Videogames.
Gym.
Sneakers.
Manga.
My dog.
In that order.
This Shellwood walkthrough covers the complete area in Hollow Knight: Silksong, including how to defeat Sister Splinter, unlock the Cling Grip wall-jump ability, find the Longpin tool, collect the second Mask Shard, and complete the Rite of the Pollip quest. Follow this step-by-step guide to explore Shellwood with 100% collectibles and unlock access to upper Bellhart.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderate (platforming and combat required)
- Required Abilities: Dash (from previous areas)
- Major Rewards: Cling Grip ability, Longpin tool, Mask Shard, Silkspeed Anklets
- Boss Fights: Sister Splinter (moderate difficulty)
- Important NPCs: Shakra (map vendor), Greyroot (quest giver)
- Collectibles: Shell Shards, Frayed Rosary Ring, Pollip Hearts (6 total)
Table of contents
- KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Starting in Haunted Bellhart
- Shellwood Exploration
- Central Platforms
- Top Left Exit and Gauntlet
- Bench and Elevator Section
- Meeting Greyroot
- Finding Shakra and Maps
- Flower Jumping Section
- Channel Navigation and Bench
- Flea Rescue and Fast Travel
- Mask Shard Location
- Pollip Heart
- Path to Boss Fight
- Boss Fight – Sister Splinter
- Related Guides and Walkthroughs
Starting in Haunted Bellhart
Moving Left and Entering Shellwood
We start this section in the Haunted Bellhart.
Move to the left and exit this area. Inspect the sign in the next area. Keep going to the left and you will be in Shellwood.
Shellwood Exploration
Fighting Enemies and Climbing Platforms
Take care of the flying pilgrim with the spear and move up the platforms on the left.
Finding the Shell Shard Bell
On the top left corner of the area is a shell shard bell. Take it down and collect the shards.
Move to the platform on the right now.
Central Platforms
Collecting Rosary Ring and Longpin Tool
From there float to a platform high up, almost in the middle of the map.
Pick up the Frayed Rosary Ring and take care of the enemy that shows up.
Keep moving to the right, jumping and floating from platform to platform and then turn left at the far side. On that side at the top, later on, you can find the tool Longpin.
Top Left Exit and Gauntlet
Clearing the Gauntlet and Opening the Door
Keep going and soon you will find the exit on the top left corner.
Be careful in the next area, there is a gauntlet down there that activates as soon as you drop down.
Kill the various bugs that show up to end the gauntlet.
The door to the left will open so head through.
Bench and Elevator Section
Unlocking the Bench and Elevator Shortcut
Go up the channel and activate the bench on top with 60 Rosaries.
Exit this area now and in the next area, stand on the switch. Get in the elevator as it gets lowered. Step out and move to the right. Stand on the pressure switch to activate the doorway.
We will head through there later – it’s a shortcut connecting to the earlier zone, clear out this zone first.
Meeting Greyroot
Entering Greyroot’s House and Receiving the Wish
Move to the left and climb up. Keep to the left and near the top you will see an exit.
Take this exit and enter Greyroot’s house. Speak to him. He will give you the Wish: Rite of the Pollip.
Check out our complete guide to Wishes in Hollow Knight: Silksong here.
Exit the hut and go back.
Finding Shakra and Maps
Buying Maps and Following Bench Signs
In the main area you just left, drop down keeping to the left and you will a metal platform with an exit.
Inside you will find Shakra. Get the Shellwood and Bellhart map from her. Go past her and through to the other side. You will see a sign for a bench up ahead.
Flower Jumping Section
Using Flowers to Reach the Upper Path
Keep going and you will see channel leading upwards. Use the flowers to jump off to get up.
As you approach the top, you will notice spikes. Be careful and keep moving up. Take the path leading to the next area on the right. Go past the structure here and up the channel and the exit at the right.
In the next area, go past the flowers and the stick insect through to the next area.
Channel Navigation and Bench
Traveling Down the Channel and Resting
Go down the channel here (there is nothing up there for now), avoiding the bug that shoots its neck out. Rest at the bench.
We will have to head to the unexplored location soon. Move in that direction. It connects back to Bone Bottom.
Flea Rescue and Fast Travel
Freeing Flea and Unlocking Fast Travel Zone
As you move past Shakra, remember the channel where we jumped off flowers and spikes, go up that channel again and turn to the right and make your way down to find a Flea for the wish.
Some flowers shoot at you here, in general, making your life miserable. Also note the fast travel zone is at the top left corner here – if you have the Rosaries.
Once you have freed the Flea, move up again.
Mask Shard Location
Navigating Spikes and Collecting the Shard
Take the path to the right at the top. In this area, pogo off the flowers and then clear the path near the platform.
Make your way over the spikes and the flowers and at the end of the path you will find the second Mask Shard. The first one is sold at Bone Bottom.
Make your way back. Now go up to the platform on top in the place where you freed the Flea.
Pollip Heart
Reaching Upper Platform and Finding Pollip Heart
Go past that mysterious structure again and to the next area.
In this room if you jump off the flowers and get to the top you can find a Pollip Heart for the wish – Rite of the Pollip.
Path to Boss Fight
Navigating to Sister Splinter Arena
Now go to the left. We are headed here.
Go up and around and through the exit on the right, past the elevator.
Move to the left and up and around to the right and through.
Prepare for a boss fight.
Boss Fight – Sister Splinter
Attack Patterns and Strategies
So lets break this down. She will take over half the arena by dropping pillars of thorns.
Then she will slam downwards.
She will slide across the ceiling, slamming downwards. There is a window after she slams once to thrice randomly. She just waits. Use that window to jump up and hit her.
You need to break the thorn pillars to increase the area available to you. Avoid her slams by dashing but stay close so you punish her commitment.
Add Phases and Healing Opportunities
After the first stagger, she will summon adds.
These spin and close the gap between you and them. They will always try to box you in.
Easiest way to deal with them is to harpoon them.
Once they are both dead, she will come back and keep summoning one add. She will also drop little spindles of silk that you can pick up to heal.
Final Phase and Victory
After the third stagger, she will drop down thorn pillars on the entire stage.
Avoid these and break them down asap and keep hitting her when she commits to a move and you dodge. Easy, right?
Frequently Asked Questions About Shellwood
How do I defeat Sister Splinter in Shellwood?
Sister Splinter hangs from the ceiling and drops thorn pillars to limit your movement space. Jump over her side-to-side slams and wait for openings after she commits to an attack. In phase 2, she summons spinning adds—use your harpoon to eliminate them quickly. Break down thorn pillars to maintain movement space, and heal using the silk spindles she drops after the third stagger.
Where is the Longpin tool in Shellwood?
The Longpin tool is located in the upper right area of Shellwood. After collecting the Frayed Rosary Ring, move to the far right side of the map and climb up to the top. You’ll find a Wood Wasp nest—destroy it to reveal the entrance, then enter to claim the Longpin.
How do I get the Cling Grip ability?
The Cling Grip wall-jump ability is your reward for defeating Sister Splinter. After the boss fight at the top of Shellwood, you’ll automatically receive this ability, which allows Hornet to cling to walls and jump off them to reach new areas.
Where can I find Shakra and buy maps in Shellwood?
Shakra is located in the left side of the main Shellwood area, inside a small room with a metal platform. She sells the Shellwood Map for 70 Rosaries and the Bellhart Map for 40 Rosaries. Purchase both to make navigation much easier.
What is the Rite of the Pollip quest?
Greyroot, found in a small cabin in the upper left of Shellwood, gives you the Rite of the Pollip quest. You need to find 6 Pollip Hearts hidden inside large purple flowers throughout Shellwood. Strike each flower multiple times to make the Pollip Heart drop, then collect them all to complete the quest and receive the Pollip Pouch reward.
Where is the second Mask Shard in Shellwood?
After freeing the Flea, go up to the platform where you freed them and take the path to the right. Pogo off the white flowers, clear enemies near the platform, then carefully navigate over spikes and flowers. The second Mask Shard is at the end of this path.
How do I activate the bench in Shellwood?
The bench in Shellwood costs 60 Rosaries to activate. After clearing the gauntlet arena (where multiple bugs spawn), go left and climb up the channel. At the top, you’ll find the bench that you can activate for 60 Rosaries to create a rest point and save location.
This concludes the Shellwood part of this walkthrough for Hollow Knight: Silksong. Proceed to Bellhart here.
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Videogames.
Gym.
Sneakers.
Manga.
My dog.
In that order.
