Videogames.
Gym.
Sneakers.
Manga.
My dog.
In that order.
This Deep Docks walkthrough covers everything you need to complete this lava-filled area in Hollow Knight: Silksong, including how to unlock the Swift Step ability, defeat the Lace boss, find the Diving Bell, locate both Lost Fleas, obtain the Spool Fragment, and complete the Deep Docks gauntlet. Follow this step-by-step guide to navigate the hazardous platforms, unlock fast travel, and collect all items including the bucket overflowing with smouldering flintstone.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Estimated Time: 60-90 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderate to Hard (lava hazards, gauntlets, boss fight)
- Required Abilities: None initially, Swift Step obtained in this area
- Major Rewards: Swift Step ability, Spool Fragment, two Lost Fleas, Straight Pin, Craftmetal
- Boss Fights: Lace (moderate difficulty)
- NPCs: Shakra (mapmaker), Forge Daughter (merchant), Grindle
Table of contents
- Entering The Marrow
- Navigating Early Sections
- Prison and Shortcut Areas
- Entering Deep Docks
- Lava and Enemy Chambers
- Secret Bell Area and Flea Wish
- Forge Daughter and Upgrades
- Advanced Areas and New Abilities
- Boss Preparation
- Boss Fight – Lace
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I get the Swift Step ability in Deep Docks?
- Where is the Diving Bell in Deep Docks?
- How do I defeat the Lace boss in Deep Docks?
- Where are the Lost Fleas in Deep Docks?
- What is the bucket overflowing with smouldering flintstone?
- Where is the Deep Docks gauntlet?
- How do I unlock the Bellway fast travel in Deep Docks?
- Related Guides and Walkthroughs
Entering The Marrow
Unlocking Fast Travel and Opening the Path
Once you wake up, jump up on the platform to the right. The Bell Beast will pop up again, showing you that have unlocked fast travel.
Navigating Early Sections
Crossing Spikes and Clearing Explosive Rocks
Keep going to the right and you will reach a chamber with a bell and a switch. Hit the switch to make the bell ring. This will give you a bench and the door to the right will open.
Head through into the next area and hit the switch to open the path leading below.
Keep going to the right to exit this area.
Collecting Rosaries and Craftmetal
Jump over the spikes and into the narrow channel in the bottom to find some more Rosaries.
Now take the upper path into the next area. Drop down and hit the glowing rock to clear a path.
Drop down and then hit the explosive rock at the bottom to clear another path. But start running back immediately, as the whole corridor will blow up. Pick up the Craftmetal.
Go back up and to the right.
Prison and Shortcut Areas
Freeing Grindle and Finding the Straight Pin
Watch for the falling rock and jump over the spikes to exit this area. In the next area, drop down.
Go to the right and enter the room. Save at the bench. Go up and to the right. Talk to the prisoners.
Free Grindle by breaking his cell. Above him you can pick up the Straight Pin.
Next, go to the left and break the cell of the other prisoner. He will attack you on sight so just smash him to bits. Exit the prison and head down.
Once here, ignore the right side of the area for now and head to the bottom and to the left.
Creating the Moving Platform Shortcut
This will take you to a moving platform that goes to the left if you step on the switch and get on the platform.
Once you have established this shortcut go back. Head to the right. Keep going and you will see a new type of enemy.
Take care of them and move to the right. Eventually you will exit to the Deep Docks.
Entering Deep Docks
Fighting New Enemies and Buying the Map from Shakra
Follow the signs to a bench and save there. Drop down and exit to the right.
You will find Shakra again. If you can afford it, get the map for Deep Docks.
Climb to the top right and hit the switch to raise the platform.
Jump over it and into the sleeping chambers of the enemies and take them out. Go out and keep climbing till you find another switch on the left.
Keep moving up and to the right at the very top. In this next room, clear the entire room and move to the right.
Lava and Enemy Chambers
Clearing Lava Rooms and Collecting Items
You will reach an area with a Rosaries bead on top and a long stretch of lava. Keep going past the bone deer over the hot lava.
Go to the right and climb up. Hit the explosive rock on top to open a path and keep moving to the left. But there is a bench up there, if you need it.
But go to the left and pick up the Rosaries from the ledge. Now go back up through the opening we made earlier. There is a bench on the right.
Go back to the open area and head up.
Facing Red Bee and Red Ant Enemies
There are two new kinds of enemies here – a red bee and a red ant. Keep moving up. This should complete this side of the map. We will come back here in the next part of this walkthrough.
Go back to Shakra. Head left towards the marker.
Insert 50 Rosaries if you have them here at the bell. I didn’t have them so I will have to come back.
Secret Bell Area and Flea Wish
Unlocking the Bell and Finding the Lost Flea
Break the wall at the far end to open a secret area.
Head in there and do the platforming challenge.
At the end you will find one of the Fleas for wish: The Lost Fleas.
Go back to the central area. Go past Shakra and into the exit. In the next area, hit the switch.
Drop down and go to the left. Take the next elevator down.
Forge Daughter and Upgrades
Surviving Gauntlet and Crafting Weapon Upgrades
Go to the right and hit the switch to find the room here. Inspect the writing.
If you go right from here there is a gauntlet. We will tackle that a bit later.
Head to the left and exit the area now. In the next area, drop down till you reach the platform on the left.
Head inside. There are enemies and Rosaries in here. Take care of all the enemies and get all the Rosaries.
Go back out and up to the right platform and head inside.
Jump over the lava till you reach safety.
Now jump over the buckets of lava and then hit the switch on the platform.
Bucket Overflowing with Smouldering Flintstone
One of the most challenging sections involves navigating across buckets overflowing with smouldering flintstone. These heated containers sit above lava pools and require precise jumping.
How to Navigate:
- Jump across the buckets quickly – don’t stand on them
- Use the platforms between bucket jumps to reset
- Hit the switch on the right platform to adjust positioning
- Navigate left to reach the Spool Fragment reward
The smouldering flintstone buckets deal damage if you stand on them too long, but brief contact is safe during jumps.
Jump all the way to the left to find half of the Spool Fragment.
Hit the switch to drop down and head back to the left. Go back up and to the right. Head to the gauntlet now.
Deep Docks Gauntlet Strategy
The Deep Docks gauntlet is a combat challenge located in the lower eastern section. Access it by taking the elevator down and heading right from the lore tablet room.
Gauntlet Details:
- Multiple waves of enemies spawn in sequence
- Red ant ninjas and flying enemies appear
- Completing all waves opens the path forward
- Rewards include Rosaries and access to Forge Daughter
Tips for Success:
- Clear enemies methodically rather than rushing
- Use vertical space to avoid being surrounded
- Save soul/silk for healing between waves
- The gauntlet is optional but recommended for resources
Once you beat the gauntlet, head up and rest at the bench.
On the right you will find Forge Daughter.
You can craft weapons and traps here. Anyway there isn’t anything else left to do in Deep Docks now but get the dash ability and fight Lace, so head back to the bench at the top right corner of the
Bone Bottom Wishes and Magma Bell
If you head back to Bone Bottom, you will find a Wish Board there with two wishes – Garb of the Pilgrims and Bone Bottom Repairs.
Garb of Pilgrim requires you to get Pilgrim Shawls from the various crazy pilgrims around Mosshome, while Bone Bottom Repairs needs a donation of 200 shards.
You can go do them now or forge ahead.
Also please note that I have obtained the Crafting Kit and Magma Bell upgrades from Forge Daughter. One increases Tool damage and the other makes you impervious to magma damage.
Diving Bell Location
The Diving Bell is a key landmark in Deep Docks located in the southeastern section. After completing the gauntlet and meeting Forge Daughter, you can access the Diving Bell area by continuing east.
To reach the Diving Bell, descend from the bench area and navigate through the enemy-filled chambers. The old Diving Bell serves as a connection point to deeper areas and is essential for late-game progression when you acquire the Diving Bell Key from Ballow.
Advanced Areas and New Abilities
Discovering the Weaver Tomb and Obtaining Swift Step
Exit the room with the bench and go up to the upper area. There will be two red bees bearing down on you as you climb up.
The right path is blocked for now. So, head left. There is a new enemy type here and it is a gauntlet.
Jump over and dodge the attacks of the red ant ninjas here and survive the gauntlet.
Once you beat the gauntlet, head left and down. Take out the ant and keep moving down. Head to the right once you reach the bottom and hit the explosive rock.
Don’t go this way now, but turn around and go to the left. Eventually you will come to another Weaver tomb.
Inspecting this will get your Swift Step.
Finding Second Flea and Shortcut Unlock
Move to the left, taking the upper platforms using dash to get to the switch.
This will drop a platform down. Climb up to find another Flea for the Wish – The Lost Fleas.
Boss Preparation
Saving at Bench and Unlocking Final Path
Drop down and exit the area. Head to the area with a upper platform that you couldn’t reach before.
Dash to the right and hit the switch. Go down below and save at the bench and prepare for a boss fight.
Boss Fight – Lace
Attack Patterns and Counters
This boss has five moves –
- It’s a straight dash and riposte.
- This has another version where she staggers the hits with a double dash.
- She jumps up in the air and goes down diagonally and she can change direction mid air.
- She will raise her sword and wait for you to strike her. Hitting her in this pose triggers a massive shredding session. So avoid hitting her or get her from the back.
- She summons an area of effect and does a multiple hit combo.
Strategy and Rewards
Check out the video below –
Watch her tells, keep moving with her and punish her during either the double dash or the jump attack. Beating her opens up the path to Far Fields.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get the Swift Step ability in Deep Docks?
The Swift Step ability is located in the western section of Deep Docks. Navigate through the lava areas, head left past the gauntlet, and descend to find a Weaver tomb. Inspect the tomb to unlock Swift Step, which allows you to dash during combat and movement.
Where is the Diving Bell in Deep Docks?
The Diving Bell is located in the lower eastern section of Deep Docks. After obtaining Swift Step, navigate to the locked gate area, use the elevator down, and head right to find the Diving Bell location. You’ll need to meet Ballow to progress this area fully.
How do I defeat the Lace boss in Deep Docks?
Lace has five main attacks: straight dash riposte, double dash combo, diagonal aerial attack, counter stance, and area-of-effect combo. Watch her attack tells, avoid hitting her during counter stance, and punish her during recovery frames after dash or jump attacks. The fight takes place over lava, so positioning is critical.
Where are the Lost Fleas in Deep Docks?
There are two Lost Fleas in Deep Docks. The first is in a hidden area behind a breakable wall near the Bellway fast travel station (left side). The second requires Swift Step ability – use it to reach upper platforms in the western area, hit the switch to raise a platform, and climb to find the second Flea.
What is the bucket overflowing with smouldering flintstone?
The bucket overflowing with smouldering flintstone refers to the lava bucket platforming section where you obtain the Spool Fragment. Jump across the heated buckets (don’t stand on them too long), hit the switch to move platforms, and navigate to the left side to collect the Spool Fragment.
Where is the Deep Docks gauntlet?
The Deep Docks gauntlet is located in the lower section after you hit the switch and take the elevator down. Head right from the elevator bottom to find the gauntlet arena. You’ll face multiple enemy waves – completing it grants access to Forge Daughter and rewards Rosaries.
How do I unlock the Bellway fast travel in Deep Docks?
To unlock the Bellway fast travel in Deep Docks, head left from Shakra’s location to find the Bell Beast station. You’ll need to pay 50 Rosaries to activate it. Break the wall to the far left to access the hidden area with the first Lost Flea.
This concludes the Deep Docks walkthrough for Hollow Knight: Silksong. Continue your journey in the Far Fields here.
Related Guides and Walkthroughs
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- Heartworm Review
Videogames.
Gym.
Sneakers.
Manga.
My dog.
In that order.
