Halls
Top of the eastern tower, right by a rosary chest.

Sands of Karak
Just left of the Coral Tower entrance.

Moss Grotto
Under the tiny bridge leading toward Blasted Steps.

Putrified Ducts
Far east, across Pale Lake and up the wall near the shaft of light (under Mister Mushroom\u2019s quest start).

Shellwood
Northeast of the Sister Splinter fight, at the end of a short corridor.

You\u2019ll probably need to be decently far into Act 2 to reach all these, especially since the Clawline ability smoothes traversal\u2014just don\u2019t expect the game to hold your hand. Each spot leaves behind a little clue, and once you\u2019ve examined all three, it\u2019s time to head back to Zi.

The Steel Seer\u2019s Ominous Request

Zi, ever the cryptic one, now tells you to hunt down Sula in Bonegrave. If you haven\u2019t visited this bone-choked land yet, brace yourself. To reach the new cave, start from Bone Bottom and travel as far left as you can\u2014literally hug the left wall until you find a new passage near the Chapel of the Wanderer. If you\u2019re lost, remember: from the Wormways simple door, you can scramble south; or if you\u2019ve got the Cling Grip, climb the western wall where you found the Maiden. Either way, entering the eerie tunnel sparks the fight.



Boss Fight: The Summoned Saviour (It\u2019s Easier Than It Sounds)

Okay, take a deep breath. The good news: this boss is a pushover compared to some of the nightmares you\u2019ve already faced (I\u2019m looking at you, Fourth Chorus). The bad news: you\u2019re in Steel Soul, so any sloppy mistake can erase hours of progress. \ud83d\ude30

Pre-fight checklist:

\u2705 At least 5 masks filled (if you\u2019re paranoid like me, bring a full load).

\u2705 Enough silk for one emergency heal\u2014Fractured Mask is your best friend.

\u2705 A calm mindset. Seriously, don\u2019t spam attacks.

This boss moves like a robotic dancer\u2014very predictable, almost Cogwork Dancers-level telegraphed. My first go, I stupidly rushed in, pogoed like a maniac, and got smacked for half my health. Big mistake. Instead, hang back, let the boss finish its attack cycle, then dart in for two quick slashes, then retreat. Repeat. It\u2019s a dance, not a brawl. \ud83d\udc83

If you just stay patient and treat this like a rhythm game, you\u2019ll dodge its lunges and swipes with minimal fuss. Once the boss crumbles, you\u2019ve saved Sula (or whatever\u2019s left of them).

Reward and Afterthoughts

Bounce back to Steel Seer Zi, who\u2019ll reluctantly agree to spare the vassal. Quest complete! \ud83c\udf89

Your prize: the Growstone. This odd little trinket isn\u2019t a tool; think of it as an infinite Beast Shard that recharges over time. Using it grants roughly 130 Shell Shards for crafting, then it goes dormant before waking up again. Is it game-changing? Eh\u2014not really. You can farm more shards in 10 minutes of grinding with a good Silk Skill loadout. But hey, it\u2019s free currency, and in a mode where every scrap counts, I won\u2019t say no to a little passive income.



Final Tips for Steel Soul Survivors

\ud83d\udcda Save silk for heals. That extra point of damage isn\u2019t worth a death.

\ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f Mark your map. The resting spots vanish after inspection; jot them down to avoid confusion.

\ud83d\udee1\ufe0f Crests matter. Thread Storm or Threefold Pin can cheese difficult traversal sections, giving you safer paths to these spots.

\ud83e\uddd8\u200d\u2640\ufe0f Patience is your shield. In the boss fight, treat every second like a test of calmness. Panic = death.

Now go forth, brave hollow vessel, and earn that Growstone. And remember: if you do die somewhere along this quest, don\u2019t throw your controller. Steel Soul Mode teaches you more about Silksong\u2019s dance than any normal playthrough ever could\u2014you\u2019ll come back sharper. That\u2019s a promise from someone who\u2019s bitten the dust too many times to count. \ud83d\udc80

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The year is 2026, and Hollow Knight: Silksong has finally escaped the realm of myth. After years of waiting, endless memes, and a global pandemic of Silksanity, Team Cherry’s masterpiece landed in players’ hands. But as the credits rolled on the base game, a peculiar subset of the community turned their attention to a different kind of endgame: reshaping Hornet’s sprite into something decidedly more spicy. The prophecy, whispered ever since Hornet first appeared without her iconic red cloak in early trailers, had come true. The adult mods had arrived, and they were multiplying.



On Nexus Mods, the Silksong adult section — once a desolate wasteland containing a single, lonely mod — suddenly tripled in size practically overnight. What had been a quiet corner of the internet exploded into a bustling scene of pixelated indulgence. The mod authors, it seemed, had been sharpening their needles and biding their time.

Leading the charge was Sandinsoda, a creator who uploaded a mod called Curvier Hornet. The description read with the tragic self-awareness of someone who knew they were doing something both terrible and necessary: “everyday we stray further from god.” The accompanying screenshots showed a cloakless Hornet with far more pronounced proportions, her pixelated silhouette now distinctly hourglass-shaped. A caption beneath the images, dripping with audacity, simply declared: “I’m silkin’ it.” One could almost hear the collective sigh of a fandom that had waited so long it had snapped — this was late-stage Silksanity, now apparently resistant to any vaccine.



Barely had the community caught its breath when a second modder, Foureye5, released Curvy Naked Hornet. The approach was nearly identical — a cloakless, curvier Hornet — but the tone differed. Foureye5’s description was stoic and practical: “A mod that replaces cloakless Hornet sprites with something a little bit more curvy.” No self-reproach, no meme captions. Just curves, delivered with a straight face.

What happened next could only occur in a community forged by years of shared delirium. Sandinsoda materialized in the comment section of Foureye5’s mod, bypassing any pretense of polite modder etiquette. Their words dripped with sarcasm and open belligerence: “I wonder what prompted this.” A challenge had been issued. The budding curvy-Hornet ecosystem, it appeared, was not big enough for two visionaries.

Foureye5, however, met the aggression with the calm of a philosopher. He replied with a critique that dissected the artistic merits of both works with remarkable specificity: “Honestly, it looks different enough for it to be a serious alternative. This one has better thighs, yours has a better chest.” The comment section held its breath. Would this escalate into a flame war? Would mods start getting removed? Would the developers intervene?

Instead, in a moment of unexpected detente, Sandinsoda simply responded: “Fair enough.” Peace had been brokered. Neville Chamberlain would have been proud. A new standard of diplomatic relations had been established in the Hornet-curves arena, proving that even in the most degenerate corners of modding, compromise was possible.

The rivalry, softened into a respectful coexistence, sparked wild speculation about the future. What innovations could come next? The logical progression seemed clear: Even Curvier Hornet, or perhaps Even More Naked Hornet. Maybe a collaborative project where one author handles the chest physics and the other refines the thighs. The community, clearly, was only at the beginning of its journey down a path the original developers never intended.

Amidst the anatomical debates, however, a third mod quietly claimed its place as the genuine standout of the section. It eschewed curves entirely. Instead, it altered the text displayed on one of the game’s many breakable bindings. Originally a simple prompt urging the player to persist, the mod transformed it into an aggressive, motivational slap: “Lock the f**k in.” For every player who has spent hours smashing their head against a boss like the rematch with the Mantis Lords’ supreme edition, this single line of text became the perfect galvanizing force. Sometimes, you don’t need a curvier protagonist. You just need someone to yell at you, and that someone might as well be a piece of in-game furniture.

What the Silksong adult mod scene lacks in size — at last count still hovering around a handful of entries — it makes up for in narrative. It is a microcosm of a fandom that has endured too much, a strange blend of artistry, rivalry, and genuine utility. The curvy sprites will likely continue to refine their hip-to-waist ratios. The motivational binding mod might eventually expand into an entire suite of aggressive encouragement (“Parry that, you coward”). And somewhere, in a hidden NexusMods category, the next breakthrough is already being compiled, ready to make headlines and test the limits of what the Silksong engine can render.

The community watches, waits, and keeps its needle sharp. After all, in the kingdom of Pharloom, anything can happen — especially when the mod tools are unlocked and the cloak comes off.

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I still remember the mix of wonder and exhaustion I felt when the credits rolled on my first Hollow Knight: Silksong playthrough. After 78 hours, I stared at my 96% completion screen with a strange brew of pride and relief. I’d clawed my way through thorny new kingdoms, died embarrassingly often to a certain brooding arachnid, and spent what felt like an eternity just trying to pogo off a chain of bellflies without plummeting into a pit of thorns. So when I learned that someone had polished off the entire main story in less time than it takes me to watch a single season of a TV show, my brain nearly short-circuited.



The speedrunner in question is Nebula, a name that has rapidly become synonymous with breaking Silksong’s boundaries. Back in late 2025, Nebula managed an Any% completion in a mind-melting 58 minutes and 52 seconds. I’ll let that sink in: fifty-eight minutes, fifty-two seconds. By the time I’ve brewed a cup of tea and settled into my chair, Nebula has already toppled the final boss and waved goodbye to the kingdom of Pharloom. That’s a far cry from the typical main-story duration of around 26 hours recorded on HowLongToBeat, and it makes even many speedruns from the original Hollow Knight look leisurely.

Nebula’s run isn’t just about raw button-pressing speed — it’s a carefully choreographed dance that dismantles every obstacle with surgical precision. Early on, before Hornet unlocks her more fluid movement tools, Nebula leans heavily on the pogo technique, repeatedly bouncing off enemies and environmental objects to maintain momentum and shave off precious frames. Watching him traverse the Moss Grotto and the Gilded City, I kept noticing how each hop seemed to steal an inch of progress, adding up to entire seconds saved over a full run. It’s the sort of optimization that makes you reevaluate every casual jump you’ve ever taken.

Then come the boss fights, and this is where my jaw genuinely dropped. The Widow, a shimmering nightmare that took me roughly twenty attempts and a carefully stacked combination of Pollip Pouch, Cogfly, and Tacks, falls in a clean 50 seconds under Nebula’s blade. Even more absurdly, the first encounter with Lace — a duel I considered a rite-of-passage wall — ends in a crisp 30 seconds, without a single Tool equipped. No gadgets, no crutches, just flawless pattern recognition and a relentless offense. I watched that segment four times in a row, still unable to reconcile the video with my own memory of frantically dashing into Lace’s needle-storm.

The route that enabled this sub-hour miracle leans on what’s known as the Mist path, but Nebula has already publicly stated intentions to switch to the Last Judge route for future attempts. According to their own breakdown, the Last Judge approach can be up to 40 seconds faster than an average Mist run — though it demands a set of devilishly difficult skips that would shatter the nerves of most players. To even consider swapping strategies after achieving such a historic milestone shows a hunger for perfection that defines the top tier of the speedrunning community.

Here’s a quick comparison to put the time difference into perspective:

Playstyle
Approximate Time

Typical first playthrough (main story)
~26 hours

My completionist-ish save
78 hours (96%)

Nebula’s Any% Mist route
58 minutes 52 seconds

Projected Last Judge route
Potentially sub-58 minutes

It’s wild to think that we’re already staring down the barrel of a potential sub-58-minute run. The speedrunning community for Silksong has matured at a frightening pace since the game launched on September 4, 2025, and runners are constantly chaining together newly discovered skips, sequence breaks, and glitches that warp the adventure into a lightning-fast puzzle box. I still remember the early days when players gasped at a two-hour clear; now we casually talk about cutting seconds off Lace fights as if it’s a morning crossword.

What excites me most is the creativity that blossoms under such constraints. The pogo-first movement, the deliberate decision to delay certain power-ups, and the nerve-wracking boss execution all combine into a spectacle that feels almost like a different game from the one I carefully explored. I spent hours wandering into dead ends and admiring stained-glass architecture; Nebula sees a labyrinth of optimizations waiting to be untangled. Both approaches are valid, and both remind me why Silksong has become such an enduring gem.

Hollow Knight: Silksong is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, as well as through Xbox Game Pass. And while I’ll probably never personally see that sub-hour credits screen, I’ll keep cheering from the stands every time a runner like Nebula reshapes what we thought was possible in Pharloom. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go practice my pogo hops — maybe one day I’ll beat Lace in under five minutes.

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When Hollow Knight: Silksong finally launched in late 2025, the wait seemed instantly justified. Hornet’s long-anticipated journey delivered a deep and challenging metroidvania experience that immediately captivated veterans and newcomers alike. Yet the release date was merely the beginning of a living, evolving world. Team Cherry didn’t rest on its laurels after that first download wave; two updates hit the game within its opening weeks, and while patch notes highlighted major fixes, the real magic lay in the subtle, unheralded tweaks that reshaped combat flow.



The first patch on September 12 addressed immediate pain points, notably rebalancing the ferocious bosses Moorwing and Silent Splinter to make those early duels a touch fairer. Then came the September 21 update, a robust collection of bug fixes such as preventing Shrine Guardian Seth from accidentally drifting out of bounds mid-fight. However, deep within this second update, a series of hidden adjustments waited to be discovered—and they have since fundamentally altered how tools, crests, and attacks interact. Only the most observant players noticed them, and when YouTuber Visic released a detailed breakdown, the community erupted with debate.

The Silk Economy Shift

One of the most impactful stealth changes concerned silk generation. In Silksong, silk is a precious resource that fuels many of Hornet’s deadly abilities. Previously, flying enemies posed a particular challenge, often requiring conservative play. The unannounced tweak made charged attacks generate silk, instantly granting an aggressive new option for aerial combat. Suddenly, playing into the skies felt not just viable but rewarding.

What made this even more layered was how crests interacted with the new rule. Using the Hunter’s Crest during a charged attack now produced two silks—double the baseline—while all other crests generated only one. The Witch Crest remained unchanged, maintaining its existing niche without receiving the silk bonus. This asymmetry meant that thoughtful crest selection became more strategic: do you take the raw silk advantage of the Hunter’s Crest over the special properties of others?

Sadly, not every crest enjoyed the update’s goodwill. The Architect Crest suffered a substantial 29% damage reduction, a nerf that sparked sharply divided opinions. Some players lamented the loss of power in a crest they had come to rely on; others welcomed the change, believing it encouraged diversity away from a previously dominant choice.

Tools and Attacks: A Cascade of Micro-Adjustments

Beyond silk, each tool and attack type received painstaking recalibration. Why would Team Cherry hide such detailed work? Perhaps to let the meta evolve organically without players flocking to “buffed” items on patch day. The results speak for themselves.

Flintslate – The blunt flint tool received a contextual buff. If Hornet wears the Hunter, Reaper, or Beast Crests, Flintslate’s damage jumps by 50%. With Witch or Wanderer Crests, it’s marginally weaker, and with Architect Crest it takes a heavy hit. This turns Flintslate into a powerhouse for specific creature-hunting builds.

Clawline Attack with Hunter Focus – A slight nerf. Players who stacked the Hunter’s focus buff into the Clawline attack now deal less damage, reining in what was an overwhelming combination.

Volt Filament – A surprise winner. This tool received a major buff, now also amplifying the damage of Hornet’s skills themselves. The crackling energy not only adds its own punch but makes every technique in her arsenal deadlier.

Cogwork Wheel – A quiet nerf. The maximum carry capacity dropped from 16 to 10, forcing more careful ammo management on builds that relied on the spinning blades.



Community Reaction and the Hunt for Secrets

On Reddit and across discords, the discovery of these hidden changes sent curious investigators into the game’s depths. The silk generation change garnered near-universal praise. One player’s comment captured the mood: “Charged attacks finally feel like they have a purpose beyond burst damage. I hope Hunter’s Crest keeps getting tuned to be as good as regular attacks, if not better.” The vision of a crest-centric playstyle where your choice of icon on Hornet’s chest dictates a whole combat philosophy felt closer than ever.

Architect Crest’s nerf, predictably, split the room. Hardcore min-maxers bemoaned the loss of their beloved tool, while others argued it made room for less-used crests to shine. Is a 29% damage cut too steep, or exactly what a balanced game needs? The fact that Team Cherry chose to keep this change out of the spotlight suggests they wanted players to genuinely test and decide, rather than react to statistics on a screen.

A Living Pharloom

Now, in 2026, Silksong feels more polished than at launch—but not static. These silent tweaks tell a story of a developer that respects its audience’s intelligence, trusting players to uncover the nuance through experimentation. Each hidden change, from the silk reward of a charged strike to the carried limit of Cogwork Wheels, nudges the experience toward deeper engagement. What other secrets might still lurk in the mossy corners of Pharloom? As Team Cherry continues to adjust and refine, one thing is certain: the journey is far from over, and the community will keep digging, one hidden note at a time.



For players looking to dive into the ever-evolving world of Silksong or revisit Pharloom with fresh eyes, having access to the game at an affordable price can make the experience even sweeter. As updates and hidden tweaks continue to shape the gameplay, it’s never too late to join the community or start your journey.

If you’re searching for the cheapest steam keys to explore the mysteries of Pharloom or add to your gaming library, there are plenty of options to consider. Finding a deal that fits your budget ensures you can focus on what matters most—uncovering every secret the developers have so cleverly hidden.

So, Silksong has been out for a while now, and if you're anything like me, you've probably scoured every nook of Pharloom with a fine-toothed comb. Or so you thought. I mean, I had all the tools, all the upgrades, and a smug sense of completion. Then I stumbled onto The Lost Merchant wish, and suddenly I was questioning every decision I'd ever made—especially my ability to spot a secret wall. Let me guide you through this ridiculous escapade so you can keep your dignity intact.

First things first: you don't just waltz into this quest fresh off the bone-carpet. You need to have put in some serious legwork. That means you've already freed the bell inside the First Shrine in Choral Chambers and unlocked Songclave. You know, that hub where you finally start feeling like a big-shot adventurer. If you haven't done that, stop reading and go slap some bells. Once Songclave is open, you'll need to complete that earlier Wandering Merchant wish to get Jubilana to set up shop. Ah, Jubilana—sweet little merchant with an inventory that makes my needle-wielding heart sing. Until she vanishes again, that is.

Fast forward a bit. You've explored the Citadel, maybe died a hundred times to some oversized cog-mech, and you've unlocked the Memorium biome. Not going to lie, I originally stumbled into Memorium by accident while panic-dashing away from a swarm of angry fireflies. But I digress. After buying a few of Jubilana's wares, head back to the Songclave wish board, and there it is: The Lost Merchant. The description mentions she's gone off to Memorium chasing trinkets. Cute, right? Except now I have to track her down through the most melancholy area in the game, where everything is monochrome and drips existential dread.



Here's where I wish I'd paid more attention to map details. Getting to Memorium itself isn't hard—you can either take the Ventrica (if you've unlocked that fast-travel point) or go the scenic route: exit Songclave from the top-left, float to the greenish biome above the Cogwork Dancers arena using your trusty Faydown Cloak. Yes, the same one that never seems to work when a boss is charging at you, but here it's mandatory. Once you're in Memorium, I highly recommend finding the bench at the bottom first. Save your game. Save your sanity. You'll need both.

Now, the hunt begins. From the bench, head left and immediately look up. You'll spot some shiny merchant wares glinting like little beacons of consumerism. This is the trail Jubilana left behind, probably while muttering about profit margins. You can try to follow the breadcrumb trail of silk-threaded debris, but honestly, the path is less a trail and more a cruel joke. I spent ten minutes bouncing between identical-looking ledges before giving up and checking a more direct route.



Here's the trick that saved my evening: return to that bench and go all the way to the right. If you haven't unlocked that path yet, you might need to clear some earlier barriers, but trust me, it's worth it. You'll eventually find yourself in a small, unassuming room on the right side of Memorium. It looks empty. It feels like a dead end. But Silksong devs are masters of hiding things just out of sight. Direct your gaze upward and to the right, and you'll notice a tiny section of wall jutting out from the silk—almost like the architecture is winking at you.



A double jump will let you grab onto that outcrop like a desperate gecko. From there, it's a straightforward (but tense) shimmy to the right through a hidden passage. I kept expecting the wall to crumble, but no—just more silk and the distant sound of my heart pounding. Eventually, you drop into an open arena. And it's go-time. A crowd of mobs rushes you, and poor Jubilana is cowering in a corner with her trinkets scattered like confetti. Defeat them, free her, and suddenly you've completed the wish. She'll return to her shop with new stock, and you've also just discovered a secret biome nook you might have never seen otherwise. Win-win!

Looking back, The Lost Merchant wish is a masterclass in Silksong's design. It nudges you into an area you probably rushed through before, then rewards your curiosity with an expanded shop and a glimpse of hidden depths. Sure, I lost an hour, a bit of my pride, and nearly a controller to a frustrating failed jump, but what's a Metroidvania without a little suffering?

If you're playing in 2026 like me, you've probably already moved on to the latest expansions, but revisiting this little side quest reminded me why I fell in love with Hornet's adventure in the first place. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to see what else I missed—probably a whole kingdom hidden behind a single breakable leaf. ?✨

As you continue exploring the fascinating corners of Silksong, keep in mind that the game is not just about the thrill of discovery but also about maximizing your in-game resources. Whether you're a seasoned player or a newcomer, finding the right trinkets and upgrades can enhance your experience significantly. In fact, understanding where to invest your in-game currency can mirror real-world shopping strategies, where finding the best deal on essential items saves both time and effort.

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