Videogames.
Gym.
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Manga.
My dog.
In that order.
This walkthrough covers the Blasted Steps area in Hollow Knight Silksong, including how to defeat the Great Conchflies and The Last Judge, find all three benches, obtain the map from Shakra, learn Needle Strike from the Pinstress, and discover the Silkeater secret. Follow this step-by-step guide to navigate the vertical platforming challenges and complete Act 1 with all collectibles.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Estimated Time: 60-90 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderate-Hard (challenging platforming + 2 boss fights)
- Required Abilities: None for entry, Clawline + Double Jump for secrets
- Major Rewards: Needle Strike, Silkeater, Magnetite Dice (optional)
- Boss Fights: Great Conchflies, The Last Judge
- Total Benches: 3 (entrance, central area, Pinstress)
- Map Location: Purchase from Shakra in bottom-right room (70 Rosaries)
For all Hollow Knight Silksong guides and walkthroughs, visit our main Silksong walkthrough hub.
Table of contents
- Bellhart Preparation
- Shellwood Path to Blasted Steps
- Exploring Blasted Steps
- Getting the Blasted Steps Map
- Activating Switches and Climbing
- Hidden Areas and NPCs
- Meeting the Tall Pilgrim
- Boss Fight – Great Conchflies
- After Great Conchflies Victory
- Returning to Blasted Steps
- Boss Fight – The Last Judge
- Jump Slam Attack Pattern
- Thurible Wide Circle Swing
- First Stagger – Fire Activation
- Concentric Flame Circles Strategy
- Charge and Dash Attack
- Fire Trail and Pillar Positioning
- Thurible Throw and Staggered Explosion
- Jump Slam with Flame Wall
- Final Phase – Increased Damage and Duration
- Strategy Tips – Patience and Positioning
- Act 1 Complete – Transition to Act 2
- Related Guides and Walkthroughs
Bellhart Preparation
Trading with Relic Seeker Scrounge
Head to Bellhart.
Enter the shop up above the central area.
Speak to Relic Seeker Scrounge and hand over any relics you have.
Needle Sharpening with Pinmaster Plinney
Speak to Pinmaster Plinney inside the store on the right to get a damage increase for your needle.
Obtaining Pinmaster’s Oil
If this is the second time you are talking to him after having sharpened the needle once before – he will ask for the wish – Pinmaster’s Oil.
Shellwood Path to Blasted Steps
Now, head to this location in Shellwood.
Climbing Flowers and Platforms
Jump off the flowers and the platforms and keep going up. Go to the left and jump over the gap. Go up at the intersection.
Reaching the Blasted Steps Entrance & First Bench Location
Go to the right. Inspect the sign and keep climbing out. Move to the left in the next area and you can pay for a bench here. Welcome to the Blasted Steps.
Exploring Blasted Steps
Navigating Platform Over Sand
Move to the left. Keep on the platforms, you don’t want to step on the sands. Go up and to the left.
Finding Hanging Bells
Keep climbing and clearing the area till you see the hanging bells.
Go right from these to find an exit to the next area.
Meeting Conch Shell Flies
In the next area you will find these conch shell flies.
Getting the Blasted Steps Map
Finding Shakra the Cartographer
Keep going this way to find Shakra at the end. Get the map off her.
Move up and to the left from here and then to the right once you get high enough.
Secret Area with Silkeater
As you move to the right you will find a ledge with a sack of Rosaries. Take it and break the wall behind it.
It’s a secret area. You can pick up the Silkeater here. Keep climbing and keep to the left and eventually you will see the exit at the top left corner.
Activating Switches and Climbing
Platform Switch and Hanging Cages
Take stock of your location now.
Move to the left and hit the switch on the platform – jump over the two hanging cages to get there.
Reaching the Metal Platform
Now start your climb upwards. Keep moving up till you reach the metal platform on top.
Bench Location and Bellbeast Network
Go to the left and pay the Rosaries to get a bench. Then, summon the Bellbeast to add this location to the Bellways network.
Go past this place and you will see another path leading upwards – but its not on the map yet.
Hidden Areas and NPCs
Tent Location and Cave Bug
Move up here to find a tent. If you go in the cave, a bug will run off at the sight of you.
Saving Another Flea
Go back out and head back up to find another flea to save.
Meeting Lumble the Lucky (Gambling)
Drop down the shaft now and you will see a door in the bottom left corner. Careful not to land in the sand. Once inside keep going till you meet Lumble the Lucky.
You can gamble for Rosaries with him.
Meeting the Tall Pilgrim
Go back out to the shaft and up again past the Bellbeast. Rest at the bench and keep going to the right.
Move through this area and move up and to the right. Eventually you will come to the exit.
Learning About the Holy Bell
Speak to the Tall Pilgrim and he will tell you of a holy bell that you need to get.
New Objective – Bell Shrine
You need to get to a bell shrine. You will have a new objective. Check your map.
Boss Fight – Great Conchflies
Blue Banner Location
Before that lets get the area boss. Go to the location marked on the map. You will see a blue banner outside.
Rush through to the other side. Prepare for a boss fight.
Split Attack Pattern – Drilling Mechanics
Let’s break it down. They will split up and start drilling in opposite directions – one in the ceiling and one in the floor.
Smoke Plumes and Pop-Out Attacks
They will disappear. Watch the plumes of smoke to know where they will pop out from.
Conch Shell Ricocheting Projectiles
They will shoot conch shells that ricochet off the ground and the walls.
The shells will ricochet 4 times around the arena. They will attack horizontally as well as vertically.
Wait till they have started drilling and you can get a hit in.
Defeating the First Conchfly
Keep moving and keep dodging. Get your hits in when they start digging. Watch for the plumes of smoke to know which direction they will come from. The smaller projectiles are easy enough to dodge.
Second Conchfly Retreat
Eventually, you will take care of one. Then the other one will run away and scream from a distance.
After Great Conchflies Victory
Crossing the Desert to Pinstress
The doors will open so head to the left. Cross the desert and stop at the last platform near the platform held up by a blue balloon.
Go up these platforms here to meet the Pinstress. Rest at the bench and speak to her.
Learning Needle Strike Ability
Train with her here to learn Needle Strike.
Go back to the central shaft and head down.
Ringing the Bell at Shellwood
Go through here and ring the bell.
Returning to Blasted Steps
After ringing the bell at Shellwood head back to Blasted Steps. Easiest way is to take the Bellbeast.
Speaking with Sherma
You will find Sherma next to the bench, speak to her.
Reaching the Gates
Exit through the left and make your way up to the gates.
You should play music for the door to open but instead prepare for a boss fight.
Boss Fight – The Last Judge
Jump Slam Attack Pattern
Let’s break it down. He jumps up and does a straight slam downwards.
Thurible Wide Circle Swing
He swings the thurible (?) in a wide circle.
Both moves are easy enough to dodge, weave in and out and get hits in.
First Stagger – Fire Activation
After the first stagger, the thurible lights on fire and his swing radius increases.
Concentric Flame Circles Strategy
It also starts emanating more circles of flames. You can position yourself in between the concentric circles from hell and move with them.
Charge and Dash Attack
He will charge up and then dash across the screen.
Fire Trail and Pillar Positioning
Jump and float over this, but watch for the trail of fire he leaves behind. Try to stand in between the two flame pillars.
Thurible Throw and Staggered Explosion
After the concentric flame circles, he will sometimes throw the thurible at you. Which has a staggered explosion.
Jump Slam with Flame Wall
His jump and dash down attack now comes with a bonus wall of flame, that starts from where he slammed down. You need to hover over this.
Final Phase – Increased Damage and Duration
In the last phase, the concentric flame circles will increase in duration and concentration.
Every hit now will take two life points. The charge and dash will now leave three pillars of fire.
Strategy Tips – Patience and Positioning
The trick to this fight, like most fights in Silksong is patience. Keep your distance, most of his attacks have a tell and a window for positioning. Get one or two hits in whenever there is an opening, but otherwise maintain distance and keep moving. It’s a long, drawn-out fight, but eventually he will go down.
Act 1 Complete – Transition to Act 2
Once he burns to cinders, watch the cutscene, which completes Act 1. Act 2 starts now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many benches are in Blasted Steps?
There are three benches in Blasted Steps: one at the entrance (must be purchased), one in the central area near the Bellbeast, and one at the Pinstress location after defeating the Great Conchflies. The central bench is closest to The Last Judge boss fight.
Where is the Blasted Steps map?
The Blasted Steps map is sold by Shakra, located in the bottom-right room of the area. You can purchase it for 70 Rosaries. From the entrance, head right and keep moving through the conch shell fly area until you reach her.
How do I defeat the Great Conchflies boss?
The Great Conchflies burrow into the ceiling and floor, then emerge to shoot ricocheting shells. Watch for smoke plumes to predict where they’ll appear, dodge the projectiles, and attack when they start drilling. After defeating one, the other retreats and the fight ends.
What’s the best strategy for The Last Judge?
The Last Judge is a patience battle. Dodge his slam attacks and thurible swings, position yourself between concentric flame circles, and jump over his dash attack trails. In the final phase, each hit does two damage and flame attacks intensify. Take your time and only attack when there’s a clear opening.
Where can I find the Silkeater in Blasted Steps?
The Silkeater is in a secret area. From Shakra‘s location, climb up and left, then move right when high enough. Look for a ledge with a sack of Rosaries and break the wall behind it. The Silkeater is in this hidden room.
How do I get to Blasted Steps from Shellwood?
From Shellwood, navigate to the upper-right area of the map, jump on flowers and platforms going upward, move left and jump over a gap, then go up at the intersection. Continue right and inspect the sign. Climb out, move left in the next area, and you’ll find the Blasted Steps entrance with the first bench.
Where is Lumble the Lucky and what does he do?
Lumble the Lucky is found in the bottom-left corner of the main shaft through a door. He’s a gambler who lets you bet Rosaries on dice rolls. If you win all his money, he rewards you with the Magnetite Dice badge.
What is Needle Strike and where do I learn it?
Needle Strike is a charge attack ability taught by the Pinstress. After defeating the Great Conchflies, cross the desert and ascend the platforms near the blue balloon. Rest at her bench and speak to her to learn this technique.
Congratulations on completing Act 1! Continue your journey in our Underworks walkthrough for Act 2.
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Videogames.
Gym.
Sneakers.
Manga.
My dog.
In that order.
